Q: How big is the Qball ?

A: The Qball is about the size of a tennis ball. It is 63 mm in diameter or 2.5 inches.

Q: Is the Qball hard or soft ?

A: The Qball is a hard, solid natural rubber ball, so there is not air in the middle. It weighs over ¼ lbs. So it is heavy too. This means it keeps its shape even when bounced hard. This maintains the integrity of the moderately erratic bounce.

Q: What are the numbers for ?

A: The numbers are recessed and painted black on the Qball using non-toxic paint. They exist for 3 reasons. First, they provide a point of focus in a contrasting color. If you can see the numbers clearly while bouncing the Qball, it means your eyes are tracking and focusing properly. Second, it gives a recognizable symbol for the brain to see and identify. This is especially good training for people with Dyslexia. Third, the numbers are 1 – 10 spaced randomly, (the “Q” represents the number 10). This provides the 10 most important numbers with which to play math games, practice addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. It is a great training tool for students and combines math calculation games with physical activity.

Q: Is 1 or 2 Qballs Better ?

A: Depends. Many of the games and exercises only require 1 Qball. However, there are games and exercises that can be done using 2 Qballs. The advantage of using 2 Qballs versus one are: (a) You can bounce 2 Qballs much faster than just one, which increases reaction speed; (b) It forces the head and eyes to switch quickly from one ball to the next training fast eye movements and attention shifts; (c) 2 Qballs force the head and eyes to move laterally further and faster; and (d) 2 Qballs allows for the training of your 2 attention systems, direct visual attention (DVA) and peripheral visual attention (PVA) forcing you to switch between both or maintain just one.

Q: Why do people patch one eye or move while bouncing the Qball ?

A: With practice, people’s ability to bounce and catch the Qball improve and the brain automates this skill. To keep the games and exercises going, we encourage people to go as fast as they can. This adds a level of difficulty with speed. It keeps the mind fully engaged and challenged. In addition to speed, we add difficulty by patching an eye or having people move and bounce. Like speed, this adds difficulty, keeps the mind fully engaged and automates a difficult skill for greater improvement. People automate skills like bouncing the Qball, to about 80% proficiency and then their minds wander or they get bored. To keep them fully engaged, we add difficulty.

Another benefit of patching an eye is that it strengthens the weaker eye and weaker side of the brain. We all have a stronger side. It also forces cross brain communication as the visual data, limited to one eye, must travel across brain hemispheres to control eye-hand coordination.

Q: What is the appropriate age to use the Qball ?

A: The Qball is versatile. It can be used by almost any one of any age and of any skill level. Children as you as 3 or 4 can roll and track the Qball. We have children aged 5 who are adept at bouncing and catching a Qball. At the other end of the age spectrum, we have older adults in their 80’s who use the Qball to keep their reactions fast, minds sharp and as a means of exercise. So the only age restriction would be children who are not physically developed enough to track a ball, but this skill can be developed early just by rolling the Qball, or any other ball for that matter.

Q: What sports benefit from training with the Qball ?

A: Almost all sports involve fast moving balls, people, bats, racquets, etc. Being able to see, track and react faster is a major benefit. Specifically, Baseball, Basketball, Tennis, Football, Hockey, Soccer, Cricket, Volleyball, all improve with Qball training exercises. The exercises improve direct vision, peripheral vision, eye-hand coordination, attention systems and working memory / visualization.

Q: What exercises do you recommend most ?

A: There are many exercises that can be done using the Qball. There are 3 exercises that are particularly beneficial. (1) Bounce and Catch 2 Qballs using direct vision to track them. Look to see the numbers clearly so the eyes are focusing correctly. (2) Bounce and Catch 2 Qballs tracking them using peripheral vision only. Move the eyes and head and don’t look directly at the balls as they are bounced and caught. (3) Bounce, Catch and Count visually 2 Qballs. Count the bounces to 100 going as fast as you can and keep track of the number of bounces by visually imagining the numbers. Sing a song if needed which keeps you from counting verbally. Go fast. It improves imagination and working memory.

Q: How does the Qball benefit patients in OT, PT, and Vision Therapy ?

A: The Qball is very useful in rehabilitating a variety of Occupational Therapy issues such as stroke rehab, ADHD, parkinson’s, concussion rehab, to name a few. The Qball is a tool, not a cure, that when used in repeated exercises helps the brain to rewire itself to regain function in these areas. It similar to lifting weights at the gym to get stronger. It is a workout tool.

The Qball is also helpful for patients with vision disorders such as lazy eye, dyslexia, convergence insufficiency, to name a few. The Qball is a cost effective tool that challenges the visual system to train it fast and efficiently to overcome symptoms.

The Qball is also helpful for patients with Physio Therapy issues such as vestibular issues, movement disorders, etc. It can be used while sitting in a chair or standing and walking. The speed and difficulty are controlled by the patient so the exercises adapt to all skill levels and gets progressively more difficult as they improve.

Q: Do you ship Internationally ?

A: Yes. There is a fee for shipping outside the U.S. but we use USPS to keep these fees to a minimum. In Europe, customers can purchase Qballs from Amazon in Europe to save on shipping costs.

Q: What is your Return Policy ?

A: We accept returns for a full refund of all costs, except shipping and handling, if a customer is not satisfied with our product or there are manufacturers defects. We will not issue a refund for damaged or worn products that arose from the customer use.