Balance is one of the fitness elements most over looked by traditional sports or activities in physical eduction curriculums.
Why it’s important:
Balance is the ability to maintain a center of gravity. In recent years, scientists have added balance to the list of primary senses such as hearing or taste. To stay balanced requires the brain to process a vast amount of information from multiple sources. This requires equilibrioception (the ability for your body to perceive balance), vision, your perception of pressure and motor skills to work in concert. Minimizing corrective action (regaining/maintaining balance) is a learned skill, and like any learned skill, it requires training.
Playground Components that help:
Landing Decks, slides, climbers and walkers train the body to improve balance.
Landing Decks
Landing Decks are the simplest playground component that develops balance. They’re placed at the end of overhead climbers or track rides where children are suspended in the air. As the child lands, momentum is propelling him or her forward. A landing deck requires an abrupt stop and forces the body to recalibrate in order to stand firmly on surface.
Climbers
Climbers are unique in that they develop total body balance. Most climbers require all four limbs to work together in order to mount the structure. Every time a child takes a step, the body must adjust to the change in condition. No matter how minor the advance up the climber, the body must maintain stability by ensuring each limb is secure.
Walkers
The walkers are structures that people most closely identify with developing balance. They are small platforms that shift under a person’s weight. As a child crosses each stepping stone, the weight and center of gravity must be realigned. It’s recommended that walkers be a part of all playgrounds that want to greatly improve balancing skills.
Slides
Many people don’t view slides as part of the fitness spectrum. The truth is quite contrary. While slides may not provide huge benefits to cardiovascular health or large muscle group development, they do improve balance upon landing. As a child goes down the slide, they generate momentum. At the end of the descent, a child must slow the momentum and reassert themselves in order to stand. This shift in body position to exit the slide requires more balance than you might think.
