Balance training is training for the ability to recover balance or base of support (BOS) from postural sway (body movement over your BOS) following a destabilizing stimulus caused by objects, self-motion or the environment.

This means that because the human body is naturally equipped to be in balance, the whole concept and goal of balance training and the training protocol lies in the state of going from unbalanced back to balanced, otherwise known as balance recovery.

There are three types of balance training. Yeah, I know… you thought there were only two. Keep reading and you'll find out there are three. The first is "Dynamic Balance." The dynamic (in motion) ability to recover from an out of balance situation created by an unstabling environment. This is commonly known as "Dynamic Balance Recovery"

The second is "Static Balance." The static (stationary) ability to recover from an out of balance situation created by an unstabling environment. This is "Static Balance Recovery."

The third is "Dynamic/Static Counterbalance" the ability to oppose and counter an equal or greater weight or force and maintain or recover balance. This is also referred to as "Perturbation Training." Examples would be a football player preventing a blocker from moving him or a hockey player avoiding a check.

Balance training, to be most effective must be performed using the same type of full body motion and equipment in a destabilizing environment as the intended activity itself. The balance training involved to re-stabilize your body while doing a backside 720 on a snowboard isn't the same as what's needed by a linebacker making an open field tackle or a golfer swinging his club.

Just like any training protocol, once mastered, additional stimulus must be added to continue progression.

By: Rick Contrata