Balance an important factor

Balance is an important factor in any type of sport, whether clearing a hurdle or reaching to catch a ball. It takes a combination of coordinated movements involving a lot of different muscles, to complete either one of these moves. How does balance (or lack of it) affect your lifestyle?

Lack of sleep, illness or a bit too much alcohol, and your brain seems to travel at a slower pace. It's easy to lose balance. Sudden movements for sports such as basketball and football require complete control and balance. When that balance is off, your body may wobble and an injury can happen.

Balance is extremely important in sports such as roller skating, ice skating, ballet and gymnastics. Factors that affect that balance in these sports are the size of the body (especially as it ages), where body weight is distributed, head size, leg size and chest size. These factors all affect balance.

It's interesting to work with kids on their balance. I have them stand on one foot for 10 seconds. Then I do the same thing while their eyes are closed. The older children have just as much trouble with this test as 5-year-olds. The only difference is the length of attention span.

Balance of diet is another consideration. What you eat affects your overall health, coordination and balance. Posture should also be considered when you are trying for good balance. If you resemble a banana, your body structure is balanced wrong and standing on one leg won't be easy! Balance of lifestyle is another consideration. Too much of any one type of movement will tire muscles that are needed to maintain your balance. If you spent eight hours climbing a mountain, quadriceps are not going to be ready to listen when you want to balance on the beam.

We balance check books, menus, activities and lifestyles, without giving a thought to our own internal balance. It keeps you from falling and it keeps you in fitness. Without it, you couldn't compete in any sport and you couldn't stand on one leg, eyes open or closed!

Jerry Vance is certified by the American Council on Exercise and teaches fitness at the Carson City Community Center and for the American Lung Association.