Exercise Ball as a chair

[fiveworlds]

I spend alot of my time sitting in college and the bus etc everyday since starting college and am losing my six pack. My brother recommended using an exercise ball as a chair to work my abdominal muscles at home. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using an exercise ball as a chair over say getting a standing desk??

[zapatos]

Sitting on an exercise ball clearly works the core much better than sitting in a chair, but I doubt it will contribute much to a six pack.

 

On the down side, having no back or arm support can lead to back and neck problems. In addition, if the ball is at an incorrect height for the desk, you may introduce other problems.

 

I'm guessing its effectiveness is a crap shoot.

[Phi for All]

I tried the exercise ball as a chair and it didn't work for me, for most of the reasons zapatos listed. Maybe it would work if you got up and stretched and looked into the distance every half hour like you're supposed to, but I don't.

 

The standing desk might be the same way. If you could get into the habit of walking away from it all every so often, it might work well. I get too absorbed in what I'm doing and tend to work for a couple hours before moving around. I need the back and arm support.

[Strange]

On the down side, having no back or arm support can lead to back and neck problems.

 

 

Really? I have always been told that it is bad to use the back of chair (for long periods). It is much better to support your own back - as long as you keep it straight.

[zapatos]

Proper ergonomics for sitting include a back support that follows the curvature of your spine. I don't know if keeping your back 'straight' is a good substitute for an ergonomic chair, or if ergonomic chairs are recommended because people don't keep their backs straight.

 

 

 

Choose a chair that supports your spinal curves. Adjust the height of your chair so that your feet rest flat on the floor or on a footrest and your thighs are parallel to the floor. Adjust armrests so your arms gently rest on them with your shoulders relaxed.

 

 

 

http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/office-ergonomics/art-20046169

 

 

 

A look at the scientific evidence behind exercise balls as office chairs

Virtually all of the research points to exercise balls causing more problems than solutions, and most experts recommend sticking to a traditional (ergonomically correct) office chair.

One study found that, “Prolonged sitting on a stability ball does not greatly alter the manner in which an individual sits, yet it appears to increase the level of discomfort.”

Another study found that, “There was no difference in muscle activation profiles of each of the 14 muscles between sitting on the stool and ball. Calculated stability and compression values showed sitting on the ball made no difference in mean response values. The contact area of the seat-user interface was greatest on the exercise ball.”

According to the Centre of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders, “The use of stability balls as a chair may actually increase the risk of developing low back discomfort and may increase the risk of sustaining an injury due to the unstable nature of the balls.”

The bottom line: Exercise balls should be left for … exercise! And not used for sitting at your desk all day. Use them for small periods of time as part of your fitness and exercise plan.

 

http://ergo-plus.com/using-exercise-ball-to-replace-office-chair/