Benefits of Powerball Gyroscope
At first glance, it may look more like a children’s toy than a training instrument! However, Powerball provides important benefits for both physiotherapy and muscle strengthening. More and more health professionals have been investigating the possible uses and benefits of Powerball. In this article, we’ll uncover its main functions and benefits.
What is a Powerball?
The Powerball, also called cynergetic, contains spheres that are made of polycarbonate and have a gyroscope inside. This is a symmetrical body that rotates on its own axis, in the opposite direction that we spin the ball.
As the speed of the Powerball, that we create increases, the gyroscope will reach a higher number of revolutions. Consequently, the resistance generated will be greater and we’ll need more strength to rotate it.
There are different models, which vary in their weight and design. Some reach a weight of up to 25 pounds, while others weigh 40 or 50 pounds. All Powerballs are the same size of a tennis ball.
As for the design, you can buy basic or advanced versions. The advanced versions indicate the number of revolutions per minute, with LED numbers. Its price varies between approximately, 10 and 45 dollars.
Benefits of the Powerball
1. Excellent for physiotherapy rehabilitation
Powerballs are increasingly used by kinesiologists. Its main function in this context is to rehabilitate muscles and joints of the hand, wrist, forearm, elbow, and shoulder.
It’s also very effective in helping to recover neuromuscular efficiency in these areas. That is combining the different connections of the brain, with the different muscles to produce necessary movements, strength, and stability.
2. It doesn’t generate much vibration
These balls can reach a vibration of just 250 kHz, so they don’t negatively affect bones and joints. Although, with a higher vibration, instead of producing benefits, it could cause a stress injury.
However, it’s important to be careful when stopping the sphere’s movement. The internal structure rotates so quickly that the user can burn themselves when trying to stop it with their hand.
Also, it’s not advisable to leave it on a surface if it’s still moving. The energy it generates will move it and it could fall, and even damage nearby objects.
3. Proprioception works
Proprioception is the information that our senses send to our brain so that it carries out responses according to our requirements. With the Powerball, we demand the use of different muscles, to which the nervous system must offer an answer.
4. Increase strength
It’s a very efficient instrument since it allows us to work on our muscle strength in a matter of minutes. With two or three sets of short daily exercises using the Powerball, we’ll exercise our hands, wrists, and arms.
These spheres generate forces of different intensity and in random directions. In response to this, the body must activate the muscles that allow control and continue with the desired movement.
5. It’s fun to train with them
We won’t deny it! The Powerball provokes curiosity and gives an incentive to recovery. Undoubtedly, it’s more striking than the typical rehabilitation work we often do to help our hands and arms.
Who can use them?
Those people who have never had any problems with their wrists, arms, elbows or shoulders can use these spheres to train in strength, endurance, and stability. In all cases, controlled use is recommended. It shouldn’t cause pain or extreme tiredness.
In fact, many musicians, mainly guitarists and drummers, use them to strengthen their hands. The same is true for many athletes, artists and people who work with computers; because of the wear on their wrists.
Moreover and as we mentioned previously, Powerballs are frequently implemented in kinesiology. The most common injuries that are rehabilitated with this tool are:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Injuries to any of the areas already discussed
- Chronic pathologies or overuse
- Sprains, dislocations or fractures
- Tennis elbow
Finally, it’s essential to emphasize that its use in these latter cases must be prescribed and controlled by a health professional. Otherwise, incorrect use of the Powerball could cause original conditions to worsen.