Strength Training Study...

[dragonriot]

I am doing a study on the ability for a Powerball, Dynaball, Theraball - or whatever other hand gyro you may own - to build muscle in your arms, hands, fingers, shoulders and neck. I know it isn't available to everyone, but I invite you all to find a Hand Dynamometer and give it a squeeze with both hands as soon as you can and post the results of your test here. Please include the date of your test. After a month, I'd like to check everyone again to see how much - if at all - the overall strength of the group has improved.

My wife is a Physical Therapist (Physiotherapist for those of you not in the United States), and has doubts about the safety of using these balls for therapy. She has openly stated that she feels I'll end up with Lateral Epicondolytis due to the repetitive motions of keeping the ball spinning. I'd like to be able to conduct a scientific study on the effects and benefits of Powerball training and give them to her after we are done.

You can find a Hand Dynamometer at any Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, or Rehabilitation clinic. You might also try looking at local pharmacy stores or exercise equipment stores.

Here are my results from today. All results are in Pounds per Square Inch.

Grip 1, Right hand - 147psi
Grip 2, Right hand - 145psi

Grip 1, Left hand - 128psi
Grip 2, Left hand - 127psi

Knowing how much I've already gained, I am confident that in one month's time, I will be able to push the dyno to a minimum of 170psi with each hand, which is almost as much as a 200lb mechanic can exert on a 1/2" drive breaker bar.

[The Force]

I am doing a study on the ability for a Powerball, Dynaball, Theraball - or whatever other hand gyro you may own - to build muscle in your arms, hands, fingers, shoulders and neck. I know it isn't available to everyone, but I invite you all to find a Hand Dynamometer and give it a squeeze with both hands as soon as you can and post the results of your test here. Please include the date of your test. After a month, I'd like to check everyone again to see how much - if at all - the overall strength of the group has improved.

My wife is a Physical Therapist (Physiotherapist for those of you not in the United States), and has doubts about the safety of using these balls for therapy. She has openly stated that she feels I'll end up with Lateral Epicondolytis due to the repetitive motions of keeping the ball spinning. I'd like to be able to conduct a scientific study on the effects and benefits of Powerball training and give them to her after we are done.

You can find a Hand Dynamometer at any Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, or Rehabilitation clinic. You might also try looking at local pharmacy stores or exercise equipment stores.

Here are my results from today. All results are in Pounds per Square Inch.

Grip 1, Right hand - 147psi
Grip 2, Right hand - 145psi

Grip 1, Left hand - 128psi
Grip 2, Left hand - 127psi

Knowing how much I've already gained, I am confident that in one month's time, I will be able to push the dyno to a minimum of 170psi with each hand, which is almost as much as a 200lb mechanic can exert on a 1/2" drive breaker bar.

I think you'd better contact RPM sports before you do this. I mean you are talking about researching their product in the field of health and wellness with either a positive or a negative outcome.

The Force
P.S. And what on earth is Lateral Epicondolytis? Is that similar to RSI or CANS? If that is what you mean, I truly don't believe anything of your wifes statement. There is a hell of a difference between the low-force tiny little movement when typing behind a computer and the high-force large movements when using the powerball. In the first case, you don't feel you get tired, while in the second you DO get tired which forces you to stop.

[Enda]

I think you'd better contact RPM sports before you do this. I mean you are talking about researching their product in the field of health and wellness with either a positive or a negative outcome.

The Force
P.S. And what on earth is Lateral Epicondolytis? Is that similar to RSI or CANS? If that is what you mean, I truly don't believe anything of your wifes statement. There is a hell of a difference between the low-force tiny little movement when typing behind a computer and the high-force large movements when using the powerball. In the first case, you don't feel you get tired, while in the second you DO get tired which forces you to stop.

Yes, while we obviously encourage all Powerball users to go for those high scores and try to increase their strength and endurance through incrementally hight intensity workouts, I would strongly advise that you not over-do it.

While I am by no means a medical expert, from my limited reading the condition you are talking about there is a result of over exercising. Please by all means try the Powerball and use it, but you surely cannot seriously expect this level of improvement in strength in such a short period of time.

We advise that you use the Powerball initially for 5-10 minutes once or twice a day for one month at low / medium speeds, and over time build this up to a full workout.

You have read about forum members here using the Powerball for 30-60 minutes one or more times a day - bear in mind that each of these is using the Powerball for at least 8-12 months.

If your wife has indicated that you should not proceed with a high intensity workout over such a short space of time, I would tend to respect her opinion as a sports practitioner.

