Coordination is the process where the body’s neurons and limbs work together to produce movement. This is a highly complicated process that most people do effortlessly. For most people, the act of tying a shoe or standing up is done with no conscious thought at all.
While coordination is used to describe the highly complex way that humans move, most people mean something different when they talk about it. The term is traditionally used to describe balance and reaction time. It also refers to a person’s ability to remain on his or her feet or move with little effort.
This type of movement is important for anyone interested in athletic pursuits, whether they are a professional athlete or a weekend warrior. It is the skill that allows a baseball player to hit a fast ball, a basketball player to block a shot, or a swimmer to shave off time when executing a perfect flip turn. Recreational golfers and tennis players with high levels of coordination can pick up and retain skills more easily than their less coordinated counterparts.
While everyone is born with their own, individual level, it is possible for people to increase their skills. Certain exercises will not only improve their ability in sports, but they will also reduce risks associated with aging, such as stumbling and falling. Devoting some time each day to these exercises can provide a tremendous benefit both on the athletic field and in life.
Games that require a tremendous amount of hand-eye development are great for increasing coordination. Table tennis and racquetball are both games that require high levels of these skills. There are also computer games that provide commands on the screen that the player must respond and react to, and these are also beneficial. In fact, researchers have found that many types of video games improve hand and eye response.
Physical activities, such as hiking on uneven trails, are a good way for people to make themselves more coordinated. When a person walks on level pavement all the time, his body gets used to the lack of resistance. On bumpy or uneven trails, the body must react to the changes in elevation and compensate. This type of activity is vital for improving balance and reaction.
Coordination is a skill, and like any skill, it can be improved. Investing some time in exercises will allow individuals to reap big rewards. People who don’t feel the need to improve for athletic reasons should consider the age-defying benefits.
