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The benefits of exercise on physical fitness are widely known, but the positive impact that exercise can have on mental health often can be overlooked.

At Laurel Hill Center, a rehabilitation center for people with severe and persistent mental illnesses, participants in a uniquely combined physical and mental fitness program called InSHAPE have experienced health improvements in the year since the program began.

InSHAPE was implemented at Laurel Hill Center by Dartmouth College in July 2016 as part of a two-year research project to study how people experiencing mental illness benefit from individualized, regular exercise with health mentors. Studies have shown that people with serious and persistent mental illnesses have a lifespan that is 20 to 25 years shorter than the general population, and the InSHAPE study aims to find ways to close that gap.

Laurel Hill Center is the only West Coast participant in the 40 mental health facilities accepted into the study.

Dartmouth finances the program, which includes free gym memberships at International Fitness for the 24 participants and funds for two health mentors, Desi Mantey and Ina Goodman, who support each participant. After the two-year research project is finished, Laurel Hill Center plans to continue the program with donations and support from the community.

Manety, an experienced personal trainer, and Goodman, a registered nurse, provide companionship and help participants focus on exercise and healthful eating. They begin by creating a Self Health Action Plan for Empowerment (SHAPE) with each participant to help them visualize what they want to get out of the program. The mentors work out with each participant once a week, and participants are encouraged to go to the gym on their own or in groups a few other times throughout the week.

One participant, Donna Kirkpatrick, has bipolar disorder and said that she had never heard of anything like InSHAPE before getting involved with the program. She said that health resources and encouragement for people with mental illnesses are scarce, and InSHAPE was her last resort for getting healthy.

If we got bipolar or schizophrenia or whatever, its twice as hard, she said. It really is, because we have good days and we got bad days, and when we have our bad days, its really hard to even want to get out of bed, let alone go to the gym.

Shes lost a lot of weight over almost a year since she started the program and said she doesnt even need to take blood pressure medicine anymore. Its easier for her to stay active than it was when she started, but she was quite resistant in the beginning and actually quit the second day. Finding types of exercise that she enjoys, like swimming, has made the process easier.

If it hadnt been for the encouragement and coaching from the health mentors, she might not have stuck with it.

Now, Kirkpatrick said her self-esteem and energy have gone way up.

It gives us more self-confidence out in the public, she said. You know with me, all of a sudden I was diagnosed with this mental illness and all of a sudden youre labeled, and its like, Im not different than you! I have to take pills, so what! I maintain.

Goodman said she feels proud of Kirkpatrick and the rest of the participants reaching their health goals, and she is grateful to be a part of that process.

What I love to see is the amount of effort that people are making to really do something good for their lives, their feelings and their self, she said.

Participants encourage each other in the program, too, like two best friends who made a pact to work out together every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. If one of them isnt feeling motivated, the other tries to boost their confidence and get them to the gym.

They have a really great relationship in that they support each other, and also it adds to the whole socialization skill-building that we really would like everybody to work on, Goodman said of the best friends.

New physiological studies show that regular exercise can mimic the effects of anti-depressants in people who experience depression. Exercise can make neurotransmitters in the brain fire more often, leading to more happy chemicals (endorphins) being released.

Leslie, who has major depressive disorder and did not want to reveal her last name because of the social stigma related to her disorder, said she can absolutely attest to this.

With depression, you get a foggy kind of feeling, and thats all gone right after exercise, she said. I can barely get off the couch, so I needed the support. Im very glad, very blessed and grateful for the support.

Leslie said she has never stuck with any type of program as rigorous as InSHAPE for so long, and she has noticed a big increase in her stamina. She used to start panting after walking just a few blocks or up a flight of stairs, but now can spend 50 minutes working out on the bike at the gym.

I dont know how I do it, its just I dont wanna be on a walker, and I dont wanna use a cane, she said. I just dont want to get old, I wanna be able to go hiking, ride a bike, climb a flight of stairs without, you know, Oh, my knees hurt! Oh, my back hurts!

Leslie said that there are many aspects to her recovery that she has to work on, including her physical, mental and spiritual wellness. InSHAPE makes it easier because she feels she is treated with great care and respect and is never looked down upon.

It makes me feel good that I can be in society and in a community and nobody would know I have a mental illness, she said.

Even though Leslie said she often whines and says she doesnt actually enjoy being at the gym, Mantey and Goodman never lose faith in her: They never say quit, they always say keep going, keep going.

Mantey said that the fact that Leslie keeps coming to the gym and exercising even though she doesnt love doing it is a huge accomplishment.

When you dont even like it that much but youre still doing it, thats a huge thing, especially for these two, she said while pointing at Leslie and another participant. I cant get rid of them! Every single time Im working out at the gym on my own, theyre there.

Health mentor Mantey said that there are many small, joyful moments she has shared with the participants that have made this job rewarding for her. She wrote her college thesis on the effect of exercise on post-traumatic stress disorder, so it has been incredible for her to see, in real time, how participants experiencing mental illness benefit and grow from the program.

