Balance is the key to the body functioning efficiently. When the systems are out of balance (or not in sync) dysfunction occurs. Different areas take on bigger roles to compensate for inadequacies. Over time, the changed demands on the body cause aging and the wearing down of structures within the body. A chain reaction can occur so it’s important to correct imbalances before there is insult to injury. Even better, prevent imbalances to live a healthier and longer life and delay the body from aging.
There is chronological age but also a biological age. The chronological age is our actual age while the biological age is the aging of the body’s cells and systems within the body. The way the clock can be slowed or turned back is by sleep, diet, exercise, and balance in all aspects of life. Many people in the Naples area seek to age gracefully. Be someone who becomes aware of body limitations. Take into consideration how you can help yourself be better and last longer. Activities, strength, flexibility, mobility, and balance are all areas that can be addressed to promote healthy well-being.
What does it mean to have strength? It is that one can overcome the forces necessary to move the body or an object. Performing weight training exercises three times a week with weight enough to challenge the body is necessary to stimulate the neuromuscular system to want to make adaptations and use protein to build and tone muscles.
Mobility of joints needs to be recognized when performing activities. An example of this is a golf swing. If the spine and ribs are limited in motion, the hips generally will get torqued more in swing performance. If hips are limited, the spine and or the knees may substitute with excessive motions. If the joint does not work properly, substitutions will continue and there may be a lack of consistency in the swing itself.
Flexibility in muscles refers to having the ability for extensibility through a full range of motion. If muscles lose some flexibility due to injury or limitations in joints, stretching becomes limited. Ideally, having muscles flexible within the joint's full range of motion gives the best chance to perform activities without pulling or damaging a muscle.
If normal joint mobility is present and a person starts a stretching program and gains appropriate length in a muscle, that muscle should be strengthened within the newly gained range. If not, the muscle components will not know how to act when the muscle is activated. If a joint is hypermobile, like hyperextended knees, muscles must work harder to help stabilize a joint so that fluid motion can occur and have the possibility of being consistent.
With good joints, flexibility, and strength throughout muscle length, the body is ready to be stimulated for various balance activities. These structures all have sensory components and feedback mechanisms in place to help guide reactions for balance.
The line of gravity and base of support of the body are key components in being able to balance. At rest and with good posture, the line of gravity tends to be in line or close to joints. This allows for very little muscle activity to be needed to maintain a static posture. When postural faults are present, more work needs to be done to keep the body in good alignment. In different positions, the line of gravity comes down and places stress on the parts that are not right along that line of gravity. This is why posturing is so important when doing simple activities like yoga or weightlifting.
If the body is in good position, there will be less strain on the muscles, joints, and ligaments to support that posture. It is when the body is so far out of balance that stresses and strains cause problems, increase workloads on body parts, and essentially throw one out of position.
Most people have some positional faults. Learn about these faults and make changes to help be the best you can be. Stretch, strengthen, activate muscle memory, and start balancing your body today!
Here’s to your health!
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