Research
Healthy employees equate to a reduction in absenteeism, less money spent on health care costs and ultimately a better, more profitable business.
So, investing a small amount to help keep your staff well will help ensure the success of your company. An easy way to directly contribute to the well-being of your employees is through an effective training program.
The ball has been thoroughly tested by medical authorities in Europe, and has been endorsed by corporations, school boards, corporations, health insurance companies, orthopaedic clinics, chiropractors and physiotherapists. In Switzerland, Germany, Holland Austria and Belgium many offices and schools have replaced traditional chairs with these sitting balls. The staff of companies such as Volkswagen, Siemens, Bosch and Beiersdorf are all using the ball. Today, more than 100 000 school children are sitting on the ball.
Employers who invest in worksite health promotion programs can see a return of $3-$6 for every dollar invested over a 2-5 year period. Documented savings are observed in medical costs, absenteeism, worker's comp claims, short-term disability and presenteeism (lower on-the-job efficiency due to employee health problems.)
Source: American Journal of Preventive Medicine, December 2005
On average, health care claim costs for IBM employees who exercise 1- 2 times a week are $350 a year less than those who don't exercise at all.
Source: Joyce Young, IBM's Well-Being Director in BenefitNews.com March, 2006
There are over 600 articles that analyze the research and anecdotal evidence of the cost-effectiveness of worksite wellness programs. In a review of 42 of these articles, there has been shown to be a:
28% reduction in sick leave absenteeism
26% reduction in use of the health care benefit
30% reduced worker's comp claims and disability management
Reduced presenteeism losses
Source: Larry Chapman, "Meta-evaluation of Worksite Health Promotion Economic Return Studies", The American Journal of Health Promotion, 2003
A recent study showed that corporate fitness center participants had 1.3 days fewer short-term disability claims per year per employee than non-participants and had fewer health risks.
Source: Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, April 2006
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Prof. Harris Steiner, Institute for Sport Sciences, Frieberg, Germany:
“The best and most economic means to prevent back pain is the sitting ball, it replaces any ergonomically styled seat.”
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PD Dr. Siegfried Hofling, Instute for Applied Health Research, Munich, Germany:
“On the ball children are constantly in motion and are forced to balance their body, as well as muscles and ligaments, which thus are strengthened.”
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Dr Med. Bruno Baviera, head and Medical Dean of the Institute for Physiotherapy, Schinznack, Switzerland:
“In case of unavoidable long-lasting sitting activities, we recommend a slightly back-bending posture which relaxes the vertebral column. An ideal alternative: the ball as a seat.”
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Sports Teacher H. Garser, Public Schools, Chur, Switzerland:
“Concentration is enhanced by the active sitting mode on the flexible seat of the ball, and free breathing supports the speech technique.”
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Registered Physiotherapist in private practice in Melrose, JHB, South Africa:
“The ball can be used from early prevention to final stage rehabilitation of back problems. The PerformaBall provides optimal functionality.”
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