Wobble Board Benefits

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By Susan King
eHow Contributing Writer

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Wobble boards, also known as balance boards, look like a toy but they are actually very beneficial to both the body and the minds of the user. They are used by professionals from physical therapists for small school children to sports trainers for professional athletes. Skaters and surfers have used balance boards for years for off-season training and they are gaining popularity in more mainstream workouts. Basically, a wobble board is a flat board balanced on top of a cylinder or ball that forces you to use muscles and strength to maintain balance on the board. Boards are available in different sizes, shapes and ability levels.

Physical Benefits

Physical benefits of balance board training include several areas. It is great for strengthening ankles and knees. It increases balance and core strength stability, which can help prevent sports-related injuries. Because the time on the board can seem more like play than exercise, it can increase endurance. It also increases the proprioceptive system, which is the body's ability to be aware of itself and its place in spacial relations.

Mental Benefits

Physical therapists have used wobble boards for years during therapy sessions with developmentally delayed children. Using a board forces the left and right halves of the brain to communicate and work together to maintain balance. It helps to increase sensory integration skills as well as handwriting and reading skills. It has been specifically recommended for children with Attention Deficit with or without hyperactivity disorder and Central Processing Disorder. For some, a balance board can be used as a form of yoga, increasing self-awareness and calm. It has even been said to help writers and other creative personalities with the occasional mental block.

Rehabilitation

Many injuries occur in the knees and ankles. Balance training can strengthen and prevent injuries, especially in sports that rely on these joints for stability. During physiotherapy or rehabilitation after injury or surgery, the same effects are seen to strengthen the injured areas.

Recreation

Wii video game system by Nintendo created an electronic wobble board but it doesn't function in the same manner as a non-electronic board. Instead, you rock back and forth on the flat surface to simulate the balancing effects as the screen changes to fit your motions. A non-electronic balance board can be hooked up to the Wii system by attaching the remote control to the board. This allows you maximum physical benefits as well as game play.

Preventing Injuries

Always allow a spotter to help you for your first time on the board, no matter what your fitness level or age. Never get on the board when you are dizzy, very tired or intoxicated since these conditions will effect your ability to have proper reflexes. It is very easy to twist a joint, so take care and read the manufacturers guidelines for the board you have purchased. Helmets, wrist-guards, knee and elbow pads are also recommended.