EWI Works: Ask a Consultant

Question: We have received some requests to use Stability Balls in place of ergonomic chairs. Do you get many of these requests? Are other employers receiving this type of request and if so, have you set any criteria regarding the use of them (i.e. limit to medical/ergonomic reasons)?

EWI Consultant: Yes, a number of employers have received this request and they have actually had to introduce a policy regarding the use of the balls within the workplace. We typically do not recommend them for the following reasons:

1. They can often be dangerous because people have been known to fall off of them since they tend to roll away.
2. The ball was typically recommended as a part of exercise classes often only comprising 10 to 15 minutes of the class since they can be very fatiguing. Using the ball all day can lead to very poor posture due to individuals getting tired trying to balance upright and therefore they sit forward flex losing the lumbar curve due to fatigue and discomfort.
3. The final concern is that an individual typically uses tennis shoes on a wooden floor when using the ball in a traditional exercise class this allows for adequate friction between the foot and the floor surface. Any other type of footwear specially using a heel can create an awkward position for the foot and ankle which can lead to problems again over the long term.

In summary, it is not natural for the body to sit totally upright without any back support for an entire workday as it can lead to poor posture if the individual starts to experience fatigue or discomfort. If the individual wants the exercise, the ball may be used at home where they can continually break up the task.

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