nklr balance
Posted: Tue Jan 30, 2001 12:51 pm
Why does looking ahead keep you upright in slime?
Neat trick. Has to do with vestibular balance mechanism in the body. Basically the balance system relies on input from the eyes (horizon), the inner ear (positional, rotational and velocity changes), and the musculoskeletal system (sensory nerves from around the joints and from the muscles). The musculoskeletal system feedback loops are both reflex (without brain processing), and patterned into the central nervous system. Sensory fibers that extend into the spinal cord and eventually to the brain, connect with muscular motor fibers enroute so that larger muscle groups can respond to demands for balance changes even before the brain becomes involved in the processing. Keeping your eyes up helps the processing by giving the eyes a level horizon as a reference, and using the information in conjuction with ear and MS input to effect muscular control that attains balance. The more frequently nerve patterns fire, the more easily they fire the next time (like learning to play the piano reflexively). This means that the more you stimulate balance activities (riding or balance exercises), the better the reflex is trained and the better (read quicker) it responds. Keep this in mind when you climb back on your bike at the end of a winter layoff. Reflex and balance won't be as refined as with consistent riding. Wobble boards and other balance exercises will improve your return to safe spring riding. Todd A9> What is the mind trick? > > Mark S. Hamlin > Corralitos, Ca >