Balance (dynamic) | Exercise variables | Recommendations |
---|---|---|
Steady-state | Base of support | Stable to instable: normal gait – narrow gait – overlapping gait – tandem gait (Figure 3) |
Position of feet | i.e., lateral or medial weight shift, on heels or toes, toe angle in or out | |
Surface | i.e., from soft to hard (e.g., grass to concrete), from stable to instable (e.g., concrete to sand) | |
Sensory input | Impede vision or hearing | |
Dual-/Multi-tasking | Additional motor task – additional cognitive task – additional motor and cognitive tasks | |
Speed of movement | Decrease or increase of execution speed (i.e., walking speed) | |
Equipment | Use of i.e., free weights, elastic bands, balls | |
Direction | Forwards – backwards – to the left or right – diagonal | |
Rhythm | Slow – fast – intermittent slow and fast | |
Reactive | Controlled perturbations applied by therapist | Reaction to external thread (push or pull) varying in speed, amplitude and direction on ankle, hip, trunk or shoulder level |
Proactive | ADL | Combination of steady-state (dynamic) balance tasks with mobility in daily life (e.g., walking upstairs backwards while counting backwards aloud from 50 minus 2) |