What are the two ways to change in support strategies?

• A. Stepping, grasping something for additional support
• B. Turning head, blinking
• C. Shifting weight without movement
• D. Stepping, grasping something for additional support

Answer: (C)

In maintaining balance, you adjust your support in two main ways: you can shift your weight within the current base of support, or you can change the base of support itself by stepping or reaching for something. Shifting weight without moving the feet captures the first approach—the ankle strategy—where small perturbations are countered by ankle and trunk muscles to bring the center of mass back over the feet. It’s the quickest, least disruptive way to stabilize when the disturbance is mild, so it’s the best match for the question. Turning the head or blinking doesn’t directly affect how the body maintains its relation to the base of support, and stepping/grasping describes the second approach—changing the base of support—which is a larger, different type of adjustment.