Medicine ball (original) (raw)

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Piece of exercise equipment

Exercising with a medicine ball

Medicine ball plank

Man exercising with a medicine ball

A medicine ball (also known as an exercise ball, a med ball, or a fitness ball) is a weighted ball whose diameter is about a shoulder-width (approx. 350 mm (13.7 in)), often used for rehabilitation and strength training.[1] The medicine ball also serves an important role in the field of sports medicine to improve strength and neuromuscular coordination.[2] It is distinct from the inflated exercise ball, which is much lighter and larger (up to 910 mm (36 in) diameter).

Medicine balls are usually sold as 1–11 kg (2–25 lb) balls and are used effectively in ballistic training to increase explosive power in athletes in all sports, e.g. throwing the medicine ball or jumping whilst holding it.[3] Some medicine balls are up to 360 mm (14 in) in diameter and up to 6 kg (14 lb) weight, or in the form of weighted basketballs.

Aaron Molyneaux Hewlett, Director of the Harvard College Gymnasium ca. 1860, with a medicine ball and other equipment

Hippocrates is said to have stuffed animal skins for patients to toss for medicinal purposes.[4] Similar large balls were said to have been used in Persia, specifically by Persian wrestlers, as well as by Gladiators.[4][5][6] The term "medicine ball" dates back to at least 1876, in American Gymnasia and Academic Record, by Robert Jenkins Roberts Jr. The first known photograph of a medicine ball in the United States was taken in 1866 and shows Harvard athletic instructor Aaron Molyneaux Hewlett surrounded by his equipment.[6][7]

  1. ^ "Medicine ball". Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
  2. ^ Davies, George; Riemann, Bryan L.; Manske, Robert (November 2015). "Current Concepts of Plyometric Exercise". International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy. 10 (6): 760–786. ISSN 2159-2896. PMC 4637913. PMID 26618058.
  3. ^ Hartmann, Hagen; Wirth, Klaus; Keiner, Michael; Mickel, Christoph; Sander, Andre; Szilvas, Elena (October 2015). "Short-term Periodization Models: Effects on Strength and Speed-strength Performance". Sports Medicine. 45 (10). Auckland, N.Z.: 1373–1386. doi:10.1007/s40279-015-0355-2. ISSN 1179-2035. PMID 26133514. S2CID 26442001.
  4. ^ a b Internicola, Dorene (6 October 2014). "Medicine balls are ancient fitness tools that keep bouncing back". Reuters. Retrieved 21 April 2015.
  5. ^ Parrott, Matt (2018-09-10). "Medicine ball has history of improving movement". Arkansas Democrat Gazette. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  6. ^ a b Fleming, David; Croner, Ken (2012-07-10). "The Ball That Just Won't Die". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2019-02-23.
  7. ^ Warren, George Kendall (c. 1860). "A. Molyneaux Hewlett [photographic portrait], ca. 1860". HOLLIS Images | Harvard Library. Retrieved 2021-10-25.