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Weight loss: How does the viral ’12-3-30′ TikTok trend to lose weight work? Should you try it too? – Times of India
The workout centres on the treadmill, which can be a great workout equipment to try your hand at to lose weight. The regime in itself, which focuses on walking is said to promote weight loss since it's a low-impact exercise form. Without being too strenuous or hard, brisk walking on the treadmill, fans claim can help boost cardiovascular health and burn fat efficiently, when followed regularly.
While walking is a beginner-friendly exercise, brisk walking, at an incline on the treadmill for a considerable amount of time (which is what the 12-3-30 workout makes you do) can deliver vast benefits, and potentially convert a low-impact exercise as such into a vigorous activity, and make you lose weight faster.
Incline climbing or walking is also a great way to test your endurance levels, and an effective exercise for fat loss since it raises your heart rate up, burning more calories while doing a simple exercise like walking. More so, when you follow an incline climb, your leg , back and butt muscles are pushed into doing more work.
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Weight loss: How does the viral '12-3-30' TikTok trend to lose weight work? Should you try it too? - Times of India
Is the rowing machine a good workout? – Livescience.com
If you ask a historian 'is the rowing machine a good workout' they'd likely say yes. There have been variations of rowing machines in existence since the 4th century BC (amazing!), where the ancient Greeks used them as a training device for soldiers to prepare for sea. Whilst the aims of those rowing machines had a somewhat more sinister undertone, you could argue that if an exercise approach has lasted a couple of millennia it has to be an effective one.
The real modern day version of rowing machines came into being in the mid 20th century. As the form, build quality and measurement accuracy of the rowing machines improved, they became more popular. In 1981 the first Concept 2 rowing machine design was launched and the rest, they say, is history.
Gyms the world over have rowing machines as an integral part of their kit, and they're often some of the most popular devices in each one.
A rowing machine is a low-impact, full-body cardiovascular workout that requires little in the way of technique. From a practicality point of view theyre excellent - compared to a lot of other home exercise machines theyre lightweight, small, easy to store and significantly cheaper to buy. Finally, theyre incredibly safe relative to other fitness equipment.
Lets look at these points in more detail
Rowing machines offer cardiovascular workout variety
A rowing machine offers users the chance to partake in a wide variety of cardiovascular workouts. You can perform steady state (constant workout pace and intensity for a given period of time) or HIIT (high intensity interval training) workouts, both of which have been shown to be very effective at improving cardiovascular fitness and performance.
On some rowing machines (in particular the Concept 2 models), the computer has various games in-built on the machine, so you can mix up your workout by playing fitness-based games. If youre susceptible to boredom, this can help a lot!
You can also store your previous workout data on the device so you know how youre improving. Finally, app-based support gives you extra tips and advice, not to mention workout support and a training diary.
In order to lose weight we have to consume fewer calories than we burn. We do this by reducing calorie intake by following a calorie-restricted diet, then increasing our energy expenditure through exercise.
Workouts that burn a lot of calories are especially effective when it comes to weight loss. The rowing machine is an excellent calorie burner, with some particularly fit people being able to burn over 1000 calories per hour on the machine. Its hard work, but theres a significant body of evidence showing that its a very effective workout machine for all kinds of people. We've done a whole investigation on how to use rowing machines to lose weight.
Very safe - no impact on the joints
One of the concerns many people have about exercise is how safe it is. Whilst almost all gym-based exercise is very safe, the rowing machine is a stand-out in terms of low injury risk. In a study analysing gym injury data taken over 14 years, rowing machines barely featured.
Despite being part of the analysis, rowing machines didnt feature on the list of frequent-injury causes. Treadmills, bikes, weights, boxing and exercises classes all featured, but rowing machines didnt. If safety is a concern of yours, this can be put to bed.
Theres also no impact on the joints during the use of a rower, so if youve had hip, knee or ankle trouble youll be safe to use the rower without worry of further damage.
Rowing machines are easy to use
Compared to exercises such as weight training, dance classes, aerobics classes and the like, a rowing machine is very easy to use. Of course there is a technique to rowing, but thats more about efficiency than safety. Good rowing technique makes you a faster, smoother rower.We've put together a feature that compares rowing machines vs treadmills, to help you decide which is right for you.
Excellent rowing machine technique will take a few minutes to learn, unlike a dance class where youll spend a lot of time learning routines and steps, or weight training where youll learn lots of different exercises and have to be careful to execute lifts with safe and effective form.
If youre thinking of an exercise machine to have at home, a rowing machine is a solid bet. If you look at the price as the first comparison, some of the top rowing machines on the market costs around $900-$1000. A good treadmill will be $3000+, and a good exercise bike will be around $1000.
A rowing machine is smaller (8 x 2 is the usual footprint), lighter at less than 60 LBS and easier to store (can be pushed against a wall, rolled out of a room or even broken down into a couple of sections) than most other home exercise options. If you dont have a dedicated gym room, this is a big asset.
Compared to a treadmill theyre much quieter - theres no pounding up and down during use (which can be a problem if you have neighbors below you) and theres no loud motor on the front. In all fairness the flywheel can be relatively loud during a fast row, but its not a big deal.
The rowing machine burns a lot of calories, its easy to use, its very safe and gives you a fantastic, all-body cardiovascular workout. It has been proven in the scientific literature to help people improve their fitness, lose weight and improve their general health and wellbeing.
Its cheaper to buy than many of its rivals, it costs less to run and its very easy to store on account of its size and weight. The convenience of having a rowing machine at home means you dont have an excuse for missing your exercise.
Its a machine that can be used by the whole family and there really is no upper age limit. It doesnt matter if youre 9 or 90, youll still benefit from regular workouts on the rowing machine. You dont need amazing strength or mobility, just a willingness to do the work.
