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Online workout programs do come with certain risks. Injuries resulting from at-home exercise increased by nearly 48% from 2019 to 2020, according to a survey conducted by Medicare Marketplace using U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission data. Syatt recommends beginners hire an in-person trainer for 30 days to learn proper form and technique before attempting an online program on their own. With this foundation, an individual can be knowledgeable enough to avoid incorrect form that may lead to injury, he says.

For example, jumping exercises, such as burpees (a combination of a squat, push-up and vertical jump into the air) and box jumps (a jump from the floor to an elevated surface), are not beginner-friendly exercises and should be avoided unless youre an advanced athlete, says Syatt. Whats more, these types of exercises arent meant to be done at high-rep ranges for a cardio workout. Ive seen CrossFit coaches give clients 100 jumps in a workout. Thats when people tear their Achilles off the bone, he says, adding that exercises on unstable surfaces (like a Bosu ball) can also be unsafe without proper foundational fitness knowledge.

Anyone can call themselves a fitness coach these days, so its important to confirm the credentials of the program or instructor you choose, says Bret Contreras, Ph.D., a personal trainer, researcher and author of Glute Lab based in Las Vegas. Before signing up for an online program, verify the instructors credentials, certifications, education and experience, he advises.

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Maybe those gym classes in school werent such a waste of time after all.

Authors of a new study on childhood obesity say that providing additional physical education to young children is effective in preventing childhood obesity.

The study was published today in Obesity, The Obesity Societys flagship journal.

The goal of the study was to examine the effectiveness of a real-world, population-scaled, school-based physical activity intervention that provided two to three additional physical education lessons per week to children aged 6 to 14 years in Slovenia.

The study authors concluded that the population-scaled, school-based intervention was effective in preventing and treating obesity.

The effects were the greatest in children initially presenting with obesity, such that the program was able to benefit children needing support the most, the study authors concluded.

Our study proves that a sustainable, long-lasting and well-planed school-based physical activity program at both the individual and the population level is beneficial in preventing and treating childhood obesity, and it is especially helpful to those needing support the most e.g., children with excess weight, Petra Juri, DSc, a research associate at the University of Zagreb in Croatia and a corresponding author of the study, told Healthline.

Our study focused on physical activity only, it proves that changing even one behavior without changing anything else can reverse obesity cases among children and adolescents, she added. Therefore, policy-makers and funding bodies should be aware that obesity is a chronic condition that needs to be dealt with over a longer time frame, and that easy solutions and immediate effects are neither realistic nor sustainable.

Hopefully our study will start positive changes toward smarter policies where our results will help incentivize people who make decisions to address physical activity more carefully together with other behaviors such as diet and sleep, Juric said.

Between 2011 and 2018, the Healthy Lifestyle program was a nationwide intervention introduced in 216 Slovenian schools with more than 34,000 participants.

The intervention provided two additional physical education lessons in the first through sixth grades and three additional lessons in the seventh to ninth grades.

Once children obtained written parental consent, their participation was compulsory. The intervention was offered to all children in an individual school and organized as an elective course.

The maximum number of children per class was between 16 and 30.

Maroje Sori, PhD, the head of the Physical Activity Measurement and Surveillance Laboratory at the University of Zagreb and one of the studys senior authors, said in a press statement that the study analyzed only the effectiveness of such a program for obesity prevention, physical activity programs are likely to benefit growth and development, improve fitness, enhance mental health and boost the cognitive performance of the children, and should be a cornerstone of educational and health policies.

However, some experts on obesity told Healthline that the new study is not ideal.

Dr. Dan Bessesen, a professor of medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and Anschutz Foundation Endowed Chair in Health and Wellness, had some trepidation about the study.

This is not a definitive study, Bessesen told Healthline. It may breathe some life into the idea that school-based interventions could be helpful but given the fact that previous studies have been more rigorous and did not show clear benefits, this study is not a game changer in my opinion.

Dr. Caroline Apovian, a past president of The Obesity Society and co-director of the Center for Weight Management and Wellness as well as a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School in Massachusetts, agreed with Besseson.

Apovian told Healthline that the study compared those children who volunteered to participate in the exercise program with those who did not volunteer, and found that over the years those who volunteered decreased body mass index (BMI) more than those who did not volunteer.

But, she added, They even say in the study that in general over those same years obesity was declining.

Apovian said the study falls short of being a definitive work in this population.

There is really nothing new here. Exercise is good for you and may even assist in decreasing BMI as seems to be shown here, but to say that it prevents and treats obesity is a wildly exaggerated connection to me. We can poke holes in this study, she said.

Some of the holes, she added, have to do with study design and analysis of the data, but the biggest hole or gap is between what the study actually shows and what was concluded.

I do not think this study shows that exercise can prevent and treat obesity in children, Apovian said. I think they should have concluded that exercise seems to intensify the background decrease in BMI and that perhaps this was accomplished by influencing those children who would want to exercise by having a time and place for them to do so.

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Childhood Obesity: How Effective Are School Exercise Programs? - Healthline

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People are buzzing over ChatGPT and its potential to create, well, just about anything. In seconds, the AI chatbot appears capable of writing a sonnet, website content, or even detailed workout plans, so its no surprise that people are jumping in two-footed to embrace it.

If AI technology is still boggling your mind, our guides on ChatGPT explained and how to use ChatGPT will help you get started. Microsoft and Google are already embracing the GPT language model, and it wont be long before we see integration even more widely. But what does this mean for the fitness industry?

Ill admit it I have some reservations. Fine, Im a personal trainer, and I might be biased. But fitness trainers and sports coaches have already documented how impressed they are with bot-created workout plans, claiming it programs better than some personal trainers can.

I decided to try ChatGPT, asking the AI model to build me a four-week leg program to build muscle and strength. Heres what happened.

I was curious. Could ChatGPT understand exercise and deliver a tailored program better than I could? Heres what I learned.

I started with a simple request

Build me a four-week leg workout program. And just like that, I had one. It gave me two new programs per week broken down into four exercises per session, including sets and reps. ChatGPT even added, heres a four-week leg workout program that targets the major muscle groups of the lower body. Remember to warm up properly and gradually increase the weight as your strength improves. The bot told me to include 1-2 minutes of rest between sets and exercises, aiming to complete each workout within one hour.

Okay, not bad.

But here was my immediate problem workout programs are tailored to individuals, which means trainers will spend a decent chunk of time building a complete picture of their clients, including their weight, age, sex, fitness levels, goals, and more. Exercises are then further tailored for any existing injuries with progressions, regressions, and load recommendations added. And then theyll create a structured, periodized program that accounts for developments in ability, strength, and muscle over time (called progressive overload), and that information changes from client to client.