Regards

Enda
--

[dragonriot]

I posted about the strength training study for the benefit of the Powerball community. My aim is to prove to my wife that Powerballs, when used properly in conjunction with a proper workout can result in similar results as doing dumbell curls, butterflies, etc. Lateral Epiconylitis is the medical term for Tennis Elbow, I'm sorry I didn't explain. Basically, my wife thinks that I will develop Tennis Elbow from using the Poweball normally (I'm not talking about 30-60 minutes a day here) about 5-10 minutes per day, more at the end of the treatment. I am trying to get a set of Powerballs in the clinic, but as of this posting, I have yet to receive a quote back from Powerballs.com. Locking my post before I had a chance to reply was pretty much uncool, but I understand.

I'm attempting to incorporate Powerballs into our Rehab program at the clinic, and I need hard factual data about how normal use will affect a patient over a relatively short period of time. Most of our patients are only in Physical Therapy for 1-3 months, and half of them have overuse injuries that I believe can be healed faster by regular use of the Powerball.

The funny thing is, you guys got all defensive when I said something about a study in a medical practice, but when any average Joe comes in here and asks about rehab or an injury, you answer their questions politely and quickly, stating that the Powerball is good for rehab... yet there is no clinical proof of it. I'm trying to get you your clinical proof, and you shoot me down.

[Enda]

I'm attempting to incorporate Powerballs into our Rehab program at the clinic, and I need hard factual data about how normal use will affect a patient over a relatively short period of time. Most of our patients are only in Physical Therapy for 1-3 months, and half of them have overuse injuries that I believe can be healed faster by regular use of the Powerball.

My apologies dragonriot,

I read from your post that you had intended to begin very intense workouts using the Powerball, and in doing so would be contravening advice given to you by a qualified medical practitioner. Of course this is the last thing we would want to encourage, due to the obvious potential for a very serious resultant injury.

Now that you have clarified however, we would be pleased for you to perform such a study. I can virtually guarantee that you will see marked results from the use of the Powerball in a rehabilitation environment.

We have many users who have tried the Powerball for rehabilitation purposes, and are ecstatic about the results. I have used the Powerball in earnest for over 5 years after sustaining extensive injuries to my arms in an accident, and the owner of the business (Rory) has also used the Powerball to very effectively combat Carpal Tunnel.

Many of those who have tried Powerball have also tried the traditional rehabilitation exercises and have reported that the unique and gentle, non-impact nature of a Powerball workout has been one of the only things to produce results.

Please have a read of this (http://www.powerballs.com/benefits_rehab.php) which will give you a quick overview of the rehabilitative uses of the Powerball, be sure to click the "quick review" link near the bottom of the page for a review submitted by Rowen Simpson, a chiropractor.

If you have any further questions dragonriot, please feel free to post them here, or email them directly to me: enda@powerballs.com

With Kind Regards,

Enda
--

[The Force]

And please accept my apologies too, since I also completely misunderstood your intentions :-)

Looking forward to receiving the scientific evidence of the healing capacity of the powerball :-)

Best regards,

The Force

[dragonriot]

Thank you both for your blessings... now to get some Powerballs in the house. =) And thank you for the link to that article... It was a very interesting read. I've also figured out that my Wife's concern comes from the high vibrations at max speed of 8000rpm in the balls we currently own, and I understand that the Powerball has no such vibration. It will be interesting to see how fast I can get the new ball to spin on my first try, as I continue to see more cracks in the rotors of both of my current balls. I am afraid they will shatter soon. =)

[Adrena1in]

I've also figured out that my Wife's concern comes from the high vibrations at max speed of 8000rpm in the balls we currently own, and I understand that the Powerball has no such vibration.Agree with you there. I've got a Powerball with a faulty rotor, plus a "fake" with a naturally sloppy rotor, and even the slightest vibration feels wrong at high revs, and I'm sure is not good for you.

No, real Powerballs in good nick have no vibrations...honestly, you won't believe how lovely the real things feel. :)

[The Force]

Thank you both for your blessings... now to get some Powerballs in the house. =) And thank you for the link to that article... It was a very interesting read. I've also figured out that my Wife's concern comes from the high vibrations at max speed of 8000rpm in the balls we currently own, and I understand that the Powerball has no such vibration. It will be interesting to see how fast I can get the new ball to spin on my first try, as I continue to see more cracks in the rotors of both of my current balls. I am afraid they will shatter soon. =)

I also own two ultra-cheap Chinese counterfeit gyroscopes (well I got them for free..sorry). And these two vibrate more than my washing machine ;-) Not only the vibrations are terrible also the sound is very uncomfortable. After one minute you just put them away.

