Proprioception: The Unconscious Body Awareness

Our brain is capable of filtering out information and making assumptions based on extrapolation, known as proprioception. This allows us to estimate distances and understand the positioning of our limbs, enabling us to perform actions such as touching our nose with our finger even with our eyes closed. Strokes that affect this part of the brain can result in dysmetria, or difficulty measuring distances. Proprioception can also vary between individuals, which can impact their ability to perform tasks such as driving. Childhood activities like climbing, swinging, spinning, and falling down can help develop physical literacy and improve proprioception.