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Individuals with Moderate Intellectual Disability (MID) have lower levels of physical activity than typically developing peers. Considering the positive effects of physical activity on health, it is vital to identify effective exercise interventions for individuals with MID in everyday environments. The aim of our study was to examine the effects of theraband exercises on muscle strength and motor development of individuals with MID. A total of 16 individuals with MID were included in the study. Participants were divided into experimental and control group by random sampling method. Theraband exercise training was applied on the experimental group (60 min/2 days/10 weeks), but no exercise program was applied on the control group. When post-test results were evaluated between the groups, there was significant difference in favour of experimental group in terms of muscle strength and Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency- Second Version-Short Form (BOT-2-SF) total motor performance parameters (p < 0.05). The difference between pre-test and post-test values of total motor performance parameters of muscle strength and BOT-2 SF in experimental group were significant (p < 0.05). As a result, it was found that 10-week (60 min/2 days/10 weeks) theraband exercise positively affected the muscle strength and motor development of individuals with MID. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objective: Lipid distribution plays a crucial role in glucose metabolism, and this study aimed to investigate the effects of 12 weeks traditional Chinese YiJinJing exercise on specific lipid distributions in patients with prediabetes. Methods: Sixty participants with prediabetes were randomly allocated to either a control group (Con, n = 30) or an exercise group (Ex, n = 30). The Ex group underwent YiJinJing exercise plus Theraband, engaging in 1-h sessions, 3 times per week, over a total period of 12 weeks. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were used to measure lipid distribution in different body segments and organs. Additionally, a body composition analyser was employed to measure visceral fat, and laboratory tests were conducted to measure indicators related to glycolipid metabolism. Results: Following a 12-week intervention with Exercise, 37 % of prediabetic patients in the Ex group achieved normal blood glucose levels. Significant reductions were observed in upper limb fat (ULF), trunk fat (TrF) and liver fat (LF) values in the Ex group compared to the Con group. Additionally, within the Ex group, there were notable decreases in triglyceride (TG) levels, body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio (WHR), android fat (AF), ULF, thigh fat (ThF), renal sinus fat (RSF), and LF compared to baseline. Conclusions: Traditional Chinese YiJinJing plus TheraBand exercise can significantly reduce blood glucose levels through improved lipid distribution and metabolism in prediabetic patients. Hence, YiJinJing can serve as a crucial intervention for individuals with prediabetes.

Lipid distribution plays a crucial role in glucose metabolism, and this study aimed to investigate the effects of 12 weeks traditional Chinese YiJinJing exercise on specific lipid distributions in patients with prediabetes. Sixty participants with prediabetes were randomly allocated to either a control group (Con, n = 30) or an exercise group (Ex, n = 30). The Ex group underwent YiJinJing exercise plus Theraband, engaging in 1-h sessions, 3 times per week, over a total period of 12 weeks. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were used to measure lipid distribution in different body segments and organs. Additionally, a body composition analyser was employed to measure visceral fat, and laboratory tests were conducted to measure indicators related to glycolipid metabolism. Following a 12-week intervention with Exercise, 37 % of prediabetic patients in the Ex group achieved normal blood glucose levels. Significant reductions were observed in upper limb fat (ULF), trunk fat (TrF) and liver fat (LF) values in the Ex group compared to the Con group. Additionally, within the Ex group, there were notable decreases in triglyceride (TG) levels, body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio (WHR), android fat (AF), ULF, thigh fat (ThF), renal sinus fat (RSF), and LF compared to baseline. Traditional Chinese YiJinJing plus TheraBand exercise can significantly reduce blood glucose levels through improved lipid distribution and metabolism in prediabetic patients. Hence, YiJinJing can serve as a crucial intervention for individuals with prediabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neck pain is very common these days as lifestyle changes from active to sedentary. Occupational changes such as increase in IT sector jobs have been skyrocketed as technology enters into every sector. People mostly are into desk jobs working on pc, laptops etc. and bowed down for long hours which caused short and tight neck muscles. The incidence of neck pain is drastically increased to about 71%. Despite following ergonomic measures and various to cope up with disability no criteria has been decided for neck pain. Many conservative measures has been developed in recent advancement out of which isometric training is commonly compiled with mostly every method and past studies demonstrated the efficacy of isometric exercise in reducing pain and disability. Through this study we will focus on increasing efficacy and accuracy of isometric exercises with compiling it with theraband. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: to examined the effects of resistance exercise using the theraband on the pain and function of patients with degenerative knee arthritis. Material & Methods: thirty patients with degenerative knee arthritis were classified into an one group of 20 patients on whom resistance exercise using the elastic band was applied and a other group of 20 patients on whom conventional physical therapy was delivered. Both groups received treatments three times a week for four weeks. Pain and disability and function were measured by the WOMAC index and muscle strength was evaluated by the Oxford scale on 1st day and after 4th week to follow-up the treatment. Results: the intragroup comparison Table 2, showed significant improvements in WOMAC index and Oxford scale in both groups. In the intergroup comparison after treatment, the group-2 showed significantly changes in the values with respect to pre to post intervention WOMAC index score; 33.7250±3.61879 to14.1800±1.76355 than the group-1 32.2305±7.88301 to 18.4400±2.62546. Furthermore there were significant improvement in Oxford scale score i.e. 2.6000±.50262 to 4.5000±.51299 found in group-2 than group-1 i.e. 2.4500±.51042 to 3.6000±.50262. Conclusion: the results suggest that resistance exercise using the theraband is an effective intervention for the pain and function of patients with degenerative knee arthritis.

Background: The research is on assessment of the effectiveness of dry needling in patients with piriformis syndrome. It is a non discogenic form of sciatica brought on by piriformis muscle impingement on the sciatic nerve. It can be responsible for 0.3% to 6.0% of all sciatica and low back pain cases. Post traumatic piriformis syndrome may occur in patients who experience lumbar nerve-root compression symptoms and signs after receiving a forceful injury to the buttock. Dry needling is a minimally invasive therapy by the insertion of tiny monofilament needles into muscles, ligaments, tendons without the use of injectable substances. Purpose: To find the effectiveness of dry needling in patients with piriformis syndrome. Materials and Methods: Total of 356 participants were taken according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria from new life phyio, shanthi physio and saravana ortho clinic. The participants were randomly allocated into two groups, dry needling with theraband exercise group and IFT with theraband exercise group. The group A=178 participants and group B=178 participants. All the subjects underwent pretest measurement with NPRS in the beginning of treatment. The study was quasi experimental study and the duration was about 4 weeks of June 2023. Results: Statistical analysis of data showed significant differences not only in the dry needling group but also in the conventional group. The dry needling group was significantly higher than the IFT group, with a p value of <0.0001. Conclusion: Dry needling is more effective than IFT in the piriformis syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Calcaneus distress is a frequent moan in the trotter and talus, and plantar fasciosis, which accounts for 11-15% of adult patients' symptoms of the foot need medical attention. One in ten people are predicted to get PF at some point in their lives. It is further prevalent in mid-life fat women and adolescent athletes. The desire of this project is to evaluate the success of calf stretching by theraband among plantar fasciitis patients. Purpose: To determine the effects of calf stretching using theraband on managing pain among plantar fasciitis patients Materials and Methods: Fifty eight people were covered for addition and prohibition. They were splitted into two groups: passive calf stretching group (29) and self-calf stretching group (29). The pre and post-test values were measured by pain catastrophizing scale. Group-A received passive calf stretching using theraband and group-B received self-calf stretching. Both programs were given for 2 weeks, weekly 5 days. Result: Using pain catastrophizing scale, Group A's (Passive calf stretching group) post-test mean was 27.38 and whereas group B's (Self calf stretching) was 32.24. This demonstrates that group-A has decreased pain catastrophizing score less than group-B. And this suggests that group A showed considerably finer than group B. Conclusion: Passive calf stretching using theraband by group-A was found to be more effective than self-calf stretching of group-B.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pes Planus (flatfoot) only becomes a medical issue when symptoms appear. This disease occurs in both young children and adults. When the medial longitudinal arch (MLA) has raised to the point where it cannot be maintained, the flatfoot changes form. This condition causes over pronation of the foot in contrast to normal feet, resulting in heel eversion and moving the weight load inward to compress the MLA.1-2 Purpose: To compare the effectiveness of kinematic chain exercise and TheraBand exercise session among the young adults with flat foot. Materials and Methods: 30 subjects participated and were taken from Saveetha college of physiotherapy based on specific criteria and assigned to two groups. Pre and post assessment was taken using Numerical Pain Rating Scale [NPRS] and Foot Functional Index Scale [FFI]. The interventions were given for 2 Weeks and the study was conducted from November 2022 to April 2023. Results: The study's results revealed that both groups exhibited significant improvements in flat foot, with a p-value < 0.001. However, Group A showed more statistical significance than Group B. Conclusion: In conclusion, the commencement of two- week intervention plan, kinematic chain exercise showed a marked outcome on pain subjects with flat foot [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. This study was to investigate the effects of similar exercises with elastic bands on muscular strength in strength training with prepubertal children in contrast to resistance machines. Methods. In this study, 30 male football player candidates aged 11-12 years were used. A randomly selected group of 10 boys were trained with a resistance machine and a group of 10 boys were trained with a theraband 2 days a week for 8 weeks. A group of 10 boys was observed as a control group. Result. A significant statistical increase in muscular strength was observed in children working with resistance machine and theraband compared to children in the control group who did not do strength training. Conclusions. In addition, it was observed that the increase in muscular strength was higher in children working with the resistance machine than in children working with the theraband. (P < 0.05 The increase in muscular strength in children who do strength training is statistically significant). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Based on electromyography measurements, shoulder vibratory exercises efficiently stimulate shoulder muscles activity. Yet very few studies have supported that shoulder vibratory exercises increased shoulder muscles strength and function, and the noninferiority compared with conventional elastic resistance exercises remains unknown. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the effect of vibratory exercises versus conventional elastic resistance exercises with elastic bands on shoulder external rotation muscles strength and functional performance in young adults. METHODS: 26 young adults (7 males and 19 females, with age 23.89 ± 3.02) were recruited and randomly allocated to shoulder vibratory exercises with FLEXI-BAR (FLEXI-BAR group) or conventional resistance exercises with elastic band (TheraBand group) for 3 times/week, 4 weeks totally. Shoulder external rotator muscles strength test and Underkofler softball distance throw test (USDTT) were performed before and after the training period. RESULTS: After 4 weeks training, shoulder external rotator muscles strength increased 22.25 ± 15.06 N (P = 0.004, effect size = 1.48) within FLEXI-BAR group and 22.81 ± 14.94 N (P = 0.007, effect size = 1.53) within TheraBand group. There were no statistically significant differences between groups in the three muscle strength tests (P > 0.65). Regarding shoulder function, FLEXI-BAR exercises increased the throw distance 0.81 ± 0.92 meters in USDTT (P = 0.041, effect size = 0.88) while TheraBand exercise did not (P = 0.284), yet there was no statistically significant between group effects (P = 0.608). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that shoulder vibratory exercises can improve shoulder muscles strength in young adults and can be a useful alternative to the conventional elastic resistance exercises to improve the shoulder muscles strength and function. This provides therapists with more options in terms of choosing training equipment for rehabilitation programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: An Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury produces a 5-40% reduction in quadriceps strength over time. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation is used to help the quadriceps muscle weaken after ACL surgery. The ACL is the primary stabiliser for anterior tibial displacement and the secondary stabiliser for tibial rotation; an ACL-deficient knee can result in devastating consequences like articular cartilage injuries, meniscus tears, functional instability, and the risk of early-onset osteoarthritis. Following an ACL injury, the goal of ACL restoration is to restore functional knee stability. Journals have indicated an increased interest in combining ACL restoration with extraarticular augmentation in recent years. Several studies have demonstrated that the extra reconstruction not only protects the graft from high loads, but also enhances lateral rotational control. In patients with sore joints after ACL reconstruction, cryotherapy can help by releasing endogenous opiates and decreasing nerve conduction velocity. Exercise performance for the physical qualities of strength and power, like many other sports activities, has a short time element for successful performance. As a result, these workouts are performed at the highest possible speed in the least amount of time. Need for the study: There are many evidences that theraband exercises are essential for the patients with ACL reconstruction. Even in athletes, there are literature that proves ballistic training is essential for the patients with ACL reconstruction, but there is no literature for the ballistic training in normal population undergoing ACL reconstruction surgery. There is a strong need to perform a study and evaluate them. Aim: To find out effectiveness of ballistic training in phase II rehabilitation on the patients with ACL reconstruction. Materials and Methods: This randomised control trial will be conducted from May 2022 to May 2023 in the Outpatient and the Inpatient Department of Physiotherapy, Acharya Vinoba Bhave Rural Hospital, Sawangi (Meghe), Wardha, India, during which 100 patients with ACL reconstruction will be divided into two groups, one group will receive conventional therapy along with theraband exercises and another group will receive conventional therapy exercises along with ballistic training. Treatment will be given for eight weeks, five days in a week. The assessment will be done on day one of the treatment and at the end of treatment that is 8th week. Student's t-test and Chi-square tests will be applied for statistical comparison. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Persinga Ngawi is a League 3 football club witha fairly solid match schedule,so it demands increasedathletes' physical activity. Exercise, match,and post-match are stages that must be followed by football athletes,which more or less pose a risk of injury, one of whichis an ankleinjury.Massage therapy and weight trainingcan be used to reduce ankle injuries. This study aimedto analyze the increase in Range of Movement (ROM) of Persinga Athletes after ankleinjury with massage therapy and weight training. This type of research is a pre-experimental design with a one-grouppretest-posttest design. This research was carried out in January-February 2022. The population of this study was24 athletes of Persinga U-17 football in Ngawi Regency. The sampling technique used was purposive sampling with the criteria of athletes experiencing post-ankleinjuries, so a sample of 15 athletes was obtained. The stages of the research are conducting pre-test and post-test by measuring the Range of Movement (ROM) in the anklejoint on massage therapy and loading exercises with theraband. MeasuringRange of Movement (ROM) for Persinga U-17 athletes on massage therapy and weight training showed an increase in ROM of 35% in flexion movements and 30% in extension movements.The Wilcoxon Signed-RankTest revealed a sig value of 0.043 (p0.05), indicating differences between the pre-and post-test outcomes after massage therapy and weight training. This suggests that massage therapy and weight training can help Persinga U-17 athletes in Ngawi Regency recover from ankle injuries.