Working with this population, everybodys just so much more grateful for the little things, she said. I feel like thats a really huge thing and it makes us kinda realize its the little things that count, and were making a big difference in these peoples lives. Thats what is pretty awesome.

One of the participants she works with could not do a sit-up for the first few months of the program. Mantey always told him that it was alright, and hed get the hang of it eventually.

Then, all of a sudden, one day he just started doing tons of sit-ups; Mantey couldnt believe her eyes.

Hes like, Im doing sit ups! I was like, WHAT?! And he just started glowing. Its just little things like that, she said.

Tara Hubbird, community relations specialist at Laurel Hill Center, said that this participant volunteers at their food pantry and used to get winded from lifting boxes there. When Mantey sent Hubbird a video of this participant running on the treadmill, she teared up.

Ive seen people in this program blossom, Hubbird said.

Leslie and Kirkpatrick agree that this program has been revolutionary for their mental and physical health. They said that programs such as InSHAPE that combine mental and physical health and offer companionship could really help people experiencing mental illnesses.

It gives us energy, it helps with depression, it helps with everything, Kirkpatrick said.

Follow Tess on Twitter @Tess_Novotny. Email tess.novotny@registerguard.com.

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Of mind and body: Laurel Hill's InSHAPE program utilizes exercise to boost mental health - The Register-Guard

At the beginning of each KEEN session, all athletes and their coaches warm up as a large group and then pursue individual activities that are tailored solely to the needs of the athlete. Our core program, KEEN Sports takes place in a gym with a variety of sports equipment available. Athletes and coaches may throw a basketball or kick a soccer ball, or they may take a walk around an outdoor track. Many athletes love to bounce on our large therapy balls, and others enjoy speeding across the floor on our 4-wheeled scooter boards.

In addition to KEEN Sports, affiliates may offer other programs including KEEN Swim, which brings the KEEN formula to the pool, KEEN Tennis, KEEN Bowling, KEEN Fit, and even KEEN Music. Such diverse activities as Tai-Kwan-Do and Yoga have been adapted to fit KEENs approach. Check with your local affiliate to see what programs are offered in your area.

Each session ends with Prouds. Everyone comes together in a circle and shares with the group what they did that day that made them very Proud. Participants literally go out dancing to such great tunes as the Hokey-Pokey or the Macarena. Athletes burn energy, meet and interact with new volunteers, see old friends, and then rejoin their parents, who have had some precious respite time. At the end of the session, its hard to tell who has had more fun the athletes or their coaches.

KEEN operates programs in the following 7 cities:

KEEN Chicago KEEN Greater DC KEEN Los Angeles KEEN New York KEEN Phoenix KEEN San Francisco KEEN St. Louis

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Programs | Kids Enjoy Exercise Now - KEEN USA

University at Buffalo officials anticipate attracting as many as 850 students into three new degree programs that will be offered through the School of Public Health and Health Professions beginning this August.

The State University of New York and the state Education Department have approved bachelor's degree programs in public health and in statistics, as well as a combined bachelor's degree in exercise science and master's degree in athletic training.

University officials project the new programs will nearly double the enrollment of the School of Public Health and Health Professions within four to five years. Current enrollment in the school is about 1,100 students. The school will need to hire 20 to 30 additional faculty and staff during that time, said Jean Wactawski-Wende, dean of the school. "We're hiring five new faculty right now for the coming year," she said.

The school primarily is located on UB's South Campus in buildings shared with the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. The medical school is on schedule to move in August into a new $375 million facility downtown, opening up more room for the School of Public Health and Health Professions.

"Our growth and need for expansion can be done easily within the space the School of Medicine is vacating," said Wactawski-Wende. "We were just at the right time to consider such an expansion. The stars kind of aligned to do this."

The new public health degree is expected to draw the most interest, with a projection of 400 students.

"Public health in general has just been a growing area of interest," said Wactawski-Wende. "It's a very strong major, which provides a good foundation for many different professions."

UB has not offered an undergraduate degree in statistics in nearly two decades, but growth in the job market and heavy interest in big data and analytics convinced university officials to bring back the program. About 350 students are expected to be enrolled in the statistics program.

High demand for athletic trainers also is fueling the return of an athletic training program to UB. The university phased out a previous accredited athletic training program eight to 10 years ago. The new program allows students to receive a bachelor's degree in exercise science while also working toward certification and a master's degree in athletic training. Capacity for the athletics training program will be 100 students.

UB President Satish K. Tripathi said in 2015 that the university was looking to grow its enrollment by 2,000 students by 2020. The expansion of offerings in the School of Public Health is a key component of the planned enrollment increase.

The School of Public Health spent many months researching the market to determine what academic programs were most needed and will be in most demand before applying to SUNY and the state Education Department for permission to offer them.

"The motivation was this is a set of disciplines people are really looking for," said Wactawski-Wende.

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UB adds degree programs in exercise science, public health - The ... - Buffalo News

May 17, 2017 by Susan Gawlowicz Follow Susan Gawlowicz on Twitter Follow RITNEWS on Twitter

Rachael (Gardner) Aho

Rachael (Gardner) Aho is honored to be the first graduating senior from RITs new BS degree in exercise science offered through the Wegmans School of Health and Nutrition in the College of Health Sciences and Technology

This degree is much more than simple piece of paper, said Aho, from Fairport, N.Y. It embodies all the hard work, late nights and sacrifices required to earn it.