Quite some difference with the NSD powerballs indeed.

The Force

[dragonriot]

Now if I can just get a quote from the sales department for a distributor package...

[Enda]

Now if I can just get a quote from the sales department for a distributor package...

I'll check with them what the delay is dragonriot. I know things have been busy but I''m sure they'll be back to you today.

Edit: Actually dragonriot, could you forward your email to me so I can easily identify your earlier query. Thanks


Regards

Enda
--

[dragonriot]

My wife is currently wondering if there has been any clinical research done with Powerballs in general. More specifically, wondering if we can get some of the research information. She is still skeptical about benefits to Tennis/Golf Elbow, even though I have showed her the articles on the website.

[The Force]

My wife is currently wondering if there has been any clinical research done with Powerballs in general. More specifically, wondering if we can get some of the research information. She is still skeptical about benefits to Tennis/Golf Elbow, even though I have showed her the articles on the website.

One question...did she ever try the powerball herself?
Does she realise that the powerball is "just" a fitness device? And that fitness exercises of any kind can be beneficial for recovering from unjuries?

Maybe you should contact me by email and I will give you the address of a dutch guy who knows a physio therapist who uses the powerball in his practise.

Regards,

The Force

[dragonriot]

That would be great. I'll send you an e-mail straight away.

One question...did she ever try the powerball herself?
Does she realise that the powerball is "just" a fitness device? And that fitness exercises of any kind can be beneficial for recovering from unjuries?

Yes, she does realize it. The balls that we have now are of such poor quality that her mind is skewed into believing that all hand gyros are the same. Her thinking is not that the ball would CAUSE tennis elbow or tendonitis, but that for a patient who already has either condition, it would make th problem worse rather than better. If we had a clinical document that showed research on the Therapy benefits caused by using the ball properly, then she would use it. Until then, she is steadfastly refusing to use it for wrist, hand, elbow or shoulder injury patients.

[Scr3Am3r]

In this site there should be a proof that the powerball cures tennis/golf elbow, RSI........

Maybe a picture of a certificate or anything by a health department :D

But me myself am sure that the powerball is beneficial in many categories like strength and rehab.

[Scr3Am3r]

woooooooooops

[Adrena1in]

Her thinking is not that the ball would CAUSE tennis elbow or tendonitis, but that for a patient who already has either condition, it would make th problem worse rather than better.I have to say that it would depend how they use it.

I used to play a lot of badminton and I spend all day at work typing on a computer. My badminton used to cause slight tennis-elbow, (created when I used to throw the javelin when I was young), and I'd also get achey wrists from badminton. Typing at the computer would irritate my achey wrists and also cause aching on the backs of my hands...mild RSI. It was never at the point where I would seek medical advice, but the aches and pains were always there.

I can genuinely state that having regularly used the Powerball gently, (around 5000 to 7000 revs), for extended periods, (anything from 10 minutes to several hours), I've found that EVERY SINGLE ache or pain, from my fingers to my shoulders, has completely gone away. Not only that, but my arms are in the best shape they've ever been in in my life, and I'm now 35.

HOWEVER, over-use of the Powerball, even a genuine smooth one, can cause pain. This is because it's an exercise device. I've thrashed it at full speed for too long, and caused pains in my fingers, wrists, and particularly my elbows and shoulders. But this would be exactly the same as me going to the gym and lifting the heaviest weight I could, for as long as I could, without warming up.

[dragonriot]

Exactly my feelings Adrena1in. I completely agree with you... I should have my Powerballs in a few days... I bought 3 from the site, so I'll have enough to go around for at least a few weeks... hehe :D:D

[Rory]

Hi Guys

Actually, I'll second that Tim! I tried to come out of retirement a couple of weeks back (actually, it is all your fault Steven! :-) and fried my right wrist by hammering a metal too hard (on the right hand)!

The left hand could take the punishment (flat out runs on the metal to see if I could catch Steven's present record...I failed by the way and am sitting tight at 11,833rpm!) but the right hand couldn't and now needs a period of recovery with some 5-6k spinning each day (on the right hand) to build it back up again.

I was never a great man to warm up and would use the ball in both hands to get my circulation going (I sit in an air conditioned office every day and while I am physically fit from running, my circulation is quite poor and I suffer from chilblains on both hands as a result of sitting, typing for hours on end without a break...I combat these by whipping a Powerball up for 30 second bursts to get the blood flowing nicely, but sometimes get carried away and go for gold without a gentle warm up first!)

