Research and News
Archive for August, 2009
Tyler Twist FlexBar Exercise Featured in New York Times
Aug 26th
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The New York Times ran a story on the “Tyler Twist” exercise using the Thera-Band FlexBar on August 25, 2009. A recent study found this novel FlexBar exercise led to significant improvements in tennis elbow patients compared to traditional treatment. Lead researcher Tim Tyler, PT ATC was quoted in the article saying, “We couldn’t believe how fast and well the therapy worked. We were seeing improvements in five weeks, even three. It was crazy.”
Click here to see the exercise video, download the study & protocol, and to learn more.
New FlexBar Exercise: Tyler Twist effective for Tennis Elbow
Aug 12th
Tim Tyler PT, ATC from Pro Sports PT in Scarsdale New York, investigated a novel exercise using the Thera-Band® FlexBar for tennis elbow. “We know that eccentric exercise is very effective at treating tendinopathies such as tennis elbow,” said Tyler. His exercise, the “Tyler Twist” involves eccentric wrist extension, and was easily performed at home for 3 sets of 15 repetitions. Compared to patients receiving standard treatment, those performing the FlexBar exercise along with standard treatment had significantly greater improvements in strength and pain. “We had to stop the study early because we didn’t feel it was ethical that people weren’t getting better on the standard treatment protocol alone, so we gave everyone the FlexBar exercise,” said Tyler. His findings were presented in July at the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine and received attention from the international press. “Using the FlexBar for tennis elbow is not only clinically effective, it’s cost-effective as well,” added Tyler. He presented his findings at the TRAC 2009 meeting in Cancun, Mexico. Read the research abstract here.
EMG supports “Wall Walk” exercise with Thera-Band® Resistance
Aug 12th
Sue Falsone PT, ATC from Athletes Performance in Phoenix Arizona, quantified the EMG activity of the rotator cuff and scapular muscles during a new shoulder exercise using Thera-Band® resistance. She found that that “Wall Walk” and “Wall Slide” exercises had higher activation of the infraspinatus muscle of the rotator cuff with the Thera-Band resistance than without. In addition, the lower trapezius muscle was activated significantly more, while the upper trapezius was activated less with the resistance, compared to without resistance. “These findings show that adding Thera-Band resistance to the Wall-Walk exercise may help restore scapular muscle balance, which is typically our goal in shoulder rehabilitation,” said Falsone, who also works with the Los Angeles Dodgers. “It’s important to know exactly what muscles are being activated during these exercises so we can make better clinical decisions,” added Falsone. She presented her findings at the TRAC 2009 meeting in Cancun, Mexico. Read the research abstract here.
Visit the Thera-Band Academy Shoulder Rehab Center Here.
Both Thera-Band Elastic and Aquatic Exercise Improve Blood Pressure and Lipid Levels
Aug 11th
Juan Carlos Colado, PhD of the University of Valencia in Spain, compared the effects of strength training with Thera-Band resistance with aquatic resistance. He used the OMNI scale to quantify the intensity levels of both exercise groups. “We found the OMNI scale can be used successfully in strength training programs that don’t provide directly measurable resistance levels such as elastic and aquatic exercise,” said Colado. After 24 weeks, there was no significant difference between the training groups: both groups significantly increased their fat free mass, decreased their fat mass, increased their HDL levels and decreased their diastolic blood pressure. In addition, both groups significantly improved their physical performance after training. “Thera-Band and aquatic resistance are equally effective, but Thera-Band exercise is obviously more accessible and cost effective,” added Colado. Dr. Colado presented his findings at the TRAC 2009 meeting in Cancun, Mexico. Read the research abstract here.
First Step to Active Health® effective for both group- and home-based programs
Aug 11th
Michael Rogers, PhD of Wichita State University, discussed 2 studies on the Thera-Band® First Step to Active Health® recently presented at the American College of Sports Medicine. Working with researchers from Nagoya City University in Japan, Rogers investigated the effects of 12 weeks of the First Step program on functional fitness in older adults. They found significant improvements in function and balance, as well as increased overall physical activity after the program. In addition, the researchers found that the program was successful when performed supervised in a group or unsupervised at home. “The First Step program is a highly effective program for either home or group based exercise in older adults. Our next step is to evaluate the impact of Internet-based feedback on the program,” said Rogers. Dr. Rogers presented his findings at the TRAC 2009 meeting in Cancun, Mexico. Read the research abstract here.
Visit the Thera-Band Academy Older Adult Exercise Center here.
