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During the height of the protests over the police killing of George Floyd in May, Rose Barboza felt conflicted. She wanted to join the demonstrations but had a four-year-old at her Saco home and was concerned about catching or spreading the coronavirus. Instead, Barboza began to consider another way to fight using her purchasing power.

Online directories popped up nationally, spotlighting Black-owned businesses and educating people about how seeking out these businesses can help, at the local level, reduce the racial wealth gap, support entrepreneurship and job creation for Black Americans, and send a message that representation matters.

This story was originally published byThe Maine Monitor.

The Maine Monitor, formerly known as Pine Tree Watch, is a local journalism product published by The Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting, a nonpartisan, nonprofit civic news organization based in Augusta.

But, companies in Maine remained largely off the lists. Maine is the nations whitest state, with nearly95 percentof its population identifying as white.

Barboza discussed this on a hike with her brother.

And then BAM! This idea came, Barboza said.

Two days later, on June 1, she launchedBlack Owned Maine, or BOM, a virtual directory of businesses in the state that are at least 50 percent Black-owned.

Barboza, a recent University of Southern Maine graduate with a degree in marketing and international business, had been furloughed from her job in the travel industry and was brainstorming ideas for her own venture. She wanted to build a website and considered opening a marketing agency.

I was like, Oh my gosh, this is all of that in one thing, Barboza said. I finally found my niche. I finally found the thing that I can focus my energy on and its something that I know about already. I can list 100 (Black-owned businesses) off the top of my head.

She enlisted the help of her friend, Jerry Edwards, a Portland music producer who goes by the name of Genius Black. The directory swelled.

Black Owned Maine now lists more than 250 businesses, nonprofits and contractors; 14,600 Instagram followers; and a podcast. Barboza said events and a clothing line are in the works.

The group also raised $50,000 in four months, and began awarding innovator grants for listed businesses looking to rebrand and family grants for households struggling to pay bills because of the pandemic. Barboza, who had to return to work July 1, was able to quit her job in October to work on the site and its projects full time. Now she is looking to help build online presences for micro-businesses that may not have websites.

While a few question whether the directory is necessary, supporters say highlighting Black-owned businesses benefits the states economy and enables people to counteract some economic racial disparities.

Barboza, who is of mixed race and grew up in Lewiston, said Black businesses tend not to be part of the mainstream, often do not come up high in internet searches and sometimes cannot afford to advertise on traditional platforms. Giving them exposure in the directory helps broaden their customer bases and gets consumers thinking more consciously about their spending decisions.

Rebeccah Geib, an ultra-runner, credits Black Owned Maine with helping her find The Exercise Design Lab in Bar Harbor, where she lives. Jacques Newell Taylor opened the business in 2019 after running his own exercise studio in Los Angeles for 15 years. Taylor specializes in designing customized exercise programs that integrate neuroscience to help improve brain health and athletic performance.

Geib was surprised she had never heard of the business, especially because it aligns so well with her lifestyle, values and needs as an athlete.

How was it possible that as an athlete and just an overall fitness nut, I had no idea that this business even existed, and I had no idea who Jacques was? she wrote in an email, noting that Bar Harbor has a small year-round community.

Geib, who is white, said its not just the physical gains shes made that keeps her coming back to The Exercise Design Lab, its the conversations she has with Taylor about race and community.

I train with Jacques because its one of the most enriching experiences Ive ever had, she said, and without Black Owned Maine, who knows how long it would have been before I discovered (him).

Geib said she always thought that she was a person who supported racial justice, but realized while attending a Black Lives Matter rally that showing up at a protest was not enough: she needed to take action.

Black Owned Maine is now this tangible resource to use in order to take a step toward being an ally, she said.

One challenge Taylor has faced is the independent mindset locals have about exercising: they hike, bike, run and go to the gym, he said, but are not as adventurous when it comes to trying a new approach.

But being on Black Owned Maine has already gained him four clients in addition to Geib. They too had been to a Black Lives Matter rally and decided to follow up. They found The Exercise Design Lab on the site, checked out the program and were intrigued.

Now theyre all here, every single one of them, Taylor said. I was moved in many ways that people who dont have to, actually made a conscious effort to support Black-owned businesses.

Being listed on the site also has led to conversations that were prickly and uncomfortable with a few other clients who said they do not consider race when making decisions about products and services, and questioned how drawing attention to race is helpful.

But Im OK with that, he said.

Pointing tostudiesshowing thatdiverse teams outperformnon-diverse teams in sports, academics and business, Taylor said part of his mission is to help communities recognize that the idea of diversity is not just a nice thing to do, or even just the right thing to do; its the thing to do if we really do want to push ahead and prosper, and have opportunities for future generations.

He sees the directory as especially important for a state like Maine.

This idea that you have this website, this listing that is saying, Hey look, weve got some diversity here, is going to be really important to attracting other people of different backgrounds to come and say, Well they can do it, maybe I can do it. Maybe theres some opportunity there.

Genius Black, who grew up in Texas and attended Bowdoin College in Brunswick, echoed this in a recent BOM podcast.

Black Owned Maine as a directory and a resource and as a brand is also helping the state of Maine stand up and represent itself as a place thatdoeshave people of color,doeshave Black people,doesconsider diversity, he said. Were going to bring money to this economy; people who wouldnt have felt comfortable coming here and spending their dollars and voting with their dollars.

Taylor said hes looking forward to connecting with other Black business owners in the state through events or meetings hosted by BOM. Hes already used the resource to find and visit another Black business on Mount Desert Island: the Quietside Cafe in Southwest Harbor.

