Balance (ability)

Balance (ability) is the ability to maintain the body's center of mass over its base of support. A properly functioning balance system allows humans to see clearly while moving, identify orientation with respect to gravity, determine direction and speed of movement, and make automatic postural adjustments to maintain posture and stability in various conditions and activities.

Mechanism of Balance

Balance is achieved and maintained by a complex set of sensorimotor control systems that include sensory input from vision (sensory system), proprioception, and the vestibular system, integration of that sensory input, and motor output to the eye and body muscles. The cerebellum and vestibular nuclei integrate the sensory information into a view of the body's position and acceleration, and send commands to the muscles to move the body in a way that will maintain balance.

Balance Disorders

Balance disorders can be caused by certain health conditions, medications, or a problem in the inner ear or the brain. A balance disorder can profoundly affect daily activities and cause psychological and emotional hardship. Some of the more common balance disorders are:

• Meniere's disease
• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
• Labyrinthitis
• Vestibular neuronitis

Assessment of Balance

Assessment of balance may involve a number of tests including the Romberg's test, the Fukuda-Unterberger test, and the Tandem walking test. These tests can help identify abnormalities in balance function.

Treatment and Rehabilitation

Treatment of balance disorders includes medications, physical therapy, and in some cases surgery. Vestibular rehabilitation is a type of physical therapy aimed specifically at the vestibular system.

See Also

• Equilibrioception
• Proprioception
• Motor coordination
• Postural control