So where was the personal approach? I fed it more information.

This time, I fed ChatGPT details like sex, age, weight, and height, adding that I needed loading, weight, and rest day recommendations. I also reiterated my aim to build glute strength and muscle in my lower body. As I fed the bot more information, the better the programming got.

ChatGPT powered out an impressive leg-day program, including a week of foundation building, muscle groups targeted, the type of weight to use, and the percentage of one rep max (1RM) to work at, then advising to increase volume on week two and add intensity on week three.

Heres the thing. You need to know what to ask and what the answers mean, and that requires existing knowledge from the person asking the questions more likely coaches or advanced exercisers than beginners.

If you dont ask, you dont get, and this could significantly increase the likelihood of developing poor form and getting injured through no fault of the exerciser. After all, a bot isnt able to watch you work out (yet). Interestingly, ChatGPT also told me to consult a qualified fitness professional before starting any new exercise program to ensure it's appropriate for individual needs and goals.

Theres so much potential with ChatGPT. Im in no doubt that (over time) some of the best fitness trainers, sports coaches, and athletes could feed into the model and teach it to offer a next-level fitness service. Soon, Im sure you could even tailor programs to your menstrual cycle, sleep habits or diet. My problem remains that although you could request a full-body workout, strength program, or Pilates ab workout, ChatGPT cant yet deliver the uniquely in-depth and individualized service that a fitness trainer or coach could.

While learning how to build a workout program is relatively simple, the intricacies of executing, adapting, and progressing matter. For example, correcting exercise form or adapting an exercise based on the person's movement quality that theyre unaware of. While Im under no illusion that ChatGPT has taken over the coach role, heres the question could it?

ChatGPT never claimed PT stands for personal trainer, but its somewhat doing the job. However, fitness professionals have all developed their knowledge, strengths, weaknesses, and styles. Clients arent just paying for a personal trainer but the skills they offer helping you develop, adapt and learn safely from the ground up.

Great exercise programs come from asking the right questions to your clients. That said, many people cant access a gym or personal trainer, and exercise and advice should be accessible to anyone. I just hope the advice handed out is the good kind. If you need a quick gym workout, this program will produce results, but I dont doubt that AI could, and will, learn to deliver better workout programs fast. It just wont call you out to work harder.

If youd like to access fitness content, try the 5 best kettlebell exercises for beginners, these are 6 essential exercises for building full-body strength, and you only need these 5 core dumbbell exercises to develop muscle mass, strength, and power. You can also learn how to run a 5k here.

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I asked ChatGPT to build me a 4-week workout program here's ... - Tom's Guide

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Introduction

Physical exercise programs in healthy older adults or those with preexisting health conditions have been studied by different entities and research groups at an international level, in an attempt to determine its impact on their physical capacities such as strength, resistance, aerobic capacity, flexibility, and other features. Physical activity, besides bringing positive benefits to the health of the elderly people, is an effective strategy to treat and prevent frailty, helping to improve physical and mental functions, as well as reversing some of the effects of chronic diseases and maintaining mobility and functional independence.1 In this sense, studies have examined community-dwelling older adults and focused mainly on the following parameters: cognitive and nutritional interventions and their relationship with frailty;2 the effects on their functional capacities after supervised vigorous exercise interventions;3 the performance of comprehensive physical exercise programs on the physical fitness and its psychosocial role;4 multicomponent interventions comprising aerobic fitness, cardiovascular function, and insulin resistance after high-intensity interval training5 along with progressive resistance, balance, and functional and aerobic training;6 among other physical exercise programs with the aim to attain the improvements at the level of the aforementioned capacities.712 In groups of older adults of the same population ages and with a pre-existing health condition such as obesity and/or sarcopenia, the effects on physical qualities were studied, as the impact on body composition, physical capacity,13 the functional aptitude,14,15 growth and gains in the muscle function,16 and fat oxidation through high-intensity interval training17 was measured, as well in patients with coronary heart disease, the intervention with exercise improved the quality of life.18

Different tests have been considered as measurement tools in research projects aimed at determining the efficacy of interventions based on physical exercise programs for older adults, including the Senior Fitness Test (SFT),19,20 such as exercise protocols ranging from 12 weeks to 8 months, in programs including vigorous exercise3 and comprehensive physical exercise,4 also in PRIME (Peripheral Remodeling Training through Intermittent Muscular Exercise),8 in community-based exercise,9 home-based tele-exercise programs,13 or multicomponent physical activities.21

Several studies in Latin America, most were published in Brazil, have assessed the impact of training programs on physical functions and capacities of institutionalized older adults with frailty syndromes22 and older adults in the community with a history of falls.21 Furthermore, these studies evaluated the positive effects on the strength, aerobic capacity, functional fitness, and lipid profile of healthy older adults,23 the impact on the functionality of healthy women through aerobic and muscle strength training,24 and the community-based physical exercise programs with repercussions on their mental health and well-being.25 In Colombia, there are few studies that have recorded pre- and postintervention measurements using physical exercise in older adults who aimed to work on their physical capacities. However, one of the previously published studies establishes significant results concerning anthropometric parameters, strength, flexibility, aerobic resistance and balance, and decreased risk of falls in a group of older adults in the city of Barranquilla.26

However, the different departments and municipalities have organized physical exercise programs and activities that promote healthy lifestyles in older adults. Such guided and supervised programs and activities are regularly conducted in the municipality of Santiago de Cali. The purpose of the present study involved using a municipality strategy27 and measuring the impact of an exercise program on the physical capacities of older adults such as strength, flexibility, balance, and aerobic capacity. The selected sample comprised 4830 older adults living in a community, who are engaged in a program from the Municipal Secretary for Sport. The research adopts the hypothesis that applying a community intervention program based on physical exercise significantly improves the physical qualities of the study.

A quasi-experimental research was performed on a study group according to the guidelines proposed in the TREND statement. Checklist for quasi-experimental studies and the criteria described by the CERT for interventions based on physical exercise.

The population under study corresponded to 5550 community-dwelling older adults, engaged in a program from the Municipal Health Secretariat for active aging. A total of 4830 subjects, who agreed to participate in the intervention, were selected using non-probabilistic convenience sampling. All of the participants voluntarily signed the informed consent. The following exclusion criteria were considered: age of <60 years; the presence of cognitive impairment (minimal test greater than 24 points in schooled individuals, 1 point less if not schooled or of rural origin), uncontrolled chronic disease (hypertension and diabetes, the participants had to be under medical management), uncorrected vestibular disorders, or seizures; and individuals with acute traumatic injuries and movement disorders that limited the practice of physical exercise. Participants who attended <70% of the physical exercise sessions were not considered for the study, this value has been established in previously generated interventions with exercise in a community setting.28

A pilot test for the data collection process was performed to help improve the validity and reliability of the procedures, train the team, and reduce possible biases and errors in the data collection. Initially, a sociodemographic data collection form was applied that included the variables of age, sex, health insurance, leisure activities, support network, type of housing and the identification of deficiencies or clinical history.

