What do schools, corporate workplaces and home offices all have in common? Each is experimenting to replace traditional chairs with stability balls. Many have found the BOSU® Ballast® Ball to work particularly well, since it does not roll away.
When sitting on an exercise ball, the body is constantly making adjustments with key postural muscles that include abdominals, lower back muscles, gluteals and leg muscles. But, user beware! Similar to expensive ergonomic chairs, individuals can still have poor posture on the stability ball.
The following is a suggested approach to implementing the “new school sitting” concept:
Allow participants to switch between stability ball and traditional chair.
Build up duration sitting. Start with half hour progressions, and eventually, participants can sit throughout the day.
Teach that posture is learned. Participants must be physically and mentally engaged.
Inflate the ball so thighs are parallel to the ground and hips are level. Be sure the ball height is appropriate for desk height.
Integrate exercise breaks throughout the day to avoid fatigue from poor posture habits, whether seated on a stability ball or chair. Check out the Ballast Ball http://cdnstore.twistconditioning.com/BOSU-Ballast-Ball_p_2274.html
Over time, the stability ball contributes to good posture, stronger core musculature and dynamic flexibility and movement capability. Also, ball chair users report being more focused, alert and motivated while sitting. As a result, schools and corporate wellness programs are able to integrate key fitness elements into daily life that could save on health costs, increase productivity and improve quality of life for students and employees.
Douglas S. Brooks is the head physiologist/strength & conditioning coach for Mammoth Power Sports and in 2007, was inducted into the National Fitness Hall of Fame. Coach Brooks is the author of six major texts and is a Twist Conditioning Senior Master Coach. To contact him, visit http://www.movesintfitness.com/
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