Ultimate Car Care in Portland is also listed on the site. Its owner, Joe Kings, said hes pleased theres a directory to help Black businesses connect. He was part of a group that attempted to start a Maine Black business alliance about 20 years ago that never went anywhere.

We met in meetings and talked about it, but we just never could get it off the ground. So we just walked away from it, he said. But Im very proud of (BOM) being out there now.

Kings said he has been involved in many projects over the years dedicated to helping Black-owned or minority-owned businesses stimulate the economy and thrive. Ultimate Car Care has funded Portlands Juneteenth celebrations for 23 years.

He couldnt tell if being listed on the site has brought in more business because hes always been busy. He said he has a customer base that extends to Augusta and beyond and is often booked three weeks out.

Weve been doing this for about 25 years, and people just kind of know where to go, he said. Its hard to say (whether being listed on BOM has had an effect) because it just never stops.

Shawn Garner of Lewiston said highlighting successful Black businesses like Kings is important to inspire young Black entrepreneurs who may be surrounded by negative influences like he was, growing up in a high-crime area of Florida. Almost four years ago he ended up staying in Maine after what was supposed to be a short visit. The people he was traveling with left him behind.

When I came up here, I didnt know heroin was as big as it was, and I dont do (hard) drugs because Im an athlete, he said. He had laced a blunt with heroin. I wanted to fight him, and so he told me to catch a bus back to Florida.

Garner had no money for the trip so he started working at Hannaford in Gardiner, and for a while lived at Trinity Mens Shelter in Skowhegan. During that time, Garner kept telling himself he could do better, be better. So he decided to start his own business.

Outside of his various day and night jobs working security at bars in Portlands Old Port, as a manager at Hannaford and now as a FedEx driver he has built a clothing design business,Upstylish, specializing in shirts with inspirational quotes, and now face masks.

Garner mainly advertised by word of mouth, handing out business cards and wearing his T-shirts to the gym or his security jobs. When Barboza heardhis story, she asked him to join Black Owned Maine and is now helping him find stores that will carry his clothing.

Garner said he started Upstylish to show people who grew up in situations like his that there are options outside of crime. He sees Black Owned Maine as furthering that mission.

A lot of people from my neighborhood were either selling drugs or killing people or robbing people, he said. Having the website of Black-owned businesses of Maine can show a lot of young Black entrepreneurs that you can make money other ways, by being an entrepreneur, having a rap career, anything that youre good at.

Everybodys born with a gift. Thats what Black Owned Maine does. It teaches young Black entrepreneurs to thrive in their own gifts.

Another successful business listed on Black Owned Maine is Mogadishu Business Center and Restaurant in Lewiston. Its owner, Shukri Abasheikh, came to the United States from Somalia, where she had her own store, but lost it with her home during a civil war. She lived in Atlanta, then moved to Lewiston in 2002 with a wave of Somali arrivals.

Tensions were high that year. Then-mayorLaurier Raymond wrote an open letter asking Somali people to stop comingand said resettling them was straining the citys resources. Awhitesupremacistgroupprotestedin the city. At the time, Abasheikh defended herself and her fellow Somalis.

I say No, we do not come for welfare, we come for work, we come for peace, we come for education, she said. My dream is I work and my children get education.

While obstacles remain, there has been an outpouring of support for immigrants in the last 18 years, andstudiesshowthe economic benefits they brought to the area.

In 2006, Abasheikh was able to open the Mogadishu store after working as a high school janitor and at L.L. Bean. She has put the struggles of her early days in Lewiston behind her.

Everybody (likes) me, she said. They call me Mama Africa, Mama Shukri. We cook Somali food, we cook Somali tea. They come in, Black and white everybody (Theyre) happy, they try the food, I explain the food, they buy.

Abasheikh said directing support on Black businesses seemed unnecessary to her, especially as businesses with owners of all races are struggling.

Everybody needs support, not only Black businesses, she said. When (the coronavirus came) everybody (slowed) down, a lot of stores closed, Black and white, and everybody needs help.

Barbazo and Genius Black agree.

Thats something we keep pushing every day, Barboza said. Small business, whether Black-owned or not, is the driving force of the economy, especially here in a small state.

Barboza is compiling a directory of resources for the site that she hopes will be accessed by anyone, regardless of race, who wants to open or grow a business in the state.

By teaching people to focus on local Black business, were teaching them to focus on local business in general, Genius Black added. Black Owned Maine is really about supporting the economy of Maine.

But data shows the pandemic is hitting Black people especially hard. In June, Maine had the highest racial disparity in COVID-19 cases, with Black residents contracting the virus at 20 times the rate of white residents. While Black Mainers made up less than two percent of the population, they accounted for more than 22 percent of the positive cases. Most of those cases came fromimmigrant communitieswhere it was more common for people to live in crowded apartments without the ability to isolate, and to work in front-line jobs.

Now, with cases spiking throughout Maine, that disparity has dropped, but Black people are still affected at a disproportionate rate. As of Nov. 20, they made up 11 percent of COVID-19 cases in the state.

The economic impacts of the pandemic also have been greater and persisted longer for people of color, James Myall of the left-leaning Maine Center for Economic Policy,reported.

Based on his analysis of the latest U.S. Census and Maine Department of Labor data released Oct. 20, Myall found that different racial groups in Maine started with low unemployment before the pandemic, but unemployment among the Black workforce showed the greatest increase, peaking at about 30 percent in May, compared to 15 percent for the white unemployment rate. In August, 15 percent of the Black workforce was still unemployed compared to six percent of the white workforce.

A recent survey of immigrant business owners conducted by ProsperityME, a nonprofit dedicated to helping immigrants and refugees in Maine achieve financial stability, raised some red flags for its executive director, Claude Rwaganje.

