Therapeutic Exercise Using Therapeutic Exercise Using Swiss Balls and Foam RollersSwiss Balls and Foam Rollers

Adam R. Freeman, Ed. S., ATCAdam R. Freeman, Ed. S., ATC

Challenges of Swiss BallsChallenges of Swiss BallsUsed for flexibility, Used for flexibility, balance, strength, and balance, strength, and enduranceendurance

Open and closed chain Open and closed chain activitiesactivities

Makes simple Makes simple activities more activities more complexcomplex

Increasing the DifficultyIncreasing the DifficultyAdd weights, Add weights, tubing, bands or tubing, bands or manual resistancemanual resistance

Push-ups become Push-ups become more difficult when more difficult when the ball is moved the ball is moved under the shinsunder the shins

What do I need to get started?What do I need to get started?

Physioball / rubber ball from toy storePhysioball / rubber ball from toy store

No belt buckles: Only athletic clothesNo belt buckles: Only athletic clothes

Tennis shoesTennis shoes

Restrain hair Restrain hair

Do not bounce the ballsDo not bounce the balls

Baseball Specific ExercisesBaseball Specific ExercisesTrunk rotation Trunk rotation

Medicine balls Medicine balls require more require more proprioceptionproprioception

Develops core Develops core body strengthbody strength

Involves more Involves more muscles muscles

Bridging ExercisesBridging ExercisesStrengthens the Strengthens the back extensors and back extensors and hamstringshamstringsIncreases control of Increases control of body’s center of body’s center of gravitygravityProne bridging Prone bridging (right)improves (right)improves gluteal group and gluteal group and lower abdominalslower abdominals