Akron, Ohio – April 19, 2012 – Through a donation of Thera-Band® Professional Resistance Exercise products, Performance Health is underwriting the exercise equipment costs for the American Physical Therapy Association/Geriatric Section's geriatric PT certification program. The program, Certified Exercise Experts for Aging Adults (CEEAA), provides physical therapists with the training to develop and demonstrate expertise in the design and delivery of effective exercise programs for aging adults. The Thera-Band products are used as part of the course work and provide the participants, licensed physical therapists, hands on experience with professional exercise products that are proven to help aging adults progress toward specific goals—increased flexibility and range of motion, better functional movement, improved balance and stronger muscles.

"As a strategic business partner with the American Physical Therapy Association, we are committed to supporting clinicians and have been a proud supporter of this program since its inception," stated Phil Page, PT, PhD, ATC, FACSM, Director of Thera-Band Academy. "After being involved in the Geriatric Section's Exercise and Aging Task Force, I am very proud to see the success of the CEEAA. We appreciate this specific opportunity to ensure that these physical therapists, individuals wanting to enhance their ability to improve the lives of older adults, have the best tools for their training.

"Many of our evidence-based Thera-Band products, such as the First Step to Active Health® Kit, support comprehensive, customizable and progressive activity programs designed to get older individuals more active," continued Page. "Evidence for the clinical use of Thera-Band products is provided by the Thera-Band Academy, which promotes and disseminates research and education initiatives throughout the world."

"I am very grateful for the Thera-Band resistance bands, tubing, FlexBars® and stability trainers provided by Performance Health. The products enable us to provide the extremely beneficial exercise component of our certification program and to do multiple facets of exercise training, such as flexibility, strength and balance," stated Marilyn Moffat, PT, DPT, PhD, DSc (hon), FAPTA, CSCS, CEEAA Program Co-director, President, World Confederation for Physical Therapy, and Professor Physical Therapy, New York University. "Since launching the program in 2009, over 400 physical therapists have been certified through the Section's program and have been using as appropriate the Thera-Band products.

"Evidence for the benefits of effective exercise programs for the full spectrum of aging adults is overwhelmingly positive. The unique role of the physical therapist in providing these programs is unequivocal. Further education can enhance the ability of physical therapists to incorporate evidence into practice in order to appropriately examine and provide the quality of exercise that will yield optimal benefits for the aging adult. The Section on Geriatrics, in adopting the position that physical therapists should be the exercise experts for aging adults, will be a leader in providing physical therapists with a mechanism to develop and demonstrate expertise in the design and delivery of effective exercise programs for aging adults," concluded Dr. Moffat.

Upcoming CEEAA sessions:

About American Physical Therapy Association/Section on Geriatrics The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) represents more than 80,000 physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students of physical therapy nationwide. The Section on Geriatrics supports therapists, assistants and students that work with an aging population in roles of advocacy, direct patient care, consultation, supervision and education. The Section was formed in 1978 represents and serves over 5,000 members with a wide array of services and benefits.

About the Academy The Thera-Band® Academy was formed to scientifically document the benefits of resistance exercise and pain relief, guide the company in its development of new products and exercise programs, and to promote therapeutic exercise and pain management through professional and consumer education. The Academy web site is a unique resource that connects healthcare professionals and consumers to the ever growing body of knowledge on exercise. Registration is free and provides access to the largest database of rehab exercises, protocols, research and education in the world.

About Performance Health Featuring leading brands like Thera-Band®, Biofreeze® and the new Pedigenix™ Foot Care System, Performance Health offers a broad portfolio of products for the therapy, rehabilitation, wellness, massage, podiatric and performance markets. In addition to market-leading products, Performance Health provides practice building support, evidence-based protocols, clinical and product education, turn-key dispensing and pain management solutions.