Moral of story; warm up those wrists and arms with some 5-6k one/two minute runs before feeding in the power, otherwise your nice, gentle, friendly Powerball will bite your ass real good! :-)

Best regards and many thanks for your valued feedback, Rory

[The Force]

Hi Guys

Actually, I'll second that Tim! I tried to come out of retirement a couple of weeks back (actually, it is all your fault Steven! :-) and fried my right wrist by hammering a metal too hard (on the right hand)!

The left hand could take the punishment (flat out runs on the metal to see if I could catch Steven's present record...I failed by the way and am sitting tight at 11,833rpm!) but the right hand couldn't and now needs a period of recovery with some 5-6k spinning each day (on the right hand) to build it back up again.


How I am flattered :-P (about Rory trying to beat my score :-) )

The Force (Steven)
P.S. I am willing to pay 100 euros for a remove-your-pain-in-fingers-instantly-lotion if that exist. It's so hard to wait until my thumbs have recovered :-(

[DopplerShift]

i have some of that lotion!:eek:

i accept paypal....or cash:D

then one day you will get 16k:p

i know i will!:cool:

[quackers_89]

Here are my results from today. All results are in Pounds per Square Inch.

Grip 1, Right hand - 147psi
Grip 2, Right hand - 145psi

Grip 1, Left hand - 128psi
Grip 2, Left hand - 127psi

Knowing how much I've already gained, I am confident that in one month's time, I will be able to push the dyno to a minimum of 170psi with each hand, which is almost as much as a 200lb mechanic can exert on a 1/2" drive breaker bar.


Well it's been a month, any news?

[tlk70]

Hi Guys

Actually, I'll second that Tim! I tried to come out of retirement a couple of weeks back (actually, it is all your fault Steven! :-) and fried my right wrist by hammering a metal too hard (on the right hand)!

The left hand could take the punishment (flat out runs on the metal to see if I could catch Steven's present record...I failed by the way and am sitting tight at 11,833rpm!) but the right hand couldn't and now needs a period of recovery with some 5-6k spinning each day (on the right hand) to build it back up again.

I was never a great man to warm up and would use the ball in both hands to get my circulation going (I sit in an air conditioned office every day and while I am physically fit from running, my circulation is quite poor and I suffer from chilblains on both hands as a result of sitting, typing for hours on end without a break...I combat these by whipping a Powerball up for 30 second bursts to get the blood flowing nicely, but sometimes get carried away and go for gold without a gentle warm up first!)

Moral of story; warm up those wrists and arms with some 5-6k one/two minute runs before feeding in the power, otherwise your nice, gentle, friendly Powerball will bite your ass real good! :-)

Best regards and many thanks for your valued feedback, Rory

I'm also after Steven's record. I began using the metal last week with regularity, finally I improved my first ever attempt 11832 to 11965; this makes me feel 12000 is within reach. All I had to do is show the metal less respect and use it more often.

Hang on Steve

[dragonriot]

Well, I'm sorry I haven't been around much lately, but we've been quite busy here at the clinic. We started with (3) 250Hz Pro balls, and have 1 left, mine... I have been slacking a bit on my own workout, but I'm getting back into it slowly. A few weeks ago, Enda sent me a pair of Neon Blue Pros, and we just gave one to a patient this week. We are attempting to submit them to insurance carriers with the "Exercise Equipment" code, and have had 2 of them paid for so far - that's 100% paid for those of you who weren't good at math, considering I started with 3 and kept one... =)

As for the patients, one of them is still trying to beat me in speed, and he's long done with his rehab. The other recently told us that if he doesn't use the Powerball every day, his elbow gets sore... so he spins it up every morning for at least 5 minutes. The third patient we originally gave a ball to has since returned it because his insurance told him they would own it if they paid for it... so I suppose we really aren't 100% paid, but we still have that ball. The most recent patient received a Neon, and she'll be working on "Tennis Elbow" for the next few weeks. I'll report on her progress when I get more information.

In short, the Powerball works wonders for rehabilitation of finger, wrist, elbow, shoulder and possibly even neck injuries... now to write a proposal to CMS (the big government controlled insurance company that approves new codes in the U.S.) to get the Powerball it's own code and pay scale. Maybe I should include the 350Hz Metal in there too.. =)

[The Force]

Interesting....

Thanks for the update,

The Force

[dragonriot]

Still don't have a medical code for a Powerball to be used for a regular insurance company. Basically, Workman's Compensation companies will pay for Exercise Equipment, but regular insurance carriers won't. I was curious if there's been any progress made with the company submitting the Powerball to CMS in the United States? CMS is the company that writes ICD-9 procedure and product codes for the medical industry in the States... just curious...