Research and News
Research Updates
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
Wobble board exercises can reduce ankle injuries in soccer players
Jan 18th
Neuromuscular training has long been performed in Europe as part of sports training and injury prevention. Neuromuscular training involves progressive balance training using unstable surfaces such as Thera-Band® Stability Trainers, Stability Discs, and Balance Boards. Several studies have reported that proprioceptive exercises and training reduce injuries in athletes.
Researchers in Hungary evaluated the effects of a 20-month proprioceptive training program in 10 female handball players. Their ankle proprioception was compared to a control group of 10 competitive athletes. The program included static and dynamic balance exercises using wobble boards. At the end of 20 months, the training group had completed 780 hours of the proprioceptive exercise. Their ankle proprioception, measured by ankle joint position sense, was significantly better compared to the control group. In addition, the training group experienced a 50% reduction in injuries. Proprioceptive training progression including Thera-Band Wobble Boards can improve ankle proprioception and may decrease ankle injury rates in contact sports.
REFERENCE: Kynsburg A, Pánics G, Halasi T. Long-term neuromuscular training and ankle joint position sense. Acta Physiol Hung. 2010 Jun;97(2):183-91.
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 >
