Giant HI shells, with diameters of hundreds of parsecs and expansion velocities of 10-20 s−1 are characteristic observed features of local gas rich galaxies. Although a predictable consequence of the impact of OB associations on the ISM doubts have been raised, as OB stars are not present in the centres of the majority of these shells. Here we combine our observations of expanding ionized shells in luminous H II regions with basic dynamical models to give support to the scenario in which OB associations do produce the HI shells.