# PWR-028 — Reactive balance: learner worksheet Release: Revision 7T · Full Tutorial Edition Estimated time: Estimated 11 min reading; practical time is provider-set Difficulty: Intermediate Equipment: Specialist equipment — Certified overhead safety harness and provider-checked attachment; Calibrated perturbation treadmill or platform with emergency stop; Guard rails positioned as declared; Video or trial sheet for step, catch, rail and symptom scoring; A protected-balance log for harness fit and test, perturbation direction and magnitude, timing, recovery steps, rail contact, catches, assistance, symptoms and reset. Space: Specialist setting Automated structural checklist: 10 of 10 structural checks present Evidence quality/context: G4; Focused research depth Automated method-quality band: Comprehensive Method-rating basis: Structure coverage, instruction/check specificity, alternative distinctness, source troubleshooting, comparison depth and whether purpose/check fields are authored rather than derived. Editorial review: Pending manual editorial sign off ## Before you begin - [ ] I read the tutorial authority and stop conditions. - [ ] I have the required equipment/space or a declared accessible alternative. ## Canonical source context Reactive balance is the response after support or body position changes unexpectedly. This lesson teaches a protected laboratory method: stand in a provider-fitted harness, keep a natural ready stance, allow a small platform or treadmill perturbation, take one or more recovery steps toward the direction of the loss, regain a stable base and report whether the harness, rails or provider had to catch body weight. The provider controls eligibility, harness, perturbation size/direction, trial count and progression. Target outcome: The learner completes a provider-set series of protected perturbations and records recovery steps, harness catches, rail use and symptoms for each trial. ### Authority and setup conditions - Confirm the harness supports body weight without contacting the learner during ordinary standing. - Practise the stop signal, emergency stop and safe return to the platform. - Report falls, faintness, vestibular symptoms, pain, fear, neurological change and any condition affecting safe stepping. - Fit and load-test the harness according to its instructions, then practise one guarded weight shift. Proceed only if the system catches the shift without strap pain, breathing obstruction or unsafe slack. - Practise the natural ready stance, one supported weight shift and the instruction to respond rather than guess before unpredictable trials begin. ### Required or supplied materials - Certified overhead safety harness and provider-checked attachment - Calibrated perturbation treadmill or platform with emergency stop - Guard rails positioned as declared - Video or trial sheet for step, catch, rail and symptom scoring - A protected-balance log for harness fit and test, perturbation direction and magnitude, timing, recovery steps, rail contact, catches, assistance, symptoms and reset. ## 1. Fit and test protection Let the provider fit the harness, clear straps from the neck and test the support over the platform before any disturbance. Why: A harness is protection only when fitted and attached correctly. Success check: The attachment catches a controlled weight shift without strap pain or obstruction. Accessible alternative: Ask the qualified provider to adapt positioning, cue modality, pace, interface or rest while preserving this step’s declared check: “The attachment catches a controlled weight shift without strap pain or obstruction.” If an adaptation changes the measured task or configuration, record it as a different configuration rather than an equivalent attempt. Alternative relationship: Conditional equivalence requires target and configuration check Learner notes: ________________________________________________________________________________ Completed: [ ] ## 2. Set a natural ready stance Stand on the marked feet with the usual footwear and authorised aid configuration, arms relaxed and gaze at the fixed target. Why: A repeatable stance changes the available recovery step. Success check: Feet, aid, gaze and rail rule match the trial card. Accessible alternative: Ask the qualified provider to adapt positioning, cue modality, pace, interface or rest while preserving this step’s declared check: “Feet, aid, gaze and rail rule match the trial card.” If an adaptation changes the measured task or configuration, record it as a different configuration rather than an equivalent attempt. Alternative relationship: Conditional equivalence requires target and configuration check Learner notes: ________________________________________________________________________________ Completed: [ ] ## 3. Respond rather than predict Wait for the provider's signal that a trial may occur, but do not count down or pre-step. Let the small perturbation start before moving. Why: Pre-planning removes the reactive element; this preserves the reactive balance rule for 'Respond rather than predict'. Success check: Video shows no step before platform movement. Accessible alternative: Ask the qualified provider to adapt positioning, cue modality, pace, interface or rest while preserving this step’s declared check: “Video shows no step before platform movement.” If an adaptation changes the measured task or configuration, record it as a different configuration rather than an equivalent attempt. Alternative relationship: Conditional equivalence requires target and configuration check Learner notes: ________________________________________________________________________________ Completed: [ ] ## 4. Step toward the loss If balance moves beyond the feet, take a quick step in that direction and use additional steps as needed; do not cross the legs unless that is the taught response. Why: A recovery step enlarges the base under the moving body. Success check: The new foot lands where it supports the displaced body. Accessible alternative: Ask the qualified provider to adapt positioning, cue modality, pace, interface or rest while preserving this step’s declared check: “The new foot lands where it supports the displaced body.” If an adaptation changes the measured task or configuration, record it as a different configuration rather than an equivalent attempt. Alternative relationship: Conditional equivalence requires target and configuration check Learner notes: ________________________________________________________________________________ Completed: [ ] ## 5. Regain a stable base Bring the other foot to a comfortable stance, steady the trunk and hold for two seconds before the next trial. Why: The response is incomplete until balance is restored. Success check: No continued hopping, rail grab or harness loading occurs during the hold. Accessible alternative: Ask the qualified provider to adapt positioning, cue modality, pace, interface or rest while preserving this step’s declared check: “No continued hopping, rail grab or harness loading occurs during the hold.” If an adaptation changes the measured task or configuration, record it as a different configuration rather than an equivalent attempt. Alternative relationship: Conditional equivalence requires target and configuration check Learner notes: ________________________________________________________________________________ Completed: [ ] ## 6. Name any assistance State whether you used a rail, the harness took weight or the provider touched you. Do not hide assistance to make the trial look successful. Why: Assistance changes the outcome and safety interpretation. Success check: Learner and provider agree on the assistance code. Accessible alternative: Ask the qualified provider to adapt positioning, cue modality, pace, interface or rest while preserving this step’s declared check: “Learner and provider agree on the assistance code.” If an adaptation changes the measured task or configuration, record it as a different configuration rather than an equivalent attempt. Alternative relationship: Conditional equivalence requires target and configuration check Learner notes: ________________________________________________________________________________ Completed: [ ] ## 7. Reset and vary only by plan Return to the exact foot marks and rest. The provider changes only the predeclared magnitude or direction and stops at the first failed safety rule. Why: Unplanned escalation can exceed stepping capacity. Success check: Every trial has a known setting and full reset. Accessible alternative: Ask the qualified provider to adapt positioning, cue modality, pace, interface or rest while preserving this step’s declared check: “Every trial has a known setting and full reset.” If an adaptation changes the measured task or configuration, record it as a different configuration rather than an equivalent attempt. Alternative relationship: Conditional equivalence requires target and configuration check Learner notes: ________________________________________________________________________________ Completed: [ ] ## Reflection What changed? ________________________________________________________________________________ What remains difficult? ________________________________________________________________________________ What will I repeat, adapt, ask for help with, or stop? ________________________________________________________________________________ --- Completion of this worksheet demonstrates tutorial participation only. It does not establish capability, qualification, safety clearance, diagnosis, treatment or independent validation.