Research and News
Thera-Band Elastic Resistance
Thera-Band exercise program can improve lower limb biomechanics in females
Jan 30th
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Female athletes are particularly susceptible to anterior knee pain and injury to their anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). This increased risk is thought to result from poor dynamic control of the hip and knee, particularly when the foot hits the ground. The inability to control hip adduction, knee valgus, and internal rotation in the transition from an open- to closed-chain position of the leg may result from weakness of the hip abductor and external rotator muscles.
Researchers have suggested that females have weakness of their hip abductors, extensors, and external rotators (Prins et al. 2009). Exercise programs using Thera-Band® elastic resistance for females with anterior knee pain have been successful and featured previously in the Academy blog. These programs include core stabilization, as well as hip and knee strengthening exercises.
In the January 2012 journal, Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, Brazilian researchers published a study of 28 healthy female athletes. They wanted to determine if their exercise program could improve lower limb biomechanics, which theoretically may help reduce injuries. The subjects were assigned to either an 8 week training group or non-exercising control group.
The More >
Thera-Band Hip Exercise Reduces Anterior Knee Pain
Jan 15th
Anterior knee pain is often associated with hip muscle weakness of the abductors, extensors and external rotators. Dr. Vladimir Janda noted these muscles were particularly susceptible to inhibition and weakness. Hip weakness is particularly prevalent in females with anterior knee pain.
This hip weakness is thought to result in abnormal forces occurring at the knee during stance, allowing the femur to adduct more than normal, possibly leading to excessive force and/or abnormal tracking of the patellofemoral joint.
Traditionally, anterior knee pain was thought to result from quadriceps weakness, particularly from the vastus medialis muscle. Recent biomechanical and epidemiological data suggest however, that hip weakness may play a more important role in the etiology of patellofemoral pain.
Several studies have evaluated the use of elastic resistance in reducing patellofemoral pain. In a systematic review of elastic resistance in patellofemoral pain, Page concluded “Exercise interventions including elastic resistance in patients with PFPS are effective at reducing pain and improving function and strength.” Many protocols in the review, however, included both hip and knee strengthening…leaving the question of the effectiveness of hip exercises.
In the January 2012 issue of the Journal of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy, Dr. Khalil Khayambashi and colleagues performed a randomized controlled trial of More >
EMG Analysis of Achilles Exercises
Jan 12th
In a recent blog post, I wrote about Tim Tyler’s research presentation on EMG of the gastroc-soleus during Achilles tendon rehab exercises. The study was published in the November issue of Sports Health. Just to re-cap, here’s what the researchers found:
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Seated toe raise : 11%
- Single-leg balance on Wobble Board : 25%
- Prone ankle pumps : 38%
- Plantar flexion with red Thera-Band exercise band : 45%
- Walking : 47%
- Lateral Step-up : 60%
- Single leg heel raise : 112%
- Single leg jump : 112%
Be sure and check out Tim’s podcast of the study if you haven’t already:
Standard Podcast
Thera-Band® Latex-Free Professional Bands in 50 Yard Rolls Now Available
Dec 16th
Akron, Ohio – Performance Health announced the availability of Thera-Band® Latex-Free Professional Resistance Bands in 50 yard rolls. Re-formulated to match the performance and resistance of the market-leading Thera-Band Latex Professional Resistance Bands, this new and improved latex-free product provides the perfect solution for latex-free facilities that do not want to compromise on quality. Today, patients and practitioners can rely on one system of trusted progression and resistance from Thera-Band—market-leading latex bands, new and improved latex-free bands, or both—to best meet their in-clinic and at-home needs.
The availability of latex-free therapy products has become more important as the reporting of allergic reactions to latex has increased in the past six years. The increased numbers of latex-allergic individuals have prompted the establishment of guidelines for patient care and the healthcare provider. Frequent users of latex products may develop allergies to latex proteins, with resulting allergic reactions varying from mild to life-threatening.[1] According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 8% to 12% percent of health-care workers, regularly exposed to latex, are sensitized.[2]
Thera-Band Latex-Free Professional Resistance Bands are provided in established Thera-Band colors and resistances including Yellow (thin), Red (medium), Green (heavy), Blue (extra heavy) and Black (special heavy), making them easy to More >
Announcing the Thera-Band® Resistance Intensity Scale for Exercise (RISE)
Dec 15th
Thera-Band RISE
Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) is commonly used during exercise to indicate the intensity of exercise. Originally developed and used in cardiac rehab and aerobic exercise, more recently, RPE is also being used to regulate exercise intensity during resistance exercises. In fact, the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommends using RPE to dose resistance training exercises. The OMNI scale is a popular RPE scale that uses a 1 to 10 point scale with visual representation of the exercises performed.
Dr. Juan Colado of the University of Valencia in Spain has validated the use of perceived exertion during Thera-Band® resisted exercises using the OMNI-RES (resistance) scale. He has shown that using the scale is an effective method of dosing elastic resistance exercises for significant gains in strength and muscle mass (Colado & Triplett 2008). At the TRAC 2011 meeting, Dr. Colado presented a new scale specific to Thera-Band resistance bands.
20 healthy subjects performed frontal and lateral raises with Thera-Band elastic bands while rating their perceived exertion on the OMNI-RES scale, and then on his new RISE (Resistance Intensity Scale for Exercise) scale – for exertion rating of both the active muscles and the overall body. Using a regression analysis, Dr. Colado demonstrated high validity More >