With a leap of faith, Aho transferred to RIT before the exercise science BS degree was officially in place. Discussions with Bill Brewer, director of exercise science at RIT, gave her confidence to begin her studies in the College of Health Sciences and Technology. In her senior year, Aho became the first student to enroll in the exercise science degree program.

Even prior to my becoming an RIT student, Professor Brewer encouraged and promoted my interest in combining exercise with traditional medical treatment to combat chronic disease and health issues, Aho said.

Her pursuit of exercise science is based on a commitment to serve her community. Aho enrolled in the Army after high school and was honorably discharged in 2010. A sense of service continues to guide her career choices.

I want to help people in my community learn that exercise doesnt have to be painful and they dont have to struggle at a gym to be healthy, Aho said.

She volunteered this year as a health coach through a program offered through the RIT and Rochester Regional Health Alliance. Her experiences in the training program on campus and as part of a health care team gave her valuable patient experience.

Completion of the exercise science degree this May will prepare Aho to take the Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist exam administered by the American College of Sports Medicine. This credential will enable her to pursue the career she wants using exercise to help people preventnot just managechronic disease.

My long-term goal is to eventually start my own fitness/wellness center focused on strength and cardiovascular exercise programs that include lifestyle changes and wellness programs to serve those with chronic cardiovascular, metabolic and pulmonary diseases, Aho said. I believe that health, fitness and lifestyle changes are key components to preventing the initial onset of many such diseases and disorders and, even if they are already present, are vital in preventing them from progressing to chronic life-threatening conditions.

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RIT's first exercise science graduate is ready to give back to her community - RIT University News Services

Denise Baker, whomoved to Asheville eight years ago, has lived during that time with a chronic disease dementia. Im retired from an exciting yet stressful job with the U.S. government, says Baker, whosuffered a stroke 20 years ago at age 52. I was very lucky I was alive, I was mobile, and I was fairly lucid; and I had a good friend who came to see me every day in the hospital. We laughed about most everything that was going on my inability to read or write, the hospital food, my throwing up on her shoes and somewhere along the way I realized that humor and not taking things too seriously helped me recover from the effects of the stroke.

Looking back, Baker can pinpointthe stroke as the beginning of hercognitive decline into vascular dementia. About four years ago, it dawned onher that the confusion she had been developing mustbe more than aging, so shetook some tests whichshowed mild cognitive impairment, leading to a diagnosis of dementia. Baker joined a memory support group. Asheville has a lotof help for those of us with cognitive and age-related issues, says Baker, whois on the steering committee of Dementia Friendly WNC.We are just like everybody else. We have issues too, and we are doing the best we can to cope with them.

According to theU.S. National Center for Health Statistics 88 percent of Americans over 65 years of age are living withat least one chronic health condition. Economic Development Asheville reports that 18percent of people living in Buncombe county are over 65 years old. With nearly a fifth of Buncombe County residents likely to have one or more chronic health conditions, professionals in Asheville are working to educate, support and assist those with chronic diseases.

Diane Saccone,director of healthy aging initiatives for the YMCAof WNC, saysif we can change the individual, then we can change the community, which in turn benefits the larger society. The YMCA of WNC offers an array of chronic disease prevention programs, such asdiabetes prevention, fall prevention, LIVESTRONG cancer program and Parkinsons disease maintenance and prevention.

Because many baby boomershave several chronic diseases, says Saccone, the YMCA recently startedits Enhanced Fitness group exercise program forchronic diseases, especiallythose which are potentially debilitating, suchrheumatoid arthritis. Most recently, the Enhanced Fitness program launchedPedaling for Parkinsons and Power Moves adaptive wellness recovery programsdeveloped for peoplewith degenerative movement diseases. Both programs began the first week of April and areongoing, and are allowing new members to the program on a first come, first serve basis. The programs have been filling up.

Steve Miller, adaptive wellness instructor at the YMCA of WNC, was diagnosed five years ago with Parkinsons disease.Power Moves was not a lightbulb: it was fireworks, says Miller. It gave me empowerment to live a normal life. Miller became involved with Mission Pardee Health Campusand Care Partners to teach classes to help improve his own condition as well ashelp others to be the pied piper of PD [Parkinsons disease] patients in the area, he says.

Miller helped form a partnership betweenCarePartners andthe YMCA to offer Power Moves and Pedaling for Parkinsonsat the YMCA of WNC. Saccone and Miller are developing a referral system with local neurologists and physical therapists to refer peoplewith the chronic diseases to bothprograms.

Power Moves, an ongoing program that also beganlast monthat the Reuter Family YMCA and the YMCAat Mission Pardee Health Campus, is a once a week exercise program that addresses cognitive as well as physical issues. Its not just muscles that twitch; there is an emotional engagement as well, says Miller. There is apathy and depression, attentional issues, executive functioning and how you make decisions.

