Research and News
Posts tagged balance
Proprioceptive Exercises: Are they effective?
Feb 4th
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Neuromuscular and proprioceptive exercises are increasing in popularity during rehabilitation following sports injuries such as ankle sprains and ACL tears. These interventions typically include balance exercises such as Thera-Band® kicks and balance board training. Researchers from Germany completed a systematic review of studies evaluating the effectiveness of proprioceptive and neuromuscular training. 15 clinical trials involving ankle sprains and ACL rehabilitation met the researchers’ inclusion criteria.
The authors concluded that proprioceptive exercise and neuromuscular training are effective at improving function, decreasing symptoms of instability, and preventing re-injury after ankle sprains. Surprisingly, the authors concluded that neuromuscular training was not more effective than strengthening exercise for post-operative ACL reconstruction. In addition, proprioceptive training after injury had no effect on muscle strength, muscle activation or edema, and had more impact on dynamic balance than static balance. There was conflicting evidence on training effects on joint position sense and muscle reaction.
The researchers recommended that training must last 6 to 12 weeks, but the wide variety of exercise and prescription (volume and intensity) made it difficult to recommend specific dosages of exercise. They also commented on the poor methodological quality, lack of applicable studies More >
Fall Prevention Conference Features Thera-Band Products
Aug 6th
Dr. Michael Rogers, Chair and Professor of the Department of Human Performance Studies at Wichita State University recently gave several presentations at the Louisiana Fall Prevention Conference in Lafayette. The conference, sponsored by the Louisiana Office of Public Health, was attended by over 60 representatives of healthcare, government, and senior centers. In addition to providing the keynote address, Dr. Rogers demonstrated his scientifically-proven fall prevention program, Standing Strong in several workshops. The Standing Strong program features Thera-Band products such as elastic bands and Stability Trainers to progressively challenge the systems controlling balance. Rogers noted, “Standing Strong is a practical and easy-to-implement program using readily available equipment. We use the elastic bands for both strength training and balance training because they are so convenient and versatile.” See photos from the event here from Flikr.
5 New Thera-Band Active Care Products Available
Apr 9th
The Hygenic Corporation / Performance Health Inc. is excited to announce the introduction of 5 new Thera-Band products that give healthcare providers new home exercise program options. Download the press release here.
Retail packaged, the Thera-Band® Foot Roller is an ideal tool for patients who are seeking an affordable, simple and effective solution to relieving foot pain caused by common conditions such as plantar fasciitis and over-activity. It features supple natural rubber, a ridged design, hollow core, and the ability to be chilled.
Packaged for practitioner resale and complete with an exercise poster, the 9” Thera-Band® Mini Ball can be used in-clinic or sold to patients for use as part of a home exercise program. This soft, tactile, non-slip PVC ball supports a range of varied and effective exercises designed to increase core strength.
Ideal for home exercise programs, the Thera-Band® Comfort Fit Ankle & Wrist Weight Sets feature adjustable straps, a soft terrycloth interior and reflective trim. They are available in three color-coded weight sets, ranging from red (two 1 lb. weights), to green (two 1.5 lb. weights), to blue (two 2.5 lb. weights).
Packaged for practitioner resale and complete with exercise instructions, the 13” Thera-Band® Stability Disc offers an unstable and sensory-stimulating surface designed More >
Thera-Band Kicks improve balance after chronic ankle sprains in only 4 weeks
Apr 6th
Thera-Band Tubing Hip Extension Kick
As many as 70% of people who sprain their ankle re-injure themselves; poor balance has been implicated as a possible cause for the high recurrence rate in ankle sprains. As a result, balance training exercises have been prescribed to help reduce subsequent ankle sprains. Exercise programs using unstable surfaces such as Thera-Band Stability Trainers and Balance Boards have been shown effective at improving balance in patients with chronic ankle sprains. Recently, researchers from San Jose State University found that exercises using elastic tubing are also effective at improving balance in patients suffering from repetitive ankle sprains. In the randomized, controlled study, both subjects with and without a history of ankle sprains were given 4 weeks of elastic tubing exercise involving ‘kicks’ against the resistance in 4 directions; they exercised 3 times pwer week for 3 sets of 15 repetitions. The subjects progressively increased the resistance level over the 4 weeks. After only 4 weeks of training, balance improved in both subjects with and without a history of sprains, demonstrating the efficacy of the simple exercise often referred to as “Thera-Band Kicks.” Interestingly, subjects had improved balance up to 4 weeks after the exercise program had ended.
Han et al. 2009. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 39(4):246-255 More >
