A medicine ball (also known as an exercise ball, a med ball, or a fitness ball) is a weighted ball with a diameter of about a shoulder-width. The size of a medicine ball is approximately 350 mm (13.7 in), often used for rehabilitation and strength training. The medicine ball also serves an important role in the field of sports medicine to improve strength and neuromuscular coordination. It is distinct from the inflated exercise ball, which is much lighter and larger which is up to 37 in (95 cm) 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. 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.
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History
Hippocrates is said to have stuffed animal skins for patients to toss for medicinal purposes. Similar large balls were said to have been used in Persia, specifically by Persian wrestlers, as well as by gladiators. 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.
Types
Slam ball — Also known as a dead ball; designed for repeated high-impact slamming exercises against the ground and sometimes the wall. It has little rebound or "dead-bounce" and is built to withstand the impact.
Wall ball — Designed primarily to be thrown at a wall and caught; generally larger than a slam ball and has a controlled rebound. It is not designed to be slammed against the ground.
Traditional — General-purpose medicine ball used for throwing and catching; typically smaller than a wall ball to allow a firm grip for more powerful or repetitive throws. Generally unsuitable for slamming against the ground as it risks injury due to its bounce and may be damaged quickly by repeated high-impact use.