Power Moves fights the basic things that hit us, Miller says, and we [those with Parkinsons] have to power up to stand up straight, rock and reach, and [do] functional things like reaching to get a hat out of the top of the closet. There are rotational issuesfrom the disease which cause difficulty withtransitions, such as getting out of cars or stepping one foot at a time to get moving, he continues. We do the exercises in five different positions: standing, sitting, crawling, prone and supine.Exercise is medicine, and it has been proven to improve brain health. The cognitive piece to Power Moves is huge.

Saccone notes that all of our evidence-based chronic disease prevention programs [at the YMCA], which are in conjunction with Mission Health Partners, have expanded into the community. All the Enhanced Fitnessprograms arecurrently offered in senior centers and rehabiltation centers such asEmerald Ridge and Shiloh community complex. WithHominy Valley YMCA opening in September, the reach will be even further, says Saccone. With 5400 adults turning 65 every year in the state of North Carolina, the attention and research is vital.

Older adultstend to isolate in later years, says Millerwhether froma spouse becoming ill or passing away, or a difficult financial situation. These [situations] can negatively impact the life of an adult, especially those with a chronic disease. The social piece of the puzzle, he says,canimprove the outcome of those living with chronic diseases. Social interaction is so powerful on top of the exercise, says Miller. Its a game changer.

Social interaction is importantbecause itis good for the brain, says Cathy Hebert, geriatric nurse, board member and one of the founders of Dementia Friendly WNC. Eating well, exercising and reducing stress are important to stave off dementia, but another aspect that is well researched is social connection. It helps cognition much more than we ever thought it would. People with dementia can feel isolated and with no support. says Hebert. We are social beings, and without that, we decline cognitively, and we end up with depression, which also aids in cognition decline.

According to the WNC 2014 census, approximately 11 percent of adults over the age of 65 have dementia. Hebert notes that dementia is the only disease in the top tenlist of chronic diseases that has no cure and no treatment. Dementia Friendly WNC focuses on what the Asheville community can do to help people with dementia live well. Itsgoal is to reduce the stigma by raising awareness and transforming attitudes. It offersa two-hour educational awareness program that emphasizes communication techniques to help those with dementia. There is a lot of fear that is unfounded and a lot of incorrect information, says Hebert, who brings the program to places such asthe YMCA of WNC and the Asheville Art Museum.

Dementia Friendly WNC also collaborateswith local business ownersto signify their place of work isdementia friendly meaning the business has received training abouthow to interact with people who havedementia in a patient and compassionate manner. Those living with dementianeed a little extratime to count their money or walk to the counter,saysHebert.

Stephanie Stewart,aging specialist for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention at Land of Sky, agrees that social interaction and support are vital to chronic disease management. Stewart coordinates and trains volunteer facilitators for evidence-based programs serving Buncombe, Henderson, Madison and Transylvania counties. Such programs utilize deep breathing, muscle relaxation and tips for managing pain and fatigue.

Stewart alsooffers the Stanford University Chronic Disease Self-Management Program, called Living Healthy, which is funded through state and federal money by the Older Americans Act. Living Healthy, like Enhanced Fitness and Dementia Friendly WNC, is designed to be brought into community settings,whereit offers communication skills, education, meal planning, and exercise. Stewart notes thatLiving Healthy poses a question to all its participants: What is one simple step for this week for a big picture of better health? Many times people with chronic conditions feel hopeless, frustrated and powerless because the body is doing something that is out of their hands, says Stewart. This program offersparticipants insight and expertise for what works and what doesnt.

Living Healthy is offered once a week for six weeks and includes goal setting and action planning with two trained facilitators in a small group. It is held at different locations around the counties served, including libraries, churches, community centers and senior centers. Stewart asks communities if they are interested in having the program and finds facilitators to run the free six-week series.

Denise Young,regional manager of theAlzheimers Association of Western Carolina, sayseducation and support are essential for those living with chronic diseases as well asfor caregivers. The association provides educational pamphlets, a 24/7 hotline and presentations in the community aboutfinancial planning and the basics of the disease,such as what to expect as changes take place in the brain.

A lot of research has been done toshow a connection between heart and brain health, particularly in regards to diet, says Young. There are several clinical studies that look at the Mediterranean diet that is rich with oils and nuts and less meat. Exercise is an important piece as well because the brain is fed by a healthy network of veins and arteries. Anything that affects the heart affects the brain.

Baker, who strives to maintain a healthy and full life following her stroke and decline with dementia, joined a memory support group four years ago, which has positively affected her life. Everyone feels like we are family because each of us understands what the other is going through, and many people talk about that. No one gets it unless they have the disease, says Baker. I think its good for the community to realize there are people with dementia among them. They need to be more patient with us, and also they need to be more patient with everyone. We all need to take care of each other.

