Balance is the ability to maintain the body’s centre of mass over its base of support, and it is fundamental to nearly all sport. Static balance is holding a position (a gymnastics handstand, a yoga pose); dynamic balance is maintaining control while moving (skateboarding, surfing, skiing, a fencing lunge). Balance relies on the integration of vision, the vestibular system (inner ear) and proprioception (the body’s position sense). It is highly trainable through balance-board work, single-leg exercises, unstable-surface training and, most effectively, practising the balance-demanding sport itself. Good balance underpins agility, injury prevention and skill execution.
Key points
- Keeping centre of mass over the base
- Static (held) vs dynamic (moving)
- Integrates vision, inner ear, proprioception
- Highly trainable, underpins most sport
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