Did you know that some of the fastest reflexes in your body are in your vestibular system? Most people don’t know about the vestibular system, but to perform at an elite level you rely heavily on it. The vestibular system is vulnerable to the subconcussive blast waves that you are exposed to as well, making it vital to give it attention when training.
If you are riding in a vehicle and have a target in focus and that vehicle suddenly hits a pothole, your vestibular system is what will allow you to keep that target in focus.
If you find a target in your periphery, and quickly turn to respond to the target, your vestibular system is what allows you to keep that target in focus when you turn.
Your vestibular system is what allows you to keep a target in focus while running.
If the vestibular system isn’t functioning for you at a high level, your focus could slip off the target with those movements, losing target focus and precious seconds of response capabilities.
The vestibular system is a sophisticated system that has a huge impact on performance and situational awareness, but the training of it doesn’t need to be complex, and in execution it doesn’t require your attention. It mostly just works for you in the background, enabling you to continue to perform at elite levels, and push your performance to the next level.