Of 250 immigrant businesses the organization tried to contact many Black-owned only 125 were reachable. Of the 125 respondents, 60 percent did not apply for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, and Rwaganje said few applied for Maine Economic Recovery grants. He cited lack of information or assistance, language barriers, or incomplete record keeping and licensing as barriers to applying for pandemic relief.

Small Business Administration dataon PPP loans awarded through Aug. 8 is not complete when it comes to the race of recipients. Only about 2,500 of the 25,279 grant recipients listed answered the optional question on race. Of those that did, only 11, or 0.4 percent, indicated they were Black.

Im concerned that the fact that the majority were not able to submit a rapid response or recovery grant request, Rwaganje said. That is a warning for me, to see how theyre going to survive beyond this pandemic.

ProsperityME plans to conduct a more comprehensive survey to understand the impacts of the pandemic on Black immigrant businesses.

COVID impacts aside, many who use Black Owned Maines directory are looking to support Black businesses as a way to counteract some broader racial disparities that persist.

Something that gets overlooked is that its not just about stopping a bad thing from happening, Genius Black said. Its about counteracting the bad things that have been happening.

In Maine, over 53 percent of Black children lived in poverty compared to approximately 15 percent of white children in 2017, and only one-quarter of black people own their own homes, compared to three-quarters of white people. Black Mainers are six times more likely to be incarcerated than white Mainers and Black students are 2.4 times more likely to be suspended from school in Maine than white students, according to another report by Myall.

What we find about why people support Black Owned Maine and think about supporting companies like ours is that its a way to protest, said Genius Black. Its a way to say, Im going to use my resources, Im going to use whatever I have to (make) change. The economys going to flow regardless, so Im going to make sure that its flowing through Black folks.

See the rest here:
Online directory aims to help Black businesses thrive in nation's whitest state - PenBayPilot.com

If you dont make time for your wellness, you will be forced to make time for your illness.

Life was good until you ended up in the hospital from an unexpected illness perhaps from pneumonia, a urinary tract infection, an unexpected surgery, a scheduled surgery or even COVID-19. After your hospital stay, you thought you would be well enough to manage the rest of your life without any further health complications.

When you were discharged, your doctors may have prescribed rehabilitation or home health therapy involving physical, occupational and/or speech language pathologists. These health care professionals taught you exercises to help you recover so you can return to your prior level of function. And, after your rehab was completed, you were given a home exercise program and were set to go.

This sounds pretty easy, right? All you needed to do was follow the plan and everything would be fine. Unfortunately, being consistent, safe and compliant with a home exercise program is not as easy as it sounds, and non-compliance is one of the main reasons affecting your recovery.

Adherence to home exercise programs after rehabilitation is a significant problem, with estimates of non-compliance as high as 50 percent. Even those who try to follow their program often have difficulties completing their exercises and the recommended repetitions.

Patients have many perceived barriers that prevent them from adhering to their exercise plans, including forgetting to exercise, not having time, not fitting into their daily routine, work schedules and transportation.

As rehab specialists, we understand that cognitive, behavioral and physical barriers affect a patients willingness to adhere to their prescribed exercise program. But we also understand its importance.

If you fail to adhere to your prescribed exercise program, it may extend the duration of your treatment plan, and also make it less effective. A number of studies have linked strong exercise adherence to improved treatment outcome in patients experiencing neck and back pain and osteoarthritis symptoms.

There is also lots of evidence that physical activity prevents disablement and disease in the older adult, and that physical activity reduces falls and fall injuries by 35 to 45 percent. The benefits of physical activity also extend to a reduction of risks associated with cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, osteoporosis, obesity and anxiety/ depression. It can also delay cognitive impairment, improve sleep and prevent unhealthy weight gain.

So, how can you stick to your program? It begins with changing your attitude toward exercise. How many times have you heard, When were young, we work out to look good. As we get older, we work out to survive.

The good news is that you have options after rehab or home health to help you maintain consistency in your program.

At Morpheus Wellness, we provide a safe, holistic and effective means of continuing fitness after rehab and home health. We encourage and promote an active lifestyle as you age, while integrating your interests, hobbies and/or athletic activities into a personalized program. Physical activities often used for older adults include aerobic, strength, flexibility and balance exercises.

The staff at Morpheus Wellness incorporate a strategy of supervision, feedback and reinforcement provided by a wellness coach, private pay physical therapist or personal trainer.

By providing good feedback, motivation and sound coaching, there is increased adherence in home-based exercises, because patients know they are performing their task correctly.

While family members or home care aides are almost always well intentioned, they may not be trained and prepared to help perform or correct exercises established by the therapist. And, they may increase the risk of injury by not recognizing unsafe movements/mobility or not be able to identify poor technique.

Exercise and physical activity is one of the main pillars of healthy habits, in combination with sleep, nutrition and mental health. Like the poet Diane Ackerman wrote, I dont want to get to the end of my life and find that I lived just the length of it. I want to have lived the width of it as well.

Visit MorpheusWellness.com, or call 813-586-0542.

Published December 02, 2020

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Originally posted here:
Life after Rehab and Home Health - The Laker/Lutz News

Pulmonary rehabilitation may be most effective when including exercise training, breathing techniques, and education and psychosocial components for patients with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD), according to a recent review.

Past studies have shown pulmonary rehabilitation to improve exercise capacity, muscle strength, functional capacity, and health related quality of life (HLQOL) in patients with AECOPD. It can reduce symptoms, hospitalizations, and unscheduled healthcare visits for patients while also enhancing patients ability to self-manage their AECOPD and achieve self-efficacy.

However, such programs vary widely, not only in terms of which components are included, but also by where they are delivered (home, outpatient, inpatient, etc), for how long, at what intensity, and whether the patient is alone or in a group. The authors of this review wanted to determine which program designs appeared to be the most effective.

