National Blueprint: Increasing Physical Activity Among Adults Aged 50 and Older
Active Aging Partnership
Active Aging
Partnership
Active Aging Partnership

Blueprint
Organizations
Blueprint Organizations

Aging and Physical
Activity Links
Aging and Physical Activity Links

Conferences and
Future Events
Conferences and Future Events

Open Bulletin Board/
Questions about
Physical Activity
Open Bulletin Board/Questions about Physical Activity

Public Information/
Aging Tips
Public Information/Aging Tips

Physically Active
Role Models
Physically Active Role Models

Media Section
Media Section

Publications and
Other Resources
Publications and Other Resources

Downloadable
Presentations
about the Blueprint
Downloadable Presentations about the Blueprint

Partner Links
Partner Links

New Active Green
Environments Project
Partner Links

Qi Gong and
Tai Chi Project
Qi Gong and Tai Chi Project

About the Company:

Thera-Band® brand products comprise the world's leading line of progressive elastic resistance exercise products for professional rehabilitation, athletic training and home fitness. They are developed and manufactured by The Hygenic Corporation.

Thera-Band resistance exercise systems are used as tools for rehabilitating and restoring muscle and joint functions and for improving conditioning, balance and building strength. Thera-Band product lines include latex and latex-free bands, natural rubber tubing, exercise balls, hand exercisers, flexible bars, exercise mats, stability trainers, aquatic exercise products, specialized kits for athletes and enthusiasts, and paraffin heat therapy.

The Thera-Band brand name was first introduced by The Hygenic Corporation in 1978 and has since gained an international reputation with therapists and sports trainers for quality and effectiveness. The line of resistance exercise products are endorsed by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).

Thera-Band products are available through an international network of rehabilitation, exercise and sports product distributors, and through many online and retail outlets.

Contact Information:

Phone: (800) 321-2135
E-mail: information@thera-band.com
Website: www.thera-band.com

Resources on Aging and Physical Activity:

The Active Aging Toolkit: Promoting Physical Activity in Older Adults for Healthcare Providers has been developed in response to Medical System Barriers identified by the Blueprint Partners. The Toolkit was developed by researchers and clinicians involved in the Blueprint Project, and was supported by member organizations, the ACSM, National Center on Physical Activity and Disability, American Geriatrics Society, American Physical Therapy Association, American Academy of Family Physicians, and Thera-Band Products.

The Toolkit has become an example of a non-traditional partnership between national organizations, universities and private industry to advance the strategies of the Blueprint.

In addition, the First Step to Active Health patient education program was developed to support the Toolkit as a turn-key, evidence based physical activity program for older adults that can easily be prescribed and implemented by healthcare providers. The website,www.FirstStepToActiveHealth.com provides patients and providers with information on increasing physical activity in older adults. Several research projects are underway around the country to evaluate the First Step program.

In addition, a training program for professionals to implement the First Step program is underway through the Thera-Band Academy. Download the entire Active Aging Toolkit at www.FirstStepToActiveHealth.com.

Active Aging Toolkit Executive Summary

First Step to Active Health Newsletter


Blueprint Grant Contact Information:

Wojtek Chodzko-Zajko, PhD
Department of Kinesiology
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
126 Louise Freer Hall
906 S. Goodwin Avenue
Urbana, IL 61801
Phone: (217)244-7122, Fax: (217)244-7322
E-mail:blueprint@kines.uiuc.edu

The Blueprint Partners Website is hosted and supported by Human Kinetics