Machines and free weights are commonly used to increase muscle strength and performance. However, the use of elastic devices needs scientific investigations regarding its agreement against gold standards methods muscle strength. Aim: To determine the agreement of the 10-RM test between weight machine and elastic resistance in upper and lower limb exercises, and the intra-device reliability, agreement, and minimal detectable changes of the 10-RM test. Methods: Twenty-three healthy and untrained adults, of both sexes (age 22.43 ± 2.55), performed the 10-RM bench press and knee extension test with weight machines and elastic tubes, randomly. Results: The comparison of the 10-RM test between instruments, by the use of ICC index, demonstrated very high and high reliability for lower (ICC = 0.87) and upper (ICC = 0.80) limbs, respectively. The Bland Altman agreement analysis showed that the 10-RM test using elastic resistance produced lower loads (Kgf) on knee extension (34.16 ± 6.81 [elastic]; 36.22 ± 9.45 [machine]; Mean difference = 2.05 kgf ± 5.32) and higher loads (Kgf) on the vertical bench press (31.61 ± 7.81 [elastic]; 24.96 ± 10.11 [machine]; Mean difference = 6.65 kgf ± 4.93) when compared to the weight machines. Intra-device reliability also demonstrated a very high ICC index for upper and lower limbs on both devices. Conclusion: The use of 10-RM with elastic resistance presents high reliability and agreement when compared to weight machines for bench press or knee extension exercises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Genu valgum deformity a common lower extremity deformity. The weakness of the lower limb muscles followed by the internal rotation of the femur and external rotation of the tibia, shift the gravitational pull to the outside of the knee. This lower limb alignment deformity could increase the distance of ankle medial malleolus and the Q angle. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of TheraBand training on the Q angle and distance of ankle medial malleolus in individuals with genu valgum deformity. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test and post-test and control group design. The study population consisted of girls in the age range of 9-13 years with genu valgum deformity. The study subjects were randomly divided into the experimental (n=15) and control (n=15) groups. The experimental group participated in TheraBand exercises for 8 weeks and 3 sessions per week. However, the control group received no training during this period. Before and after 8 weeks, the Q angle and distance of ankle medial malleolus were measured by goniometers and coulis, respectively. Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was used to analyze the collected data in SPSS. The significance level was considered at 0.05. Results: The obtained statistical results suggested that TheraBand training significantly decreased the Q angle and the distance of ankle medial malleolus in the explored subjects with genu valgum deformity (P=0.001 & P=0.04, respectively). However, no significant difference was observed in the control group. Conclusion: The obtained data revealed that TheraBand training could improve the genu valgum position. Therefore, this training protocol could be implemented to improve the deformity in this population.

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Background Elastic resistance exercise is a common part of rehabilitation programs. While these exercises are highly prevalent, little information exists on how adding an additional resistance vector with a different direction from the primary vector alters muscle activity of the upper extremity. Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of dual vector exercises on torso and upper extremity muscle activity in comparison to traditional single vector techniques. Study Design Repeated measures design. Methods Sixteen healthy university-aged males completed four common shoulder exercises against elastic resistance (abduction, flexion, internal rotation, external rotation) while using a single or dual elastic vector at a fixed cadence and standardized elastic elongation. Surface electromyography was collected from 16 muscles of the right upper extremity. Mean, peak and integrated activity were extracted from linear enveloped and normalized data and a 2-way repeated measures ANOVA examined differences between conditions. Results All independent variables differentially influenced activation. Interactions between single/dual vectors and exercise type affected mean activation in 11/16 muscles, while interactions in peak activation existed in 7/16 muscles. Adding a secondary vector increased activation predominantly in flexion or abduction exercises; little changes existed when adding a second vector in internal and external rotation exercises. The dual vector exercise in abduction significantly increased mean activation in lower trapezius by 25.6 ± 8.11 %MVC and peak activation in supraspinatus by 29.4 ± 5.94 %MVC (p<0.01). Interactions between single/dual vectors and exercise type affected integrated electromyography for most muscles; the majority of these muscles had the highest integrated electromyography in the dual vector abduction condition. Conclusion Muscle activity often increased with a second resistance vector added; however, the magnitude was exercise-dependent. The majority of these changes existed in the flexion and abduction exercises, with little differences in the internal or external rotation exercises. Level of Evidence 3b [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Lateral epicondylitis is a common condition involving the arm. It is caused by degenerative changes or overuse of the tendon connecting the elbow joint to the forearm muscle. Plyometric and TheraBand FlexBar (Theraband, Akron, OH, USA) exercises can relieve elbow discomfort, soreness, and weakness. This study examines the effects of plyometric and TheraBand FlexBar exercises with ultrasound on tennis elbow patients. Methodology It is an experimental study comprising a total of 30 participants, including individuals of both genders with age groups of 20-40 years were selected by specific criteria for inclusion and exclusion. The participants were randomly assigned into two groups. Group A received plyometric exercises with ultrasound, whereas Group B received TheraBand FlexBar exercises with ultrasound. The outcome measures utilized in this study include patient-rated tennis elbow evaluation (PRTEE) and visual analog scale (VAS) for evaluating the functional disability of the hand, arm, and shoulder. Results The results showed a substantial reduction in mean values in Group A compared to Group B, with a p-value of less than 0.001, indicating that plyometric exercises with ultrasound were more effective than TheraBand FlexBar exercises. Conclusion Plyometric exercises combined with ultrasound therapy demonstrated significant reductions in discomfort and improvements in function, with plyometric exercises showing superior efficacy compared to TheraBand FlexBar exercises., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Institutional Ethics Committee, Faculty of Physiotherapy, Dr. M.G.R. Educational & Research Institute, Chennai issued approval E-29/PHYSIO/IRB/2023-2024. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, G et al.)

