Health benefits of Slack Lining

Hi Steemitians ;) i decided to put some info's together about the health benefits of training on a Slackline.

Full body Workout

– Balancing on a rope requires the complete use of your body, engaging all your muscles and focus to prevent you from falling off the slack line. The most proper and efficient technique requires you to keep your lower body static and move from the hips up. All muscles working to keep you balanced and you learn about proper weight distribution while working all parts of your body.

Improves Balance

– Balance is vital in all aspects of life. Having good balance will follow you until your later ages. Since a slack line is a flexible, elastic rope, it takes an extreme amount of balance and coordination to keep yourself up. In fact, the International Journal of Sports Medicine found that slack lining increased the rate of muscular contraction, meaning individuals in the slack lining study were able to perform physical activity faster.

Improves core strength

– The active balancing strengthens your core over time. Though it may not seem like it when spectators are standing afar, rope-walkers utilize their core nonstop while on the line. Contracting the core ensures focus and proper balance because the body is required to limit excess movements.

Better posture and flexibility

– Improved posture is one of the top benefits of slack lining. Though the primary muscle group being utilized are the core muscles, you also use your back muscles and strengthen your spine. This helps prevent poor posture and can delay the onset of back pains.

Slacklining has excellent benefits, especially if practised from a young age: it promotes the development of an excellent sense of balance and body awareness. Over their lifetime, the child will be inclined to develop good posture. Once they are absorbed, the child will never forget these motor skills, just like when you get on your bike after years of not riding it.

Every time you take a step down the line, you stretch a muscle that is simultaneously contracted to control your balance. This form of active muscle stretching is much more effective than the common passive stretching we're used to and the results are immediate.

Meditative

– Walking on a slack line can be described as a moving meditation. Traditional meditation requires us to draw inwards and reflect, but in slack lining, you take that same inner focus and apply it. The mental and physical challenge of slack lining can be enough to place you in a zen state-of-mind. Your mind is clear and focused, and you are driven. It increases your awareness of your body and also enhances your perception of yourself. Physical wellbeing leads to mental wellbeing. Concentrating on your balance creates a sense of peace and inner harmony, with others and with the world around you.

Boosts Memory Function

– The Life Center Chiropractic cited a 2011 study found in the scientific journal Hippocampus that said “slack lining led to an increase in the structural and functional plasticity of the hippocampus, an area of the brain responsible for navigation and memory”.

Sharpens Focus

– Successfully walking the slack line requires undivided and intense concentration. The slightest deviation from the walk will cause you to fall off. Daily practice will improve your attention span and give you more control over your mind’s wandering thoughts, which is useful for day-to-day activities, including work and other hobbies you enjoy.

Rehabilitation/Injury Prevention

- The movements and vibrations that our body causes on the Slackline are reflected back into it by way of stresses that our musculoskeletal system must compensate with instinctive micromovements. This natural mechanism is especially useful in rehabilitation and post-injury therapy. In a paper written by Charles P. Gabel, PhD and Simon Mendoza, PT, the health benefits of slacklining specifically for injury prevention and rehabilitation were discussed. They describe a 4 step program in which slacklining can be used as a rehabilitation activity. Check out the article here for more information.

Promotes Social Interaction

– Slack lining is a social activity that serves as a great workout with friends. Furthermore, having friends with you can encourage you to exceed your limits in this exercise, and since slack lines are usually set up between trees in public areas, curious passersby may even be willing to watch and join in on the fun! And because slack lines come in various lengths and widths depending on experience and how daring a rope-walker wants to be, all levels of experience are welcome. Every slackliner who enters the world of this exciting discipline is often the first in his neighbourhood, town, or sometimes the whole province. The Internet has contributed to bridging the gap, leading to the creation of a huge community united by the same passion, leading athletes to travel to meet and create new friendships. Slackline, benefits beyond all linguistic and geographical borders!

So, if you ever tought about getting a begginer kit, about trying slackline, go for it, it will do so much for you body and mind !!

If you have any questions just ask :)