2003. By Michael Rogers & Phil Page (Advance for Directors in Rehabilitation 12(9):65)
Physical therapist researchers at Cal State University Northridge performed a study to determine the effectiveness of a balance exercise training program on strength, balance, gait, and fall risk in 23 healthy community-dwelling older adults at risk for falls.
Several studies have shown that balance exercises and “neuromuscular training” are effective at reducing injuries in athletes. Neuromuscular exercises typically incorporate products such as Thera-Band® Stability Trainers, Stability Discs, balance boards, and exercise balls. Athletic training researchers wanted to determine if a neuromuscular training program was effective at improving balance in high school athletes.
By Kim Dupree Jones & Janice Holt Hoffman (Functional U, Volume 4(1), 2006).
The purpose of this study was to compare the electromyographic (EMG) activity of the abdominal muscles while performing curl ups on stable surfaces and labile surfaces.
The exercise ball is a popular device for core training, and is often used to increase muscle activation, particularly of the abdominals. Most studies have concluded that the exercise ball increases electromyographic (EMG) activity of the abdominal muscles.
By Phil Page. From Active Aging Today 2009. Volume 1 Issue 2
Japanese researchers investigated the effect of unstable surface training on trunk muscle activity during common lumbar stabilization exercises in 19 healthy subjects.
Exercise is an effective intervention to reduce the decline in functional ability in older adults. Thera-Band elastic resistance bands have been used in several exercise studies focused on reducing disability in older adults. Japanese researchers developed a 12-month multi-component exercise program including both home-based and group-based exercise sessions.
By Phil Page. From Active Aging Today 2009. Vol 1 Issue 3.
By Dr. Michael Rogers. (Advance for PT 4(18):37)
Source: Jamie Gibson, The Daily Republic. Feb. 13, 2009
A scientifically based exercise program addresses the characteristic impairments of hip osteoarthritis and hip replacement surgery (Journal of Active Aging 5(1):42-51.)
Studies confirm that elastic resistance is as effective as more expensive and space-consuming weight machines. In addition, Thera-Band exercises may be a more cost-effective intervention to reduce the risk of developing diabetes.
Instability training, or exercising while on unstable surfaces, has become both popular and controversial. Performing resistance training on unstable surfaces such as exercise balls, balance boards, stability disks, and foam pads has been shown to reduce force output, but increase activation of “core” muscles of the trunk
Several EMG studies have been performed in the past decade to quantify and validate claims of “core stability” exercises. Despite few controlled, clinical outcome studies on using an exercise ball, its use in clinics and gyms remains steady. Because the Thera-Band® exercise ball can be used for both rehabilitation and fitness, different exercises and levels of muscle activation may be best for specific patients and clients. It’s important to know that an exercise provides enough EMG activation for strength training (greater than 60% maximal contraction), or if it’s more endurance-based (less than 25%).
The researchers used the exercise ball sitting with leg lift test to create a shearing force lateral to the spine, which is thought to increase load on stabilization muscles on the contra lateral side.
Pro Series Ball Press Release
Proprioceptive exercises are commonly prescribed for lower extremity rehabilitation. More recently, sensorimotor (SMT) proprioceptive exercises have been used for shoulder rehabilitation.