Measurements were recorded at the following two representative stages: First, a preintervention measurement was conducted, followed by the application of a 12-month exercise program, following which the second postintervention measurement was performed (Figure 1). Both the measurements and the exercise program focused on a series of physical capacities such as strength, flexibility, balance, and aerobic capacity. The study was performed pursuant to the institutional and governmental regulatory frameworks that regulate research with human beings, such as the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki (ethical principles for medical research involving human subjects)29 and resolution 08430 of 1993 of the Ministry of Health (establishing the scientific, technical, and administrative standards for health research).30 Furthermore, this study was endorsed by the scientific ethics and bioethics committee of the institution.

Figure 1 Study flow chart.

The pre-and postintervention measurements were recorded while taking into account a series of tests and measurements that are included in the SFT, including the lower limb strength test,31 which requires participants to sit at the front edge of a chair, bringing one leg straight in front of the hip, with the heel flat on the floor and the ankle dorsiflexed (approximately 90), while the other leg remains slightly bent to the side, in order to obtain a measurement of the hamstrings flexibility in older adults this presents good intraclass test-retest reliability (r =0.92 for men and r =0.96 for women), and the chest lift test,32 in which each participant had to perform the greatest number of correctly executed trunk flexion exercises, to obtain a measurement of muscular performance of the upper limbs the correlation index between the revised scores was 80 for women and 87 for men.

The squat test33 was also performed, wherein each participant started the test by sitting in the middle of the chair, moving to a body upright position, and then returning to the initial position without completely sitting on the chair. The aim of this test was to obtain a measurement of the muscle performance of the lower limbs that had reported values in validation studies (men r =0.78 and women r =0.71). The balance test, where participants had to sit in the middle of the chair, with their back straight, their feet flat on the ground, and, at the go signal, participants had to rise from the chair and walk as quickly as possible until they went around the cone and sat back down.20 The 2-minute walk test,20 where participants had to walk according to their aerobic capacity for 2 minutes. Lastly, the shoulder external rotation test, where each subject was instructed to stand with the hand of his or her preference on the same shoulder, the palm facing downwards and his or her fingers extended. From this position, the participant will bring his or her hand toward the middle of the back as far as possible, keeping the elbow up. The other arm is placed behind the back, surrounding the waist with the palm of the hand facing upwards and taking it as far as possible, trying to make the middle fingers of both hands touch each other.20

The physical fitness variables were rated on a numerical scale according to their response options: Balance was measured as the time in seconds when traveling 2.44 meters; muscle strength as the number of repetitions in 30 seconds; Wells flexibility as the distance in centimeters from the tips of the fingers of the hands to the upper part of the shoe; flexibility of the shoulder external rotation as the distance in centimeters between the tips of the middle fingers of both hands; and aerobic capacity as the total number of steps completed, these latest tests have reliability values of 0.80 to 0.98.34

The anthropometric measurement of the waist/hip ratio (WHR) was recorded, which relates the waist perimeter to that of the hip (in centimeters), and according to the provisions of the World Health Organization, levels of 0.8 in women and 1.0 in men were considered normal, while higher values indicated an increased cardiovascular risk, this was taken with a tape measure (SECA 201). Regarding the body mass index (BMI) corresponding to the ratio between the body weight and height (Weight/Height: kg/m), values<18.5 kg/m were classified as low weight, 18.524.9 kg/ m as normal, 2529.9 kg/m as overweight, and 30 kg/m as obesity, to take this measurement, a scale (Meter 800KL) and a portable stadiometer (SECA 217) were used.

The program was conducted at recreational community centers. The intervention scheme was 3 times a week, in 60-minute sessions, divided into a warm-up phase, a central phase, and a cool-down phase, for 12 months. The intervention was conducted by a methodological team made up of physiotherapists, graduates, and sports professionals linked to the Municipal Sports Secretariat. All the professionals who taught the sessions had experience in exercise planning for the elderly and had received training from two of the teams researchers.

At the beginning of the sessions, we started with an effort monitoring using the Borg scale to measure the perception reported during the activities, taking the participants up to a perception of 6 (hard). If the participant reported a greater effort, he/she was instructed to decrease the pace of work.

Strength training was developed through exercises with free weights, focused on 12 muscle groups as follows: shoulder flexors, shoulder abductors, shoulder extensors, elbow flexors, elbow extensors, hip flexors, hip abductors, hip extensors, hip, knee flexors, knee extensors, ankle plantar and dorsi flexors, these contemplated variabilities in positioning, they were worked in a seated position, initiating the processes to guarantee safety while the exercise was understood. As the sessions passed, changes were made, such as execution from the biped or changes in the base of support to increase the load.

The flexibility capacity was worked through directed static stretching, along with joint mobility exercises in all body segments. The aerobic capacity was trained through continuous or discontinuous physical activities lasting approximately 1560 minutes.

Dynamic and static balance exercises included changes in the base of support, speed, and attention change exercises, as well as specific accessories for this type of exercise. The activities and physical exercises were adapted to each subjects circumstances. Breaks of 6090 seconds were provided between each series of exercises.

The progression was given according to the response capacity of the groups, generating an increase in the series of repetitions every two months, which allowed the variability of the exercise.

Concordance was evaluated and statistical validation of the database was performed. The unit corresponded to the participants subjected to the intervention. A descriptive analysis of the study variables was performed in the general population, as well as according to age ranges. This description was developed for categorical data using frequency distribution, relative frequencies, and proportions. For the quantitative data, a numerical analysis of measures of central tendency and dispersion was conducted, including the estimation of the respective confidence interval (95% CI) for the proportions.

The qualitative variables were sex, the general system of social security in health, recreational activities, main support network, type of household, type of deficiency or clinical history, and medication intake. These were assumed as independent variables, the Chi-square test (2) was used to establish the differences in proportions. Regarding the quantitative variables the KolmogorovSmirnov normality test was carried out to consider the distribution of the data, for the comparison of the hypotheses of differences between the sample means, a Students t-test was used for paired data. The differences in proportions and means were measured with a significance level of 0.05 and a CI of 95%. The magnitude of the effect of the physical exercise intervention was estimated using Cohens d, interpreting the cut-off value as small effect (0.20), medium effect (0.50), and large effect (0.80). Data analysis was conducted with the statistical programs RStudio and JASP.

