Research and News
Thera-Band Elastic Resistance
The Academy Supports Certified Exercise Experts for Aging Adults Program
Jan 31st
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The Section on Geriatrics APTA is offering a 3 course series leading to becoming a “Certified Exercise Expert for Aging Adults“. The Academy has supported the geriatric physical therapy training program for several years with Thera-Band products including resistance bands, Stability Trainers and FlexBars. Physical therapists who complete the program will demonstrate expert clinical decision-making skills in (1) examination of aging adults, (2) designing and applying an effective exercise prescription, and (3) measuring the effectiveness and reflecting on the current evidence of exercise for all aging adults. The process to attain the credential of “Certified Exercise Expert for Aging Adults” is to complete formal didactic education and to participate in supervised and mentored skills development, home-based reflection, practical testing, and critical thinking. Three courses of two days each address evidence-based examination and different and increasingly complex aspects of exercise design and delivery. The three courses are designed to build on each other; however, Courses 1 and 2 can be taken out of sequence. Course 1 is Introduction and Examinati on (Tests and Measures); Course 2 is Exercise Prescription and Consensus Guidelines; and Course 3 is More >
Thera-Band Academy grows in Taiwan
Jan 28th
Taiwan physical therapists are learning how to apply evidence to practice with Thera-Band products. For several years, the Academy has supported the “Train the Trainer” program around the world to instruct over 150 professional speakers in rehabilitation and exercise on the scientific basis for Thera-Band products. Dr HeuiFen Lin PT, PhD, who specializes in physical therapy for cancer and orthopedic patients, recently completed training as a Thera-Band Academy instructor. Local Thera-Band partner, Good Line now has a team of trainers whom Dr. Lin groomed since returning from TTT. They have already held several series of resistance band workshops within the Taiwan physical therapy circle. She is working towards getting resistance band training into the mandatory program for qualifying physical therapists.
A recent Thera-Band Academy workshop held at the National Taiwan University Hospital.
Thera-Band exercises can improve fitness and function in older women
Jan 26th
As women age, the transition to menopause often results in an increase in body fat and a reduction in muscle mass. This change in body composition is also associated with a decline in function and an increase in physical disability. German researchers evaluated the effectiveness of an exercise program for community-dwelling older females they developed called “Senior Fitness and Prevention Study.” Their results were published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
246 women (average age 69 years old) were randomly assigned to either a well-rounded, multi-component exercise program or a sedentary control group. The exercise group participated in an 18-month program consisting of 2 supervised sessions (60 minutes) and 2 home sessions (20 minutes) per week. Exercises included aerobic dance, stretching, balance exercises, and strengthening exercises with body weight and resistance bands. Intensity was increased throughout the program.
The attendance of the group exercise program was relatively high at 76%. Compared to the control group, the exercise group significantly improved in body composition, reducing fat and increasing muscle mass. In conclusion, the authors noted that the exercise program’s “minimal technological equipment ensured its successful implementation.” Older women can benefit from a well-rounded exercise program including Thera-Band® resistance bands to improve body composition, More >
Clinical management of “frozen shoulder” features Thera-Band products
Jan 19th
Frozen shoulder, or “adhesive capsulitis,” affects nearly 5% of the population. It remains a painful, debilitating and difficult-to-treat diagnosis. Dr. Phil Page and Andre Labbe published a paper in the North American Journal of Sports Physical Therapy that reviewed the current concepts in physical therapy treatment for frozen shoulder patients. They reviewed interventions such as modalities, passive motion, manual techniques, soft tissue mobilization, kinesiological taping, and therapeutic exercise. The Thera-Band® Shoulder Sling exercise was featured as a way to help restore normal motor patterns of the trapezius during abduction in frozen shoulder patients.
REFERENCE: Page P, Labbe A. Adhesive capsulitis: use the evidence to integrate your interventions. 2010. N Am J Sports Phys Ther. 5(4):266-273.
Visit the Thera-Band Academy Frozen Shoulder Resource Center
Thera-Band exercises improve strength and quality of life in women with osteoporosis
Jan 17th
Osteoporosis is characterized by loss of bone mass and is associated with an increased risk of fracture after falls, particularly in the hip and mid-back. Osteoporotic women are often physically frail as well, leading to disability. Weight-bearing and resistive exercises have been shown to reduce the loss of bone (as measured by bone mineral density).
Japanese researchers evaluated a home-based exercise program in 62 elderly osteoporotic women that were randomly assigned to either a control or exercise group. The exercise group completed the program daily at home using body weight resistance and an exercise band. (Download the osteoporosis exercise protocol here)
After the 12-month exercise program, the exercise group significantly increased in grip strength and gait speed. Quality of life also significantly improved in the exercise group, but not in the control group. There was no significant improvement in leg strength, and bone mineral density was not measured after the intervention. The authors concluded that home based training including Thera-Band® resistance bands was effective at improving strength and quality of life.
REFERENCE: Kanemaru A, Arahata K, Ohta T, Katoh T, Tobimatsu H, Horiuchi T.
The efficacy of home-based muscle training for the elderly osteoporotic women: the effects of daily muscle training on quality of life (QoL).Arch Gerontol More >
