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The Balance Challenge for New Hips
Can you stand on one leg for one minute with your eyes closed without losing your balance?
Most people can carry out this one-legged stunt with their eyes open, but I’m more interested in those of you who can use their ability to balance with your eyes closed. You should be able to do just that if your senses are operating properly.
This sixth sense is your proprioception, your ability to tell where your body is in space. Prioprioception allows you to flinch if a ball flies at your head or if you step off a step that is lower than you visually anticipated.
Your nerves help you navigate your way in the dark or in disorienting situations, like finding your theatre seat after the movie has started and the lights are dim. That’s a good example, in fact: The next time you are at the movies, notice how younger people move through the dark as opposed to older people.
Kids have terrific proprioception. They can balance on one leg or even a few toes with their eyes closed indefinitely. As we age, we rely more on other basic senses, like eyesight, to help us stay steady.
Our proprioceptional system becomes less responsive, mostly through disuse, and almost seems to go sleep, so to say. This is why older people shuffle along and why they tend to fall down more often.
Good balance is important when we have an artificial hip. We don’t want to fall down and reinjure ourselves or our device. Good balance also helps maintain our core strength.
Try to challenge your balance at least once a day, such as while waiting in line at the grocery store, washing dishes or brushing your teeth. Stand on one leg for as long as you can, keeping your hand near a chair or counter.
If you have older parents, have them do the same exercise, holding onto the back of a sturdy chair until they become steady with practice.
You could also consider riding a bicycle. This skill requires good balance and keeps your torso, or your core, toned.
Balance is a very responsive system. Within a week or so, you should notice you hold steady appreciably longer.
Just like cardio and strength systems, balance is a component of fitness that becomes increasingly important to remain active and moving briskly rather than shuffling and wobbling as we move.
It also comes in handy when you happen to find yourself teetering on the ledge of a step and need to keep your balance.
