Moving the body in the opposite direction of a loss of balance is known as what?

• A. Collapsing
• B. Falling
• C. Weight-bearing
• D. Weight-shifting

Answer: (D)

When balance is challenged, you counteract by moving your body in the opposite direction to bring your center of gravity back over your base of support. This deliberate shifting of weight is weight-shifting. It’s the corrective action that helps you stay upright and often sets up a step to widen the base if needed.

Collapsing is an uncontrolled loss of balance that leads to hitting the ground. Falling is the outcome of not regaining balance. Weight-bearing describes simply putting weight through a limb for support, not the active counter-movement used to recover balance.