SUPPORTED TRUNK BALANCE STANDS
Introduce gentle, supported standing balance and trunk activation for children and adolescents with major postural control limitations.
How to Perform
- Place the child in waist-to-chest deep water facing the pool wall with both hands resting on the wall and a large noodle under the arms for added buoyancy.
- Ask the child to gently tighten the abdominal muscles and lengthen the spine as if growing taller toward the surface of the water.
- Guide the child into small forward and backward weight shifts by moving the pelvis slightly while keeping the feet planted.
- Add gentle side-to-side shifts, encouraging the child to feel the body move over each foot without lifting the heels.
- Allow short breaks between sets of weight shifts, returning to quiet standing with relaxed breathing.
Key Execution Cues
Remember: Move slowly and smoothly, keep the head and chest lifted,
and stay comfortable with small shifts rather than large movements.
Safety & Precautions
Important: Use caution with recent spinal surgery or unstable
trunk; maintain close hands-on support for children who cannot stand independently.
Additional Safety Notes: Remain in contact or within arm’s reach, stop if the child becomes fearful or loses alignment, and avoid any sudden pushes or pulls.
Exercise Modifications
Make it Harder (Progressions)
Increase time spent in upright stance, gradually reduce support from the wall or noodle, or slightly increase shift amplitude.
Make it Easier (Regressions)
Decrease the size of weight shifts, provide more firm manual support at the trunk or shoulders, or reduce standing time.