LOAD EQUIVALENCE OF TRANSIENT DEFORMATION CHARACTERISTICS OF EXERCISE ELASTIC TUBES USED IN PHYSIOTHERAPY REHABILITATION AND FITNESS TRAINING PROGRAMS

Introduction: Exercise elastic tubes (EET) have been used in Fitness training and Physiotherapy rehabilitation programs. Although we have practically felt the behavior of different levels of elastic resistance devices but the exact amount of opposing force they produce are not well understood, hence this lack of knowledge can reduce the quality of exercise prescriptions. Based on the findings of simple experiments done with EET, this article unfolds the scope for inexpensively studying the load equivalence (in kilograms) of different levels of EET for refined physiotherapy rehabilitation and fitness training practices. Materials and Methods: The objective of this experiment was to understand the lengthening and thickness deformation behavior of EET using different loads so that the load equivalency of a particular elongation or lengthening effect can be used in refining the exercise prescription standards. The changes in length of EET were measured using inch tape whilst the changes in thickness of EET were measured using the vernier caliper. Results: The data of transient deformation of LEVEL-3 and LEVEL-5 EET in different feasible loading conditions shows strong negative correlation between the thickness and length of EET. The doubling of the original length was obtained with 7.5 Kg load for LEVEL-3 EET and 15 Kg load for LEVEL-5 EET which reflects their resistance level (modulus of elasticity) designed for appropriate strength training programs. Another innovative experiment was also conducted in which two LEVEL-3 EET were subjected together as a composite unit and their response to different loads was also observed and hypothesized as possible behavior of Level-6 EET. Discussion: The results obviously gives the load equivalence features in kilograms for particular level of elongation of EET instead of merely selecting and applying different levels of EET without knowing how much resistive force they can afford for strength training purposes. Conclusion: Though an inexpensive method of discovering the load equivalence of EET was discussed throughout this article, a furthermore safe and sophisticated laboratory to test all available levels of EET is strongly recommended because, if the loaded elastic material ruptures it can sabotage anything around it. KEY WORDS: Elastic Tubes, Resistance Bands, Load Equivalence, Thickness And Elongation Of Elastic Tubes, Elastic Resistance Exercise.