More Info Economic Development Asheville ashevillechamber.org/economic-development/research-and-reports/county-demographics-reports

Emerald Ridge Rehabilitation and Carecenters.consulatehealthcare.com/nc/asheville/25-reynolds-mountain-blvd..html

Dementia Friendly WNClandofsky.org/dementiafriendly

Dementia Friendly Americawww.dfamerica.org

Power Moves pwr4life.com

LIVESTRONGymca.net/livestrong-at-the-ymca/

Diane Sacconedsaccone@ymcawnc.org or (828) 575-2904

AlzheimersAssociation of Western Carolinaalz.org/northcarolina

National Center for Health Statisticscdc.gov/nchs

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Advocates aid in chronic disease awareness - Mountain Xpress

BRISTOL, Tenn. King University is launching a new bachelors degree program in exercise science. Classes for the new program will begin in August 2017 pending approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Mark Overbay, M.D., is the dean of the School of Behavioral and Health Sciences.

Exercise science is primarily the study of human movement. This area of study applies knowledge methods of inquiry, and principles drawn from a wide spectrum of academic disciplines. This program is designed for traditional students who desire to incorporate a rigorous academic background in kinesiology and exercise science into their future vocational and career plans.

The Bachelor of Science in exercise xcience will offer three tracks:

Kinesiology: Designed for students who are interested in pursuing graduate degree programs in exercise science/kinesiology or related fields such as physical therapy, occupational therapy and athletic training.

Health and Fitness: Designed for those students wishing to pursue vocation within the fitness and wellness industry with curricular design aligning with certification requirements from the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

K-12 Licensure: Designed to provide students with knowledge and skills to organize and administer physical education, intramural, and athletic programs; to teach, assess and evaluate health and physical education courses at the elementary, middle, and high school levels; and to adapt methods of teaching to meet the needs of children and adolescents with special needs.

Visit http://www.king.edu or contact the Office of Admissions at 800-362-0014 or admissions@king.edu for additional information on Kings Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science.

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King University introduces new exercise science degree program - Southwest Virginia Today

People who are both elderly and obese face a tough conundrum: Weight loss is critical for health and mobility, but weight loss can also lead to a decline in muscle and bone mass.

The trick for this doubly challenged group is to achieve weight loss without increasing the risk of falls and fractures that can result from shrinking muscle mass and bone density.

The ideal prescription, according to new research published today (May 17) in the New England Journal of Medicine, is a combination of diet and an exercise regimen that includes both aerobic and resistance training. [The 4 Types of Exercise You Need to Be Healthy]

"You need both the benefits of endurance from aerobic exercise and the improvement of muscle strength from resistance exercise," said Dr. Dennis Villareal, a physician and professor of Medicine-Endocrinologyat Baylor College of Medicine in Houston."Combining them creates the biggest benefit."

The findings could potentially help a large segment of the U.S. population. More than one-third of people age 65 or older are classified as obese. Being overweight has been associated with limited mobility and increased frailty.

"Obesity poses a unique problem for the elderly, because they can't adapt to a higher body weight by producing more muscle and bone mass," Villareal told Live Science.

To find out which combination of diet and exercise was most effective for obese, elderly adults, Villareal and colleagues evaluated the effects of dieting and exercise in 160 adults over a six-month period. All the study participants were over the age of 65, had a body mass index of 30 or more and had been living mostly sedentary lives.

The participants were divided into four groups. Three of those groups followed a prescribed diet and took part in an exercise program, with one group doing only aerobic exercise, such as treadmill walking and stationary cycling, one doing only resistance exercise (using upper and lower body weight-lifting machines) and a third group doing both aerobic and resistance exercises. The fourth group, which didn't follow any diet or exercise programs, served as a control.

At the start and end of the program, investigators used a test that is common in this type of research, called the Physical Performance Test, to evaluate each person. The test evaluates a person's ability to complete certain tasks, such as walking 50 feet, putting on and taking off a coat, picking up a penny, balancing on one leg and climbing a flight of stairs. They also evaluated the participants' peak oxygen consumption while they were walking on a treadmill, and the maximum weight they could lift on various resistance-training machines. From these tests, the researchers calculated an overall physical-function score.

After the six months, results among the 141 participants who completed the trial showed that those in the three groups who followed a diet plan lost about 9 percent of their body weight, on average. [How to Lose Weight in 2017 (and Keep It Off for Good)]

As for the role of exercise, the tests showed that while dieting and either aerobic or resistance exercise alone improved the participants' overall physical function by 14 percent, neither was as effective as the triple combination of dieting, aerobic exercise and resistance exercise. That combination yielded a 21 percent improvement.

Villareal said that when he first set out to conduct the research, he had predicted that the best approach for obese, elderly people might be resistance exercise alone, since he believed that aerobic exercise might negate the muscle-building effects of resistance exercise. The results did, in fact, show that people who did both aerobic and resistance exercise lost about 1 percent more in lean (i.e., muscle) mass than those who did only resistance exercise.

But Villareal said the overall physical-performance tests proved that the 1 percent additional loss in muscle mass that came with doing aerobic exercise was overshadowed by the positive effects of improved cardiovascular health gained from including aerobic exercise in the regimen.

"In the end, the combined benefits of both kinds of exercise was most important," he said.

