Do want to know the most common question that I am asked from people? It doesn't matter what the venue or how big or small the group I'm speaking to, inevitably, I get the same question everywhere I go.
The question? "Why am I able to balance better on one foot than the other?"
I am willing to bet that we all have experienced this, or most of us have in some capacity. So, what is the reason for this phenomenon? It's not exactly a short answer, however, I do have one.
I have asked many healthcare professionals regarding this issue. I have spoken to physicians, therapists, colleagues and everyone else that I thought would have some knowledge as to why we all seem to have a side that we are better with balancing than another. What is more baffling, it's not always the dominant side! Now explain that?! No one seems to have a scientific answer to this question.
So, here's what I know... For the last seven years, I have observed folks and how they stand, walk, shift their weight from side-to-side and move overall. Also, I have watched people who are standing and in casual conversation and how they shift their weight and position themselves when talking. When most folks are talking and standing, possibly with a freind in a casual conversation, they will stand with the majority of their weight shifted to one side or another. This results with one side becoming more comfortable handling 70%-80% of your bodyweight, while the other side is not. So, it's not much of a stretch to shift 100% of your bodyweight to that particular side and your body feeling equipped, comfortable and strong enough to handle the weight versus the other side. The muscles in your leg become stronger and joints become better equiped to handle the entire load of your body. Also, your brain (nervous system) and all the muscles (muscular system) involved in maintaining that particular position create a significant amount of nueromuscular effeciency. This means that the pathways between you brain and muscles create a great and very effecient communication network that allows you to maintain that shifted position with ease so you can focus more on the content of your conversation rather than balancing on one side.
Here is something fun to do. Start watching your friends and family when you talk with them and both of you are standing. Could you identify which side they would have an easier time standing and balancing with on one foot?
The question? "Why am I able to balance better on one foot than the other?"
I am willing to bet that we all have experienced this, or most of us have in some capacity. So, what is the reason for this phenomenon? It's not exactly a short answer, however, I do have one.
I have asked many healthcare professionals regarding this issue. I have spoken to physicians, therapists, colleagues and everyone else that I thought would have some knowledge as to why we all seem to have a side that we are better with balancing than another. What is more baffling, it's not always the dominant side! Now explain that?! No one seems to have a scientific answer to this question.
So, here's what I know... For the last seven years, I have observed folks and how they stand, walk, shift their weight from side-to-side and move overall. Also, I have watched people who are standing and in casual conversation and how they shift their weight and position themselves when talking. When most folks are talking and standing, possibly with a freind in a casual conversation, they will stand with the majority of their weight shifted to one side or another. This results with one side becoming more comfortable handling 70%-80% of your bodyweight, while the other side is not. So, it's not much of a stretch to shift 100% of your bodyweight to that particular side and your body feeling equipped, comfortable and strong enough to handle the weight versus the other side. The muscles in your leg become stronger and joints become better equiped to handle the entire load of your body. Also, your brain (nervous system) and all the muscles (muscular system) involved in maintaining that particular position create a significant amount of nueromuscular effeciency. This means that the pathways between you brain and muscles create a great and very effecient communication network that allows you to maintain that shifted position with ease so you can focus more on the content of your conversation rather than balancing on one side.
Here is something fun to do. Start watching your friends and family when you talk with them and both of you are standing. Could you identify which side they would have an easier time standing and balancing with on one foot?
