Research and News
Archive for March, 2010
Training program improves throwing accuracy in baseball players
Mar 31st
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Core training is thought to be important to improve functional sport activities, particularly those involving force transfer through the abdominals and back, into the extremities. For example, much of the strength and power required to throw a baseball comes from the force transmitted through the core from the legs. This is an example of the ‘kinetic chain,” where different parts of the body are interconnected and all contribute in some way to performing a functional activity.
Few studies have investigated the effects of core training on functional performance. Athletic training researchers investigated the effects of a shoulder training program with and without core stability exercises. 19 baseball players were randomly assigned to an open and closed-chain exercise program, or the same program with additional core training. 15 healthy age-matched non athletes were used as a quasi-control group. Each subject was tested for throwing accuracy, core stability, and proprioception before and after the 6-week program.
Both groups performed a shoulder training program that included free weights, closed-chain balance board, step-up, and exercise ball exercises, as well as plyometric ball tosses. The core training group also performed stabilization More >
Exercises with elastic resistance more effective than passive shockwave treatment
Mar 24th
Shoulder impingement is a common cause of shoulder pain that responds well to active, therapeutic exercise. A more passive “shockwave treatment” has recently been used to treat impingement. This passive modality was compared with an active exercise treatment in shoulder impingement patients in Norway. The study published in the British Medical Journal compared 12 weeks of physiotherapy and home exercise using elastic tubing with 4 to 6 treatments of Radial Extracorporeal Shockwave Treatment (REST).
64% of the exercise patients and only 36% of the shockwave treatment patients had significant improvement in pain and disability, and more patients in the exercise group returned to work. Interestingly however, there were no significant differences between groups in function or range of motion.
This study is consistent with the findings of other studies that show elastic resistance exercises are effective as part of an active care approach to shoulder impingement that includes both clinic- and home-based exercises. Thera-Band® elastic resistance and patient kits are ideal to facilitate both clinical and home exercise programs.
Engebretsen K, et al. Radial extracorporeal shockwave treatment compared with supervised exercises in patients with subacromial pain syndrome: single blind randomised study. BMJ. 2009;339:b3360.
Visit the Thera-Band Academy Shoulder Impingement Center Here
More >Instructions now available in different languages for Thera-Band Products
Mar 22nd
The instruction manuals for several Thera-Band® products are now available in multiple languages. The PDF-format manuals include Thera-Band elastic resistance, Soft Weights, Stability Trainers, and the Exercise Station. Several languages are available, including German, Italian, and French among others.
Thera-Band Academy International “Train the Trainer” held in Dusseldorf
Mar 18th
The Thera-Band® Academy held its 5th “Train the Trainer” meeting in Dusseldorf, Germany on March 5-6, 2010. The meeting was led by manager of the Academy in Europe, Astrid Buscher. 68 therapists and sports trainers from 28 countries in Europe and Asia participated in the 2-day training. The purpose of the meeting was to provide hands-on workshops on Thera-Band products in rehabilitation and sports. New participants were certified as Thera-Band Academy instructors, while veteran participants participated in advanced workshops including sports performance training and women’s health. In addition to becoming certified to teach the Academy’s international evidence-based workshop, “Bands, Balls and Balance,” new trainers also learned how to implement fall prevention programs and exercises for children.
At the end of the meeting, awards were given to the top-performing instructors over the past year based on the number of workshops they provide, as well as educational and research contributions.
First Place: Martial Delaire, France
Second Place: Derya Ozer, Turkey
Third Place: Celso Silva, Pedro Rebelo, Maria Da Lapa Rosado, Maria Joao Gomes; Portugal
In addition, the best performing instructor in their first year as an Academy instructor was awarded “Best Newcomer”: Edina Sziraki from Hungary.
A list of Thera-Band Academy instructors is available on the Academy website. The Academy More >
Neuromuscular exercise program effective for ACL Rehabilitation
Mar 16th
Rehabilitation after ACL reconstruction usually involves 6 months of physical therapy, including strength and balance exercises. Traditional ACL rehab has focused on increasing strength of knee and lower extremity muscles. More recently, “neuromuscular” exercise programs that de-emphasize strength training have been used successfully in Europe.
Physical therapy researchers in Norway compared 2 types of ACL rehabilitation in 74 post operative patients. In the study, published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine, patients were randomly assigned to a traditional exercise program or a neuromuscular exercise program. The neuromuscular program (described in a separate study) included balance exercises on foam pads, wobble boards, and mini-trampolines. Download their rehabilitation protocol here. Plyometric and agility exercises were also included. Each group was tested for their strength, pain, function, and quality of life.
At a 2-year follow-up, the neuromuscular exercise group significantly increased in function and pain compared to the strengthening group, while the strengthening group only improved in hamstring strength. The authors suggested that both balance and strength exercises be included in ACL rehabilitation program. Thera-Band® Stability Trainers and balance boards are ideal for use in a neuromuscular rehabilitation program.
Reference: Risberg MA, Holm I. The long-term effect of 2 postoperative rehabilitation programs after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a randomized controlled clinical trial More >
