A body support platform for supporting a human body comprises a plurality of columns (figure 4) arranged across a body support surface and extending perpendicularly away from the body support surface, each column comprising a stack of a plurality of generally spherical gas-filled balls (2, figure 1) formed of an elastic material, wherein balls in a said column are connected together and each said ball is sealed to contain the gas independently or linked to share gas with other said balls. Said balls may be filled to different pressures. A plurality of actuators (14, figure 12), arranged to reciprocally move or compress said columns perpendicularly to said body support surface, may be provided. A control unit for controlling said actuators in dependence upon signals from pressure sensors is preferably provided. Said control unit may be adapted to control said actuators in accordance with a program selected by a user, and may receive an input from at least one of a wake up alarm, a fire alarm, a smoke detector, a burglar alarm and a carbon monoxide detector. Air circulation vents 10 may be included for the circulation of air through said columns.
