Exercise ball
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2008-07-16T13:19:11Z
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/* Potential harm */ This is criticism, not potential harm.
[[Image:SwissBallSquat.JPG|thumb|right|200px|An exercise ball allows a wide range of exercises to be performed.]]
An '''exercise ball''', also known as a '''Swiss ball''', is a ball constructed of [[Elastomer|elastic]] soft [[PVC]] with a [[diameter]] of around 35 to 85 cm (14 to 34 inches). It is used in [[physical therapy]] and [[exercise]].
The ball is also known by a number of different names, including balance ball, birth ball, body ball, ball, fitness ball, gym ball, gymnastic ball, physioball, pilates ball, Pezzi ball, sports ball, stability ball, Swedish ball, therapy ball, or yoga ball. It is larger and much lighter than a [[medicine ball]].
==History==
The physical object known as a "Swiss Ball" was developed in 1963 by Aquilino Cosani, an Italian plastics manufacturer. He perfected a process for molding large puncture resistent plastic balls. <ref> {{cite book
| last = Flett
| first = Maureen
| title = Swiss Ball: For Strength, Tone and Posture
| publisher = Sterling Publishing Company, Inc.
| date = 2003
| isbn = 185648663X }}</ref> Those balls, then known as "Pezzi balls" was first used in treatment programs for newborns and infants by Mary Quinton, a British physiotherapist working in Switzerland. Later, Dr. Susanne Klein-Vogelbach, the director at the Physical Therapy School in Basel. Switzerland, integrated the use of ball exercise as physical therapy for neuro-developmental treatment. Based on the concept of "functional kinetics"<ref>{{cite book
| last = Klein-Vogelbach
| first = Susanne
| title = Functional Kinetics: Observing, Analyzing, and Teaching Human Movement
| publisher = Springer-Verlag
| date = 1990
| isbn = 0387153500 }}</ref>, Klein-Vogelbach advocated the use of ball techniques to treat adults with orthopedic or medical problems. The term "Swiss Ball" was used when American physical therapists begin to use those techniques in North America after witnessing their benefits in Switzerland.<ref> {{cite book
| last = Carriere
| first = Beate
| coauthors = Renate Tanzberger
| title = The Swiss Ball: Theory, Basic Exercises and Clinical Application
| publisher = Springer
| date = 1998
| isbn = 3540611444 }}</ref> From their development as physical therapy in a clinical setting, those exercises are now used in athletic training<ref>{{cite book
| last = Hillman
| first = Susan Kay
| title = Introduction to Athletic Training
| publisher = Human Kinetics
| date = 2005
| isbn = 0736052925 }} </ref>, as part of a general fitness routine <ref> {{cite book
| last = Milligan
| first = James
| title = Swiss Ball For Total Fitness: A Step-by-step Guide
| publisher = Sterling Publishing Company, Inc.
| date = 2005
| isbn = 1402719655 }}</ref> and incorporation in alternative exercises such as yoga.<ref>{{cite book
| last = Mitchell
| first = Carol
| title = Yoga on the Ball
| publisher = Inner Traditions / Bear & Company
| date = 2003
| isbn = 0892819995 }}</ref>
==Benefits==
A primary benefit of exercising with an exercise ball as opposed to exercising directly on a hard flat surface is that the body responds to the instability of the ball to remain balanced, engaging many more [[muscle]]s to do so.<ref>[http://www.ptjournal.org/cgi/content/full/80/6/564 Vera-Garcia FJ, Grenier SG, McGill SM (2000) Abdominal muscle response during curl-ups on both stable and labile surfaces. ''Phys. Ther.'' 80, 564-569]</ref> Those muscles become stronger over time to keep balance. Most frequently, the core body muscles — the [[human abdomen#Muscles of the abdominal wall|abdominal muscles]] and [[human back#Muscles of the back|back muscles]] — are the focus of exercise ball [[physical fitness|fitness]] programs.<ref>{{cite web
| last = Mayo Clinic Staff
| title = Slide show: Core exercises with a fitness ball
| publisher = Mayo Clinic
| date = Aug 24, 2007
| url = http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/core-strength/SM00046
| accessdate = April 2008}}</ref>
==Criticism==
Exercise balls have been criticized by some strength coaches such as [[Charles Poliquin]] because people tend to overuse them. This can lead to weakness in the upper body. In addition, the ability to perform explosive movements like jumping might be affected because Swiss ball trains the body in controlled movements for safety reasons rather than the high impact movements required in sports.<ref> {{cite web
| last = Maher
| first = Damien
| title = Keep your eye on the ball
| publisher = Independent (Ireland)
| date = March 03 2008
| url = http://www.independent.ie/health/diet-fitness/keep-your--eye-on-the-ball-1304151.html
| accessdate = April 2008}} </ref>
==Other uses==
Some people sit on an exercise ball instead of a chair (for example, an office chair). This is based on the theory that the abdominal and back muscles are constantly engaged and active in order to maintain proper posture and balance on the ball. However, there is no scientific evidence of those benefits occurring by just sitting without additional exercises.<ref>{{citation | last = Gregory | first = DE | title = Stability ball versus office chair: comparison of muscle activation and lumbar spine posture during prolonged sitting.
| url = http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16696264?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DiscoveryPanel.Pubmed_Discovery_RA&linkpos=1 | journal = Human Factors | volume = 48(1)| date= 2006 | pages = 142-53 | id = PMID: 16696264 }} </ref> <ref>{{ Citation | last = McGill | first = SM | title = Sitting on a chair or an exercise ball: various perspectives to guide decision making. | url = http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16410033?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DiscoveryPanel.Pubmed_Discovery_RA&linkpos=1
| journal = Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon).
| date= 22006 May; Epub 2006 Jan 10.
| volume = 21 (4)
| pages = 353-60
| id = {PMID: 16410033 }}</ref> Using a Swiss ball as a chair is sometimes prescribed by [[physical therapist]]s for back patients in sedentary jobs.{{Fact|date=September 2007}} However, some people warn against using a Swiss ball as chair due to [[ergonomic|ergonomical]] considerations.<ref>[http://www.ergoweb.com/news/detail.cfm?id=1091 Ergoweb, Opinion: Balls as Office Chairs a Bad Idea]</ref>
This large plastic ball, known as a "birth ball", can also be used during labour to aid the descent of the fetal head into the pelvis. Sitting in an upright position will also aid fetal positioning and is more comfortable for the woman. Sitting on the ball with arms placed on a bed, table or otherwise sturdy object for support and gently rocking the hips may help the woman during contractions and aid the natural physiological process of birth.<ref> {{cite book
| last = Wesson
| first = Nicky
| title = Labor Pain: A Natural Approach to Easing Delivery
| publisher = Inner Traditions / Bear & Company
| date = 2000
| isbn = 0892818956 }} </ref>
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
* [http://swissball.optionals.info Swiss ball exercises]
[[Category:Balls]]
[[Category:Exercise equipment]]
[[Category:Rehabilitation medicine]]
[[de:Gymnastikball#Pezziball]]
[[ja:バランスボール]]