Thoracic kyphotic posture is accompanying increased biomechanical load of the backbone which is possibly problematic. The current study aimed to examine the effects of general active exercise versus Theraband exercise on female kyphotic posture. An experimental study was conducted at the biomechanical lab. in Physical Therapy College, Cairo University. Fourteen female volunteers with kyphotic posture aged from 18 to 30 years were selected and equally distributed into two groups; 1st group received Theraband exercises (neck retraction exercise, scapular retraction exercise, and resistive shoulder blade squeeze) and 2nd group received general active exercises (Thoracic stretching exercise, thoracic extension exercises, and extension in lying with cervical retraction exercises). Each exercise was conducted properly for 60 min in 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks (total of 12 sessions per week). The Index of kyphosis (IK) was calculated before and after treatment. Moreover, the percentage of back disability index questionnaire (PBDI) and pain score were also detected. Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was used to compare the post-treatment's means between the first and second groups and control the pre-treatment variables. No significant differences were found post-treatment (P > 0.05). Moreover, IK measures showed a statistically significant difference post-treatment (P < 0.05). The paired sample t -test showed statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) in all variables within the first and second groups. The current study demonstrated the positive effect of both techniques in reducing the IK, percentage of back disability index, and pain score with a more positive effect of Theraband in reducing the IK measures post-treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and Objectives: To study effects of Rotator Cuff Strengthening Exercises in Patients with Tennis Elbow. Sample size: 30 patients (15 in each group). Study Design: Randomised Contro Trial. Sample and Sampling Method: 30 patients were randomly selected and assigned in 2 groups, as Group 1(control group), Group 2 (Interventional group) in equal numbers The total subjects of 30 were included in the study the inclusion & exclusion criteria were Inclusion Criteria: Athletes complaining of elbow pain, Both male and female athletes, Age group 18-40 yrs, Subjects willing to participate. Exclusion Criteria: Subjects with pain in any other region, Subjects with shoulder, elbow, wrist, cervicothoracic surgery. Result: There was no significant difference is found in the ages of both the group. Mean pain on VAS in group A it was 4.66 ± 1.77 and in group B it was 7.13±1.30. Conclusion: The inferences from the present study suggest that Rotator Cuff strengthening protocol is significantly effective in Reducing pain,Improving functional activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Home-based resistance training offers an alternative to traditional, hospital-based or rehabilitation center-based resistance training and has attracted much attention recently. However, without the supervision of a therapist or the assistance of an exercise monitoring system, one of the biggest challenges of home-based resistance training is that the therapist may not know if the patient has performed the exercise as prescribed. A lack of objective measurements limits the ability of researchers to evaluate the outcome of exercise interventions and choose suitable training doses. Objective To create an automated and objective method for segmenting resistance force data into contraction phase-specific segments and calculate the repetition number and time-under-tension (TUT) during elbow flexor resistance training. A pilot study was conducted to evaluate the performance of the segmentation algorithm and to show the capability of the system in monitoring the compliance of patients to a prescribed training program in a practical resistance training setting. Methods Six subjects (three male and three female) volunteered to participate in a fatigue and recovery experiment (5 min intermittent submaximal contraction (ISC); 1 min rest; 2 min ISC). A custom-made resistance band was used to help subjects perform biceps curl resistance exercises and the resistance was recorded through a load cell. The maximum and minimum values of the force-derivative were obtained as distinguishing features and a segmentation algorithm was proposed to divide the biceps curl cycle into concentric, eccentric and isometric contraction, and rest phases. Two assessors, who were unfamiliar with the study, were recruited to manually pick the visually observed cut-off point between two contraction phases and the TUT was calculated and compared to evaluate performance of the segmentation algorithm. Results The segmentation algorithm was programmatically implemented and the repetition number and contraction-phase specific TUT were calculated. During isometric, the average TUT (3.75 ± 0.62 s) was longer than the prescribed 3 s, indicating that most subjects did not perform the exercise as prescribed. There was a good TUT agreement and contraction segment agreement between the proposed algorithm and the assessors. Conclusion The good agreement in TUT between the proposed algorithm and the assessors indicates that the proposed algorithm can correctly segment the contraction into contraction phase-specific parts, thereby providing clinicians and researchers with an automated and objective method for quantifying home-based elbow flexor resistance training. The instrument is easy to use and cheap, and the segmentation algorithm is programmatically implemented, indicating good application prospect of the method in a practical setting.

