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Does the new Thera-Band Stretch Strap increase flexibility?
Oct 10th
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Stretching interventions are important to restore normal muscle length and joint range of motion (ROM). Contract-relax stretching has been shown more effective than static stretching to increase muscle flexibility. PNF-style contract-relax stretching requires a partner to provide resistance for a pre-stretch contraction, followed by passive movement into the newly acquired ROM. Stretching straps are sometimes used as an assistive device to help hold a limb in place for a static stretch. Unfortunately, most straps are rigid and therefore provide only static stretching.
The new Thera-Band® Stretch Strap has inherent elasticity combined with rigidity to support both static and contract-relax stretching. Thera-Band Academy Scientific Advisory Board member, Dr. David Behm and his students at Memorial University of Newfoundland in Canada tested the efficacy of the Thera-Band Stretch Strap in increasing hamstring flexibility compared to a partner-assisted stretch. He presented his findings at the 2011 TRAC meeting in San Francisco. They evaluated acute hip ROM as well as movement and reaction time before and after different stretching interventions, randomized on separate days.
Both stretching conditions with the Thera-Band Stretch Strap and with partner-assisted stretching significantly improved hamstring flexibility and impaired More >
Does Biofreeze reduce hand pain in massage?
Oct 6th
Biofreeze® topical analgesic has been shown to reduce pain in patients with neck pain, low back pain, and knee osteoarthritis. Massage therapists often use Biofreeze with massage. According to Dr. Tiffany Field at the University of Miami, hand massage reduces pain and increases grip strength. Dr. Field wanted to know if applying Biofreeze after hand massage had an additive effect in subjects with hand pain.
Twenty adults with a variety of hand pain diagnoses received weekly 10-minute massages from a massage therapist and instruction in home-based self-massage between weekly visits. Half of the subjects received Biofreeze in addition to their hand massage and were instructed to apply it to their hands as well. After 4 weeks, the groups using Biofreeze significantly increased in grip strength and decreased in pain compared to the group not receiving Biofreeze.
Dr. Field concluded that adding Biofreeze to a massage therapy protocol resulted in significant benefits compared to massage alone. Her results were presented at the 2011 TRAC meeting in San Francisco.
Read the abstract of her study here: Hand pain is reduced by massage therapy plus Biofreeze® Topical Analgesic
Click here to learn more about all the research presented at TRAC 2011
More >
Biofreeze reduces pain and improves function in knee osteoarthritis patients compared to placebo
Oct 4th
Dr. Robert Topp at Marquette University has published several studies on the mechanisms of Biofreeze® topical analgesic, as well as exercise interventions using Thera-Band resistance in knee osteoarthritis patients. At TRAC 2011, Dr. Topp presented research on the efficacy of Biofreeze in 20 patients with knee osteoarthritis. The patients had either Biofreeze or a placebo gel applied to their knee; each then performed 5 functional tasks and subsequently reported their pain levels.
The subjects performed significantly better on the 6-minute walk and timed chair-stand when Biofreeze was applied. Applying Biofreeze also significantly reduced pain during the timed chair stand, timed up-and-go, as well as going up and down stairs.
Dr. Topp concluded that Biofreeze topical analgesic resulted in 30% less pain than a placebo during high-load functional tests in patients with knee osteoarthritis.
Read the abstract of his study here: The effect of 3.5 % menthol gel on knee pain and functioning among patients with knee osteoarthritis
Click here to learn more about all the research presented at TRAC 2011
Listen to a podcast interview with Dr. Topp about his project by clicking on the link below:
Standard Podcast
Can high-intensity training improve throwing performance?
Oct 3rd
Dr. David Behm
Repetitive overhand throwing requires both the generation of anaerobic and aerobic power over the course of a game. Professor David Behm PhD and his colleagues at Memorial University in St. Johns Canada wanted to see if a high-intensity training (HIT) strengthening program with Thera-Band elastic resistance bands would be beneficial for female fastball players. He presented his findings at the 12th annual meeting of Thera-Band Academy’s Scientific Advisory Board, TRAC.
Twelve subjects were randomly assigned to an experimental or control group. A “sprint” throwing training program was developed similar to a successful sprint cycle training program. The participants in the experimental training group performed a throwing motion against Thera-Band resistance. They progressively increased in resistance from green to blue to black resistance bands, exercising 3 times a week for 3 weeks with 5 sets of 20 repetitions.
After the short 3 week program, the training group significantly increased in peak oxygen consumption (VO2) by 18%, improved their lactate threshold by 21%, time to fatigue by 14%, and improved peak fastball velocity and endurance. The control group did not change. Dr. Behm’s research suggests that the HIT sprint throwing program with Thera-Band elastic resistance bands can significantly improve overhead throwing performance in females More >
Biofreeze proven better than ice again!
Sep 29th
Topical analgesics such as Biofreeze® are frequently used to reduce muscle pain. The main ingredient in Biofreeze, menthol, is thought to reduce pain through a counter-irritant mechanism and through stimulation of cold receptors. (Watch a video of that explains the mechanism of Biofreeze here). Previous research has shown that compared to ice, Biofreeze topical analgesic results in similar decreases in blood flow (Olive et al. 2010) and greater pain relief in patients with neck pain (Bishop et al. in press).
Dr. David Behm
Thera-Band Academy Scientific Advisory Committee member Dr. David Behm of Memorial University of Newfoundland in Canada compared Biofreeze to ice in terms of its ability to reduce delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and increase muscle force production. He presented his results at the 2011 TRAC meeting in San Francisco. Two groups, each with 8 subjects, had DOMS induced in their non-dominant biceps. Two days later, either ice or Biofreeze was applied to their sore biceps. Subjects were asked to rate their pain perception and muscle function was measured with maximal voluntary contraction and tetanic force using electrical stimulation.
Biofreeze resulted in significantly less pain compared to ice, causing a 63% reduction in pain perception. While there was no significant difference between Biofreeze and ice on More >
