Banyan & Nomad
Balance Series
Anticipatory & Adaptive Reactive Postural Control
Anticipatory and adaptive reactive postural control are two critical components of upright posture.
Anticipatory postural control involves predicting movement based on past experiences, sending signals to muscles in anticipation of that movement, thereby adjusting the body's alignment for optimal balance.
Adaptive reactive postural control, on the other hand, helps to make quick adjustments to keep you upright in unexpected situations.
These two systems are influenced by three internal systems: visual, somatosensory, and vestibular.
The vestibular system is crucial for keeping the body balanced, detecting motion, and maintaining spatial orientation.
This system coordinates with the visual and somatosensory systems to account for uneven surfaces, help us adapt to changing environments, and make necessary adjustments to maintain balance and stability.
The course's driving forces are evidence-based research and working with clients to enhance balance.
When standing on a firm surface, the internal systems work together in a coordinated fashion to maintain balance. However, standing on an uneven or unstable surface can change how these internal systems interact.
The somatosensory system provides more input to the body when balancing on an uneven surface. In contrast, the vestibular system provides more information when adapting to changing environments or maintaining balance at higher speeds.
Understanding how the internal systems work when experiencing different sensory inputs can help individuals and therapists identify their balance strengths and weaknesses and tailor intervention plans accordingly.
The internal systems, including the vestibular, visual, and somatosensory systems, play vital roles in enhancing these postural control systems.
Decreasing verbal and tactile cues can also challenge, requiring individuals to rely more on their body awareness and control.
Whether starting with the basics or seeking additional challenges, the reformer short box series offers something for individuals of all skill levels.
Reformer short box
The reformer short box series is a set of exercises that can help improve weight shifting, spinal flexibility, and strength while increasing knowledge of the midline and supporting regular daily activities.
This series involves the participant sitting on a chair with the knees bent and having the feet planted on the floor while maintaining a stable core.
The reformer short box series is designed to activate the deep trunk muscles essential for maintaining stability and balance.
As these muscles become stronger, they can support the body better, allowing individuals to perform daily activities with greater ease.
Core exercises examples:
The hug
Flat back
Twist and reach
Tree
These exercises incorporate weight shifting on the reformer short box series; individuals can improve their balance and stability while challenging the deep trunk muscles.
Moreover, the reformer short box series can also be used as a cognitive and motor challenge. Individuals can challenge their physical abilities and cognitive function by increasing their reps and range of motion.