The present study corresponded to a quasi-experimental design, with a significant sample size of 4830 older adults from the community, which included the evaluation of tests and measures for physical qualities with a highly reliable instrument, before and after an intervention based on physical exercise.

The study population consisted mainly of older female adults (92.4%) and members of the contributory regime of the general social security health system (68.2%). Among their leisure activities, spending time with family, friends, and neighbors was predominant (45.6%), the majority of them reporting their family as the main support network (89.1%), the consumption of medicines (73.2%), and residing in their own home (68.0%) (Table 1).

Table 1 Sociodemographic Characteristics

In the comparison of proportions by age groups <75 and 75 years, female adults and those with their own home predominated in the younger group; however, in the older group, adults who take medications, and with a clinical history of deficiencies in the cardiorespiratory system and in the movement of the body, hands, arms, and legs were predominant, all with statistically significant differences (p < 0.05).

The age of the total study population presented an average of 70.7 years, a standard deviation of 7.3, and an age range between 60 and 97 years. When comparing the statistics of the age variable by sex, it can be observed that the average is higher in men compared to women (73 vs 70), as well as a wider age range for the female gender, since it is within this group that the extreme values exceeding the cut-off point of 90 years could be found (Figure 2).

Figure 2 Box-and-whisker plot for age by sex.

Regarding changes in the physical capacities after the physical exercise intervention in older adults, it could be found that generally speaking, although all areas benefited from the exercise, the area with the greatest mean difference was muscle strength in the lower limbs, followed by flexibility and muscle strength in the upper limbs. This can be seen in the statistically significant differences between the two measurement moments (p < 0.05).

It can also be observed that flexibility shows the largest effect magnitude (Cohens d), followed by muscle strength of the lower limbs. However, the intervention with physical exercise reveals a large effect (>0.80) in all variables, except in the aerobic capacity where the effect is small (Table 2).

Table 2 Changes in the Physical Capacities

In addition, the variables self-perception of health status, BMI, and WHR showed a tendency to benefit, showing an increase in the number of people who perceive their health status as good, while the frequency of older adults with overweight and WHR in the cardiovascular risk category decreased (Figure 3).

Figure 3 Pre- and postintervention changes in the self-perception of health status, body mass index, and waist-hip ratio.

According to the results reported in the literature, there is evidence of acceptance of the hypothesis proposed in the present study, which is focused on the possible benefits for the physical capacities of older adults after completing a physical exercise program. Additionally, a substantial percentage of studies establish similarities when reporting the SFT set as an assessment and measurement instrument. For example, Ramalho et al worked with two study groups, both with physical exercise intervention, and found significant improvements in all the physical capacities measured by the SFT.9

In a study applying for a vigorous exercise program in healthy older adults, significant improvements could be measured in the capacities of strength, flexibility, balance, and agility. However, in the 8-foot Up and Go test (of the SFT), no statistically significant results (p > 0.05)3 could be observed. Sbardelotto et al after evaluating three groups with different exercise protocols, found that those protocols directly related to the combination of exercises focused on developing physical strength and aerobic capacity within the same session proved to be more efficient than when performed separately.23 On the other hand, Martnez et al assessed the degree of functional decline in older adults after a 5-month non-intervention period, finding that the capacities of mobility, strength, resistance, and balance presented a significant worsening.12

A 2020 study on the effects of a balance and resistance exercise program on physical fitness, quality of life, and fear of falls found that two weeks of intervention with multi-component interventions targeting physical activity generated significant results in these capacities.35 The starting point for the present study was the little evidence found about studies that measured physical capacities before and after intervention in older adults in Colombia. In 2012, Vidarte et al reported the effects of physical exercise on functional physical condition and the risk of falls in older adults, finding significant changes in body composition, strength, flexibility, aerobic resistance, and balance.26 Unlike the previous investigation, our study included a longer intervention period that reached 12 months of the supervised physical exercise program, which significantly contributes to local and regional knowledge about the effects of this type of community strategies in the context of public health policies for the elderly population.

On the other hand, Chabeene et al in a systematic review, postulated that physical training of >3 weekly sessions in healthy older adults generates a series of significant improvements in muscle strength, balance, and physical fitness in general.36 Mendes et al measured the impact of a community-based exercise program for middle-aged and older adults, finding significant improvements in aerobic fitness, muscle strength, agility, balance, and flexibility.37

Therefore, similarities become evident in the research report, which sustains and support the hypothesis of the present investigation, endorsing the results found in this study, which show significant differences for all the physical capacities evaluated such as strength, flexibility, proprioception, balance, and aerobic capacity.

Additionally, and in line with the Colombian policy on human aging and old age (20152024), where active aging is considered based on definitions of the World Health Organization (2002), which defines it as Active aging is the process of optimizing opportunities for health, participation, and security in order to enhance the quality of life as people age,38 the present study contributes to this insight of aging, highlighting the benefits in physical development (as part of the physical, mental, and social components), thus favoring an optimal level of performance with the potential to impact other components of the life of the older adult. This point was evidenced in our study with the positive change in the perception of the state of health, which went from being perceived as excellent from 9.5% (462) to 21% (718) after the intervention.

This impact is highlighted based on the fact that the population under study was made up of 4830 older adults living in the community, who were engaged in a program of the Municipal Health Secretary for active aging. The measurements and strategies were based on a 12-month intervention, in which the respective measurements were made before and after the intervention, the results of which have been presented above.

The limitations of this research correspond to those of quasi-experimental studies, related to the limitation to control other associated factors that may influence the intervention and the lack of a control group, however, we sought to reduce these situations with a sample size important and representative of the total population and that had good adherence to the exercise-based intervention, which allows the changes found in the physical qualities of older adults to be related with greater strength of association.

The present study revealed that a supervised physical exercise program at the community level has positive effects on the physical capacities of coordination, balance, flexibility, strength, and aerobic capacity, therefore such programs with a specific intensity have physical benefits.

Similarly, there was evidence of an improvement in the self-perception of health status and the reduction of overweight and obesity. In addition, the majority of the population that attends this type of intervention is female, so the programs that respond to public health policies must establish strategies that allow greater adherence and participation of older adults of both sexes.

Approval of the ethics committee Universidad Santiago de Cali on September 21, 2018 according to Minutes No. 04.

This research was funded by the General Research Directorate of the Universidad Santiago de Cali under call No. 02-2023.