BACKGROUND: In the current literature, exercises performed using fitness equipment and body weight have been used in order to decrease the bilateral deficit (BLD) and increase the hamstring-quadriceps (H/Q) ratio. No studies have previously investigated the effect of therabands, which are both portable and practical to be used anywhere, in regard to the BLD and H/Q ratio. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of several 10-week lower extremity exercises performed through therabands on the BLD and H/Q ratio. METHODS: Twenty-seven voluntary male soccer players participated in the study. The players were categorized into the control group (CG) (n = 14) and the theraband exercise group (TBG) (n = 13). Theraband exercises for the lower extremity were performed by the soccer players in the TBG for four days every week over a 10-week period. The dominant (D) and non-dominant (ND) leg concentric extension and flexion of the soccer players were determined through an isokinetic dynamometer at 30 ∘ s - 1 and 240 ∘ s - 1 angular velocities. The data were analyzed through SPSS 24. To determine the difference between the BLD, H/Q ratios, and pre- and post-test of peak torque (PT), the Wilcoxon test was employed. RESULTS: As a result of the analysis, it was found that the BLD for the TBG decreased, which was statistically significant (p < 0.05), whereas there were no statistically significant differences for the H/Q ratio for both the CG and TBG; the D and ND leg H/Q rate of the TBG at 240 ∘ s - 1 angular velocity increased in the post-test. CONCLUSIONS: It was found that the exercises performed with the theraband were extremely efficient at increasing the PT and decreasing the BLD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Core exercises include exercises to train muscles that control and stabilize the movements of the abdomen, waist, and hip. Thanks to these exercises, the control and balance of the body are increased. Exercises on unstable surfaces increase the level of muscle activity, and by using elastic resistance tools, one or more joints can be simultaneously and efficiently trained. OBJECTIVE: To compare core exercises with Theraband and Swiss Ball in terms of core stabilization and balance performance. METHOD: A total of 22 women who perform recreational sports between 25 and 46 years of age participated in the study. The participants were separated into two groups: Swiss Ball (SBC, n = 11) and Theraband (TBC, n = 11). Both groups were subjected to core exercise programs for 6 weeks, 3 days a week, around 40 minutes per day. Prior to and after the 6-week exercises, body composition, core stabilization, Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT), and Stork balance test scores were compared. RESULTS: No difference was found between groups in terms of pre-test values. While the weight and body mass index values decreased in all groups, the balance and core stabilization test scores increased significantly. With the exception of the SEBT, which has increased significantly in the TBC group, there were no differences between the groups in none of the scores. CONCLUSION: As both training methods lead to positive effect on the tested variables, the choice of the specific method should probably be decided based on individual preference and the training environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Medial knee collapse can signal an underlying movement issue that, if uncorrected, can lead to a variety of knee injuries. Placing a band around the distal thigh may act as a proprioceptive aid to minimize medial collapse of the knee during squats; however, little is known about EMG and biomechanics in trained and untrained individuals during the squat with an elastic band added. Hypothesis/Purpose: To investigate the effects of the TheraBand® Band Loop on kinematics and muscle activity of the lower extremity during a standard barbell back squat at different intensities in both trained and untrained individuals. Study Design: Cross-sectional, repeated measures. Methods: Sixteen healthy, male, university aged-participants were split into two groups of eight, consisting of a trained and untrained group. Participants performed both a 3-repetition maximum (3-RM) and a bodyweight load squat