Research and News
Stability Trainer
Improving Function after Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) with Balance Training
May 31st
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Exercises with Thera-Band elastic bands have been shown effective at improving strength and function in knee osteoarthritis patients before total knee replacement (TKR) surgery. Dr. Robert Topp and his colleagues have published several research papers on their “prehabilitation” pre-operative exercise program using Thera-Band that benefits total knee replacement patients before and after surgery.
Knee osteoarthritis patients are expected to receive 3 million total knee replacements per year by 2020 in the United States. Unfortunately, over one third of total knee patients experience deficits in function one year after surgery (Franklin et al 2008). Few exercise intervention studies have evaluated the effectiveness of balance training in combination with traditional rehabilitation exercises after early post-operative rehabilitation. Most total knee replacement patients receive in-patient exercises and some outpatient rehabilitation for a few months after surgery. Previous research has suggested that total knee rehabilitation patients plateau at 3 months after surgery (Mizner et al. 2005).
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh wanted to determine the feasibility of a balance exercise program in total knee replacement patients 2 to 6 months post-surgery. They randomly assigned 43 patients to either a ‘functional’ training More >
Intensive two-week exercise program benefits stroke survivors
Mar 28th
Patients suffering a stroke are often left with residual deficits in strength and gait. Depending on the severity of the stroke, patients are left with a wide range of disabilities. It was once thought that stroke survivors would never regain use of their paretic extremities; however, research continues to demonstrate the benefit of exercise after a stroke. Researchers in Norway were interested to see if a two-week, intensive exercise program for stroke survivors at least six months post stroke was effective and feasible. 12 hemiparetic patients (27-62 years old, average 46.5 years old) completed two weeks of group exercise for six hours a day at an inpatient rehabilitation hospital. The patients exercised in groups of three or four patients supervised by one or two therapists (physical and/or occupational therapists). Their exercises consisted of transfers, weight-bearing on the paretic limb, and stepping exercises for 90 minutes. Balance activities including rocker board and foam balance exercise were performed for 60 minutes. Gait training and strength training exercises were performed for 75 minutes each. Strengthening activities included functional tasks and exercises for the ankle, knee, hip and trunk. Patients were pre-tested 16 days and three days prior to the intervention, and post-tested three More >
Wobble board exercises can reduce ankle injuries in soccer players
Jan 18th
Neuromuscular training has long been performed in Europe as part of sports training and injury prevention. Neuromuscular training involves progressive balance training using unstable surfaces such as Thera-Band® Stability Trainers, Stability Discs, and Balance Boards. Several studies have reported that proprioceptive exercises and training reduce injuries in athletes.
Researchers in Hungary evaluated the effects of a 20-month proprioceptive training program in 10 female handball players. Their ankle proprioception was compared to a control group of 10 competitive athletes. The program included static and dynamic balance exercises using wobble boards. At the end of 20 months, the training group had completed 780 hours of the proprioceptive exercise. Their ankle proprioception, measured by ankle joint position sense, was significantly better compared to the control group. In addition, the training group experienced a 50% reduction in injuries. Proprioceptive training progression including Thera-Band Wobble Boards can improve ankle proprioception and may decrease ankle injury rates in contact sports.
REFERENCE: Kynsburg A, Pánics G, Halasi T. Long-term neuromuscular training and ankle joint position sense. Acta Physiol Hung. 2010 Jun;97(2):183-91.
“Standing Strong” Fall Prevention Program features Thera-Band products
Jan 10th
As many as one-third of older adults suffer a fall each year, often leading to fractures, disability, and even death. Falls are the leading cause of injury death in older adults. Falls in older adults cost $19 billion in direct medical costs, posing a challenge to our healthcare system,.
Thera-Band Academy has supported the Standing Strong™ Fall Prevention Exercise Program for several years. The program, originally developed by Dr. Michael Rogers, chairman of Human Performance Studies at Wichita State University, utilizes Thera-Band® products including resistance bands, stability trainers, and exercise balls. Research has shown that the Standing Strong program is effective at improving strength, balance and function, as well as at reducing falls in older adults.
The Standing Strong program was featured in a recent issue of Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation that focused on community-based exercise programs. The article describes the scientific basis for the program and its components, as well as its implementation. The program has 3 levels of implementation of a well-rounded exercise program, including flexibility, strength, balance, and endurance exercises using Thera-Band products. For more information on the program, visit http://www.standingstrongprogram.com/
REFERENCE: Page P. Standing Strong. Bringing evidence to practice for a community-based fall prevention exercise program. 2010. Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation 26(4):335-352.
Squatting on unstable surfaces does not increase muscle activation
Jan 4th
Unstable surfaces such as foam pads and air-filled disks have historically been used to increase muscle activation of the legs while performing a squat. Some believe that standing on an unstable surface requires more activation of muscle to maintain stability. Research featured on the Academy Blog has shown, however, that standing on unstable surfaces actually decreases the force output and EMG activation levels of the extremities. Unfortunately, some studies show conflicting results due to different methodologies, leading to confusion in daily practice.
Dr. Jeffery McBride and his colleagues at Appalachian State University in North Carolina performed a study on the EMG levels of the thigh and lower back muscles while subjects squatted on a stable and unstable surface using an inflatable disc under each foot. The subjects performed these squats at various loads to look at the effects of different levels of resistance as well as instability.
The stable squat condition resulted in similar or higher EMG activation of the vastus lateralis, hamstrings, and lumbar erector spinae compared to the unstable condition at all resistance levels. The researchers concluded that unstable squatting results in significantly less muscle activation and should not be used if the goal of the exercise is to increase strength. While Thera-Band More >
