Balls Sports
A Swiss ball is a ball constructed of 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
Swiss ball is also known by a number of different names, including balance ball,
birth ball, body ball, exercise ball, fitness ball, gym ball, physioball, pilates
ball, sports ball, stability ball, swedish ball, therapy ball, or yoga ball. It
is larger and much lighter than a medicine ball. Benefits A primary benefit of exercising
with a Swiss 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 muscles to do so.[1] Those muscles become stronger over time to keep balance.
Most frequently, the core body muscles — the abdominal muscles and back muscles
— are the focus of exercise ball fitness programs. Using a Swiss ball as part of
a fitness program can include a wide range of difficulty levels, each requiring
support from the back and stomach muscles that help firm up the trunk muscles in
the body. Exercise balls are commonly used as part of a physical therapy program
for individuals with low back pain. Examples of uses of the exercise ball include:
* Developing overall control and strength of the core body muscles * Increasing
lower back mobility * Increasing abdominal and back muscle strength * Improving
balance and stability * Improving proprioception * Learning proper body mechanics
and posture while lifting objects.
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