REVIEW:
A study sets out to test a manufacturer’s claims
that hula hooping using a weighted hoop
stimulates muscle activity.
WORDS: ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR MIKE CLIMSTEIN & JOE WALSH
Title: A Six Week Trial of Hula Hooping Using a Weighted Hoop: Effects of skinfolds,
weight and torso muscle endurance
Authors: Dr’s McGill et al. (Dept of Kinesiology, University of Waterloo, Canada)
Source: Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research (ePub ahead of print, 2014)
Introduction: It is common for academics to encourage our students who
need to complete research projects as part of their undergraduate studies to
‘try and think outside the box’. And we have to admit that a number of very
bright students have developed some quite ingenious research projects in
exercise and sports science. Fortunately, it also makes for great teaching…
and sometimes an interesting and surprising result emerges. Case in point: the
physiological benefits of hula hooping. Yes, hula hooping.
The hula hoop dates back thousands of years, with Native Americans
using hoops made of dried willow, rattan or stiff grasses in traditional dances
for storytelling. The modern plastic version was designed in the late 1950s
(allegedly inspired by bamboo exercise hoops seen in Australia) and gained
huge popularity when Melin and Knerr’s Wham-O toy company marketed
them, with more than 100 million sold in two years. These days the acrobatic
entertainers of Cirque du Soleil are performing some incredible moves with this
humble ‘toy’!
So, let’s move on to the study by Dr McGill and his colleagues. We were
surprised to see that the hula hoop has actually been researched since the
1960s – although, admittedly, only a couple of studies have been completed
since that decade. Dr McGill’s interest in the hula hoop stems from its use as
part of the physical education curriculum in elementary school children across
the Pacific, and also as part of a novel fitness program for young girls. Given
Dr McGill is the director of the Spine Biomechanics Lab at the University of
Waterloo, it’s not surprising that his interest is in the potential benefits of the
hoop on isometric back muscles and back pain.
22 | NETWORK SUMMER 2014