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

1. de Hoyos Alonso MD, Gorroogoitia Iturbe A, Martn Lesende I, et al. Preventive activities in the elderly. PAPPS Update. Atencin primaria. 2018;50:109124. doi:10.1016/s0212-6567(18)30365-2

2. Ng TP, Feng L, Nyunt MSZ, et al. Nutritional, physical, cognitive, and combination interventions and frailty reversal among older adults: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Med. 2015;128(11):12251236.e1. doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2015.06.017

3. Todd F, Melis F, Mura R, et al. A 12-week vigorous exercise protocol in a healthy group of persons over 65: study of physical function by means of the senior fitness test. BioMed Res Int. 2016;2016:16. doi:10.1155/2016/7639842

4. Herrera E, Pablos A, Chiva , Pablos C. Effects of a global physical condition, self-steem and enjoyment on elderly adults. Agora for PE and SPORT. 2016;18(2):167183.

5. Hwang C-L, Yoo J-K, Kim H-K, et al. Novel all-extremity high-intensity interval training improves aerobic fitness, cardiac function and insulin resistance in healthy older adults. Exp Gerontol. 2016;82:112119. doi:10.1016/j.exger.2016.06.009

6. Haripriya S, Kumar D. Effect of a multi-component exercise program on functional mobility, exercise capacity and quality of life in older adults. J Clin Diagn Res. 2018;12(7):YC01YC04. doi:10.7860/JCDR/2018/30986.11782

7. Kling HE, DAgostino EM, Booth JV. The effect of a park-based physical activity program on cardiovascular, strength, and mobility outcomes among a sample of racially/ethnically diverse adults aged 55 or older. Prev Chronic Dis. 2018;15:180326. doi:10.5888/pcd15.180326externalicon

8. Allen JD, Vanbruggen MD, Johannsen NM, et al. PRIME: a novel low-mass, high-repetition approach to improve function in older adults. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2018;50(5):10051014. doi:10.1249/MSS.0000000000001518

9. Ramalho F, Santos-Rocha R, Branco M, et al. Effect of 6-month community-based exercise interventions on gait and functional fitness of an older population: a quasi-experimental study. In: Clinical Interventions in Aging. Dove Press; 2018:595606. doi:10.2147/CIA.S157224

10. Garca B, Martnez M, Rubio J, Carrasco M. High-intensity interval circuit training versus moderate-intensity continuous training on functional ability and body mass index in middle-aged and older women: a randomized controlled trial. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019;16(21):4205. doi:10.3390/ijerph16214205

11. Esmail A, Vriceanu T, Lussier M, et al. Effects of dance/movement training vs. aerobic exercise training on cognition, physical fitness and quality of life in older adults: a randomized controlled trial. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2020;24(1):212220. doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2019.05.004

12. Martinez D, Diz J, Varela S, Snchez M, Ayn C. Impact of a five-month detraining period on the functional fitness and physical activity levels on active older people. Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2020;91:104191. doi:10.1016/j.archger.2020.104191

13. Liao C-D, Tsauo J-Y, Lin L-F, et al. Effects of elastic resistance exercise on body composition and physical capacity in older women with sarcopenic obesity: a CONSORT-compliant prospective randomized controlled trial. Medicine. 2017;96(23):e7115. doi:10.1097/md.0000000000007115

14. Hong J, Kim J, Kim S, et al. Effects of home-based tele-exercise on sarcopenia among community-dwelling elderly adults: body composition and functional fitness. Exp Gerontol. 2017;87:3339. doi:10.1016/j.exger.2016.11.002

15. Budui S, Bigolin F, Giordano F, et al. Effects of an intensive inpatient rehabilitation program in elderly patients with obesity. Obes Facts. 2019;12(2):199210. doi:10.1159/000497461

16. Stec MJ, Thalacker-Mercer A, Mayhew DL, et al. Randomized, four-arm, dose-response clinical trial to optimize resistance exercise training for older adults with age-related muscle atrophy. Exp Gerontol. 2017;99:98109. doi:10.1016/j.exger.2017.09.018

17. Gaitn JM, Eichner NZM, Gilbertson NM, Heiston EM, Weltman A, Malin SK. Two weeks of interval training enhances fat oxidation during exercise in obese adults with prediabetes. J Sports Sci Med. 2019;18(4):636644.

18. Campo G, Tonet E, Chiaranda G, et al. Exercise intervention improves quality of life in older adults after myocardial infarction: randomised clinical trial. Heart. 2020;106(21):16581664. doi:10.1136/heartjnl-2019-316349

19. Rikli RE, Jones CJ. The development and validation of a functional fitness test for community residing older adults. J Aging Phys Activity. 1999;7:129161. doi:10.1123/japa.7.2.129

20. Jones CJ, Rikli RE. Senior fitness test manual. J Aging Phys Activity. 2002;10(1):127159.

21. Kruger A, Ribeiro A, Valentini N. Multicomponent physical activity program: study with faller and non-faller older adults. J Phys Educ. 2019;30(30777):12. doi:10.4025/jphyseduc.v30i1.3077

22. Ferreira CB, Dos Teixeira PS, Alves G, et al. Effects of a 12-week exercise training program on physical function in institutionalized frail elderly. J Aging Res. 2018;e7218102. doi:10.1155/2018/7218102

23. Sbardelotto ML, Costa RR, Malysz KA, et al. Improvement in muscular strength and aerobic capacities in elderly people occurs independently of physical training type or exercise model. Clinics. 2019;74:e833. doi:10.6061/clinics/2019/e833

24. Concha YF, Guzman EE, Marzuca GN. Effects of a combined exercise program on functional capacity in healthy older women in Primary Health Care Centre. Physiotherapy. 2017;39(5):195201. doi:10.1016/j.ft.2017.03.002

25. Guilln L, Bueno E, Gutirrez M, Guerra J. Impact of a physical activity program on older adults depression and subjective well-being. Retos. 2018;33:1419.

26. Vidarte J, Quintero M, Herazo Y. Effects of physical exercise on functional fitness and stability in older adults. Hacia Promoc Salud. 2012;17(2):7990.

27. Buritica-Marn E, Ordoez-Mora L. Sustainable management model for community care of the elderly. Cuban Journal of Biomedical Research. 2020;39(2):54.

28. Farrance C, Tsofliou F, Clark C. Adherence to community based group exercise interventions for older people: a mixed-methods systematic review. Prev Med. 2016;87:155166. doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2016.02.037

29. Manzini JL. Declaration of Helsinki: ethical principles for medical research involving human subjects. Acta Bioethica. 2000;6(2). doi:10.4067/S1726-569X2000000200010

30. Ministry of Health. Resolucion-8430-DE-1993.pdf. Resolucin nmero 8430 de 1993; 1993. Resolucin nmero 8430 de 1993: https://www.minsalud.gov.co/sites/rid/Lists/BibliotecaDigital/RIDE/DE/DIJ/RESOLUCION-8430-DE-1993.PDF. Accessed February 14, 2023.