The systematic review, published in the European Respiratory Review, looked at 6029 studies and narrowed their analysis to 42 studies published before March 2020 from 19 countries.

The studies included at least 1 component of pulmonary rehabilitation, included patients within 3 weeks of AECOPD onset or until 2 weeks after hospital discharge, were written in English, French, Portuguese, or Spanish, and were randomized, controlled trials.

Results from a total of 3569 patients with a mean age of 69.1 years and a mean forced expiratory volume in 1 second of 39.4% predicted.

The list of components used in the studies included education and psychosocial support, aerobic training, strength training, breathing techniques, exercise training, electrostimulation, positive expiry pressure therapy performed with noninvasive ventilation or devices, home diaries, respiratory muscle training, nutrition, and whole body vibration.

Of the 42 included studies, only 38.1% (16) used pulmonary rehabilitation officially as an intervention. Of the studies that only used 1 or some of the intervention components, the most common ones used were exercise training (30/42), education and psychosocial support (24/42), aerobic training (23/42), strength training (23/42), and breathing techniques (23/42).

The combination of exercise and breathing techniques presented the largest weighted mean difference (WMD) (41.06; 95% CI, 131.70-49.58). This combination intervention also presented a greater WMD than control groups.

Breathing techniques was the best performing intervention at decreasing dyspnea in patients (WMD 1.90; 95% CI, 0.533.27). Breathing techniques (effect sizes [ES] 0.15; 95% CI, 0.28-0.57) and breathing techniques in combination with exercise (ES 0.11; 95% CI, 0.280.50) were the interventions that reduced the length of hospitalization the most, but again, significant differences between the interventions were not found.

In addition, patients knowledge was one of the outcome measures presenting larger ES, showing how empowering pulmonary rehabilitation can be during AECOPD, wrote investigators.

Investigators also found that short-term programs presented better results and increased exercise capacity compared to longer-term programs.

Most of the evidence published described hospitalized patients, who often present more severe exacerbations and/or have a more severe underlying conditions than those managed in an outpatient setting. Investigators said that because more than 80% of patients with COPD are managed on an outpatient basis, future research should focus on those patients.

Investigators concluded that additional research should compare the included interventions in programs of different lengths, durations and frequencies of sessions, and intensities of exercise training to further establish what program design would be most effective.

Reference

Machado A, Silva PM, Afreixo V, Caneiras C, Burtin C, Marques A. Design of pulmonary rehabilitation programmes during acute exacerbations of COPD: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Eur Respir Rev. November 20 2020;33(6):978-985. doi: 10.1183/16000617.0039-2020

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Study Finds 3 Key Components That Could Make Pulmonary Rehabilitation More Effective for AECOPD - AJMC.com Managed Markets Network

At the end of a hard workout, Emily Mitchell and her teammates on the UC Santa Cruz women's basketball team can take a moment to catch their breath togetherbut there are no high-fives or fist-bumps.

With workouts and team meetings moving to Zoom during the pandemic, things look a little different for UC Santa Cruz Athletics and Recreation this year. But despite the challenge of COVID-19 and the need for physical distancing, its been a year of adaptability, growth, and achievement for the department, coaches, student staff, student-athletes, and the campus fitness and recreation communities.

Athletics and Recreation has persevered through the shutdown of in-person operations and the postponement of athletic seasons, while upholding the themes of leadership, community, and merit in all of their programmingsuccess that's been fueled by passionate students and staff.

Students are a central part of our department, said Sue Harriman, director of Athletics and Recreation. We often seek feedback from them on important issues before making key decisions because we want to find ways to further enrich the student experience.

The mission of Athletics and Recreation stands beyond ensuring students attain physical wellbeing; its a department that enhances the student experience through athletic and recreational activities, along with leadership and community-building opportunities.

Varsity student-athletes remain adaptable and resilient

Athletics and Recreation is composed of multiple program areas: NCAA Division III athletics; FitLife (group and personal fitness); Adventure Rec; intramural sports; sport clubs; boating; Physical Education courses; and a variety of camps, clinics, and workshops.

Varsity athletics includes more than 300 student-athletes competing in 15 different sports. With the completion of the departments new brand identity in June 2020 and UC Santa Cruz athletics celebrating 40 years as members in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the Athletics and Recreation brand exudes the characteristics of pride, inclusivity, and excellence.

Our athletic teams won five conference championships and four 'coach of the year' awards this past 20192020 academic year, said Senior Associate Director of Athletics and Recreation Dino Pollock.

With COVID-19 restrictions in place, fall and winter sports teams have been most affected by canceled conference play and championship opportunities.

Competition is a huge motivator when it comes to training athletes, said UCSC's men's and womens head swimming and diving coach Matt Crawford. Without that and having no feasible way to train together as a team, its really hard to maintain that level of focus and team cohesiveness.

Last year, the mens swimming and diving team won their conference championship. This year, theyre having to resort to individualized, on-land training until they can come together again in the pool. The ultimate hope is for both teams to have some semblance of a season this academic year, stated Crawford.

Womens basketball player Mitchell (College Ten 21, literature, education minor), who is also co-president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), shares the frustration her fellow Slug fall and winter student-athletes are feeling.

As everyone on Mitchells basketball team awaits the news of when they will be able to practice together in a gym once again, they are getting creative on ways they can stay engaged while apart.

Some of those ways include an accountability partner program, where new basketball recruits are teamed up with veteran teammates; holding workouts with each other over Zoom; attending weekly online meetings with our coach; and coming up with fun ways to compete virtually, said Mitchell.

