Cerebellum: Home of Accuracy, Balance and Coordination

How’s YOUR Balance or Neurologically Speaking, How's Your Cerebellum?

The other day in my Brains and Balance class, I talked briefly about the cerebellum because the cerebellum is a vital part of the nervous system necessary for accuracy, balance and coordination; things we all need to get through this life gracefully or at least remain on our feet!

The cerebellum, also referred to as the “little brain”, is the brain’s integration center.  The cerebellum is involved in all movement; it responds to the cortical signal for movement, relays that message to the appropriate body parts and then gets feedback from the skin, joint and muscle receptors about the accuracy and coordination of the ongoing movement.

If the movement is poor, the cerebellum corrects the inaccuracies in order to produce coordinated, balanced movement.  

Movement is a dance between the sensory and motor systems and the cerebellum is a key player in the activation and inhibition of muscles.  Good balance, accuracy and coordination requires a healthy, well-functioning cerebellum.

In order for the cerebellum to be healthy, it must get consistent, timely input from our eyes, inner ear, skin/joint/muscle receptors as well as other parts of the brain.  Simply said, the better the input, the better the output.

Minimal to weak input signals result in no movement or ratchety and uncoordinated movements.    Poor input equals poor movement.  If the sensory inputs the brain don’t get activated on a regular basis, the input signals become weak and defective.  Your brain doesn’t trust weak and dysfunctional signals.  In other words, use it or lose it. 

Think about walking in the dark with little to no visual input; movement is slow, uncertain because the vision inputs are unreliable.  A cerebellum that isn’t activated regularly becomes dysfunctional and the consequences are evident; either in your balance, stability, coordination or all of the above.

In class we did some quick cerebellum tests.  First we did rapid toe taps.  Was the left as quick and timely as the right?  Then we did rapid hand rotations on the opposite palm.  Fingers and thumb straight and clasped together, we hit the back of the hand then flipped over to hit the palm of the hand against the open, flat palm of the other as fast as possible for 5-10 seconds.

Some inaccuracies in coordination and rhythm were immediate while others showed up after about 3-5 seconds.  For a few, this didn’t seem to be too difficult, at least for one hand!  That is completely "normal" finding however I suggest that you get your cerebellum activated! 

How do you train your cerebellum?  There are lots of ways but to keep things simple, to improve cerebellar function, train the inputs and practice circles and figure 8s. Accuracy, balance and coordination.  Activate your little brain to improve balance, accuracy and coordination.

Your Brains and Balance Coach~
Kelly
The Fall Prevention Lady

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....the next think I know, I was on the floor....

I just started two new FallProof™ balance and mobility training classes in Carmichael, California; one at Carmichael Presbyterian Church and one at Fit4U.  As we were doing introductions and sharing fall stories, I quickly discovered a common theme when listening to the fall stories with my group at Carmichael Presbyterian Church; six out of ten people who shared a fall story stated,  "I don't know what happened but the next thing I know I was on the floor".

Falls happen so fast, that many times, you don't see it coming.  In fact, a quarter of one second determines if you will fall or not.  Our balance system is simply amazing; your body has to identify an imbalance, send that message to the brain and AND the body must respond appropriately, all in less than a quarter of a second or you will fall.

In my Fall Prevention 101™ workshops, I educate about the exact body systems involved in keeping us upright and factors that affect the efficiency of those messages. Our balance is an intricate messenger system and as you can see, if ONE link in that system is altered or delayed, it is likely a fall will happen.

My dynamic workshop is unique because I don't throw out a bunch of scary statistics and talk for an hour about the same old things.  Believe me when I say my workshop is a must attend event!  I have presented throughout the country and every single attendee has left my workshop feeling empowered and ready to make at least one change.

If you want to attend, please visit my website, The Fall Prevention Lady.com and check out my local schedule.  If you would like me to visit your church, your support group, your community meeting or your special interest group, let me know!  I will come to you!  Fee is involved.

Falls are not a normal part of growing older; the risk can be reduced.  First, let me shed some new light on the balance system so you can make a personalized plan to improve your balance.

The Fall Prevention Lady

ASA's Annual Conference in San Diego

Here I am in San Diego for the American Society on Aging's Annual Conference.  This year's theme is "Aging in America".  I love conferences because you have access to the best in the field and there is so much to do that the hardest part is deciding which workshop to attend!

In addition to expert keynote speakers, there are dynamic leaders hosting general sessions and 60-minute workshops.   Innovative researchers display their work on poster boards and big companies exhibit their products in the exhibitor hall.

As the older adult population explodes, it is a well-known fact that providers need to collaborate in order to meet the changing needs of the boomers.  Competitors are now partners and sharing best practices is helpful to everyone, including the client.  Tonight there are roundtable discussions to promote the exchange of ideas to better serve our aging clients.

I will be hosting the "Muscles and Senses; Fall Prevention 101" roundtable discussion to help providers build their own community-based fall prevention concierge or a group of professionals to have as referrals when needed.   Fall Prevention researchers have demonstrated that one must take a "multifactorial" approach to the prevention of falls.  In other words, eliminate as many fall risk factors as possible is the best way to remain safe.  I hope to educate about fall risk factors and then brainstorm with the group about possible partners and connections for older adults.

I have said it before and I'll say it again; "It takes a village to raise a child but it takes a community to prevent a fall".  I hope that tonight's roundtable discussion promotes community collaboration and partnerships. 

The Fall Prevention Lady
Kelly Ward