1/4h LabO #198: The Hidden Balance, What Your Body Knows Before You Do!

Introduction to Hidden Balance

Hello everyone and welcome to this new neuro quarter from LabO. Today, we will explore the fascinating subject of hidden balance and what our body knows before we are even aware of it.

The Illusion of Control

Many of us believe we can control our bodily stability in the face of imbalance merely through willpower. By contracting the right muscles and adopting the right posture, we think we can influence our adjustments and modulate our balance. This may seem reassuring, but is it really effective?

A Network of Unconscious Decisions

In reality, balance is a complex architecture, a network of decisions made before we even realize we have swayed or are about to fall. This process relies on vestibular reflexes, which go beyond mere muscular adjustments.

Key Reflexes of Balance

There are two main reflexes that structure this invisible stability:

The Vestibulocollic Reflex

This reflex adjusts the position of the head according to bodily variations, allowing us to keep our gaze oriented and clear on the environment.

The Vestibulospinal Reflex

This reflex modulates muscle tension in response to an imbalance. It acts instantaneously, without us having time to think, thus preventing a fall.

Can We Influence These Reflexes?

The question then arises: can we modify these pre-programmed reflexes? Although we cannot command a reflex, we can train and refine it.

Tailored Training

To improve our vestibular reflexes, it is essential to vary the stimulations and expose our system to new situations. This allows us to explore our limits, not to constrain them, but to offer new reference points.

An Approach Based on Listening

The key lies in a work of adaptation rather than an effort of control. Stability is not just a matter of strength or posture, but rather a dynamic dialogue between what our body knows and what we allow it to explore.

Observe and Understand

Instead of dominating our balance processes, let’s learn to understand, observe, and trust them. Our nervous system is far more competent than we think.

Conclusion

So, how are you working to create situations that stimulate these vestibular reflexes? Join us next week for a new neuro quarter, where we will further explore the neuroscience of movement and motor skills for sports professionals. See you soon!