Elastic resistance is an interesting invention. Measuring 1RM using free weights is easier and it gives a good lead into exercise prescription. However, it is difficult to measure the one repetition maximum using a Thera Band or Thera Tube. Please provide enough evidence (if any) or ways to measure 1RM using Thera Band. Discuss!
Hi
I would prefer to use free wt.s to check 1RM rather thn going for thera band because it undergoes material fatige that is dependent on no. Of time it has been stretched and % of deformation with each stretch. Plus it has property of viscoelastic creep so eventually it gets rupture. These problems u won't encounter with free wt.s
As far as I am concerned there are not published studies in this subject. I have just done a test to one of my top athletes with the hardest band available and I cannot get his 1RM (one arm - seated military press). I guess this is because the band does not offer peak resistance until he gets to the very end of the concentric phase; apparently he does not fatigues enough and is able to do a second lift. I will keep trying and I will also try submaximal strength which I think is a more appropriate test for elastic band users.
I saw these protocol but..i have my doubts about it..
The resistance of the band was measured with the band fully
extended. Strength was measured based on the percent increase
in band length from that of the initial length. When the band
was expanded by 50, 75, and 100%, the corresponding increases
in strength using the red, green and blue bands were 1.2/ 1.5/
1.8 kg, 1.5/ 1.9/ 2.3 kg, and 2.1/ 2.7/ 3.2 kg, respectively.
Patients increased band resistance gradually to allow for adequate
connective tissue adaptation. They used minimal resistance
for the first two weeks, then gradually increased the resistance
to 40 to 50% of the 1RM by the end of the 12-week program.
Korean Diabetes J. Apr 2010; 34(2): 101–110.
Published online Apr 30, 2010. doi: 10.4093/kdj.2010.34.2.101
There is no scientific base available , however you can determine IRM then exercise your patient by elastic bandage
How Khalid?....i have the same question..i post a paper earlier but i have some repairs about it...
Says:-
Thank you all for your lovely comments. To my knowledge, force production of elastic resistance is dependent on percent elongation on the Theraband. Percent elongation refers to the amount of stretch in the band compared to resting length (elongation). Measuring 1 RM is not appropriate with elastic resistance. Instead, perceived exertion scales such as Borg scale, Omni scale, combined with MRM (Multiple repetition maximum) can be tried. This is because of the elastic property of the Theraband. Elasticity leads to stretchability of the band and the band may not return back to its resting length. The attached articles may give a gross idea on the length-tension relationship.
The principles of training behind the free weight and theraband or tube is quite different. When you sellect either of this resistance, the mode of strength trainning will change. More over theraband or tube does not provide reliable resistance as different brand provide different resistance and color code which is not standarized while the free weight will give reliable and valid resistance any time. But if your are usisng the same theraband or tube for all the participants it may be stable (intra-rater reliability) but not the equivalence (inter-rater reliability). If you are really in need of finding 1RM I will suggest to go with simple free weights or complex isokinetic devices.
Says:-
Dear Mr. Ratan Khuman, thanks for your lovely reply. I appreciate it. Finding 1 RM using free weights is easier and it is something already done. I would like to pin-point your 'Intra-Rater Reliability' here. This is what I am trying to emphasize. Measuring 1RM with Thera-Band is an unexplored area and I would love to ponder deep into this aspect of strength training. I am a little curious to know, are you trying to say Progressive Resistance Training (PRE) is not possible with Thera Bands?
Hallo Sai,
PRE with thera band or tube is quite possible, just chose the right color code. But once again which color code to be use at starting is again a question... We are in need of explore to this aspect.
Says:-
Mr. Ratan, yes, PRE is possible with Theraband. The only problem is to find the right resistance that is equivalent to the weights used in PRE. For example, DeLormes or a McQueen's Technique involves different weight prescription at different stages and it gets a little tricky/ challenging to apply the same using Therabands. Now, lets' not get diverted from the original topic!
I am expecting more interesting answers regarding 1RM measurement using Theraband.
Maybe you may conduct a study trying to figure out if exist a linear correlation between Force of the elasticity coefficient calculation and freeweights (F=m.a).
Just an idea...
Says:-
Thanks for the lovely idea Mr. Bruno. How do you suggest the linear correlation can be measured? Don't we need any tool to measure it?
The linear correlation could be the statistical test...it is a rough idea, it all depends of method, etc.
Hi
I would prefer to use free wt.s to check 1RM rather thn going for thera band because it undergoes material fatige that is dependent on no. Of time it has been stretched and % of deformation with each stretch. Plus it has property of viscoelastic creep so eventually it gets rupture. These problems u won't encounter with free wt.s
Check out the Theraband website. They have figgered out the length-tension relationship of their bands vs resistance
Fresh publication on the topic: The accuracy of using elastic resistance bands to evaluate muscular strength
http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.3109/21679169.2014.889746
Enjoy!
Says:-
Thanks for the wonderful link Bruno. Unfortunately I could not access the full article. could you please attach it here?
TheraBand elastic resistance has sometimes been prescribed using the Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE).
Additional question for the discussion,
How we may increase the resistance by specific percentage (eg. 10%) by using resistance bands.?
How would we describe resistance bands exercises by using FITT principle?
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