Welcome to the March issue of The Health Bounce!

In this month's newsletter Lisa Witt, M.A., writes about students who are 'getting on the ball' - literally! We also want to introduce you to our new Ledragomma product line and identify some features and benefits of using the FitBALL® Chair. We hope that you find this month's newsletter informative and inspiring.

So read on, get fit and have fun!

By Lisa Witt, M.A.,
President, WittFitt, LLC

These days, when teachers tell you to get on the ball, they may be meaning that literally!

The basic premise behind this phenomenon is simple: “Active sitting” in the classroom improves students' ability to focus and pay attention in class. Kids need to move and change positions often. If students are able to release energy in a positive, non-disruptive way, their attention will be on the teacher and the activity at hand. Considering the increase in sedentary behavior and the resulting rise in childhood obesity, incorporating an “active” component to the classroom is a logical step. Sitting on the ball also assists in improving posture, blood flow, balance, and flexibility. It strengthens core muscles and is custom sized to the student.

Our company conducted a study to determine if the use of the stability ball for sitting, in the elementary classroom, was effective in improving one or more of the following: (a) flexibility, (b) strength/stability, (c) balance, (d) posture, (e) squirminess, and (f) ability to stay on task, in male and female sixth graders, ages 11-12 years. Twelve students sat on the stability ball, while the other half of the class sat on the standard classroom chair, for a period of 15 weeks. Stability balls for this project were provided by Ball Dynamics, Inc.

The results indicated a positive improvement by students on 59% of the tests. Every student who participated in the study by sitting on the stability ball improved, as hypothesized, in one or more of the above-mentioned areas.

Students were pre- and post-tested on seven motor tests and three classroom behavior tests. The seven motor tests included: Toe-Touch, Trunk Rotation, Bent-Knee Push-Ups, Tandem Heel-Toe Walking, Single-Foot Standing Balance, Pivot Prone, and Observable Posture. The three classroom behaviors included: Squirminess, Time-on-Task, and Classroom Posture.

The analysis of the data revealed the following significant findings:

Every student improved in at least three of the seven tests. Two students improved in six tests. Three students improved in five tests. Four students improved in four tests. The average improvement shown on tests that students demonstrated was 4.33 tests of the seven measured.

The total possible sum resulting from all the students exhibiting a positive change in all seven tests was 84 (12 students times seven tests). Fifty-two tests resulting in a positive change shown by students is representative of 62 percent of the total sum. Twenty tests resulting in no change shown by the students is representative of 24 percent of the total sum. Twelve tests resulting in a negative change shown by the students is representative of 14 percent of the possible.

Every student showed improvement or no change. Not a single student showed a decline in skills from the pre to the post-test. Three students improved on all three tests. Additionally, three students improved on two of the tests.

The average improvement demonstrated by students was 1.58 tests of the three observations. With respect to posture and squirminess, seven of the 12 students improved. Five of the 12 students improved their ability to stay on task.

WittFitt specializes in training teachers to safely and effectively integrate the stability ball into the classroom as a chair. After three years, we have schools in seven states and 3 Canadian provinces. Please visit our website for more information.

Ball Dynamics is pleased to announce a new distribution partnership with Ledragomma, one of the premier Italian manufacturers of fitness and rehabilitation products. Established in 1950, Ledragomma was the first manufacturer in the world to produce large plastic gymnastic balls for sport, fitness, therapy and play. Today, their premium original Pezzi® brand and products are well-known for their high quality Maxafe® material and innovative reputation. The Maxafe™ line of products, made with a patented Flexton Silpower™ material, aids in slow deflation in case of ball puncture. Popular with health professionals, favorites include the Gymnastik™ line of stability balls and the uniquely shaped EggBall™. For a complete list of Ledragomma products, try our easy manufacturer pull-down product locater, located on the left side of our home page.