31. Jones CJ, Rikli RE, Max J, Noffal G. The reliability and validity of a chair sit-and-reach test as a measure of hamstring flexibility in older adults. Res Q Exerc Sport. 1998;69(4):338343. doi:10.1080/02701367.1998.1060770

32. Baumgartner TA, Oh S, Chung H, Hales D. Objectivity, reliability, and validity for a revised push-up test protocol. Meas Phys Educ Exerc Sci. 2002;6(4):225242. doi:10.1207/s15327841mpee0604_2

33. Jones CJ, Rikli RE, Beam WC. A 30-s chair-stand test as a measure of lower body strength in community-residing older adults. Res Q Exerc Sport. 1999;70(2):113119. doi:10.1080/02701367.1999.10608028

34. Rikli RE, Jones CJ. Development and validation of criterion-referenced clinically relevant fitness standards for maintaining physical Independence in later years. Gerontologist. 2013;53(2):255267. doi:10.1093/geront/gns071

35. Stanghelle B, Bentzen H, Giangregorio L, Pripp AH, Skelton DA, Bergland A. Effects of a resistance and balance exercise programme on physical fitness, health-related quality of life and fear of falling in older women with osteoporosis and vertebral fracture: a randomized controlled trial. Osteoporos Int. 2020;31(6):10691078. doi:10.1007/s00198-019-05256-4

36. Chabeene P, Herz MJ, Hhne J, et al. Home-based exercise programmes improve physical fitness of healthy older adults: a PRISMA-compliant systematic review and meta-analysis with relevance for COVID-19 ScienceDirect; 2021. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S156816372100012X. Accessed February 14, 2023.

37. Mendes R, Sousa N, Themudo-Barata J, Reis V. Impact of a community- based exercise programme on physical fitness in middle-aged and older patients with type 2 diabetes. Gaceta Sanitaria. 2016;30(3):215220. doi:10.1016/j.gaceta.2016.01.007

38. Ministry of Health. [Colombian policy on human aging and old age 2015-2024]. Gobierno de Colombia; 2015:54. Available from: https://www.minsalud.gov.co/sites/rid/Lists/BibliotecaDigital/RIDE/DE/PS/Pol%C3%ADtica-colombiana-envejecimiento-humano-vejez-2015-2024.pdf. Accessed February 14, 2023.

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At True Mind + Body, a mental-health clinic in Northbrook, Ill., therapy goes way beyond the couch. Adult clients can book walk-and-talk sessions with a therapist, working through their problems while strolling in the fresh air (or on a treadmill, if bad weather demands it). Or, they can sign up for in-house yoga classes that promote mindfulness and are followed by group discussions. Kids and teenagers, meanwhile, can have their therapy appointments while shooting hoops, traversing an obstacle course, or playing soccer in one of the clinics movement rooms.

The idea behind this holistic approach, says co-founder and licensed clinical social worker Melissa Novack, is to supplement traditional mental-health treatment with the healing power of movement, which has been shown in numerous studies to improve psychological as well as physical health.

Science tells us that were one workout away from a good mood, Novack says. Combining that workout with therapy is especially beneficial, she says, because clients can tap into a sense of productivity or purpose when moving. People who feel nervous in traditional therapy sessionsparticularly kidsmay also feel at ease when theyre active.

The idea of mixing movement with mental-health isnt brand new. Wilderness therapy programs combining behavioral support and outdoor adventure have been around for decades, and plenty of clinics have adopted the walk-and-talk model to get clients moving. Other therapists integrate nature into their appointments, whether by hiking, gardening, or forest bathing.

While not all of these approaches have been formally studied, some research suggests theyre onto something. Several recent studies have concluded that mental-health treatments are more effective when theyre combined with physical activity programs, supporting the idea that therapy can be about far more than just talking.

Read More: How to Be Ambitious Without Sacrificing Your Mental Health

The combination of exercise and therapy doesnt necessarily need to be simultaneous to be beneficial, says Jennifer Thomas, a health and well-being researcher at the U.K.s Swansea University who has studied the benefits of combining exercise and therapy. Some of the studies she analyzed for a 2020 research review involved programs that mixed exercise directly into therapy sessions, while others staggered the timing of treatment and exercise. As long as people were getting both mental-health treatment and following a specific physical-activity plan during the same time period, she says, the benefits tended to build upon one another.

Regardless of what type of exercise you do or what youre adding it to, there is most likely going to be a benefit for patients, agrees Jacqueline Lee, a graduate neuroscience student at the University of British Columbia and co-author of a 2021 research review on the benefits of combined exercise and mental-health treatment.

Why does exercise have such a strong effect on mental health? Thats a question researchers are still studying, but there seem to be multiple pathways. Studies have long shown that working out releases feel-good endorphins, and animal research suggests it can also increases the brains supply of neurotransmitters, which may improve mood and decrease stress, anxiety, and depression. Exercise has also been shown to boost blood flow to and stimulate nerve growth in the brain, which can improve cognitive health and function, potentially leading to psychological benefits including the prevention or improvement of depressive symptoms. Physical activity is also linked to better sleep, which is itself beneficial for mental health.

These effects can be powerful. A World Health Organization report published Feb. 17 estimates that, if everyone in the European Union got at least 150 minutes of weekly physical activity, there would be 3.5 million fewer new cases of depression there by 2050a decrease that represents about 10% of the number of E.U. residents currently estimated to have depression.

Read More: Why So Many Young Adults with Depression Dont Get Treatment

Depression seems to be a particularly strong target for combined exercise and mental-health treatment regimens. A 2020 research review found that behavioral therapy combined with exercise eased depressive symptomsthough not symptoms of anxietybetter than therapy alone. The review Lee co-authored also found that patients had fewer depressive symptoms when they combined their regular treatmenteither pharmaceutical or therapeuticwith physical activity, rather than following the regular treatment plan alone. Exercise may even make patients more likely to comply with their other treatment programs, her research suggests.

Theres no single best form of exercise for mental health, Thomas says, nor is there a set amount someone has to do to feel better. While U.S. public-health guidelines recommend getting at least 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous activity per week, studies suggest almost any amount of movement can improve mental and physical health.

Still, while any style of exercise can be beneficial, Thomas research suggests that physical activity has the biggest impact on mental well-being when it fulfills certain psychological needs, including feeling competent, connecting with others, and mastering tasks or skills. The most effective movement programs, she says, are tailored to the persons preferences, include a social element and plenty of encouragement, and are neither too challenging nor too easya sweet spot that allows the satisfaction of accomplishing a hard task without becoming overly daunting. When done right, any style of fitness can fulfill those values, Thomas says.

