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Powerball for Tennis Elbow Rehabilitation
THE INCREDIBLE BENEFITS OF POWERBALL EXERCISE FOR TENNIS ELBOW TREATMENT
Two recent studies carried out by the University of Iran and the University of South Korea respectively have proven the significant advantages of Powerball exercise when it comes to tennis elbow rehabilitation. Both studies clearly show the benefits of gyroscopic exercise on a range of factors, including elbow, wrist and grip strength, general range of motion and function, pain, and overall quality of life in study participants.
WHAT IS POWERBALL?
Powerball is a simple handheld gyroscope which, when spun at speed, can generate up to 27kg in pure inertial resistance. This resistance works its way deep into tissue fibre, repairing and strengthening muscles from fingertip to shoulder.
The advantages of Powerball exercise are tenfold: build strong muscles, enhance grip strength, boost circulation or rehabilitate a wide range of injuries, including RSI like tennis elbow. All it takes is just 3 minutes a day of Powerball exercise to feel the difference. Don’t believe us? Continue reading to see just how beneficial Powerball can be when it comes to tennis elbow rehabilitation.
We offer a Powerball to suit every injury or strengthening goal. You can check out the wide range of Powerball models available in our online store here.
WHAT IS TENNIS ELBOW?
Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is a type of RSI (repetitive strain injury) that affects the lateral tendons in the elbow (the small, bony lump on the outside of your elbow). Tennis elbow is usually caused by constant repetitive movements that, when carried out over time a long period of time, begin to irritate and strain the tendons in the elbow. This leads to inflammation and pain that may prevent joint movement and even begin to affect your everyday life.
Scientifically Proven: Two Studies about the effects of gyroscopic devices
Study one
“To determine the effect of eight-week “gyroscopic device” mediated resistance training exercise on grip strength, wrist and shoulder strength and proprioception, and upper extremity performance, in participants with impingement syndrome or tennis elbow.”
WHO CONDUCTED THIS RESEARCH STUDY?
This study was conducted by members of the Department of Biomechanics and Sports Injuries at Kharazmi University in Tehran, Iran (published December 2017 in the Journal of Bodyworks and Movement Therapies).
WHAT WAS THE AIM OF THE RESEARCH STUDY?
The aim of the research study was to test the effects of Powerball exercise on:
- Grip , wrist & shoulder strength
- Wrist & shoulder proprioception (awareness of the position and movement of the body)
- General shoulder (upper extremity) performance
HOW WAS THIS RESEARCH STUDY CARRIED OUT?
A carefully selected group of 22 male volleyball players between the ages of 22 and 28 were chosen to take part in this research study. The study was conducted at the university rehab clinic during the volleyball preseason. All of the participants were suffering from tennis elbow.
The participants were broken up into two groups for the study:
Group I – 15 participants with tennis elbow
Group II (Control group) – 7 participants with tennis elbow
HOW WERE PARTICIPANTS CHOSEN?
The research study was carried out on all participants over a period of 8 weeks.
Before and after the 8 week period, the participants were properly tested by physicians so that the results could be accurately compared at the end of the study. These tests measured grip, wrist and shoulder strength, wrist and shoulder proprioception and upper extremity performance.
During the 8 week research study period, the participants from Group I (Powerball exercise) used Powerball three times a week.
The Powerball exercise sessions varied in length to correspond with the different stages of the research study. The Powerball sessions were also made up of 10 different exercise positions, each of which focused on a different muscle group.
- Powerball exercises A – Wrist flexion and extension
- Powerball exercises B – Elbow flexion and extension
- Powerball exercises C – Shoulder flexion
- Powerball exercises D – Shoulder abduction
- Powerball exercises E – Shoulder external and internal rotation 1
- Powerball exercises F – Shoulder external and internal rotation 2
The Powerball was always used at low spin speeds (less than 10,000rpm), as a low level of resistance training is most effective for rehabilitation purposes.
The control group (Group II) did not carry out any Powerball exercises during the 8-week period. Instead they were given only self-care recommendations, such as use a hot pack, practice active range of motion and engage in patient education during the course of the research study.
WHAT WERE THE RESULTS OF THIS RESEARCH STUDY?
Once the 8 week period of Powerball strengthening was complete, the tests carried out before the study began were repeated and the results compared.
Researchers found clear improvement in Group I (Powerball exercise) when compared to the control group. Grip, wrist, and shoulder strength, proprioception and performance was massively improved among the participants who used Powerball for 8 weeks, while no improvement at all was found among participants in the control group.
From such significant results it can undoubtedly be seen that exercise with Powerball is highly beneficial for tennis elbow rehabilitation. What’s more, this research study has proven that not only does Powerball rehabilitate even in the chronic stages of a condition, but it also results in “improvement of power” by strengthening as you recover.
study two
“To investigate the effects of vibration resistance exercise on strength, range of motion, function, pain and quality of life in persons with tennis elbow.”
WHO CONDUCTED THIS RESEARCH STUDY?
This study was conducted by members of the Department of Physical Therapy at Daejeon University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea (published December 2016 in the official journal of the Korean Academy of Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science).
WHAT WAS THE AIM OF THE STUDY?
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Powerball use, also known as vibration resistance exercise (VRE) in patients with tennis elbow on:
- Strength
- Range of motion
- Function
- Pain
- Quality of life
HOW WERE PARTICIPANTS CHOSEN?
A carefully selected group of 27 people between the ages of 35 and 55 were chosen to participate in this research study. All of the participants were suffering from tennis elbow.
Participants were divided into three groups:
Group I – 9 participants exercising with Powerball (vibration resistance exercise (VRE))
Group II – 9 participants exercising with a weight (weight resistance exercise (WRE))
Group III – 9 participants in the control group
HOW WAS THIS RESEARCH STUDY CARRIED OUT?
The research study was carried out on all participants over a period of 4 weeks. The participants were properly tested by physicians before and after the 4 week period, to that the results could be accurately compared at the end of the study.
The participants in Group I used Powerball (250Hz Powerball Classic) for 5 minutes at a time, three times a week. In comparison with the study conducted at Kharazmi University (Study One), the participants in this study only practiced one type of Powerball exercise. Each participant rested their elbow on an armrest at 90 degrees, while rotating Powerball in a circular motion.
Both Group I and Group II received electrical therapy for 30 minutes before carrying out their respective exercises. The control group (Group III) only ever received 15 minutes of electrical therapy three times a week during this research study.
- Wrist extensor muscle strength test
- Hand-grip strength test
- Joint range of motion evaluation
- Evaluation of elbow functional ability
- Pain level assessment
- Quality of life questionnaire
WHAT WERE THE RESULTS OF THIS RESEARCH STUDY?
Comparing the before and after evaluations, researchers found significant improvements in the results. Group I (Powerball exercise) was found to have a clear increase in muscle strength and functional performance in the wrist, hand and elbow compared to the other two groups.
Grip strength, wrist range of motion and pain levels were also improved in Group I as well as in Group II (weight exercise) when compared to the control group. No significant difference was found in overall quality of life between the three groups.
Again, as with Study One, such significant and clear results are evident to show the incredible benefits of Powerball exercise when it comes to tennis elbow rehabilitation. Not only does regular use of Powerball actively promote tennis elbow treatment, but it also provides effective pain relief and improves overall muscle strength.
Still not convinced that Powerball is the solution to your tennis elbow treatment? Try Powerball for yourself today and join the 4 million+ customers who have used Powerball to effectively strengthen and rehabilitate their upper body. Stop tennis elbow in its tracks and get back to an active and pain-free lifestyle today with Powerball.
Want to read more about these research studies? Click the links below to find out more:
