Juggling is a complex motor skill. It requires the use of small groups of muscles with precise coordination. This doesn’t make it fatiguing but it can take time to learn and improve. Some people may never become proficient jugglers. This is perfectly normal and many people who juggle make their living from other stage worthy talents, such as circus performers or clowns.
Most people can juggle a few balls, though fewer are able to juggle more than this. The highest count is 14 in a row, but it’s important to remember that the ability to juggle this number of balls depends on many different skills and not just hand speed. For example, a person’s body balance, spatial awareness and the capacity for rapid, strategic thinking are all essential to this complex skill.
There have been numerous experiments conducted at top universities to track the effect that learning a new skill, such as juggling, has on the structure and density of gray matter in the brain. These studies have proven that learning to juggle changes the way the brain communicates with the rest of the body, making it easier to process and understand information quickly.
If you ever have an afternoon'slump', grab a few juggling balls instead of reaching for a sugary snack. Juggling will refocus your attention and give you a quick burst of energy. The more you practice, the better you’ll get. Even if you don’t become an expert juggler, it is still a fun and healthy activity to try.
