Walking without looking at our feet or reaching for your wallet on the desk, behind these everyday movements, is a subconscious ability. This is a ‘silent’ system that feeds the brain with information about movement and position. The sixth sense or ‘proprioception’ is the driving force behind it. But what is this hidden sense, and why does it become more important with aging? Let’s find out.
What is proprioception?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, proprioception is your body’s ability to sense its own position and movements. It’s an automatic or subconscious process. Proprioception allows your brain to know the position of your body in space without having to rely on visual input alone. It’s also crucial to maintaining balance.
How it works in the body
A medically reviewed article in WebMD notes that proprioception results from the sensory receptors in the nervous system and body. Most of these receptors are located in muscles, joints, and tendons.Without proprioception, we wouldn’t be able to move without thinking about our next step. Proprioception allows us to walk without consciously thinking about where to place the foot next.
Why proprioception becomes important as we age
A study in the Journal of the Academy of Medical Sciences of Bosnia and Herzegovina associates aging with the decline in proprioception function. A decline in proprioception can change the joint biomechanics and the neuromuscular control of the limbs, resulting in impaired balance and a higher possibility of fall.Thus to maintain independence and mobility, it is necessary to maintain proprioception functions in the body. Doing so may reduce the risks of injury and falls, and even support long-term quality of life.
Some exercises to improve proprioception
According to the Cleveland Clinic, some physical exercises can help improve proprioception, and may also strengthen sense of balance. Some exercises are: one-legged balance, walking in a straight line or reverse lunges.
