What is balance

• What is Balance?

  • No universal definition
  • A multi-dimensional concept, referring to the ability of a person not to fall
• Newton’s 1st Law “Balance”

  • The ability of an object to maintain a static position is related:
  • to the position of the Centre of Gravity (CoG)
  • Area of the base of support (BOS)
  • If CoG within BOS = balance (equilibrium)
• Human “Balance”

  • Balance = ability to control the centre of gravity (CoG) in relation to the Base of Support (BoS) (e.g. stay upright!)
  • BoS is defined as the area of body (or inanimate object e.g. chair ) in contact with the supporting surface AND space between all contact points
  • NB: CoG may also be called Centre of Mass(CoM)
• Centre of Gravity:

  • Line of gravity (LoG) is the vertical representation of CoG
  • Stability = LoG within BoS
  • CoG in the anatomical position = S2 but moves as we do!
• • Centre of gravity can shift
  • this can be used to make tasks easier or harder

  
• Key Message:

  • How we understand the concept of balance shapes how we go onto assess and treat balance disorders