Research and News
First Step to Active Health
First Step to Active Health Program Successful for Occupational Therapy Patients
Oct 15th
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“Occupational therapists are in a great position to promote physical activity as they treat their older adult patients,” said Pamela Toto, OT, PhD(c). She completed a study using the Thera-Band® First Step to Active Health® on a group of older adults living in a low-income high rise building. 19 occupational therapy patients participated in the 10-week group exercise program. The First Step to Active Health program is a well-rounded program including Thera-Band resistance training, flexibility, balance and cardiovascular activities. After 10 weeks, the older adults significantly improved in functional fitness and physical activity levels. Toto’s research adds to the growing evidence that supports the First Step program. She presented her results at the 2010 Thera-Band Research Advisory Committee meeting.
Visit the Thera-Band Academy First Step to Active Health Learning Portal Here
Thera-Band® resistance vital part of older adult home exercise study
Aug 12th
Thera-Band® Academy has been supporting clinical research projects around the world for over a decade. The research helps validate the use of Thera-Band products and provides clinicians with evidence to support practice. Several years ago, the First Step to Active Health® program was developed in response to a “call to action” by the National Blueprint to Increase Physical Activity Among Older Adults for medical professionals to provide evidence-based physical activity programs for sedentary older adults. The First Step to Active Health kit contains a well-rounded exercise program with a Thera-Band resistance band and illustrated exercises for flexibility, strength and balance activities at home.
While physicians are the most influential at encouraging people to begin exercising, less than 50% of physicians recommend exercise as part of their patient’s treatment, and even less among those with cardiovascular disease. This number will hopefully increase as physicians understand that the benefits of physical activity usually outweigh the risks. The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) has launched a new initiative encouraging physicians to write prescriptions for physical activity through their “Exercise is Medicine” campaign.
German researchers at Ruhr-University in Bochum Germany have started a feasibility study on a 12-week multi-modal home exercise program including Thera-Band resistance bands. General practitioners and exercise therapists will work together More >
