What is proprioception?
The term proprioception finds its origin in Latin and is composed of "proprio", which means "own" and "zeption", which means sense. Broadly speaking, it refers to all perceptions that are not caused by external stimuli, but stimuli that we detect with our own perception.
Proprioception, proprioceptive system or depth sensitivity thus describes the sensory perception with which our body informs us about the activity or position of the muscles, joints and tendons in the body. Brain informs us about the activity, condition or position of the muscles, joints and tendons in the body. It is more or less natural for humans to always feel what is happening in or with the body. It is part of self-awareness to determine how and what is moving in the body, an arm, a leg, an eye; what is the initial position of the body; how much pressure must be applied or how much resistance must be offered for a certain movement.
These messages to the brain are only possible due to the stimuli that occur via muscle spindles, tendon spindles or receptors in, for example, joint capsules, Ligaments and periosteum.
What is proprioceptive training?
For our musculoskeletal system and for movements, it is of great importance that this self-awareness is as accurate as possible. Fortunately, it can be trained, this is called proprioceptive training. These are exercises that improve the sensation of the body as well as the sensation or perception of movement. Specific measures are used to focus on one's own body sensation. These measures include, in particular, balance exercises or balancing measures.
Proprioceptive training in sitting
Balance exercises do not have to take place on a balance beam and also not on one leg. Even when sitting, balance and thus self-awareness can be trained. The Aeris active chairs do a good job here, because they challenge and encourage natural, spontaneous movement when sitting, free in every direction. This is based on the patented 3D technology. In order to sit continuously in a straight posture, the pelvis must compensate for the movements, which strengthens the muscles and has an overall positive effect on the musculoskeletal system.
According to Dr Dieter Breithecker, head of the Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft für Haltungs- und Bewegungsförderung e.V., the Swopper from Aeris is more suitable than any office chair that only has a synchronous mechanism. Sitting with the special 3D function of Aeris and the resulting "released" pelvis ensures variable micro- and macro-movements. As a result, a rhythmic change in tension and relaxation of the physiological structures involved in the sitting posture is made possible. This free and self-organised sitting behaviour triggers a complex interaction between the sensory (proprioceptive), neural and muscular systems. Or in other words: in one go, the sitter balances his or her sitting posture, which trains motor skills and thus not least self-awareness.