But further studies will be needed to confirm the findings: As the study's authors point out, the clinical trial was relatively small, and the participants were mostly female and white. Villareal hopes to expand the trials to incorporate larger, more diverse groups in future studies.

Nonetheless, Villareal said that research on the elderly and obese remains limited, and he hopes data like his might offer some guidance.

The prescription Villareal's team calls for amounts to 75 to 90 minutes of exercise a day, three days a week. For older, obese people, committing to such a routine would involve a significant lifestyle change. Villareal said his experience with patients suggests that people can rise to the challenge. [Lose Weight Smartly: 7 Little-Known Tricks That Shave Pounds]

"Some people argue that it can be too hard to change lifelong habits," Villareal said. "But we show that the elderly are motivated, and they can change their lifestyles even late in life."

Villareal said his study's recommendations are intended only for those who are elderly and obese. As for younger adultslooking to lose weight and get toned, the best approach may depend on the desired outcome. In a 2013 study in theJournal of Applied Physiology, researchers compared aerobic and resistance training and found that aerobic training worked best for losing weight and keeping weight off. But for increasing lean body mass, resistance training was most effective.

Originally published on Live Science.

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Combining Aerobic and Resistance Exercise Works Best for Older Adults - Live Science

Jim Stanford developed a love for health and fitness as a kid, and shares the passion with others through his work as CEO of the YMCA of Western Stark County.

Editor's note: Kaitlyn Meister, of Canal Fulton, is the resident reporter for the YMCA of Western Stark County and writes monthly impact stories and newsletters to bring awareness to the community of the YMCA's mission. Meister also teaches a preschool class at the Towpath Trail Y. She graduated from Northwest High School and has a degree in human development and family studies from Kent State University.

Jim Stanfords love for health and fitness began at an early age with an enthusiasm for sports. After receiving a bachelors degree in education, Jim moved to Southern California where he worked as a kindergarten- through eighth-grade gym teacher and sports coach. Three years later, he was ready to come home and found work at a local church. During that time, he and his older brother became members of the North Canton YMCA. It soon became a place where they enjoyed going every week. It wasnt until Jim met the physical director at the Y that he had the idea of working for the nonprofit organization.

It was in 1990 when Jim started his career at the Massillon Family YMCA as league coordinator. This included organizing clubs in every sport that was offered at the Y such as basketball, racquetball and volleyball. After his first year, he was promoted to physical director, the same position that had first interested him.

Fast forward 26 years, Jim is the CEO of the YMCA of Western Stark County and has the same passion for the Y now that he did when he got started. He aims to continually make the Massillon Family Y a place where people feel welcome and are able to participate in what interests them most.

The YMCA has something for everyone, he says, listing off a variety of choices. We have weights, adult sports, youth sports, basketball, racquetball, handball, wallyball, swimming, group exercise classes on land and water ..." The list goes on. I think itd be hard to come here and try a variety of different things while keeping an open mind and not find something you enjoy, he concluded.

When it comes to his personal interests, Jim has a heart for the basketball league that plays at noon each day. For years he would organize his schedule around this break in the day. Unfortunately, after having two knee replacements, he admitted that his body doesnt cooperate as it once did. While a younger generation has continued this tradition of playing ball every day at noon, he hasnt stopped finding ways to stay active.

As a result, you can find Jim in the pool now. He straps on a swim belt and runs in the water for exercise. It makes me feel like Im running again without the pain, he says, recalling his high school track team days. While it hasnt become a favorite for him yet, hes also begun lap swimming.

I feel great physically, he proclaims, Especially for replacement recipients like myself, the water gives me a feeling of total freedom of movement.

Jim is one of the countless examples of how the YMCA has the ability to fit each members individual needs. With the variety of programs and classes that are offered, there truly is something for everyone.

These programs are organized into three main categories: The first is youth development. Children are the keystone of the future. With that in mind, the Y provides a fun, safe environment where children from infancy to teens are encouraged to grow into their fullest potential. Then theres healthy living. Programs included in this area incorporate more than physical exercise. Its about cultivating a balanced spirit, mind and body and places an emphasis on making positive changes that lead to a fulfilling and active life. And third is social responsibility, which includes volunteerism, community service work and donor support. The generosity of others is at the core of the Ys existence as a nonprofit.

In addition to these areas of focus, the YMCA of Western Stark County offers two locations, including the Massillon Family YMCA in Massillon and Towpath Trail YMCA in Navarre. Both are open early for those who enjoy exercising before a busy day begins and stay open late to accommodate individuals and families who enjoy attending in the evening.

Everything is taken into consideration to make it easier for people to participate in the Y, Jim Stanford explains.

The assortment of programs, classes and events that incorporates all demographics has been proof to the community that the Y really is more than a gym. Its a place where people join to become healthier physically, and leave feeling like theyre a part of something greater than themselves.

And its that mentality that keeps people coming back to the YMCA again and again.

Originally posted here:
YMCA leader pursues healthy lifestyle through organization's programs - Massillon Independent

On Wednesday, Balance Fitness will host a free event to kick off its partnership with Surround Fit & Wellness, providing classes, prizes and refreshments. (PHOTO: Surround Fit & Wellness) Published May 16, 2017 at 3:18 p.m.

