Active sitting, or unsupported sitting, is a concept where sitting is not just a passive inactivity but one where the user is engaged in controlled movement while seated on an unstable surface. There are several Active Sitting products on the market today, including free-standing exercise balls and inflatable seating discs that fit in a traditional chair. Many schools are now retrofitting their classrooms to take advantage of the benefits that Active Sitting provides. Children naturally gravitate to the brightly colored balls and seem willing to embrace this new methodology of focused learning through sensory awareness. While initial research focused on improvements by Special Education students using Active Sitting tools, today experiential use by general classrooms seem to be indicating that all students may benefit from the same techniques occupational therapists have been promoting for years. See some of the university-driven research reports on Active Sitting in Ball Dynamics' online Resource Center.

Another benefit that Active Sitting provides is the strengthening of the core muscles. Core muscles are very important to a healthy back. All movement begins from the core and is where our center of gravity is located. Sitting on an inflatable disc or ball can force the body to strengthen its weakest muscles in order to maintain balance. The body and its core muscles are constantly making slight adjustments and movement in order to keep balance.

Not all balls are created alike, which is why you'll find the professional-quality FitBALL brand of balls and seating cushions in schools, clinics, fitness clubs and other professional settings where quality is important. The entire FitBALL line of balls is burst-resistant quality- designed to deflate slowly, in case of an accidental puncture. Many lesser quality balls may burst suddenly if punctured.

As schools across the nation struggle with smaller school budgets, Ball Dynamics recently developed a special Active Sitting volume pricing program for schools to help stretch their dollars. For more information, call 800-752-2255 or email orders@fitball.com with subject line: School active sitting.

Benefits of Active Sitting

• Active Sitting eliminates static loading and can help nourish the spine.
• Active Sitting can encourage better posture by activating and strengthening the tiny muscles in our back and core area.
• Active Sitting can force the body to strengthen its weakest muscles in order to maintain balance.
• Active Sitting can be used to improve focus and alertness by enhancing sensory awareness and simulating the vestibular sense.

Ball Dynamics' Featured Active Sitting products:
FitBALLŪ with Feet
FitBALLŪ SeatingDiscJr
FitBALLŪ WedgeJr
FitBALLŪ Donut

More information about Active Sitting in the classroom can be found in the HealthBounce archives!

• Active Sitting - 'Get on the ball!' (Feb 2007)
• Students Now 'Getting on the ball' - Literally! (March 2007)
• Coming to a classroom near you: Active Sitting (July 2008)

Try your fitness knowledge with our new interactive Big Brain Tests. The quick, multiple choice quizzes are a fun way to test your FIT I.Q. and perhaps learn something new in the process. It only takes a few minutes to answer 10 multiple choice questions and then find out your score.

Exercise your knowledge with these greats tips from FitBALLŪ fitness gurus! These tips provide helpful advice on how to take your fitness routine to the next level. From Pilates to proprioception, this advice center is your guide for better fitness.

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