Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Do exercise balls provide a training advantage for trunk extensor exercises? A biomechanical evaluation.

Janessa D M Drake1, Steve L Fischer, Stephen H M Brown

  • 1Department of Kinesiology, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.

Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics
|June 10, 2006
PubMed
Summary

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Immediate Responses to Trunk Muscle Coordination Cueing on Maximal Isometric Lifting Force, Low Back Postural Displacement, Lumbar Spine Rotational Stiffness, and Trunk Muscle Co-Contraction.

Journal of strength and conditioning research·2026
Same author

Tissue-Level Neck Response in Rotary-Wing Aircrew With Head-Supported Mass Assessed With Finite Element Model.

International journal for numerical methods in biomedical engineering·2026
Same author

Congruency of fatigue-mediated changes in shear wave velocity, upper limb force, muscle activity, and kinematics of the scapular stabilizer muscles.

Journal of electromyography and kinesiology : official journal of the International Society of Electrophysiological Kinesiology·2026
Same author

Shoulder Kinematic and Muscle Activity Compensations to Scapular Stabilizer Weakness: An Optimal Control Framework.

Annals of biomedical engineering·2026
Same author

Internal Density Calibration in the Proximal Humerus to Estimate Bone Stiffness for Stemless Shoulder Arthroplasty.

Journal of orthopaedic research : official publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society·2026
Same author

Comparison of lengthening and shortening stiffness tests in single skeletal muscle fibres.

Journal of biomechanics·2026

Performing back extensor exercises on an exercise ball, compared to a mat, did not increase muscle activation or challenge the spine more. However, it may reduce spinal loading, potentially benefiting rehabilitation by lowering reinjury risk.

Area of Science:

  • Biomechanics
  • Exercise Physiology
  • Rehabilitation Science

Background:

  • Limited quantitative data exists comparing abdominal exercises on mats versus exercise balls.
  • Benefits of exercise balls are often generalized, lacking surface-specific evidence.
  • Understanding surface-induced biomechanical differences is crucial for exercise prescription.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare muscle activation, lumbar spine posture, and spinal loading during extensor exercises on a mat versus an exercise ball.
  • To investigate the biomechanical responses to different exercise surfaces for trunk extensor exercises.

Main Methods:

  • Bilateral muscle activation was measured at 7 trunk sites in 8 subjects.
  • 3D lumbar spine postures and upper body kinematics were recorded.

Related Experiment Videos

  • An electromyography-driven model calculated spinal loading (compression, shear).

    • Main Results:

    • Trunk flexor-extensor cocontraction decreased by up to 30% on the exercise ball.
    • Peak muscle activation was unchanged or reduced on the ball.
    • Spinal loading (compression and shear) decreased on the ball, with no difference in attained lumbar spine postures.

    Conclusions:

    • The study did not support the assumption that exercise balls universally increase musculoskeletal challenge.
    • No significant training advantage was found for performing extensor exercises on a ball versus a mat in healthy young adults.
    • Performing these exercises on an exercise ball may reduce low back loading, offering potential benefits in rehabilitation to minimize reinjury risk.