Research and News
Archive for April, 2010
Stable vs. Unstable: Using Exercise Balls with the Overhead Press Exercise
Apr 29th
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“Functional Training” has become increasingly popular in both rehabilitation and fitness. “Core training” has often been considered a component of functional training because of the transfer of force through the trunk to the extremities. Unstable surfaces such as Thera-Band® Exercise Balls and Stability Trainers are often used with traditional exercise movements to integrate training of the trunk and extremities.
Canadian researchers Anderson and Behm have shown that instability training can provide similar muscle activation levels at lower resistance levels compared to training on stable surfaces. Unfortunately, however, unstable surface training also results in a decrease force output of prime movers. California State University researchers set out to evaluate the electromyographic (EMG) activity of prime movers and core stabilizers during a seated overhead press exercise. 30 healthy, resistance-trained subjects performed an overhead press with dumbbells and barbells while sitting on a stable surface and on an exercise ball. The investigators were interested in looking for differences in EMG levels between the stable load (barbell) and unstable load (dumbbell), on both stable (bench) and unstable surfaces (exercise ball). Subjects used a 10RM resistance (maximum amount of weight lifted More >
Thera-Band exercises beneficial after surgery to correct hallux valgus
Apr 28th
Many patients undergoing surgery to correct hallux valgus (bunion) continue to have difficulty with walking. Few studies, however, have evaluated the effect of exercise after hallux valgus surgery. Australian researchers published a descriptive study on the outcomes of 30 patients after osteotomy to correct mild to moderate hallux valgus. The researchers were interested in the plantar pressures of patients, particularly at the first ray. Despite improvement in clinical and radiographic measures, hallux valgus patients often lack the proper function of the first ray and great toe; this may alter gait patterns well after surgery.
At 4 weeks post-op, patients performed a multi-modal rehabilitation program once a week for 4 to 6 weeks. The treatment protocol included edema control, joint mobilization, soft tissue mobilization, and gait training. In addition, patients performed exercises with Thera-Band® resistance bands. The specific exercises were designed to reduce pressure on the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints. Patients had to flex the MTP joints without bending the distal and proximal interphalangeal (IP) joints; then the exercise was combined with active pronation.
After rehabilitation, patients improved in range of motion and plantar pressure distribution; however, the study was limited by the lack of a control group. Subsequent studies should include a control group More >
Researchers encourage proprioceptive exercises for shoulder rehabilitation
Apr 27th
Proprioceptive exercises are commonly prescribed for lower extremity rehabilitation. More recently, sensorimotor (SMT) proprioceptive exercises have been used for shoulder rehabilitation. It’s thought that shoulder injury (in particular, shoulder instability) is related to proprioceptive deficits. Researchers speculate that deafferentation (loss of sensory information) from the mechanoreceptors of the shoulder joint capsule and altered proprioceptive information create these sensorimotor deficits (Lephart et al. 1997; Tibone et al. 1997)
A review paper in Athletic Training and Sports Healthcare discussed the adaptations of the sensorimotor system following shoulder rehabilitation. The authors used the PEDro system for inclusion criteria to review 23 articles. The most common techniques the paper reviewed included:
- Joint repositioning
- Closed-kinetic chain exercises
- Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF)
- Plyometrics
- Joint Perturbations
- Activation of muscle through elastic tubing, free weights or oscillation
The authors concluded that sensorimotor rehabilitation after shoulder injury is crucial, and that the sensorimotor system is, in fact, trainable. A proprioceptive and sensorimotor training program including Thera-Band® elastic bands and tubing, FlexBar® Oscillation, and closed-kinetic shoulder exercises with Stability Trainers should be included as part of a shoulder rehabilitation or prevention program.
Reference: Myers JB, and Oyama S. 2009. Sensorimotor training for shoulder injury. Athletic Training & Sports Health Care. 1(5):199-208.
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More >Welcome to the new and improved Academy blog!
Apr 26th
Hello Everyone! I wanted to welcome you to the new Academy blog…same great content, but a new look and improved features, including:
- International Language Translator
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- New printer-friendly format button on each post
Watch this very brief video that reviews the new features.
Let us know what you think of the new look and features. Enjoy!
Phil
Thera-Band exercises effective for acute ankle sprains
Apr 20th
Ankle sprains are the most common injury in sports. Rehabilitation exercise after ankle sprains include active and resisted exercises, often performed with a Thera-Band® elastic band. Reduced ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) is considered to be a sign of significant injury and can affect gait and function.
Researchers at the Mayo clinic in Rochester, Minnesota recruited patients with acute (within 4 days) Grade I or II ankle sprains. They were prescribed a 4 to 6 week home exercise program that included cold and compression, along with progressive resisted exercises using an elastic band. Patients performed resisted dorsiflexion, plantarflexion, inversion, and eversion with a yellow Thera-Band resistance band, completing 3 sets of 10-20 repetitions, one to two times per day. The patients progressed through the remainder of the Thera-Band color-coded progression (red, green, blue, black, and silver) as they improved in strength. Once the patients could perform 3 sets of 10-20 repetitions of resisted plantar flexion, they began calf raises. They also performed single-leg balance exercises including standing on foam pads. In addition to the Thera-Band and balance programs that the patients received, participants were randomly assigned to one of 3 groups of stretching the Achilles tendon on increase dorsiflexion. Each group performed 3 More >