Although many of her teammates are not in the area, the few that are local, including Mitchell, have started practicing at outside basketball courts together, while wearing masks and maintaining safe distances apart.

S.L.U.G. leaders

While athletic teams hold onto hope for what the new year will bring in terms of seasons, Athletics and Recreation realized that strong leadership is of particular importance during this unprecedented time.

With the switch to online programming this spring, one of the challenges the SAACwhich addresses interathletic relations, community service, and campus relationshas been faced with is developing ways in the virtual world for student-athletes to practice their leadership skills.

Athletics and Recreation staff and student-athletes have collaborated to meet that challenge with the initiation of the S.L.U.G. (Student-athletes Leading Up to Greatness) Leadership Academy, a 10-session, experiential learning program kicking off this winter quarter.

The curriculum, which builds on UCSCs Principles of Community, covers topics on emotional intelligence, group dynamics, interpersonal communication skills and strategies, and civic responsibility, preparing the 23 student-athletes selected into the program to be leaders in their sports, in the classroom, and in their local communities.

Fitness and Adventure Recreation go virtual

In addition to varsity athletics, Athletics and Recreation adapted quickly on multiple other fronts when the UC Santa Cruz community pivoted to remote operations.

The departments group exercise program, which offers a variety of classes such as kickboxing, Zumba, yoga, and HIIT, switched to a fully online format this past springand, much to the departments surprisethe virtual classes have garnered an overwhelming, positive response from the campus community.

We don't have a complete picture to know if virtual group exercise is more engaging than in-person group exercise offerings, but our reports are showing that virtual GX classes are keeping students engaged with their personal fitness during the pandemic, said Clint Angus, associate director of Athletics and Recreation.

We are certainly looking forward to more opportunities to make our programs accessible to the UC Santa Cruz community, whether that's in person or remote. We want to make it happen for our students, added Angus.

Another recreational program known as Adventure Rec, which promotes outdoor adventure experiences for students, has been offering virtual workshops this fall. From the Getting Started in the Outdoors series and behavioral first responder certification courses, these workshops are intended to prepare students for future Adventure Rec trips.

Staying determined while looking toward the future

For varsity athletics, the ultimate hope for the remainder of the academic year is for each team to have some sort of season, which may or may not include in-person practices and competition play depending on COVID-19 restrictions.

Women's soccer, women's volleyball, women's cross country, men's cross country, and men's swimmingthe five teams that won conference championships during the 20192020 seasonwant to do everything they can to retain those hard-earned titles.

In spring sport news, we're excited to see the women's and men's tennis teams continue their journey to success after being recognized for two national team scholar-athlete accolades this year, said Embele Awipi, sports information director.

Regardless how this academic year concludes, Banana Slug student-athletes will not let the pandemic slow down their momentum.

As Athletics and Recreation staff and students prepare for the new year, they see the potential for new opportunities to arise that will further enrich the student experience, including the West Field House floor and facility renovation; the development of Physical Education courses for credit; and the expansion of the group exercise virtual library, personal and small group fitness training, Adventure Recreation orientation programs, and innovative intramural programming.

As Pollock put it, The future is bright, and we couldnt be more excited to see what comes next for our department.

Link:
Resiliency is the name of the game for UC Santa Cruz Athletics and Recreation - UC Santa Cruz

Contrary to what many believe, a study finds that weight management is not more difficult for older adults.

While people often assume that losing weight is harder later in life, a new study concludes that this is not so. The research offers encouragement for older adults hoping to reap the health benefits of maintaining a healthy weight.

In an obesity program conducted at a hospital in the United Kingdom, weight loss was unaffected by age, with statistically equivalent results for people younger and older than 60.

Senior study author Dr. Thomas Barber, the scientific lead of the Human Metabolism Research Unit at the Warwick Medical School, in the U.K., explains that for people whose health would benefit from weight loss:

Weight loss is important at any age, but as we get older, were more likely to develop the weight-related comorbidities of obesity. Many of these are similar to the effects of aging, so you could argue that the relevance of weight loss becomes heightened as we get older, and this is something that we should embrace.

The studys authors write that weight loss may help older individuals address more than 50 comorbidities common with age, including diabetes, osteoarthritis, and mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. Increased mortality and a general lack of well-being in older adults are also associated with obesity.

The results of the new study appear in Clinical Endocrinology.

There are a number of reasons why people may discount weight loss in older people, says Dr. Barber. These include an ageist perspective that weight loss is not relevant to older people and misconceptions of reduced ability of older people to lose weight through dietary modification and increased exercise.

The study provides evidence that weight loss programs administered by medical professionals, in particular, have value.

Older people may feel that hospital-based obesity services are not for them, Dr. Barber acknowledges. Nonetheless, he suggests, Service providers and policymakers should appreciate the importance of weight loss in older people with obesity for the maintenance of health and well-being and the facilitation of healthy aging.

The study shows, Dr. Barber says, that Age, per se, should not contribute towards clinical decisions regarding the implementation of lifestyle management [in] older people.

The team analyzed the medical records of 242 randomly selected people who had participated in the obesity service offered by the Warwickshire Institute for the Study of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism (WISDEM) program between 2005 and 2016.

The researchers divided the cohort into two groups: people under 60 and people aged 6078. All participants had morbid obesity at the outset, with BMI measurements over 40. The analysis compared weight loss outcomes in the two groups.

Participants in the program managed their weight with dietary changes and more exercise, and medical professionals had customized the program for each individuals needs. Psychological support and encouragement were also provided.

The researchers took weight measurements before and after participation in the WISDEM program.

While the older group spent slightly less time in the program 33.6 months as opposed to 41.5 months weight loss in both groups was statistically equivalent.

