FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Naked Tubing Costing Companies Big Money Due to Liability Issues A Safer Solution is Now Available CLEARFIELD, Utah – April 20, 2006 – While “naked” resistance tubing has long been a fixture in training programs, group fitness routines, and sport specific training, it is time for manufacturers, distributors, insurance companies, athletes, trainers, agility and speed camps, and health education instructors to reevaluate the risks and liability associated with the use of this product. A recent lawsuit finds some of the largest equipment manufactures and distributors coming under fire for an injury that could have been prevented. A student and athlete at a high school in Orange, TX was using training equipment involving naked tubing and harnesses as directed by his coach and in accordance with the supplied instructions. During his training the tubing broke and snapped back, hitting the student in the eye. The plaintiff in this case is alleging the naked tubing caused hemorrhaging, scarring, and permanent loss of eye sight. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident in which resistance tubing has failed thus leaving an athlete with serious injuries and pending litigation. Teri Thompson has been a group fitness director at a Utah health club for over 10 years and she has seen and heard of many accidents and injuries that have occurred during routine exercise with naked tubing. One of her regular class attendees was performing a seated row when the tubing broke. As a result, the tubing snapped back, hitting her in the eye. She has permanently lost vision in that eye. The club immediately implemented a policy stating resistance tubing could no longer be used with exercises in the frontal plane. Lisa Cooper, Group Fitness Director with a chain of clubs in Arkansas reports in January of 2005 a class participant was using naked tubing for a standing bicep curl. The tubing broke and snapped the club member in the eye and they quickly rushed her to receive medical attention. Thankfully, no permanent damage was done. Management immediately pulled all naked tubing from the clubs and discontinued further use until discovering a safe solution at a convention in the spring of 2006. Recently in California an insurance company agreed to a substantial financial settlement in a lawsuit involving naked tubing. Two athletes wore harnesses around their waists with naked tubing attached to each and were performing over speed and resistance running drills. While being stretched the tubing broke and was launched into the trailing runner’s groin. The plaintiff had serious and deep bruising from his chest to his knees and continued to have medical issues for up to a year after the incident. (The naked tubing traveled at approx. 200 miles per hour according to the physical engineer who performed the testing) After extensive testing, the same engineer concluded if the two athletes had been using Slastix™, a product with a sleeve covering the entire length of the tubing, there would have been no injuries to the trailing runner if it had broke. While naked tubing manufactures, distributors, and liability insurance providers seek out equipment options, it is vital that they are aware a safer solution currently exists in the marketplace. Slastix™ technology by Stroops™ incorporates a nylon safety cover that surrounds the entire length of the latex tubing. This prevents the tubing from being over-stretched and keeps the tubing from snapping back at the user if it were to break. This extremely safe design would have prevented, or significantly reduced, the risk of these injuries and all others caused by breakages. The cover also protects the tubing from nicks, cuts, abrasions, body oils and ultraviolet rays which prematurely break it down. Those persons who are allergic or sensitive to latex will also have relief with this design. Even with all of these benefits, the best feature may be the durability and cost effectiveness as Slastix™ will last 8-10 times longer than naked tubing and in many applications, even longer. For more information on Slastix™ technology please visit www.slastix.com or call 800.344.2756. Continue to Slastix Product Information
Stroops • Bldg. A-15 Freeport Center • P.O. Box 160327 • Clearfield, UT 84016 • P: (801) 776-3322 F: (801) 776-3311 |
