Aim:

To determine if the partial replacement of the office chair with a stability ball increases the strength-resistance of the trunk extensor muscles and static balance, as well as improves the health-related quality of life in office workers.

Materials and methods:

Pre-post experimental design study without control group. Intentional sample of 18 office workers between 25 and 55 years old. For 8 weeks, a partial and progressive replacement of an oice chair with a stability ball was performed during working hours. Before and after replacement, the strength-resistance of the trunk extensor muscles was evaluated using the Biering Sorensen clinical test, static balance was measured using postural oscillography and quality of life was evaluated with the quality of life perception questionnaire related to health SF-36.

Results:

Greater muscular strength-endurance (p = 0.003), and a better score in the dimensions of physical role (p = 0.041), body pain (p = 0.017), general health (p = 0.027), social function ( p = 0.017), emotional role (p = 0.043) and mental health (p = 0.036) were observed.

Conclusions:

The partial and progressive replacement of the office chair by a stability ball for 8 weeks increased the strength-resistance of the trunk extensor muscles and improved the perception of quality of life in office workers.

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