Are You Balanced?

Find Your Balance
Avoid injury by getting your right and left sides in sync.
Blog Post

Runner’s World posted an article in their July issue where Reed Ferber, Ph.D., director of the Running Injury Clinic at the University of Calgary says; “Every runner has a dominant side that’s stronger and more stable. In fact, which side you favor is genetically coded.”  I’d agree with the fact that many people have a dominant side, BUT I wouldn’t agree with the fact that it is “genetically coded.”

The article talks about a single leg Balance test, but one key idea that they don’t mention, is the relevance of the impact that the rest of your body has on maintaining this position.  The body works as a unit, no muscle works alone.  It’s important to consider the position of your upper back and shoulders when performing the single Leg Balance test.

Here is a photo I found of a runner. Notice the strong upper back which is set forward and the shoulders are rounded. Because of this faulty alignment, this runner’s balance will be compromised, likely more on one leg than the other.

Now for a test:

First try the balance test from the article:

Stand on one leg, with your eyes closed. Time how long you can hold without toppling or putting down your foot. Switch legs. According to Reed Ferber the leg you balance best on is “genetically coded”

Now try these three exercises:

Test yourself again:

Stand on one leg, with your eyes closed. Time how long you can hold without toppling or putting down your foot. Switch legs. What happened? Send us your results. Do you think your dominant side is “genetically coded”?

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