Benefits of balance: why is it important?

Benefits of good balance

Balance means being able to stay upright and steady, whether you’re still or moving. We all know that physical activity, in any form, is good for our general health. But being able to balance – along with muscle and bone strength – supports the physical activities we do. Whether it’s getting dressed in the morning, taking the dog for a walk or running a marathon, you need to be able to balance.

How does age affect balance?

As we age, our ability to balance gradually declines. This can happen more quickly if you don’t keep active. As you get older, poor balance can also increase your risk of injuries caused by falls. And the older you get, the more likely falls will lead to serious injury and disability.

Having poor balance also acts as a marker for other health problems. These include problems with memory and thinking skills. And some studies have associated not being able to perform simple balance tests with shorter life expectancy.

The good news is it’s never too late to make a change. Evidence shows that doing some form of balance training – even later in life – can improve balance and reduce your risk of falls. Guidelines in the UK recommend that older adults (aged 65 years and older) should do balance activities at least two days a week. This should be alongside activities for muscle strength and flexibility, and aerobic exercise.

Balance throughout life

Balance isn’t just something to think about when you’re older. Balance activities can help to improve your overall physical ability at any age. If you’re an athlete, balance exercises may help to improve your performance and prevent injury. This is why balance exercises are routinely incorporated into training programmes for athletes.

Doing exercises to improve balance can help slow the natural decline in muscle and bone strength that starts around middle-age. There are also some key times in life when it can be particularly helpful to work on your balance. These include:

• pregnancy
• menopause
• developing or being diagnosed with a disease, which means you reduce your activity
• retirement
• becoming a carer
• after being in hospital

Improving balance at these points in your life may help to lower your risk of getting illnesses and injuries.

How do I improve my balance?

Certain sports and activities are particularly good for balance. Examples include:

• ball games, like cricket
• racquet sports, like tennis
• resistance training, including lifting weights
• aerobics or circuit training
• Nordic walking (a walking technique that uses poles to work your upper body)
• running
• cycling
• dancing
• yoga
• Tai Chi

Taking part in these activities may help with other elements of your physical fitness too. This includes improving muscle strength, bone health, and aerobic capacity.

Balance exercises

Exercises that focus just on balance are also a good way to improve your balance, and may help to prevent falls. Below, are some quick and easy examples that you can do at home. These can be safer and more practical for older people and those unable to do other forms of exercise. But they may also be useful for anyone wanting to incorporate balance training into their everyday life.

• One-legged stand. Stand on one leg, raising your other leg, for up to 10 seconds.
• Sit-to-stand. Stand up from a seated position and repeat up to five times in a row. Start using one hand to push off if you need to, progressing to no hands when you’re ready.
• Heel/toe raises. Using a chair or table for support, slowly raise your heels off the floor so you’re standing on your toes. Repeat the exercise raising your toes, so that you stand on your heels. As you progress, try extending how long you hold the raise for. You can also try taking some steps on your toes (toe walking) or heels (heel walking).
• Sideways walking. Stand with your feet together, and slowly step sideways. Then move your other foot to join it. Try performing 10 steps in each direction.
• Heel-to-toe walking (tandem walking). Walk with one foot placed directly in front of the other, so the toes of one foot touch the heel of the other. Use a wall or cabinet for support while you build confidence.

It’s always a good idea to start slow, and use support such as a sturdy chair, table or a wall to begin with. You can reduce this as your balance and confidence improves. And if you have health problems or have previously had a fall, ask your doctor or physiotherapist for advice first.

If you’re younger or want to try more challenging balance exercises, you could make some of the exercises harder by trying the following.

• Perfom the one-legged stand for a longer period of time, such as 30 seconds. You could also try closing your eyes or using an uneven surface such as a cushion or balance foam pad.
• When doing sideways or heel-to-toe walking, try turning your head as you step.
• Do something that distracts you a little while you do a balance exercise, such as juggling or counting backwards from 100 in intervals of 7.