Primarily, balance boards are used to improve balance and proprioception. Proprioception is the ability to sense the position of your limbs and joints in space. It is an important aspect of movement and coordination. Poor proprioception can lead to clumsiness and a greater risk of injury
Here are 5 balance board benefits that you wish you’d known earlier:
- It Will Make You less Injury Prone
Many common injuries, in everyday life and in the sporting arena, are the result of poor balance and coordination. Ankle sprains are a major contributor to injury in many sports. A study, which was published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine, concluded that regular training on a balance board significantly reduced the incidence of ankle sprains.
A study in 2008 by Patrick O McKeon and Jay Hertel, showed that rehabilitative ankle training was effective in reducing the recurrence of ankle injuries. Six weeks of balance board based training substantially reduced the rate of recurrence over the next 12 months.
- It Will Develop Your Core Muscles
The core muscles are comprised of a number of muscles that overlap and extend from the base of the neck to the muscles between the legs. As well as providing support to the torso, these muscles stabilize the spine. Training on a balance board challenges your core constantly. The core strength that comes from training on a Balance Board will make you less prone to injury. The strain on your limbs will be reduced and you’ll be keeping injury prone areas, such as your lower back, healthy.
- Balance Boards Are Great for Kids, Too
Developing balance and coordination starts from an early age. It’s a marvel to see a toddler master the ability to walk in just a few months. Training to develop their confidence in this area. And, because they are low to the ground, they don’t appear threatening. They are also proving effective to help children with conditions such as cerebral palsy to improve their coordination
- It Will Improve Your Brain
The ability of your brain to coordinate its two hemispheres and to perfect fine motor skills is dependent upon your body alignment and what is known as vestibular processing. Vestibular processing can be defined as your spatial perception of the world around you. Dr. Jean Ayers, a pioneer in the field of vestibular processing enhancement, used the balance board in her sensory integration therapy sessions. Clinical trials conducted by Dr. Ayers showed that balance training helped to improve eye control, coordination, language development and concentration.
- It Will Make You a Better Athlete
The ability to switch from one position to another, quickly, is a fundamental skill in any sport. Training with a Whirly Board will allow you to instantly switch from offense to defense. Being able to move quickly on any surface in any direction is important for athletes. Balance board training will vastly improve your ability to stabilize your body. Whether you’re a skater on ice or a gymnast on the beam, controlling your body’s stability will put you at an advantage. Balance Board will definitely improve your Agility.
