The Scientific and Clinical Application of Elastic Resistance.

Page P, Ellenbecker TS, eds. Champaign, IL 61825-5076, Human Kinetics, 2003, hardcover, 368 pp, illus, ISBN: 0-7360-3688-1, $49.

As the title implies, the purpose of this book is to provide the scientific background for the use of elastic resistance through a systematic review of the literature and to suggest how dais knowledge can be applied in clinical practice. The editors intend the book to be used by students as well as by practicing clinicians.

Throughout the book, the editors attempt to review the literature in order to provide the scientific background for (and to substantiate the use of) elastic resistance. The references are taken from peer-reviewed journals such as Spine, New England Journal of Medicine, Journal of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy, and Physical Therapy as well as from textbooks. These references for the most part are from the last 15 to 20 years; many are from the last 5 years. This approach is consistent in the chapters discussing the scientific basis as well as in the chapters discussing different applications of elastic resistance.

This book is well written and well organized. The first part consists of 3 chapters covering the scientific basis for the use of elastic resistance. Although it is not tremendously extensive, I found this section to be beneficial both to the experienced clinician and the physical therapist student. It provides abundance of references and a good review of the properties, biomechanics, and intensity of elastic resistance training and rehabilitation. The second part also consists of 3 chapters and covers exercise applications for the upper extremity, lower extremity, and spine. These chapters, in my opinion, will be of more interest to the physical therapist student, because they are more general and cover simple regional anatomy and biomechanics, with suggestions of simple elastic resistance applications.

The third and forth part of this book are of special interest to me, and I believe will be of great benefit to clinicians and students alike. They provide practical information on the application and use of elastic bands for rehabilitation and training. The newly graduated physical therapist and physical therapist students are introduced to the application of these modalities, whereas the experienced clinician may find new ideas and ways of using elastic bands. Part III has 6 chapters; it discusses specific training applications, including plyometrics, speed and agility, reactive neuromuscular training, and the use of elastic resistance for stretching and for fitness programs. I especially enjoyed chapter 7, contributed by Michael Clark and Tyler Wallace, which covers plyometric training with elastic resistance. As a physical therapist who works with athletes, I recognize the importance of plyometric training in enhancing performance and preventing injury. I typically have not used elastic bands for lower-extremity plyometric training, something new that this chapter has brought to my attention.

Part IV has 10 chapters; it discusses sport-specific applications of elastic resistance for football, baseball, tennis, golf, soccer, swimming, basketball, hockey, martial arts, and skiing. As a general rule, these chapters are well organized, covering the biomechanics and physical demands of the different sports. This information is usually followed by clear and concise applications of elastic resistance for training, performance enhancement, and rehabilitation. The fifth and last part of this book has 3 chapters that discuss the use of elastic resistance for the elderly and people with chronic diseases and physical disabilities. Once again, I found this section to he of more benefit to the physical therapist student or beginning clinician, although it bad plenty of good information for review of the underlying needs of these special populations.

Ample figures and tables are located throughout the text. The figures are usually clear and useful. They can be used effectively as a model for specific exercises or as a guideline for developing more exercises based on the reader's experience and knowledge.

In summary, this book is well organized and interesting, and, overall, provides good, concise information on the use of elastic resistance. I believe that physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and fitness professionals can use this book for clinical applications and as a guideline fur performance enhancement. Students will find its background and references useful.

Daniel Rovny, PT, Cert MDT, CSCS 

Kessler Rehabilitation Centers

Riverdale, NJ

Mr Rovny is Clinical Manager of Kessler Rehabilitation Center. He specializes in mechanical evaluation and treatment of the spine and is involved with athletic rehabilitation and training.