Exercise Balls In The Classroom

Exercise balls -- often called stability balls -- are primarily used to strengthen the core muscles of the back and abdomen. More recently, teachers have found that using exercise balls in the classroom are a viable alternative to chairs. They have been found to help with several issues, including posture and concentration. The majority of students who have used them prefer the balls over traditional chairs, according to StudentNewsDaily.com

Concentration

Teachers and students who have used exercise balls report an enhanced ability to concentrate. According to Harvard professor Dr. John Ratey, this seems to be a result of the tiny movements kids make while balancing. The small movements stimulate their brains, which helps them focus. A study by Denise Lynn Schilling and colleagues that was published in 2003 found that children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder were able to sit longer and write more legibly when using exercise balls instead of chairs.

Posture

Using exercise balls has been found to promote better posture because it aligns the spine better than a chair, according to Wittfitt.com. This leads to improved flow of fluids through the disks and better concentration follows. Much like when the balls are used for exercise, students sitting in them need to focus on their core abdominal and back muscles, which benefits posture as well.

Movement

The small movements that students make while sitting or bouncing on the balls seems to contribute to the ability to sit still longer, states WittFitt.com. Colorado elementary school teacher Tiffany Miller corroborates this, stating that her students jiggle their lower bodies a bit, but they are focused on their work. Students who use the balls do not seem to want to move around as much, or get out of their seats as often when using the balls.

Considerations

The small number of schools that have used exercise balls in the classroom have reported overall improvement, but limited studies have been done, especially on a larger scale. Another issue that has been brought up is incorrect posture. Sitting for long periods of time on an exercise ball can cause back bad habits, such as slouching and misalignment of the tail bone, according to Fabio Camana, an exercise physiologist at the American Council on Exercise. Teachers and instructors need to monitor students and ensure they are maintaining good posture.