Medicine balls have been around for thousands of years and show no sign of disappearing anytime soon. The origin of the term is debatable, but is known to date to the 1800s.
First Appearance
The first documented use of the term medicine ball occurred in 1895 when it was included in an English dictionary. It was described as a "stuffed leather ball used for exercise."
Greek Physicians
Medicine balls were mentioned in the writings of ancient Greek physicians, such as Hippocrates. The balls were used for exercise and to aid in injury recovery, leading some to believe the term originated there.
Hieronymus Mercurialis
Another physician, Hieronymus Mercurialis, may be the one to establish the term medicine ball. In his 1569 publication on fitness, "De Arte Gymnastica," Mercurialis wrote the balls were a good form of medicinal gymnastics.
World War I
Another theory claims the term medicine ball was developed during World War I by Navy physicians, who made a crude form of a medicine ball for crews to exercise with while on long journeys by ship. But with the term having previously been published in 1895, the World War I theory is highly unlikely.
First Known U.S. Appearance
The first known appearance of a medicine ball in the United States occurred approximately in 1860, as A. Molyneaux Hewlett, director of the Harvard College Gymnasium, was photographed with them. Hewlett served at Harvard between 1859 and his death in 1871.
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