While researchers are still determining exactly why physical activity has such a strong psychological effect, Lee says theres already more than enough evidence to support the idea of adding exercise to mental-health treatment.

Theres really almost no illness or disease where exercise doesnt help outcomes for patients, Lee says. Theres no downsides and so many benefits.

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Write to Jamie Ducharme at jamie.ducharme@time.com.

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Feb. 22LONACONING A fitness contest with cash prizes is set to begin next month.

The 100-day Get Healthy Challenge, which runs March 1 through June 8, aims to empower folks to take control of their health.

The theme for the event, which will be held in Lonaconing and is open to anyone for a $5 registration fee, is "2023 is all about me," said Lonaconing Mayor Jack Coburn.

On the first and third Wednesday each month, the Georges Creek Ambulance Service will conduct screenings for blood pressure and glucose, as well as "weigh-ins" at Lonaconing Town Hall, 35 E Main St.

"There are so many people who don't get their blood pressure checked," Coburn said. "We're trying to get people healthy and aware of their own health."

Exercise programs will be held at 6 p.m. the first and third Tuesday of each month at Good Will Fire Company Armory, 2 Advocate Court.

Cash prizes of $500, $250 and $125 will be awarded for the top three people who lose the highest percentage of their body weight respectively, he said.

Additionally, gift cards will be awarded via raffle to folks who sign in at the weigh-ins, Coburn said.

The Medicine Shoppe in Lonaconing will discuss a vitamin program and vaccinations at 6 p.m. April 4 at the armory, Coburn said.

Lonaconing hosted a similar event roughly seven years ago, he said.

"We found it to be a very successful program," Coburn said. "The program then wasn't as detailed as now."

Coburn said more information about the challenge will be available in the near future.

UPMC Western Maryland plans to participate in the event.

"We're certainly going to talk about fitness," UPMC Western Maryland Health Educator Mike Browning said and added a dietician will provide nutrition information.

Spring is a great time for folks to get motivated about health and fitness, and develop an exercise routine and diet plan, he said and added that obesity is tied to chronic disease.

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"The timing is perfect," Browning said of the Lonaconing challenge.

Beginning a routine "is the most important part," he said.

Potomac Therapy, which has offices in Cumberland and Lonaconing, is a sponsor of the fitness challenge.

Sarah Rotruck, a physical therapist at the practice, said the group is excited to support the event.

"Physical activity is important for your physical body and mental health," she said.

Teresa McMinn is a reporter for the Cumberland Times-News. She can be reached at 304-639-2371 or tmcminn@times-news.com.

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When it comes to the physical benefits of Tai Chi, the practice is known to help improve balance and coordination, especially in older adults, says Li. The flowing, gentle movements can also increase flexibility and joint mobility.

Studies suggest Tai Chi can improve cardiovascular healthand Li agrees. "Tai Chi is a low-impact form of exercise that can help to improve circulation, lower blood pressure, and strengthen the heart," he adds. Even though it's a low-impact exercise, Li says the practice increases muscle strength, especially in the legs and core.

As for mental health benefits, Tai Chi may lower levels of stress and anxiety as it promotes relaxation and mindfulness, Li explains. By reducing distractions and improving focus, Tai Chi can boost cognitive function. Plus, it may help increase energy, promote a sense of well-being, and even lead to a better night's sleep3, he adds.

Just about anyone can get in on these benefits, since Tai Chi is a gentle form of exercise for people of most ages and abilities. However, if you have severe osteoporosis, recent joint replacements, difficulty with balance and coordination, or are pregnant, Li recommends consulting with your doctor before giving it a try.

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Concerned citizens lined the courtroom and the hallways Monday night as the Habersham County Board of Commissioners had overflow attendance, consisting largely of senior citizens who did not want to see Total Fitness close.

While county leaders did not fully commit to taking over the operation of the facility Monday, they did accept donation of the equipment from Habersham Medical Center (HMC) and make plans to get final numbers for a transition.

The county announced Tuesday afternoon that Habersham Medical Center would maintain the facility until March 3, with the county taking over Monday, March 6.

The facility was set to close today as part of cost-cutting measures by the hospital to survive financially until July 1, when it will be taken over by Northeast Georgia Health Systems. Signs were posted there last week telling patrons that Feb. 22 would be the last day.

But there has been a huge outcry from seniors who use the facility, noting that it is the only gym many of them feel comfortable using. Many citizens called for the county to take over the running of the facility, something county leaders did look into in the last couple of weeks.

The large contingent of seniors Monday showed up to see what progress had been made.

Peggy Berry stressed the importance of socialization for seniors and added that other gyms are intimidating to many older folks. John Anglin was among many who called the gym a family atmosphere.

Sandra White noted that the Senior Center has facilities for wellness and has everything but a pool. Youre already paying for it, White said, so why not use it?

Carol Perkins supported Total Fitness, citing its location in the aquatics center as critical. People of all ages can come together to exercise, she said. It provides a microcosm of our community coming together and playing together.

Jorie Stephens said her 94-year-old father, Johnnie McCollum, is a testament to what the gym has done for the community.

He gets up every day because of that gym, Stephens said. He puts on his pants and drives himself there because their staff has the capability of handling his needs. He keeps up his strength and balance so he can continue to live independently.

Habersham County Manager Alicia Vaughn and Rec Director Brooke Whitmire have worked on the possibilities of taking over the facility, and Whitmire recommended making an earlier hire of a programs manager position the department was going to request in the 2023-24 budget.

The midpoint salary listed in the commissioners packet is $51,765.98, with a total cost of almost $67,000 with benefits included.

I am all for keeping (the facility open), but I cant vote for another $67,000 salary, Vice-Chairman Bruce Harkness said. Not when we have road deputies not making that much, I cant go with it.

Whitmire said that the midpoint salary was listed but they believed they could get someone for less. Vaughn and Whitmire stressed that having a supervisory person over the gym was paramount to keeping it open safely.

Other issues the county is facing include whether they will be able to enroll in a Silver Sneakers program to accept the insurance for patrons, along with the fee structure for use of the facility.

Commissioner Bruce Palmer called it a quality of life issue and supported moving forward with the takeover, but other commissioners had more questions they wanted answered first. Palmer was the only dissenting vote to table the issue for a month.

Commissioner Dustin Mealor said the goal was to take on the facility and have it be a net zero to the county budget.

On Tuesday, the county announced that the commissioners had been given more information about the finances and had given permission to make a hire for the full-time position.

While commissioners were not prepared to move forward Monday night, we have given authorization to post one full-time position to support fitness operations, Chairman Ty Akins said. That decision will be ratified at the next Board of Commissioners meeting.

Vaughn said the position is needed to ensure the fitness programs continue for county residents.

