Slacklining: An explanatory multi-dimensional model considering classical mechanics, biopsychosocial health and time.

Abstract

This paper aims to overcome slacklining’s limited formulated explanatory models. Slacklining is an activity with increasing recreational use, but also has progressive adoption into prehabilitation and rehabilitation. Slacklining is achieved through self-learned strategies that optimize energy expenditure without conceding dynamic stability, during the neuromechanical action of balance retention on a tightened band. Evolved from rope-walking or ‘Funambulus’, slacklining has an extensive history, yet limited and only recent published research, particularly for clinical interventions and in-depth hypothesized multi-dimensional models describing the neuromechanical control strategies. These ‘knowledge-gaps’ can be overcome by providing an, explanatory model, that evolves and progresses existing standards, and explains the broader circumstances of slacklining’s use. This model details the individual’s capacity to employ control strategies that achieve stability, functional movement and progressive technical ability. The model considers contributing entities derived from: Self-learned control of movement patterns; subjected to classical mechanical forces governed by Newton’s physical laws; influenced by biopsychosocial health factors; and within time’s multi-faceted perspectives, including as a quantified unit and as a spatial and cortical experience. Consequently, specific patient and situational uses may be initiated within the framework of evidence based medicine that ensures a multi-tiered context of slacklining applications in movement, balance and stability. Further research is required to investigate and mathematically define this proposed model and potentially enable an improved understanding of human functional movement. This will include its application in other diverse constructed and mechanical applications in varied environments, automation levels, robotics, mechatronics and artificial-intelligence factors, including machine learning related to movement phenotypes and applications.