Today focused mainly on balance and how it is studied, tested, and trained in both healthcare and research settings.
The morning consisted of lectures centered around balance and the different factors that influence it. We learned about concepts such as center of mass (COM), center of pressure (COP), and how factors like vision and hearing can affect a person’s stability and coordination. One of the main ideas emphasized throughout the lectures was that balance is much more complex than it initially seems and involves multiple body systems working together.
We also learned about different methods used to test balance. Many of the tests involved simple actions such as sitting, standing, or balancing on one foot, but small changes could make them significantly more difficult. During one activity, we performed a balance test while blindfolded since we did not have balance impairments. Removing vision made even basic movements feel much less stable and demonstrated how important sensory input is for maintaining balance. The session made it clear that balance can be measured, analyzed, and improved through training.
Later in the day, we visited a student rocket club and learned more about the projects they are working on. It was interesting seeing another example of hands-on engineering projects and hearing about the design and testing process behind the rockets.
Afterward, we toured the stadium of Athletic Club. During the tour, we were able to see different parts of the stadium, including the seating areas, private rooms, and the players’ locker rooms. It was interesting getting to see the behind-the-scenes areas that are normally not visible during games.