People in the older group lost an average of 7.3% of their body weight, while those in the under-60 group lost 6.9%.

Given the health benefits that can result from weight management in people of any age with obesity and especially those who are already experiencing age-related health issues, Dr. Barber concludes:

Age should be no barrier to lifestyle management of obesity. Rather than putting up barriers to older people accessing weight loss programs, we should be proactively facilitating that process. To do otherwise would risk further and unnecessary neglect of older people through societal ageist misconceptions.

Read this article:
Ability to lose weight is not affected by age - Medical News Today

Alphonso Gibbs, Jr. (Courtesy Photo)

Alphonso Gibbs, Jr., LCSW-C, LICSW, Advisory Board MemberMens Health Networkwww.MensHealthNetwork.org

The six weeks encompassing Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Yearscollectively called the holidaysare for most, a magically unique time of year, filled with holiday carols, reunions, displays of colorful lights, love, and affection, often expressed through gift giving.

For the better part of 2020, we have all been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, the stresses brought on by racial tensions, and the political dramas of the 2020 election. Now, we have to make hard decisions on whether to gather with our loved ones for the holidays, or continue to socially distance from them until we get the all clear.

For some, the holidays bring hurt. Caused by factors such as those already mentioned, along with the weather (seasonal depression); extended separation, death, financial stress, unemployment, unrealistic expectations, hyper-sentimentality, guilt, or overspending. Holiday depressionalso called the holiday bluescan zap the merriment out of even the most wonderful time of the year. Now, one must make hard decisions on whether to visit, whom to visit, and how to prepare for the visitsuchas getting a COVID-19 screen prior to the visit.

The holiday blues only seem to get worse as we near the end of the year.

Holiday depression affects one million people every year. Men and women, young and old, all fall victim to feelings of sadness, loneliness, anxiety, guilt, and fatigue during this emotionally charged time.

Mens Health Network offers the following 10 suggestions to help you identify and ward offor at least better cope withpotential sources of holiday depression.

Resources and Helplines

SAMHSA Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration

800-662-HELP (4357)

http://www.samhsa.gov

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

800-273-TALK (8255)

http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

Your Head: An Owners Manual

http://www.YourHead.org

ULifeline.org Online resources for students

http://www.ulifeline.org

Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI)

https://www.pcori.org/topics/mental-and-behavioral-health

Mens Health Network

Mens Health Network (MHN) is an international non-profit organization whose mission is to reach men, boys, and their families where they live, work, play, and pray with health awareness messages and tools, screening programs, educational materials, advocacy opportunities, and patient navigation. Men can learn more about their health through MHNs online resource center, http://www.MensHealthResourceCenter.com

Learn more about MHN at http://www.MensHealthNetwork.org .Follow us on Twitter @MensHlthNetwork and Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/menshealthnetwork

The opinions on this page are those of the writers and not necessarily those of the AFRO. Send letters to The Afro-American 1531 S. Edgewood St. Baltimore, MD 21227 or fax to 1-877-570-9297 or e-mail to editor@afro.com

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Avoiding the holiday blues | Afro - Afro American

The rat being inflated and installed in lower Manhattan by District Council 16 of the Cement and Concrete Workers on November 18, 2020. Amanda Aronczyk hide caption

The rat being inflated and installed in lower Manhattan by District Council 16 of the Cement and Concrete Workers on November 18, 2020.

Maybe you've seen them around some bigger towns and cities: Giant inflatable rats with red eyes, and sharp teeth, gross-looking scabs on their belly, standing up on their hind legs with their claws out. Unions put them out in front of businesses they're fighting with. Which is why Scabby the rat has been spotted outside stores, in front of factories and even on HBO.

The rats have a name Scabby and a weird history. They started as suits. But recently, Scabby has also been in the courts. The National Labor Relations Board is trying to limit what they consider aggressive union tactics, and the question is whether Scabby counts as one. On today's show: the rise and possible fall of Scabby the Rat.

Thanks to Rebecca Kolins Givan, Associate Professor at the Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations; Mark Gaston Pearce, former NLRB Chairman and Executive Director of the Workers Rights Institute at Georgetown University Law Center; Joe Scopo, head organizer of District Council 16 of the Cement and Concrete Workers; Wally Zimolong of Zimolong Law; Dale Pierson and Ed Maher of the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 150.

Music: "Parisian Jaunt," and "Greetings Programs."

Find us: Twitter / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok

Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts, Pocket Casts and NPR One.

If you enjoyed this story combining The Sopranos, labor unions and giant balloons, please support us.

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Balloon rats: exercise of first amendment rights or aggressive union tactics? : Planet Money - NPR

Athletico is committed to keeping employees and patients safe during COVID-19 and has taken several measures including additional screening procedures, enhanced cleaning practices and appropriate distancing of patients during treatment sessions. In addition to in-clinic treatment at the Okemosclinic, Athletico is also offering telehealth virtual treatment options where patients can connect with a Physical Therapist through a secure online video chat.

"I am incredibly excited to take my career as a Physical Therapist to the next level with Athletico by continuing to grow as a clinician and leader, said Joe Pantino, PT, DPT and Clinic Manager of Athletico Okemos. "I love how active the Okemos community is and how much pride they have in their school districts along with Michigan State University. I look forward to growing a new Athletico clinic into a successful part of this community."

