Research and News
Exercise Balls
New Clinical Test for Low Back Pain using Exercise Ball
Dec 2nd
Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common conditions, yet the specific cause of LBP remains unknown in 85% of cases. Some researchers and clinicians postulate that LBP can be caused by neuromuscular impairments in postural and muscular coordination. Unfortunately, few clinical tests exist to quantify these impairments. Researchers at Lund University in Sweden performed a study to evaluate 3 functional tests of muscular functional control of the lumbar spine in patients with LBP. 19 subjects were evaluated during 3 tests: sitting on a 55 cm to 65 cm exercise ball with 1-leg lifted; a unilateral pelvic lift; and single leg stance. Each test looked at altered spine position or compensatory movements of the extremities.
Download a handout of the Sitting Exercise Ball test for LBP here
The researchers used the exercise ball sitting with leg lift test to create a shearing force lateral to the spine, which is thought to increase load on stabilization muscles on the contra lateral side. The authors noted that muscular stabilization capacity is often difficult between the left and right sides of the spine. The investigators found very good inter-rater reliability for the single leg stance and exercise ball leg lift tests, but the tests still need validation.
Diabetes, Fibromyalgia, and Knee Osteoarthritis Exercises with Thera-Band Products Featured in Active Aging Today
Nov 10th
The new online journal from Human Kinetics, Active Aging Today, recently featured Thera-Band® products in exercise programs for diabetes, fibromyalgia, and knee osteoarthritis. Each article provides scientific rationale and practical exercise programming, including an exercise handout in PDF format.
Visit the Thera-Band Academy Diabetes Center here
Visit the Thera-Band Academy Fibromyalgia Center here
Visit the Thera-Band Academy Knee Osteoarthritis Center here
Active Aging Today (AAT) is an online multimedia journal for practitioners and administrators who lead and direct physical activity programs for older adults. The journal reports on practices and programs that successfully engage older participants. Each bimonthly issue provides practical articles written by experts in the field. For a limited time, you can register for a free, 3-month trial subscription to Active Aging Today. At checkout, just enter promo code AACCtrial to receive your discount. Click here to get your free trial subscription.
Thera-Band Exercises for Tennis Players to Prevent Injuries
Sep 13th
As with all sports, tennis injuries are all too common. The repetitive nature of tennis predispose players to many injuries as a result of muscle imbalance. Believe it or not, tennis players suffer from lower extremity injuries more than shoulder injuries. Todd Ellenbecker DPT, MS, CSCS, Director of the Physiotherapy Associates Scottsdale Sports Clinic, recently published an article in Strength & Conditioning Journal on exercises to reduce injury risk in tennis players. In the August 2009 issue, Ellenbecker and his co-authors provided a list of exercises to help reduce injury risk for the shoulder, elbow, hip, and core in tennis players. The exercises dont require expensive machines or equipment; instead, portable and inexpensive Thera-Band® products are suggested including Thera-Band bands, tubing and loops, Thera-Band Soft Weights and Exercise Balls, and cuff weights. As Director of Sports Medicine for the ATP Tour, Ellenbecker and the international team of physiotherapists regularly use Thera-Band products for testing and training professional tennis players.
Stability ball: fitness jack of all trades (Reuters)
Jul 22nd
NEW YORK (Reuters Life!) – Call them Swiss balls, Pilates balls, physio balls, exercise balls, balance balls, yoga balls or body balls.
Stability balls by any other name would still be the same hardworking multi-taskers of the fitness world.
“They can be used for balance training, for core training, with or without weights and for resistance training,” Dr. Christina A. Geithner, of the American College of Sports Medicine, said of those big, colorful spheres that brighten the corners of workout rooms everywhere.
Thera-Band Program Teaches Exercises for Pregnancy in India
Jun 11th
Finding safe exercises during pregnancy for both mom and baby is quite challenging. In India, physiotherapist Shabnam Agarwal is leading both pre- and post-natal exercise classes at the Belle Vue Clinic in Kolkata. They use Thera-Band resistance bands both in weekly classes, and at home. “It helps them carry and lift the baby, and eventually be able to do it better with less physical strain,” said Agarwal. The Thera-Band resistance exercises strengthen the chest, arms, and help with abdominal strength as well. Participants then progress to a Thera-Band exercise ball. She added, “It’s fun to see the mothers gaining more confidence with their exercises and feeling that they have more fit bodies.” Learn more about the Thera-Band program from a participant’s point of view.
Related Link: WebMD offers more information on safe exercise and pregancy.