On Monday night, after leaving Balance Fitness in Whitefish Bay, where I'd gotten a first look at the boutique training studio's new collaboration with Surround Fit & Wellness, I went for a run. Two miles in, it was a torrential downpour; by three miles, the lightning overhead had forced me into a nearby Colectivo to wait out the thunderstorm, soaking wet and unsatisfied with my workout.

Starting Wednesday, I never would have had to leave Balance Fitness, and my entirely too-experiential exercise could have been done there comfortably, conveniently and completely without regard to the bad weather outside. In fact, without getting off my stationary bike, I could instead have been riding through the mountains of Hawaii, immersed in the sense and surroundings of being somewhere else.

That's the appeal of the innovative exercise partnership between Balance Fitness and Surround Fit & Wellness, the first of its kind in Southeastern Wisconsin. The latter's combination of high-resolution content and custom visualization systems virtually take participants beyond the former's Whitefish Bay location, offering a unique and absorbing way to workout. The large projection screens provide users with a stimulating experience, capturing their view and attention and engaging them with skillful instruction synchronized to details within the immersive content around them.

On Wednesday, Balance Fitness will host a free event, open to the public, to kick off its partnership with Surround Fit & Wellness, providing classes, prizes and refreshments to introduce the equipment and approach. The event will feature a variety of fitness and wellness classes every hour from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., including Cardio Kickboxing, Cycling, Kids Yoga, Meditation, Latin Dance, Tai Chi and Yoga.

So, what, exactly, is this new fitness experience? Essentially, it is a system of cross-functional training equipment and large projection surfaces that display high-resolution content consisting of striking visual images and virtual instruction, more fully engaging users and providing a deep sense of immersion. It stops short of virtual reality there are no headsets and it's not really interactive; while the content and instruction is customizable, it's created and filmed in advance but offers convenience and stimulation that regular exercise classes do not.

It's also a more interesting, evolutionary step past simply watching TV or looking at whatever scenery happens to be along your running or biking route; after the Hawaii sunshine, I rode through the snow-covered mountains of Montana filmed in real life by the Surround crew without fearing a nasty fall.

"Surround Fit & Wellness' system is pushing fitness in the direction it is already going by layering in technology and more experiential classes that make workouts engaging, productive, safe and hopefully addictive," says Garrett Stangel, the owner of Balance Fitness. "It will offer new dimensions to our existing training programs and tremendous value to my clients by providing additional self-serve classes to help them take their fitness to the next level."

The proprietary content comes from Marquette, where members of the University's employee wellness community had used it for more than two years. Last June, Surround Fit & Wellness which has an exclusive license to deliver the content for the emerging immersive fitness market launched an expansion beyond Marquette, targeting corporate wellness groups and small boutiques, with Balance becoming the first studio to integrate it.

One of the primary benefits of the immersive content, Stangel says, is that the classes can be run with or without an instructor. That's cost-saving and convenient for both the studio and its members, who can select a program via touch-screen panel and get their workout in even if their schedule doesn't allow them to attend an actual instructor-led class. Likewise, that option enables freedom for employees like Stangel, who can either lead the class live or turn on the virtual instructor and work with members individually.

"From a studio standpoint, one of the things that I liked most about it was the fact that we can create a much more experiential component to our workouts by adding imagery, by adding light, by adding just a more immersive approach to our training programs," Stangel says. "We can also leverage our employment challenges by allowing for more content being generated without me having to have an extensive staff in a small boutique like this."

All of the instructors used in the classes are trained and certified in whatever they are teaching. Surround works with them to plan, film and virtualize the programs, then afterward records imagery behind them and mixes in some audio, ultimately producing a sensory-pleasing exercise experience.

According to John LaDisa, an associate professor of biomedical engineering at the university and director of the MARquette Visualization Lab and a partner in Surround Fit & Wellness, the response to the technology has been positive. Over the last two years at Marquette, he says, the employee wellness program had 200-300 participants and, depending on the class, saw up to a 20 percent increase in attendance.

"People tend to come initially because the technology engages them, and then they stay for that and the skill of the instruction and the exercise," LaDisa says. "When participants feel present in an environment beyond their physical location, they engage more fully."

Adds Kristin Kipp, another partner in Surround Fit & Wellness: "Incorporating daily movement and mindfulness practices is important for your health, and having a system like this in place makes it a little easier to do this."

On the corporate wellness side, since the immersive content can be run without an instructor, classes can be done at any time and as often as desired saving money, blocking distractions, eliminating excuses and letting employees take charge of their health and physical movement.

I love exercising outside, but during a May deluge with thunder and lightning keeping me indoors in Milwaukee, I really would have preferred to go elsewhere for my workout, experiencing someplace dry and sunny, beautiful and motivational.

Surround Fit & Wellness and Balance Fitness classes are listed on this Mindbody page. For the May 17 kickoff event, class preregistration will be available until 30 minutes before each free class here. Class sizes are limited, so early registration is suggested. Attendees can rejuvenate afterward with healthy juices and snacks, and all participants will have a chance to win prizes, including free future physical and virtual classes, as well as other giveaways.