Services available at Athletico Okemos include:

Additionally, Athletico Okemos:

Athletico Okemos2090 Grand River Ave., Ste. COkemos, MI 48864P: 517-827-6550F: 517-208-0162www.athletico.com/Okemos[emailprotected]

ABOUT ATHLETICOAthletico Physical Therapy provides the highest quality orthopedic rehabilitation services to communities, employers and athletes in over 525 locations throughout twelve states with more than 5,000 employees. Athletico is committed to our patients and referring physicians through our patient-centric focus, positive work environment, attention to quality and high standard of care. Athletico measures patient outcomes and satisfaction and is dedicated to continuous improvement.Athletico was named #1 Workplace in Chicago, "Best Physical Therapy Practice in the Nation" by ADVANCE magazine, Top Workplace in the Nation and has been recognized as a leader in employee volunteering and charitable giving. Our services include physical and occupational/hand therapy, workers' compensation, women's health therapy, concussion management and athletic training. For more information, or to schedule a free assessment in-clinic or now online with our virtual free assessments, visit http://www.athletico.com and follow us on Twitter at @athletico.

CONTACT:Mandy Pasquale630-575-6269 | [emailprotected]

SOURCE Athletico Physical Therapy

http://www.athletico.com

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Athletico Physical Therapy Opens in Okemos - PRNewswire

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Work-related fatigue is related to a range of negative consequences, including poor productivity. This study investigates the extent to which exposure to a workplace exercise intervention affects employees health and wellbeing trajectories throughout the intervention and their experiences of the exercise regime.

It finds that sufficient exposure to the programme, and optimal exercise experiences, contribute to the success of the intervention for fatigued employees and that these beneficial effects are visible at an early point in the programme.

De Vries J D et al. Process evaluation of the receipt of an exercise intervention for fatigued employees: the role of exposure and exercise experiences, European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, published online 6 October 2020.

Doctors are required by law to notify suspected work-related Covid-19 deaths to the coroner and employers also have a legal duty to report such work-related deaths (and incidents) to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). About 9,000 cases of Covid-19 disease attributed to exposure at work including at least 125 deaths have been reported to the HSE so far, according to its second summary.

This study aims to assess the adequacy of these statutory means of reporting and investigating suspected workplace Covid-19 transmission and finds that the coroners guidance allows a wider range of reports of deaths due to the virus than the HSEs regulatory provisions.

The author concludes that current HSE guidance for reporting work-related Covid-19 may miss many thousands of cases and needs further iteration. Coroners have very limited experience of inquiry into occupational disease caused by biological agents compared with the HSE. Concerns regarding national policy such as on protective equipment warrant a full public inquiry.

Agius R M. Covid-19: statutory means of scrutinizing workers deaths and disease, Occupational Medicine, published online 21 September 2020.

People with Parkinsons disease exit the workplace on average five years earlier than workers without the condition, due to motor, cognitive, communicative and affective symptoms. However, there are few employment resources available for employees and employers designed to support people with Parkinsons in work.

This study, based on focus groups involving 16 workers with the condition and 10 clinicians and a literature review, identified three key needs for a workplace approach to the condition: knowledge about the available employment support options, the need for a clinician to start discussions about working with the condition and an individualised and flexible approach to employment-related interventions.

Rafferty M et al. Employment resources for people with Parkinsons Disease: a resource review and needs assessment, Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, published online 6 October 2020.

Workers can be exposed to a range of carcinogenic agents at work but most studies focus on the prevalence of a single one, resulting in knowledge gaps regarding the extent of multiple exposure, according to this Australian study. It finds that 81% of exposed workers were assessed as being exposed to more than one carcinogen and 26% reported exposure to five or more carcinogens. Multi-carcinogen exposure was more likely among men, but less likely amongst older workers.

McKenzie J F et al. Prevalence of exposure to multiple occupational carcinogens among exposed workers in Australia, Occupational & Environmental Medicine, published online 18 September 2020.

A therapeutic exercise programme is effective in improving the muscle strength and low back symptoms of nursing assistants, according to this randomised controlled trial involving 129 hospital-based staff.

The programme lasted 12 weeks and included warm-up, strengthening and stretching exercises and, on average, participants attended 17.5 sessions. Results showed increased trunk flexor muscle strength, improved pain threshold for dorsal longissimus and reduced low back symptoms.

However, no differences were observed between participants and the control group for back extensor muscle strength or flexibility. The authors conclude that exercise programmes can form part of a low-cost strategy in a hospital setting to avoid the progress of disability among active nursing personnel.

Moreira R F C et al. Effects of a workplace exercise program on physical capacity and lower back symptoms in hospital nursing assistants: a randomised controlled trial, International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, published online 16 September 2020.

Leadership interventions on workplace mental health that incorporate both reflective and interactive components in a group setting are effective in a healthcare setting, according to this systematic literature review. After an initial search revealed 11,221 hits, seven studies were deemed eligible for detailed review. All studies showed at least a moderate global validity and four showed statistical significant improvements in employee mental health as a result of leadership interventions involving seminar days on maintaining and fostering mental health.

Stuber F et al. The effectiveness of health-oriented leadership interventions for the improvement of mental health of employees in the health care sector: a systematic review, International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, published online 4 October 2020.

New child welfare recruits experience a significant worsening in their perceptions of physical and emotional wellbeing in the first six months of their careers, according to this study of 578 employees. Data on physical health included self-reported indicators and information on sleep disturbance, whilst measures for emotional wellbeing included psychological distress.

Information was collected in four waves during the recruits first 18 months in the job and suggested that physical wellbeing appeared to stabilise over time after the initial six months but that emotional wellbeing continued to decline.

Wilke D J. Examining occupational stress in early-career child welfare workers, Journal of Workplace Behavioral Health, published online 11 September 2020.

Employee financial wellness programmes are a relatively new type of employee benefit but evidence on their effectiveness in addressing workers financial challenges and financial stress remains thin. This study of three caregiving organisations suggests that in-person, face-to-face promotion of a programme, together with active support from senior management, are key factors in encouraging take-up of financial wellness.

