Research and News
Products
Young women can gain as much strength using the Thera-Band® Exercise Station as training with free weights
Aug 18th
Dr. Juan Carlos Colado of the University of Valencia in Spain has published several excellent research papers on the effectiveness of Thera-Band® elastic resistance for fitness. In particular, he and his colleagues have shown that elastic resistance is as effective as isotonic machines for increasing strength in middle-aged women (Colado & Triplett 2008). In addition, they showed that elastic resistance exercise intensity can be regulated using “perceived exertion.”
Dr. Colado has continued his scientific investigations on the efficacy of elastic resistance, this time comparing free weight exercise training to elastic tubing exercises using the Thera-Band Exercise Station. His results are published in the International Journal of Sports Medicine. 42 women were randomly assigned to either a free weight exercise group, a Thera-Band exercise group, or a non-exercising control group. The two exercise groups performed the same 15 upper and lower body exercises using the OMNI perceived exertion scale to standardize intensity between the groups. The intervention lasted eight weeks for two to four sessions per week. Subjects were tested for muscular strength before and after the training program.
After the eight week program, both exercise groups reported up to 29% improvement in upper and lower body strength, while the control group did not. There was no More >
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 >
Thera-Band® resistance helps female cancer survivors keep fit after chemotherapy
Aug 10th
Breast cancer survivors often experience weight gain after chemotherapy, particularly pre-menopausal women. This weight gain has been associated with an increased recurrence and death from breast cancer (Chlebowski et al. 2006). Researchers at the University of Washington and Oregon Health Sciences University suggested that exercise may be a low-cost, non-pharmacologic strategy to prevent or reverse weight changes in female cancer survivors. In their randomized controlled study, 112 women newly diagnosed with cancer were randomly assigned to a resistance exercise group, aerobic exercise group, or a control group (usual care). Both exercise groups performed their routines 4 times per week at their home for 12 months. Each exercise routine took 20 to 30 minutes and the exercises used the Borg Scale to maintain a “moderate” intensity level.
The resistance exercise group used Thera-Band® resistance bands or weight equipment in their home. They performed 3 to 4 upper and lower body exercises for 2 sets of 12 to 20 repetitions with progression in the resistance levels. The aerobic exercise group performed enjoyable weight-bearing activities such as walking, jogging, or dancing. Subjects were assessed before the study, half-way through the study (6 months), and at the end of the 12 month study for body weight, More >
Thera-Band® exercises reduce pain and improve muscle function in Air Force helicopter pilots
Aug 9th
It’s been estimated that 50% of military helicopter pilots experience neck pain in the previous year, likely due to the postural demands and helmet-mounted technology. Physical therapist researchers in Sweden investigated the effectiveness of a neck exercise program for Swedish Air Force helicopter pilots and reported their findings in Spine. They measured the incidence of neck pain and EMG activity of neck muscles during a cranio-cervical flexion test in 68 active-duty pilots that were randomly assigned to an exercise or control group.
An experienced physiotherapist supervised the exercises which were performed 1 to 2 times a day for 10 to 15 minutes with 2 to 4 exercises. The exercises were individually prescribed and progressed by the physiotherapist based on the pilots’ progress toward motor control and movement quality, rather than a specific number of sets and repetitions. Pilots progressed through a specific set of exercises over 6 weeks. Using Thera-Band resistance bands, the exercises gradually challenged the neck and shoulder muscle function from non-postural to postural exercises, and endurance-strength exercises. (Download the helicopter pilot exercise protocol here)
After the 6-week program, the exercise group significantly decreased their muscle activation levels (measured with EMG) of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle during the cranio-cervical flexion test More >
Thera-Band® exercise program successful in treating occupational shoulder impingement
Aug 6th
Several studies have shown that exercise programs including Thera-Band® resistance bands are effective at reducing the pain and dysfunction in patients with shoulder impingement. These patients often exhibit muscle imbalances of the scapular and rotator cuff muscles, leading to subacromial impingement. Overhead workers are particularly prone to shoulder impingement due to the demands of their job. Physical therapists in Brazil established a specific treatment program for 14 men in the school supply industry with chronic subacromial impingement syndrome averaging over 2 years duration of symptoms.
The 8-week program was performed and supervised by a physiotherapist in a treatment room at the work site twice a week. The patients were assessed for subjective pain and function before and after the program that include the following standardized sequence:
- Cryotherapy. Ice packs applied to anterior and posterior shoulder for 20 minutes
- Stretches. 3 sets of 30 seconds with 30 seconds rest between repetitions, performed on both shoulders for upper trapezius, posterior shoulder, and pectoralis minor (corner stretch)
- Thera-Band strengthening program: performed on both shoulders using progressive Thera-Band color-coded resistance bands . Participants began with mild tension on the band and stretched to approximately one-third the original resting length with 1 minute rest between sets for 3 sets of 10 More >
