Definition
Balance is the ongoing maintenance of the body’s center of mass over its base of support. It requires integration of visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive input with rapid motor output.
Why it matters
Balance is critical for independence, especially with age, and is trainable.
The Science
Vestibular, visual, and proprioceptive systems integrate at brainstem and cerebellar levels. Balance training reduces fall risk in older adults and improves function across neurological conditions.
The NSI Perspective
NSI treats balance as one of the practical outputs of an integrated nervous system — worth training deliberately.
Clinical Implications
Balance training should be part of most rehabilitation and healthy aging programs.
Practical Application
If your balance has changed, it can, in most cases, be improved. That is not motivational speech — it is well-established.
References
- 1.Sherrington C, Fairhall N, Wallbank G, et al. Exercise for preventing falls in older people living in the community. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019;1(1):CD012424.