Frank-Miller E G et al. Financial wellness programs in the workplace: evidence from employers in the caregiving industry, Journal of Workplace Behavioral Health, published online 5 October 2020.

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Occupational Health & Wellbeing research round-up: December 2020 - Personnel Today

The December 2020 Rec of the Month is East Carolina University (ECU) Campus Recreation and Wellness (CRW).

Mission: To engage the Pirate Community in diverse recreational and wellness experiences by providing exceptional facilities, programs and services.

Departmental Values: Inclusivity, learning, innovation, fun, tradition (I LIFT)

CRW manages four flagship facilities including two indoor and two outdoor locations.

The Eakin Student Recreation Center was built in 1997 and is located on ECUs main campus in Greenville, North Carolina. In November 2020 the Student Recreation Center was officially renamed the Richard R. and JoAnn M. Eakin Student Recreation Center (ESRC). The Eakin Student Recreation Center honors Dr. Richard Eakin who was ECUs fourth chancellor and the eighth chief administrative officer who served numerous leadership roles at ECU for 26 years before retiring in 2013.

Dr. Eakin was instrumental in the creation of the Student Rec Center in 1997. The 150,000-square-foot facility has six basketball courts, a 27-foot rock-climbing wall, an adventure center, indoor and outdoor pool, more than 12,000 square feet of free weight and fitness floor area, indoor track, dedicated indoor cycling zone, mind and body zone, resistance training zone, functional cross training zone, three racquetball courts, three multipurpose studios, the cardio zone with premier networked cardio, a fitness performance center, wellness center, well-being coaching room, classroom space, a family changing room with shower, and a newly added athletic training facility.

The Health Sciences Recreation Center opened in April 2017 and is located on ECUs Health Sciences Campus in Greenville, North Carolina. CRW operates a 25,000-square-foot recreation and fitness center inside of the 76,000-square-foot student center on the health sciences campus. The two-story, open-concept facility can accommodate a variety of movement activities, lectures, banquets and various other events. The first floor houses a multipurpose gym space that can accommodate two smaller basketball courts, one full-size basketball court, two volleyball courts and two badminton courts. Theres also more than 10,000 square feet of space dedicated to strength equipment and free weights. Locker rooms and a family changing room provide space for members and guests to prepare for the workout and prepare for their return to their day.

The second floor dedicates more than 4,000 square feet to cardiovascular equipment and is also the home of a multi-purpose studio, a functional cross-training studio and a fitness performance space. In addition to the recreation and fitness center, you will also find a 1,000-square-foot Wellness Center in the Health Sciences Student Center. The Wellness Center provides a zenful experience for students and faculty staff to access resources, utilize massage chairs, or have a cup of tea and meditate.

The North Recreational Complex (NRC) is an outdoor recreation complex located approximately five miles northeast from ECUs main campus and features eight multipurpose activity fields. The fields can be sized to accommodate soccer, flag football, lacrosse, ultimate Frisbee and rugby. A field house overlooks the fields providing equipment storage and a covered seating area with restrooms. Parking is provided adjacent to the field house. The property also includes six acres of water for fishing and boating, a sunbathing sand beach, fitness equipment, a half mile trail around the lake, sand volleyball, corn-hole, and an 18-hole disc golf course.

The Odyssey High Challenge Course, also located at NRC, is approximately 40 feet tall and has eight distinct high elements. The main course is 12 feet long with two 300-foot zip lines as an option to finish the course. The NRC also features six walking/jogging trails and one 5K running trail. Free kayaks, disc golf discs, sand volleyball, corn hole and sunbathing are available for all ECU students, faculty/staff, members and guests.

The Blount Recreational Sports Complex is an outdoor recreation complex located across the street from the ECU Grady-White Boats Athletic Campus. It is home to intramural and club sports, some challenge course groups and select special events. The facility offers numerous opportunities in a variety of sports such as flag football, soccer, softball, lacrosse, ultimate Frisbee, rugby, lacrosse and field hockey. A field house with restrooms is also on-site for convenience to members and guests. The fields can be reserved for use by campus groups with advance notice. The citys greenway also is adjacent to the complex encouraging a symbiotic relationship with the university and the city.

ECU Campus Recreation and Wellness employs 25 full-time team members, 13 graduate assistants, and more than 450 part-time student and contracted employees each year. The department is led by an executive team consisting of a director and four associate directors who each manage one of the following areas: administration and finance, facilities and operations, leadership and programs, and wellness and fitness. Out of all the programming the department offers, here are a few highlights:

Adventure and Team Training

Athletic Training

Sport and Youth Programs

Special Events

Group Fitness

Les Mills OnDemand

Personal Training

Virtual personal training allows the client to train when and where they like. Each client receives 30 days of individualized exercise programs designed specifically for the client. Personal trainers meet with each client virtually for an initial consultation and then design weekly workouts tailored to the goals and preferences. During the 30 days, the client has regular contact with their assigned trainer via text and video right from the app on their phone where the workouts are delivered. ECU provides online personal training through the Trainerize App.

30 Day Workout Programs are also available to folks who dont have the time or energy to create their own program. Clients can select from one of the various programs with a specific goal in mind such as strength, endurance, mobility and more, and then receive 30 days of workouts right at their fingertips via the app. All personal trainers are certified through ACE, ACSM, NASM or NSCA. The two fitness coordinators and the senior assistant director of wellness and fitness are all completing the Online Trainers Academy certification. ECU partners with the American Council on Exercise to provide a non-credit instructional program to recruit and train personal trainers.

Small Group Training

Meet Them Where They Are Campaign

Employee Well-Being Institute

Well-Being Coaching

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ECU Campus Recreation and Wellness - Campus Rec Magazine

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