for repetitions to failure. Lower extremity kinematics and surface electromyography of four muscles were measured bilaterally over two sessions, an unaided squat and a band session (band loop placed around distal thighs). Medial knee collapse, measured as a knee width index, and maximum muscle activity were calculated. Results: During the 3-RM, squat weight was unaffected by band loop intervention (p=0.486) and the trained group lifted more weight than the untrained group (p<0.007). The trained group had a greater squat depth for both squat conditions, regardless of the band (p=0.0043). Knee width index was not affected by the band during the eccentric phase of bodyweight squats in the trained (band: 0.76 ± 0.08, no band: 0.73 ± 0.08) or untrained group (band: 0.77 ± 0.70, no band: 0.75 ± 0.13) (p=0.670). During the concentric phase, knee width index was significantly lower for 3-RM squats, regardless of group. Conclusion: Despite minimal changes in kinematics for the untrained group, increased muscle activity with the band loop may suggest that a training aid may, over time, lead to an increase in barbell squat strength by increasing activation of agonist muscles more than traditional, un-banded squats. Greater maximal muscle activity in most muscles during band loop sessions may provide enhanced knee stability via increased activation of stabilizing muscles. Level of Evidence: 3 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, we report a highly sensitive capacitive printed accelerometer and its wearable wristband module for wireless activity monitoring application during rubber band exercise. The printed accelerometer is modified to possess a high sensitivity of 0.54 pF/g, which shows promising reliability for human’s exercise monitoring. The circuit of the wristband exercise module is integrated into the customized printed circuit board so that the module receives and digitizes analog capacitance data from the accelerometer and wirelessly transmits the data to the receiver module on the user interface. Different force levels of exercises were successfully quantified with a distinctive capacitance variance from 0.031 pF under light exercise condition (16.04 N) to 0.266 pF under strong exercise (23.04 N). In addition, three different representative exercise postures were performed with the wristband module: 1) shoulder flexion; 2) horizontal arm abduction; and 3) knee extension. By sampling exercise data with 10 Hz, the module cannot only read the movements of the different exercise postures successfully, but also provide reliable collection of data that can be used to differentiate the exercise characteristics in each posture. The reported wristband exercise-monitoring module utilizes highly sensitive accelerometer and wirelessly communicating unit to provide point-of-care and high level of freedom to users during the rubber band exercises further suggesting feasibility of its potential usages in the other activity monitoring applications. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of an 8-week, home-based isometric strength training program in equestrians. Also, we examined changes in muscular strength, endurance, and riding performance. 18 riders (≥1 year dressage experience, riding ≥1 h/week, otherwise untrained) completed pre-/post-muscular tests and a US Equestrian Federation Training Level Rider Test. A progressive, 3 day/week riding-specific intervention using TheraBands® was implemented. Feasibility was determined as >50% of riders completing ≥18/24 sessions of ≥2 sets/exercise of prescribed volume. Dependent samples t-tests compared pre/post composite muscular strength/endurance, and riding test scores. 55.5% of riders completed ≥75% exercise sessions. Significant improvements were observed for muscular endurance (pre 149.8±82.2, post 209.2±112.2; P=0.003), and for riding test scores (pre 57.8±7.4, post 60.8±5.1; P=0.037). Exploratory analyses revealed a significant correlation between improvements in muscular endurance and riding test score (r2=0.285, P=0.020). The intervention was feasible and produced improvements in muscular strength, endurance, and potentially in riding test performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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