Physiological Responses To The Aerobic Exercise Using Balance Ball And Walking.

Abstract

PURPOSE:To clarify the physiological responses to various movement in aerobic exercise using balance ball. And to clarify the differences between walking and aerobic exercise using balance ball. METHODS:Eight healthy men performed walking and aerobic exercise using balance ball (BB). Respiratory metabolism and hart rate were measured during walking and aerobic exercise using BB. Subjects walked 5 speeds (4km/h, 5km/h, 6km/h, 7km/h and 8km/h) on treadmill ergometer. During aerobic exercise using BB, subject was sitting on the BB and bounding with upper and lower limb movements. The movements were fourteen patterns; bounding only, four upper limb movements, five lower limb movements and four upper and lower limb movements. RESULTS:There were no differences on the exercise intensity between upper limb movements(3.7±0.5Mets) and lower limb movements(3.7±0.6Mets) in aerobic exercise using BB. The exercise intensity during upper and lower limb movement(5.0±0.6Mets p<0.001) was significantly higher compared with upper limb movement only and lower limb movement only. There was no significant difference on heart rate between upper limb movement(114±22beats/min) and upper and lower limb movement(119±19beats/min). On the other hand, heart rate was significantly lower in lower limb movement(106±15beats/min, p<0.001) compared with upper and lower limb movement. The exercise intensity and heart rate while upper and lower limb movement were nearly to walking at 5-6km/h. The exercise intensity and heart rate while upper and lower limb movement were nearly to walking at 6-7km/h. CONCLUSIONS:The exercise intensity and heart rate during aerobic exercise using BB was nearly to moderate-intensity walking. Therefore, the aerobic exercise using BB is appropriate exercise to health promotion.