Research and News
Posts tagged exercise bands
Thera-Band Program Teaches Exercises for Pregnancy in India
Jun 11th
Finding safe exercises during pregnancy for both mom and baby is quite challenging. In India, physiotherapist Shabnam Agarwal is leading both pre- and post-natal exercise classes at the Belle Vue Clinic in Kolkata. They use Thera-Band resistance bands both in weekly classes, and at home. “It helps them carry and lift the baby, and eventually be able to do it better with less physical strain,” said Agarwal. The Thera-Band resistance exercises strengthen the chest, arms, and help with abdominal strength as well. Participants then progress to a Thera-Band exercise ball. She added, “It’s fun to see the mothers gaining more confidence with their exercises and feeling that they have more fit bodies.” Learn more about the Thera-Band program from a participant’s point of view.
Related Link: WebMD offers more information on safe exercise and pregancy.
Top 10 Myths of Elastic Resistance
May 7th
by Phil Page, PT, ATC
1. There is very little scientific evidence on elastic resistance. FALSE! There are over 100 published randomized, clinical trials (the highest level of evidence) that have used elastic resistance. In addition, there are over 60 basic and applied studies that have been published to describe the scientific foundation for elastic resistance, including electromyographic (EMG) evidence and biomechanical analysis. The most comprehensive and updated list of these references is available at www.Thera-BandAcademy.com.
2. Isotonic or machine-based resistance is more safe & effective than elastic resistance. FALSE! The injuries and rates reported with using elastic resistance in the literature are as small if not smaller than using isotonic resistance. Scientific evidence proves that the resistance provided by elastics is very similar to isotonic resistance in physiologic response, strength outcomes, and patterns of muscle activation.
Thera-Band Torque, compared to isotonic weights
3. In contrast to isotonic resistance, the strength curve (torque at the joint) of elastic resistance is linear & ascending. FALSE! Many people confuse FORCE (resistance) with TORQUE (force x distance). This has led to the misperception that isotonic resistance is more “functional” to the strength capacity of muscles than elastic resistance. The FORCE produced by elastic resistance is linear and ascending, meaning that resistance increases proportional More >
Singapore Exercise Program for Kids features Thera-Band
Apr 15th
A program to encourage kids to exercise in Singapore is now using Thera-Band® resistance bands for their physical activity program. The “Step with it®, Singapore” program from Coca-Cola Singapore encourages a different exercise with the elastic bands every month. The Thera-Band program was put together with the help of Thera-Band Academy and Lifeline Corporation. Each month, a band exercise with video is featured, as well as a downloadable exercise poster.
Simple Exercises to Prevent Falls
Apr 6th
Researchers in Portugal investigated the effects of 2 simple strengthening exercises using Thera-Band® resistance bands. The randomized, controlled study , published in Geriatrics and Gerontology International, included 48 institutionalized older adults. Subjects were tested before and after the program on ankle strength, functional mobility, and balance. The 2 exercises, ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion, were performed 3 times a week for 6 weeks, and gradually progressed by increasing the color level of the Thera-Band resistance.
Thera-Band Ankle Plantarflexion
After 6 weeks, the researchers found significant increases in ankle strength (dorsiflexion and plantarflexion), as well as significant increases in functional mobility and balance. The gain in ankle strength was significantly associated with improvement in dynamic balance. There was no significant change in the control group. The researchers concluded, the low cost strength training program may provide a ”modest degree of protection from injurious falls among these institutionalized older adults.”
Riberio et al. Impact of low cost strength training of dorsi- and plantar flexors on balance and functional mobility in institutionalized elderly people.Geriatr Gerontol Int. 2009 Mar;9(1):75-80.
Exercise as good as surgery for knee arthritis
Mar 31st
Knee osteoarthritis affects millions around the world with pain and disability. There is no known cure for arthritis, and the course of treatment is based on symptom management through medication, surgery and physical therapy. Some arthritis sufferers believe that exercise may cause more harm than good, and typically opt for arthroscopic surgery to ‘clean-out’ the knee. In addition to the cost of surgery, there are obvious risks. Despite the high number of arthroscopic surgeries for knee arthritis (also known as “debridement”), little evidence supported its efficacy.
Researchers from the University of Western Ontario in Canada performed a randomized controlled trial (the highest level of evidence) on 190 patients with moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis. Their goal was to determine if physical and medical therapy was as effective as arthroscopic surgery. The exercise program lasted for 12 weeks, including one hour per week supervised by a therapist, and daily exercise twice a day. After the 12 weeks, the patients continued their home programs unsupervised.
The researchers found that physical therapy, including Thera-Band exercises was as effective as arthroscopic surgery for treating knee osteoarthritis. Both groups had similar outcomes for pain and function after a 2 year follow-up. The results, published in the New More >
