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| THE EQUESTRIAN ATHLETE |
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Specificity of Learning
by Johanna Harris
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| Have you seen the exercises that make you roll around on a big ball in Dressage & CT magazine, Mary Midkiff's book Fitness, Performance and the Female Equestrian, and now Mary Wanless' body awareness video? If you're like me, you've probably been wondering what's so great about these costly balls. |
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Swiss balls--also called gymnastic balls, Thera-band balls, or Physioballs--have recently bounced their way out of the physical therapist's exercise room and into the equestrian's living room for good reason. Exercising with a big, inflatable plastic ball is a fun, challenging way to get low-impact exercise. Strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, and good posture develop fast when you exercise on top of something that moves more with every breath you take than a horse on roller-skates. |
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For most exercises, you need a ball that's big enough to keep your thighs parallel to the floor when sitting on it. The suppliers below have charts that help you order the right size.
Body Trends Health and Fitness sells Swiss balls that range in size from 42cm in diameter ($11.50) to 120cm ($89). Call 1-800-549-1667 for a catalog or go to their web site. Be sure to visit the Body Trends Health and Fitness web site above for more information about swiss balls and sample exercises for how to use them.
© 1998 by Johanna L. Harris. All Rights Reserved. Reprinted with permission.
Johanna L. Harris has an M.A. degree in Physical Education, Exercise and Sports Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is the editor/publisher of The Equestrian Athlete, a monthly newsletter providing equestrians with exercise and sport science information. You can also reach her at (800) 404-8514. |
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