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Material Properties of Thera-Band Tubing

RM Patterson, PhD, is Associate Professor and Biomedical Engineer, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX 77555-0892 (USA) (Rita.Patterson{at}utmb.edu).
CW Stegink Jansen, PT, PhD, is Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Therapy, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Tex
HA Hogan, PhD, is Associate Professor and Mechanical Engineer, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Tex
MD Nassif is a mechanical engineering student at Texas A&M University

Address all correspondence to Dr Patterson

Background and Purpose. Thera-Band Tubing has been used in rehabilitation to provide resistance for exercise and splinting. However, the forces required to stretch the tubing have not been thoroughly quantified. Therefore, the therapist cannot assess, with certainty, how much force is applied when using a given length and type of Thera-Band Tubing. The purpose of this study was to quantify the material properties of Thera-Band Tubing. Methods. Force versus percentage of strain for all types of Thera-Band Tubing was measured during elongation in a mechanical testing machine. Results. The material is very compliant and displays nonlinear behavior in the initial stretching phase and linear behavior after 50% elongation. Discussion and Conclusion. From the data obtained in this project, plots that can provide the therapist with information about the forces needed for exercises with Thera-Band Tubing were generated. These data should allow therapists to make better choices about which size of tubing to use for each patient.

Key Words: Material properties • Mechanics of elastic materials • Rehabilitation • Strength training

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