Research and News
Posts tagged shoulder
Thera-Band Loop Exercise Videos
Oct 13th
Check out these videos using the Thera-Band Loop for shoulder and lower extremity exercises with 3 of the nation’s top physical therapists and performance enhancement specialists:
Todd Ellenbecker, DPT, Physiotherapy Associates, Phoenix AZ
Sue Falsone PT ATC, Athletes Performance, Tempe AZ
Bart Bishop DPT, Sport & Spine Rehabilitation, Washington DC
EMG supports “Wall Walk” exercise with Thera-Band® Resistance
Aug 12th
Sue Falsone PT, ATC from Athletes Performance in Phoenix Arizona, quantified the EMG activity of the rotator cuff and scapular muscles during a new shoulder exercise using Thera-Band® resistance. She found that that “Wall Walk” and “Wall Slide” exercises had higher activation of the infraspinatus muscle of the rotator cuff with the Thera-Band resistance than without. In addition, the lower trapezius muscle was activated significantly more, while the upper trapezius was activated less with the resistance, compared to without resistance. “These findings show that adding Thera-Band resistance to the Wall-Walk exercise may help restore scapular muscle balance, which is typically our goal in shoulder rehabilitation,” said Falsone, who also works with the Los Angeles Dodgers. “It’s important to know exactly what muscles are being activated during these exercises so we can make better clinical decisions,” added Falsone. She presented her findings at the TRAC 2009 meeting in Cancun, Mexico. Read the research abstract here.
Visit the Thera-Band Academy Shoulder Rehab Center Here.
Best head position for Soft Weight shoulder exercise?
Aug 7th
Todd Ellenbecker, DPT of Physiotherapy Associates in Scottsdale, Arizona sought to determine the best position for head during a commonly-prescribed shoulder exercise using Thera-Band® Soft Weights. Prone horizontal abduction and prone shoulder external rotation at 90° were performed with the head in three different positions: neutral and rotated toward or away from the exercising shoulder. Ellenbecker, director of Sports Medicine for the ATP tour commented, “We use this exercise quite a bit in our professional tennis players. This study will help us make better clinical decisions about our exercise prescription.”
Dr. Ellenbecker examined the electromyographic (EMG) activity of the upper trapezius during each exercise and found no significant difference in upper trapezius activation between head positions; however, the lowest level of activation was seen with the head rotated toward the exercising shoulder. “Since we would prefer to minimize activation of the upper trapezius muscle during this rehabilitation exercise, it appears best to have the patient turn the head toward the shoulder we are exercising.” said Ellenbecker. Dr. Ellenbecker presented his findings at the TRAC 2009 meeting in Cancun, Mexico. Read the research abstract here.
New book helps develop “Effective Functional Progressions in Sport Rehabilitation”
May 20th
Developing functional exercise programs for athletes is sometimes difficult, particularly for rehabilitation professionals without much experience in their patients’ sport. Human Kinetics recently released the book, Effective Functional Progressions in Sport Rehabilitation by Todd Ellenbecker, Mark De Carlo, and Carl DeRosa. The book is divided into 2 parts. Part I provides the benefits and guidelines for developing successful sports rehabilitation programs, while Part II reviews functional progressions for 3 body regions: upper extremity, lower extremity, and trunk.
Functional Exercise Progressions
Each regional chapter reviews relevant functional anatomy and describes appropriate functional tests with normative data. The normative data can be used to set goals for the athletes’ rehabilitation, which can be very helpful to practicing clinicians. Exercises are grouped into specific progressions and labeled with different stages in the progression. The exercises start with isolated, joint-specific exercises and progress to more functional movements. Some exercises also include “Pearls of Performance,” which provide additional hints on performing and progressing the exercise. The 3 chapters also include interval programs that provide specific exercise protocols for returning to sports such as tennis, baseball, football, soccer, and basketball. The exercises include easy to use and convenient equipment such as elastic tubing, dumbbells, and exercise balls, making them More >
Upper Extremity Plyometrics for Tennis Players
Apr 16th
Application of Upper Extremity Plyometrics for Rehabilitation and Performance Enhancement in Elite Tennis Players
by Todd Ellenbecker, DPT, MS, CSCS, OCS, CSCS
Thera-Band Soft Weight 90-90 Plyometrics
High level tennis play requires repetitive activation of the rotator cuff and scapular musculature to stabilize, accelerate, and decelerate the glenohumeral joint to prevent injury and allow for optimal performance. The modern game of tennis is highly dominated by serves and forehands. Some estimates report that 75% of all shots by elite level players are forehands and serves. Serves and forehands are characterized by powerful concentric internal rotation of the shoulder. Research performed on elite level tennis players with isokinetic testing has shown muscular imbalances due to selective development of the internal rotator muscles without concomitant development of the external rotators on the dominant “tennis playing” extremity. Additionally, research has not shown increases in posterior rotator cuff or scapular muscle strength following tennis play alone in elite players indicating the need for supplemental strengthening of the posterior rotator cuff and scapular musculature to improve muscle balance in the dominant shoulder of the elite tennis player. Exercises to improve muscle balance and local muscular endurance have been advocated to both prevent injury and enhance performance in tennis players.
