Do you feel antsy after sitting in your chair for a few hours and begin to
squirm? Do you ache to inject more movement in your workday? The urge to
wiggle is the body's way to reduce static behavior and increase movement.
Dynamic movement increases circulation and regeneration. To have ease of
movement, set aside that stuffy old chair and sit on a STABILITY BALL.
HOW TO USE A STABILITY BALL:
Purchase a stability ball that is large enough for you to use instead of
your chair. Alternate sitting on the ball with sitting in your chair every
The appropriate ball diameter depends upon your individual height, as well
as keyboard and desk height. Many toy and exercise stores as well as
ergonomic suppliers have sturdy stability BURST RESISTANT balls of varying
sizes that are fun and healthful to sit on while working at the computer.
The cost ranges from $25 to $40. Inflate the ball so that it is soft and
comfortable to sit on. When you sit on the ball, let your hips be slightly
higher than your knees (the angle of your hip is about 100 - 110 degrees).
Ball sizes may need to be increased or decreased depending upon how much
you inflate the ball and how you are sitting in relation to the keyboard.
Explore the following guidelines for ball sizes.
- If you are over 6'3" and have long legs use a 75 cm diameter ball
- IIf you are between 5'2" and 6'2" use a 65 cm diameter ball
- IIf you are less than 5'2" use a fully inflated 55 cm diameter ball or a
partially inflated 65 cm diameter ball
Enjoy bouncing, wiggling and rocking on the ball and keep track of your
ball as co-workers may roll away with it.
Copyright 2002 Erik Peper, Ph.D. and Katherine Hughes Gibney