Research and News
Supported Researchers
FlexBar® study on Tennis Elbow published in JSES
Aug 26th
Tim Tyler’s study on the novel FlexBar® exercise for tennis elbow has been published in this month’s Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. Congratulations to Tim and his co-authors!
Their study using the “Tyler Twist” exercise for patients with tennis elbow showed significant improvements over tradition treatment. The study has been featured in the New York Times, Readers Digest and Consumer Health. Many patients have shared their success stories with us and interest continues to grow around the world!
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® exercise program for total knee replacement featured in Lower Extremity Review
Jun 15th
Ongoing research at the University of Louisville and Bellarmine University is investigating the effectiveness of Thera-Band® resistance band exercises before surgery for total knee arthroplasty (TKA). “Prehabilitation” consists of pre-operative exercises that are meant to improve strength and functional levels before surgery with the expectation of better rehabilitation and a faster recovery after surgery.
The TKA Prehab Program was recently featured in an article in the March 2010 edition of Lower Extremity Review. The program utilizes Thera-Band resistance bands, step-up exercises, and stretching exercises. A full-color printable handout of the program is available online.
Reference: Brown K et al. 2010. Preoperative exercise boosts TKA outcomes. Lower Extremity Review: March 2010.
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