Research and News
Exercises after Achilles tendon reconstruction: an EMG-based progression
Post-operative rehabilitation depends on 3 people: the surgeon, the patient, and the therapist. Obviously, the surgeon must be technically proficient, the patient must be compliant, and the therapist must promote healing without damaging the surgical repair. Orthopedic surgeons often have therapists follow specific rehabilitation protocols, usually based on tissue-healing timeframes.
Tim Tyler PT ATC
Prescribing therapeutic exercise at the appropriate dosage is essential since some tissue stress is necessary to facilitate proper healing; however, too much stress can damage the repair. Little is known about the stresses to tissues during Achilles tendon exercises. Thera-Band® Academy Scientific Advisory Board member Tim Tyler, PT ATC presented EMG analysis data on common Achilles exercises at the 2011 TRAC Annual Meeting.
Ten healthy subjects performed several common exercises, including Thera-Band resisted plantar flexion. The EMG activation levels are reported as a percentage of a maximal contraction:
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- Thera-Band Plantar Flexion
Seated toe raise : 11%
- Single-leg balance on Wobble Board : 25%
- Prone ankle pumps : 38%
- Plantar flexion with red Thera-Band exercise band : 45%
- Walking : 47%
- Lateral Step-up : 60%
- Single leg heel raise : 112%
- Single leg jump : 112%
While EMG levels are not a direct measure of tissue stress, they can help establish an appropriate progression of high to low intensity activities. For example, Thera-Band ankle pumps should be prescribed prior to or at the time of full weight-bearing. Understanding these levels will help the clinician make better clinical decisions about prescribing exercises for Achilles tendon reconstruction rehabilitation.
His study is in press in the journal, Sports Health.
Read the abstract of his study here: EMG Analysis of the Triceps Surae Muscle Complex During Achilles Tendon Rehabilitation Program Exercises
Click here to learn more about all the research presented at TRAC 2011
Listen to a podcast interview with Tim about his project by clicking on the link below:
Related posts:
- EMG evidence helps support evidence-based practice with Thera-Band
- Evidence-based exercise prescription for Thera-Band® shoulder exercises
- Progression of closed-chain gluteus medius exercises
- Does the exercise ball enhance EMG activity during resistance training?
- Evidence-based Recommendations for Core Training with Unstable Surfaces
| Print article | This entry was posted by Dr. Phil Page on October 13, 2011 at 12:03 am, and is filed under Balance Boards, Research Updates, Thera-Band Elastic Resistance, TRAC 2011. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
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