By creating a full-time position, we are confident we can seamlessly maintain the important wellness programs offered by Total Fitness for our residents without interruption of service, Vaughn said. As the population of our county ages, it is important that we preserve every program we can to keep residents active and healthy.

Vaughn said the county is grateful for the partnership spirit of Habersham Medical Center and Northeast Georgia Health System, adding county leaders are appreciative of the donation of fitness equipment to the county as all entities want to see healthier tomorrows for county residents.

Habersham Medical Center is thrilled that the county and the commissioners will continue offering the community health and wellness benefits by keeping Total Fitness open, said HMC CEO Tyler Williams. I know that the members will continue to use the facility and will support it for years to come.

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Before catching COVID-19 last year, Kerry Jones lovedrowingand attending yoga classes.

It is only now, after battling long COVID for months, that shefeelswell enough to get back to some of her favourite activities.

"I just really didn't have enough energy," Ms Jones said.

"Everything I did became harder and harder. I didn't recover from doing things as much as I could before.

"I just wanted to go to bed all day I was doing a lot of laying down for twoto threemonths. It was really taxing."

She is now having her heart scanned to check it is looking and working as it should, as part of her participation in a landmark study.

The PERCEIVE study, run out of the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute in Melbourne, and the Menzies Institute in Hobart, is looking into how exercise might be able to help improve symptoms in people suffering long COVID.

So far, it is showing promising results.

In its pilot form, the study has found that a personalised exercise program seems to be effective when it comes to helping people who have a reduced capacity for exercise after having COVID-19.

About one-quarter of participants in the pilot program fit into that cohort.

After participating in the exercise regimen, they experienced about a 15 per cent increase in the amount of exercise they were able to do.

Leading cardiologist and principal investigator for the PERCEIVE study, Tom Marwick, said he was "thrilled" with the results so far.

"Major medical illnesses lead to loss of strength and wellbeing and exercise capacity. And it's that aspect that [the exercise program]is effective for," Professor Marwick said.

"It's not a cure for all of the symptoms of long COVID but there are people who get significant benefit from this, and what we best need to understand is who is it that most benefits and how best to deliver it for them."

He said participants were often severely compromised after having COVID-19, feeling limited and at times depressed.

"We haven't even characterised the illness adequately at the moment, so to see some of them showing a significant symptomatic benefit,that's a great result," he said.

The exercise programs were personalised for each of the individuals participating, and were mostly focused on aerobic exercise, such as walking or cycling.

Participants were paired with an exercise physiologist, who could ramp up the activity as the trial went on.

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Ms Jones will soon be prescribed some exercise as part of the study.

She joined the trial because she wants to make sure others do not go through what she did, but she is also hoping it brings her a bit more energy.

"I can do most things but then Ihave a long time to recover,so I'm hoping my energy levels will be more consistent and more constant," she said.

Interestingly, the study found that many participants perceived their exercise capacity to be less than what it was.

"It's understandable," Professor Marwick said.

"When they're exercising, they're feeling fatigued, they feel terrible.

"In some situations, that arises from the brain fog, in other situation that arises from a direct effect on the heart or direct effect on the muscles, so there's a lotof contributors to that."

But the findings also came with a warning:Exercise will not help everyone with long COVID.

"We think that this is a situation where exercise needs to be, if you like, prescribed.It's like medication," Professor Marwick said.

"It's not giving a message to people post-COVID that they need to exercise. It's not helpful because everyone's ability to exercise and ability to increase their exercise is different."

He said individuals suffering post-COVID should not jump straight into aerobic exercise without correct medical supervision.

Anyone interested in participating in the study can visit the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute website.

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Published 3:44 pm Thursday, February 23, 2023

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Greenville native Terronda Fields promoted to Extension Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education Agent in November 2022.

Terronda Fields and her daughter Journi volunteer to coach cheerleading for children through Greenville Parks and Recreation.

Alabama Extension Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) Agent Terronda Fields serves Butler and Lowndes counties, helping residents of all ages gain information and practical tips for living their healthiest lives.

Fields joined the Butler County Extension Office as an administrative assistant in 2019 and transitioned to SNAP-Ed agent in Nov. 2022.

She earned her bachelors and masters degrees in business management at Faulkner University, graduating in 2013. The Greenville native, who loves working with kids, enjoys interacting with and teaching children to develop healthy lifestyles.

I always wanted to be a teacher, but I was kind of scared to go straight into teaching, Fields said. I wanted to take finance classes and teach, but I also liked kids. This is a good way for me to be around kids and also be able to teach them. Extension has taught me a lot how to make changes in the community and help people get the information they need.

Lowndes County Extension Coordinator Tana Shealey said Fields, as a SNAP-Ed educator, helps community members learn steps toward healthier lifestyles.

Terronda goes into communities and talks with residents about the SNAP-Ed program and the best way to spend SNAP dollars to get nutritious food for their families on a budget, Shealey said. She also talks with [people] about the importance of drinking water and exercising.

In addition to connecting through communities, Fields partners with schools to provide nutrition and exercise training.

She goes into schools to talk with young people about the kinds of foods that they should eat and especially about consuming more water than soft drinks, Shealey said. They learn about exercise too. She teaches them all kinds of programs, like Body Quest, which helps them learn to appreciate how everyone is different but can strive to be the healthiest we can be by eating healthy food and exercising every day.

At Greenville Elementary, Fields teaches third graders about making healthy choices through the Body Quest program. Fields said she enjoys helping kids learn to eat fruits and vegetables, try new foods, and drink more water. She also relishes the excitement children express for learning about health and nutrition.

My favorite part so far is seeing the kids be excited, Fields said. When I walk in the door, you can just see theyre excited. They brighten my day when I go in. They are excited to ask questions and ready to learn. They tell me about new things and foods theyve tried.

Fields explained that teaching the children helps reach their families, making a more significant community impact towards healthier outcomes.

Ive noticed kids influence their parents, Fields said. They can say, Mom, can I try this? At Greenville Elementary, the kids went home, talked to their parents, and asked to try new things. Some of them had their parents buy new foods or make recipes Ive given them. This helps kids continue healthy habits when they get older.

As the mother of four children Cameron, Journi, Janyah, and Jordyn Fields also connects with community children and coaches junior cheerleading with Greenville Parks and Recreation.

I love seeing the girls progress and learning the cheers, just being happy to be out there cheering for the team, Fields said. When they see me at school, they come and hug me. They love to see me too.

Fields is currently working to implement Extensions Learning About Nutrition through Activities (LANA) in Lowndes County Schools Pre-K classrooms and to connect with Lowndes County churches to host evening health education classes.

For information on Extension programs, contact Fields at (334) 382-5111.

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