Pediatric Core Strengthening Exercises Using a Therapy Ball

Many times, therapy sessions or home exercise programs focus on pediatric core strengthening exercises.

Do you work with children who have weak core muscles? If you are a pediatric Occupational or Physical Therapist, you would likely answer yes to this question for 90-100% of the children that you treat. Many times, therapy sessions or home exercise programs focus on pediatric core strengthening exercises.

There are so many pediatric core strengthening exercises that therapists use including therapy ball exercises. Be sure to consult with your physician, OT or PT before starting any exercise programs.

Pediatric Core Strengthening Exercises Using a Therapy Ball in Supine

Here are some exercises to try with children lying on their back:

Side to Side: put your legs up on the ball, knees straight and roll the ball side to side.
Bridges: do bridges (engage core muscles, lift hips up and hold steady for 5 seconds) with the ball underneath the feet.
Ball Curl Up: bend the knees and put the feet flat on the floor. Put the ball on the stomach. Hold the ball with two hands and squeeze while you roll up head and shoulders off the surface for 5 seconds.

Therapy Ball Core Strengthening Exercises in Prone

To strengthen the extensor muscles, try pediatric core strengthening exercises for children lying on the stomach:

Leg Lifts: go on all fours on the floor with the therapy ball under the stomach. Hold and lift the right leg up for 5 seconds. Repeat on the right leg.
Superman Lifts: on all fours with the therapy ball under the stomach lift your arms (with elbows straight), head and shoulders off the therapy ball and hold for 5 seconds. Your upper body should be positioned like you are superman flying in the air.
Dolphin Tail: put the therapy ball under the lower legs and feet. Put your hands out shoulder width apart holding your upper body weight (similar to a push up position). Move the ball side to side under your legs.
Seal Walk: keep the therapy ball under your lower legs and feet and walk out on your hands.

Pediatric Core Strengthening Exercises Using a Therapy Ball in Sitting

Try some core exercises for kids in sitting:

Twist and Drop: Put a pile of objects (i.e. small stuffed animals, bean bags, etc) on the floor on the left side of the the therapy ball. Sit on a therapy ball. Put a basket on the right side of the therapy ball. Reach to the left and grab an object. Sit back up and drop it in the basket on the right side. Repeat with all the objects and then do the other side.
Toss and Catch: Sit on a therapy ball and play a game of catch with a playground ball. Every time your throw the ball, you have to use an overhead throw.
Turn and Pass: You need two people for this. Sit on a therapy ball, back to back, with a partner. Holding a small ball with two hands, pass the ball to your partner. The partner brings it around front and passed it back to you on the other side. Repeat 3 times and change directions.
Kick and Pass: Sit on the therapy ball and kick a ball back and forth with a partner.
Leg Lifts: Sit on the therapy ball, engage the core and lift the left foot and extend the knee – hold for 5 seconds. Repeat on right leg.

Pediatric Core Strengthening Exercises Using a Therapy Ball in Standing

Need some variety in standing to strengthen the core, try these:

Ball Wall Squats: put the ball on the wall behind your back. Do small squats keeping the ball against the wall.
Ball Rolls: Stand one one foot. Put the other foot on top of the ball and roll it back and forth while keeping the core engaged throughout. Repeat with other foot.
Ball Catch: Play a game of catch using the therapy ball. You must throw it with an overhead pass.
Ball Cross Overs: Hold the ball over your right shoulder with two hands. Keeping arms extended reach across and down to tap the ball on the floor to the left of your left foot. Repeat three times. Switch sides and start with the ball over the left shoulder.

Reference: Au, M. K., Chan, W. M., Lee, L., Chen, T. M., Chau, R. M., & Pang, M. Y. (2014). Core stability exercise is as effective as task-oriented motor training in improving motor proficiency in children with developmental coordination disorder: a randomized controlled pilot study. Clinical rehabilitation, 28(10), 992-1003.

More information on Pediatric Core Strengthening Exercises

10 Everyday Core Strengthening Activities for Children

Towel Activities to Strengthen the Core

The Core Strengthening Handbook – This download includes 50+ activities including: Quick and Easy Core Strengthening Activities for Kids, Core Strengthening Exercises With Equipment and
Core Strengthening Play Ideas. Also includes information on why core strengthening is important and details about the core muscles.

Core Exercises for Children – Postural Painting