title: Should we be more on the ball? The efficacy of accommodation training on lumbar spine posture, muscle activity, and perceived discomfort during stability ball sitting.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a 9-day accommodation protocol on reducing perceived discomfort while sitting on a stability ball (SB); trunk muscle activity levels and lumbar spinal postures were also considered.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Previous studies have compared SB sitting with office chair sitting with few observed differences in muscle activity or posture; however, greater discomfort during SB sitting has been reported. These findings may indicate an accommodation period is necessary to acclimate to SB sitting.
  
  
  METHODS
  For this study, 6 males and 6 females completed two separate, 2-hr sitting sessions on an SB. Half the participants completed a 9-day accommodation period between the visits, whereas the other half did not use an SB during the time. On both occasions, self-reported perceived discomfort ratings were collected along with erector spinae and abdominal muscle activity and lumbar spinal postures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Discomfort ratings were reduced in female participants following the accommodation; no effects on muscle activation or lumbar spine postures were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Accommodation training may reduce perceived low-back discomfort in females.Trunk muscle activity and lumbar spine postures during seated office work on an SB did not differ between groups; however, greater sample power was required to conclusively address these variables.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Regarding whether to use an SB in place of a standard office chair, this study indicates that females electing to use an SB can decrease discomfort by following an accommodation protocol; no evidence was found to indicate that SB chair use will improve trunk strength or posture, even following an accommodation period.
authors.forename: Jennie A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: Priyanka
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Banerjee-Guénette
authors.forename: Diane E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Gregory
authors.forename: Jack P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Callaghan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D058748:Pain Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D055070:Resistance Training / Q000379:methods*; D057566:Self Report; D055815:Young Adult