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Balance Fitness, Surround Fit & Wellness introduce immersive exercise experience - OnMilwaukee.com

Posted by Paul Baker on May 15, 2017

AURORA, Ill. Exercise science isnt something undergraduates can learn just sitting in a classroom. It requires hours of applied, hands-on experience, not to mention familiarity with todays state-of-the-art anthropometric and metabolic equipment. And it doesnt hurt for students who are going on to graduate school to have had some real research experience under their belts, either.

Aurora Universitys year-old bachelors degree program in exercise science fulfills all of these demands, according to Chris Pitsikoulis, assistant professor in the universitys School of Education and Human Performance.

The AU exercise science program is unique in that it provides the whole package: theory, practice and outstanding facilities, all of which complement one another and enhance the learning experience, he said.

State-of-the-art equipment, research opportunities and hands-on experience are all part of the exercise science program at Aurora University.

AU began offering the exercise science degree in fall of 2016. During its first year, the program enrolled 63 students in three areas of concentration, including sports performance, fitness and wellness promotion, and pre-professional studies, which prepares students for graduate work in physical therapy.

Pitsikoulis attributes the exercise science programs popularity in part to the number of AU students who participate in sports. The university fields 24 NCAA Div. III varsity teams mens and womens and on average about 20 percent of the entire undergraduate student body plays on one of these teams each year.

Sport has been such a key part of these student-athletes lives that they want to continue to be involved in physical fitness as a career, he said.

Particularly popular is the pre-professional studies concentration, a highly structured program specifically designed to provide students the prerequisites necessary to be accepted into graduate Doctor of Physical Therapy programs. The DPT is required for physical therapists to practice professionally.

Nationwide, demand for qualified physical therapists is expected to grow an extraordinary 34 percent between 2014 and 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics 2015-2016 Occupational Outlook Handbook and with a median income of more than $80,000 per year, its no wonder.

Students in the fitness and wellness promotion concentration work in a variety of occupations, from personal training and health education to cardiac rehab and corporate fitness facilities, anywhere where motivational, often individually tailored fitness programs are called for, such as hospitals and fitness centers.

Students who plan to work more directly with athletes choose sport performance, where a big focus is on strength and conditioning training. Upon graduating, these students are prepared to successfully complete the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist exam that is offered through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).

Sport performance students like those in the fitness and wellness promotion and pre-professional concentrations often work with AU athletic teams.

Thats one of the big advantages of AUs exercise science program, Pitsikoulis said. Our students have the opportunity to work directly with college athletes to design sport-specific, even position-specific programs for individuals in a variety of sports. That hands-on experience really differentiates our program from other university programs where students just dont get that chance.

He noted that exercise science students also assist in conducting faculty-sponsored research projects, often joining professors to present their findings at industry conferences. Every other year during AUs three-week May Term, faculty members lead groups of exercise science students to Colorado to visit training centers for the U.S. Olympic team and the U.S. Air Force, as well as NSCA headquarters.

In their senior year, each student is required to complete an internship practicums for pre-professional majors. We work with students to place them in locations that most closely aligns with their career ambitions, Pitsikoulis explains. Such placements can lead to post-graduation job offers and help graduates establish professional networks in their fields.

Well-equipped labs, featuring state-of-the-art anthropometric and metabolic equipment, are an important part of the educational experience, too, he added.

The department has one of only a few BodPods available in the area. These egg-shaped, futuristic-looking machines are used by hospitals and professional sports organizations like the NFL to measure body composition. Students also gain expertise in using a metabolic cart, which continuously tracks cardiac, pulmonary and respiratory functions, as well as with a cycle ergometer, which is used to evaluate anaerobic fitness.

This equipment along with other devices allow students to measure a variety of fitness indicators, providing valuable data they can use to plan detailed exercise programs a skill highly sought after by potential employers.

Nic Albarran, a sport performance major from Yorkville, spent 15 weeks during his senior year as an intern with AUs strength and conditioning program, during which he assisted in a research project comparing conventional strength training with velocity-based strength training. The first is concerned with the amount of weight an athlete can move; the second with how fast he or she can move it.

Test subjects included members of the AU football team. Albarran, who played tight end with the team as a sophomore, called the experience one of the most valuable he had as a student. What we have here is very rare, he said. To be able to work so intensely with Div. III collegiate athletes was a tremendous opportunity that has really helped prepare me for my future.

Upon graduation, Albarran intends to obtain his certificate as a strength and conditioning specialist and later a certificate in tactical strength and conditioning or TSAC. TSAC trainers help develop training programs for military personnel, police, firefighters, first responders and others that are relevant to the demands of their jobs.

Injuries are a big issue in these professions, particularly back injury among soldiers returning from active duty, he explained. TSAC is a new and exciting area of specialization, and Ive always been attracted to the military, so I think there is a good future there for me.

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Aurora University exercise science program offers hands-on training, research opportunities and state-of-the-art ... - AU Today

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