Structural Balance Testing

One of the key purposes of the joints and muscles related to them is not only to bend and flex - it is also to bear the brunt of weight pushing down on them. Good body mechanics relies on the distribution of weight on one joint and the related muscles in the area in a way that maintains mobility without inflicting damage. But the larger muscles are too often pinpointed as being most responsible and, in fact, should not be the only physiological feature that should help bear the weight. To assist the joints, both the larger muscles and the smaller stabilizer muscles should cooperate to evenly distribute weight. If they don't, problems such as shin splits, tennis elbow syndrome, and pinched shoulders may result. Even fairly minor inbalances can affect performance, which is a particular concern for athletes.

At Personal Trainer Toronto, our professional trainers provide Structural Balance Testing to make sure your body mechanics are in good working order.

What is Structural Balance Testing?

Structural Balance Testing determines whether the muscles and joints in one area of the body are all sharing the weight in a way that is not damaging to the body. Your Personal Trainer will ask you to perform specific poses and actions on an apparatus. While you are doing them, your body will be observed. If any problems exist, your Trainer will help you correct the inbalance so that injuries may be prevented. Addressing the problem may include strengthening the weaker muscles in the are.

Most often, testing is performed on the knees since it is such a common site of injury. For the knees, the quadriceps (4 muscles located in the front of the thigh), bicep femoris long & short, vastus medialis (located on the inside of the knee) and vastus lateralis (located on the outside of the knee) are examined.

If, for example, the muscle on the outside of the knee is stronger, it may pull harder and consequently, pull the knee harder toward the outside. This causes the joint to become cocked to one side. This may not sound like a problem, but over time, weight that should be distributed evenly over the entire joint will only be distributed on the one side, wearing it down faster in that area. Such health complications as arthritis may result.

Structural Balance Testing usually lasts about 1 hour and is included at no extra cost for the majority of the programs we offer at Personal Trainer Toronto.