By JORDAN MCLEMORE
News Editor
The Northwestern Oklahoma State University Wellness Committee met in early October to discuss ways to improve health and wellness on campus. Many ideas were tossed around but the overall concern was that employees find they have a hard time adding working out into their busy schedule. With the overwhelming response of “not enough time” the Wellness committee found a way to bring health and wellness to your office! Have you heard about the benefits of replacing your office chair with a BOSU (stability) ball?
Replacing an office chair for a stability ball is becoming increasingly popular because of the potential for improved health, posture and strength.
Spineuniverse explains that sitting on a stability ball can improve stability and balance because doing so is said to constantly engage the core abdominal muscles.
Stronger ab muscles protect the lower back and promote better posture, and can be the result of using the stability ball.
A study in the “Journal of Canadian Chiropractic Association” by chiropractors Larry G. Merritt and Celynne M. Merritt showed that two people who reportedly suffered from lower back pain improved when they began consistently sitting on a stability ball. Of course, results vary by individual, and not everyone experiences these results.
Prolonged improper sitting posture and office equipment that promotes bad posture can damage spinal structure and can cause recurring back and neck pain. The stability is a small change that can make a big improvement to your health.
Richard Burdick, Director of the Wellness Center plans on doing a follow up survey to gauge the benefits on those who use these chairs.
There are a limited number of chairs that the Wellness Committee will distribute to full time staff and faculty members, and deliver anywhere on the Alva campus. They are available to the Woodward and Enid campuses as well.
For more information and chair orders, contact Richard Burdick by Nov. 19, at rpburdick@nwosu.edu or 580-327-8109.
A disclaimer was released with the chairs reading:
“If you are new to using a stability ball, you might need to start out using the ball in small increments, as your body and muscles might not be accustomed to sitting in this manner for long periods and get fatigued. As your muscles build strength and endurance and become familiar with the seating position, it will become easier and you will be able to use the ball for longer periods.”