Research and News
Archive for August, 2011
A better way to prescribe shoulder rehab exercise intensity?
Aug 31st
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OMNI-RES Scale
Physical and occupational therapists often use both elastic and dumbbell resistance during shoulder rehabilitation exercises. Unfortunately, many therapists arbitrarily assign resistance levels to patients during their exercises based only on clinical experience. In the fitness setting, RPE (Rating of Perceived Exertion) scales have been used successfully in dosing the intensity of both isotonic and Thera-Band® elastic resistance exercises (Colado & Triplett, 2008). In addition, RPE has been shown to be similar between Thera-Band and isotonic resistance of similar EMG activation during shoulder exercise in healthy subjects (Andersen et al, 2010). Most recently, as discussed on the Academy Blog, the OMNI-RES scale for perceived exertion was shown to be valid when used to prescribe elastic resistance exercise in healthy individuals.
Todd Ellenbecker DPT
Scientific Advisory Board memberTodd Ellenbecker, DPT from the Physiotherapy Sports Clinic in Scottsdale Arizona wanted to see if he could use RPE during rehabilitation exercises for his shoulder patients. He presented the results of his pilot study at the 13th annual TRAC meeting in San Francisco.
31 shoulder patients including 21 post-operative and 10 non-operative patients were in the study. They were asked to More >
Can we use perceived exertion to dose elastic exercise intensity?
Aug 30th
Several studies have suggested that Thera-Band® resistance is as effective as isotonic resistance (Andersen et al. 2010, Colado & Triplett 2008) with regard to muscle strengthening, power, endurance as well as its’ impact on body composition. One of the difficulties in comparing elastic and isotonic training programs is ensuring each group exercises at the same intensity level. While isotonic strengthening programs are usually dosed using a percentage of maximal strength (% repetition maximum), elastic resistance is often dosed by color progression without clinicians necessarily having a clear understanding of the resistive properties of bands and tubing. For a true comparison between groups using different types of resistance, the intensity must be similar.
Juan Carlos Colado, PhD
In 2008, Scientific Advisory Board member Dr. Juan Carlos Colado from the University of Valencia in Spain used the OMNI-RES scale to solve this disparity between 2 groups using isotonic or elastic resistance, proving that both Thera-Band elastic bands and isotonic resistance machines used at similar intensities can successfully improve strength and muscle mass in middle-aged women (Colado & Triplett 2008). This study first gave some validity to the use of the OMNI scale in prescribing elastic resistance exercise intensity.
OMNI-RES Scale
At the TRAC 2011 meeting, Dr. Colado presented More >
A better exercise for trapezius muscle balance?
Aug 29th
Trapezius muscle balance is important for normal shoulder function. Often in patients with impingement, the lower trapezius is much weaker than the upper trapezius. Traditional exercises to strengthen the lower trapezius such as prone shoulder flexion may cause further impingement, creating a “catch 22” for clinicians: Is there a better exercise for the lower trapezius that doesn’t impinge the shoulder?
Scientific Advisory Board member, Sue Falsone, PT, ATC, Vice President of Athletes’ Performance in Phoenix presented a pilot study of EMG activation of the upper and lower portions of the trapezius muscle during prone flexion with a cuff weight and 3 novel Thera-Band® tubing exercises at the 13th annual TRAC meeting in San Francisco, California.
The “vector” principle of elastic exercise prescription creates vectors of resistance more specific to muscle function. Vector exercises for lower trapezius were developed to create a line of resistance in the direction of the fibers of the lower trapezius, and in the opposite direction of its action of retraction and depression.
In Falsone’s pilot study, 10 healthy subjects without shoulder pain performed these 4 exercises in random order while Noraxon surface EMG data was captured and then normalized to a maximal contraction:
- Prone shoulder flexion with 3 pound cuff weight
- Vector scapular retraction More >
Listen to TRAC Research Podcasts
Aug 28th
The Academy’s Scientific Advisory Committee, TRAC, presented 26 research projects on Thera-Band and Biofreeze products last month in San Francisco. I recently did a series of podcasts with some of our researchers to discuss their projects and findings. Listen to top researchers such as David Behm, Robert Topp and Todd Ellenbecker describe their methods and conclusions. In the next few weeks on the blog, look for articles on the most clinically relevant studies presented at TRAC to answer these questions:
- Is there a better exercise for trapezius muscle balance?
- Can we use perceived exertion to dose elastic exercise intensity?
- How can we better prescribe shoulder rehab exercise intensity?
- Can high-intensity training improve throwing performance?
- How does Biofreeze compare to ice after delayed onset muscle soreness?
- Is the Stretching Strap as effective as partner stretching?
- How can we reduce shoulder-neck pain and headaches in office workers?
- Can Biofreeze help reduce pain and improve function in knee osteoarthritis?
- Are foam rollers effective at improving flexibility?
- Does Biofreeze reduce hand pain after massage?
- What’s the best progression of exercises after Achilles tendon reconstruction?
Academy Research Agenda released for 2012
Aug 27th
Each year, the Thera-Band Academy and its Scientific Advisory Board, TRAC, establish a research agenda to guide efforts in scientific study on Thera-Band and Biofreeze products. The Academy supports clinical research around the world with no-charge products. The agenda focuses on areas of both clinical and commercial value:
- Qualitative analysis of Thera-Band color-coded progression in terms of motivation, compliance, etc
- EMG and outcomes analysis of progressive balance training with Stability Trainers
- EMG/Biomechanical analysis of FlexBar oscillation
- Effectiveness of hand therapy at home with Thera-Band products
- Effectiveness of Thera-Band stretch strap
- Effectiveness of “active engagement” with Thera-Band or Stretch Strap combined with massage on muscle length
- Effectiveness of eccentric stretch on plantar fasciitis with Stretch Strap or Thera-Band
- Effectiveness of Biofreeze application on joint mobilization
- Effectiveness of Biofreeze on low back pain, neck/shoulder pain, foot pain, and hand pain; with or without massage
Students, clinicians, and researchers are encouraged to submit an application for product support to address the research agenda. For more information, visit the Supported Research page at Thera-BandAcademy.com.
