Research and News
Posts tagged group exercise
First Step to Active Health Program Successful for Occupational Therapy Patients
Oct 15th
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“Occupational therapists are in a great position to promote physical activity as they treat their older adult patients,” said Pamela Toto, OT, PhD(c). She completed a study using the Thera-Band® First Step to Active Health® on a group of older adults living in a low-income high rise building. 19 occupational therapy patients participated in the 10-week group exercise program. The First Step to Active Health program is a well-rounded program including Thera-Band resistance training, flexibility, balance and cardiovascular activities. After 10 weeks, the older adults significantly improved in functional fitness and physical activity levels. Toto’s research adds to the growing evidence that supports the First Step program. She presented her results at the 2010 Thera-Band Research Advisory Committee meeting.
Visit the Thera-Band Academy First Step to Active Health Learning Portal Here
Thera-Band Exercise Station helps Older Adults Improve Functional Fitness
Oct 11th
It’s well-known that exercise is important for older adults to maintain health and function. Many studies have shown that Thera-Band® resistance is effective at improving strength and function in older adults. Dr. Michael Rogers, Chair and Professor at Wichita State University’s Department of Human Performance Studies, collaborated with researchers at Nagoya City University in Japan. He presented his findings at the 2010 Thera-Band Research Advisory Committee meeting. 39 older adults were randomly assigned to a control group or a group using the Thera-Band Exercise Station. The exercise group performed a 12-week circuit training program combining strength and aerobic exercises 3 days per week. After the program, the exercise group had significant improvements in functional fitness and in body composition, whereas the control group did not. Interestingly, the improvements seen with the Exercise Station group were similar to the results the researchers found in a separate study using hydraulic resistance machines. Dr. Rogers noted, “We got the same improvements in strength and function using the Thera-Band exercise station as we got with more expensive machines.” Their findings may have important implications in delivering cost-effective group-based exercise for older adults.
View the Thera-Band Academy Older Adult resource center here
More > First Step to Active Health® effective for both group- and home-based programs
Aug 11th
Michael Rogers, PhD of Wichita State University, discussed 2 studies on the Thera-Band® First Step to Active Health® recently presented at the American College of Sports Medicine. Working with researchers from Nagoya City University in Japan, Rogers investigated the effects of 12 weeks of the First Step program on functional fitness in older adults. They found significant improvements in function and balance, as well as increased overall physical activity after the program. In addition, the researchers found that the program was successful when performed supervised in a group or unsupervised at home. “The First Step program is a highly effective program for either home or group based exercise in older adults. Our next step is to evaluate the impact of Internet-based feedback on the program,” said Rogers. Dr. Rogers presented his findings at the TRAC 2009 meeting in Cancun, Mexico. Read the research abstract here.
Visit the Thera-Band Academy Older Adult Exercise Center here.