Finally, thanks to the low impact nature of the exercise, your post-workout recovery time is really limited. You wont be stiff and sore after rowing, so youll be able to exercise more frequently, boosting your fitness and weight loss quicker.
Today's best rowing machine deals
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Is the rowing machine a good workout? - Livescience.com
Carbohydrate as an essential nutrient: What this means – Medical News Today
To address whether carbs are essential, it is essential to explore the role of carbohydrates specifically glucose in the body and diet.
Carbohydrates are one of the three main classes of macronutrients, alongside proteins and fats. They provide energy to the body, which breaks them down into glucose.
There are three types of carbohydrates: starches, simple sugars, and dietary fiber. However, people may use the term carbohydrates loosely, and incorrectly, to define just starchy foods.
Using this term to refer solely to starchy foods such as bread, rice, and potatoes may lead to an incomplete understanding of the role of carbohydrates in the diet and the body.
Furthermore, carbs are present in a wide variety of foods. Here are some dietary sources of carbs:
These numbers show that nonstarchy vegetables provide about one-third the amount of carbohydrates compared with grains, legumes, and fruits. However, they are not completely devoid of carbs.
Given that food sources of carbohydrates also provide essential micronutrients such as B vitamins for energy production and disease-fighting phytochemicals these foods remain important in the diet.
However, the diversity of food sources of carbohydrates means that higher intakes of starchy foods specifically may not be necessary.
The body breaks down carbohydrate into its major energy-producing form glucose.
Glucose then undergoes a series of enzyme reactions that generate the energy-producing substrates pyruvate and lactate in a process called glycolysis.
Under normal metabolic conditions and oxygen availability, pyruvate is the main precursor to energy production in the mitochondria of the cell, and the body consistently produces small amounts of lactate via the lactate shuttle.
However, when an oxygen debt occurs such as during intense physical activity lactate, in the form of lactic acid, becomes the primary substrate that the body uses to provide energy to muscle cells.
In the mitochondria, the further processing of pyruvate produces acetyl-coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA), a two-carbon compound that combines with carbohydrate-derived oxaloacetate to form citrate and start the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle.
Amino acids and fatty acids also produce some acetyl-CoA.
The TCA cycle, which people may also refer to as the Krebs cycle, generates carbon dioxide and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) a signaling molecule and the energy that enables muscles to contract.
Each glucose molecule goes through two rounds of the TCA cycle, producing ATP and carbon dioxide. This gas enters the blood and leaves the lungs during exhalation.
A steady supply of glucose is necessary to maintain oxaloacetate levels and regular functioning of the TCA cycle.
When dietary carbohydrates are restricted, the TCA cycle is diminished, and ketone production becomes predominant for energy needs.
The body then relies on ketogenic amino acids and fatty acids to produce acetyl-CoA. However, instead of entering the TCA cycle, acetyl-CoA substrates are metabolized to form the ketone bodies acetoacetate and beta-hydroxybutyrate.
The production of ketone bodies takes place in the liver, but these molecules enter the circulation and travel to the brain, heart, kidney, and skeletal muscle to supply energy.
This alternative metabolic pathway for energy production in the body has motivated many low carbohydrate diets as an approach to reduce the chronic disease risk associated with the excess intake of dietary carbohydrate, particularly that of refined carbohydrates and added sugars.
Two of the groups of people most likely to restrict carbohydrates are athletes and those trying to lose weight.
Keto adaptation, which refers to the metabolic adjustment to using fat as the predominant energy source when carbohydrates are restricted, can take as little as 56 days.
A 2018 study involving weightlifting athletes demonstrated that a low carbohydrate ketogenic diet reduced body fat without compromising lean muscle mass and powerlifting performance.
However, many studies in endurance athletes have revealed that this dietary approach lowers peak power and impairs exercise performance.
For this population, therefore, keto adaption may not be the optimal dietary choice. However, more long-term studies are necessary to confirm this.
Several scientific studies even advocate for high carbohydrate diets for endurance and elite athletes.
When appropriate, weight loss improves metabolic health and reduces obesity-related comorbidities.
Weight loss is often a major motivator for those following low carbohydrate, high fat (ketogenic) diets, and based on the carbohydrate-insulin theory, carbohydrate restriction does offer metabolic advantages.
However, although carbohydrate restriction is beneficial for some people with a ketogenic diet promoting weight loss and a reduction in blood sugar markers it can increase the risk of heart disease and the levels of LDL cholesterol, the so-called bad cholesterol.
Furthermore, many researchers have disregarded the carbohydrate-insulin theory as too simplistic given the lack of evidence to demonstrate that a high carbohydrate intake is fattening for most people.
In fact, the restriction of dietary fat leads to more significant body fat loss than carbohydrate restriction in people with obesity.
Instead, overall caloric intake regardless of the percentages of carbohydrates, protein, and fat intake appears to matter more for long-term diet adherence and weight loss.
Glycemic index and glycemic load are predictive measures of how a carbohydrate food or combination of foods may affect insulin and blood sugar levels.
For instance, foods with a low glycemic index, which include complex carbohydrates such as quinoa, should have less effect on blood sugar levels than high glycemic index foods such as simple sugars.
However, this system is inconsistent and does not account for individual differences in tolerance to carbohydrates and glucose. These differences help determine exactly how much foods raise blood sugar by in some people.
Individuals may react differently to carbohydrates in the diet, depending on their glucose tolerance, which doctors base on the results of fasting blood sugar, glycated hemoglobin, and oral glucose tolerance tests.
For those with impaired glucose tolerance or insulin resistance, which will include people with prediabetes and hormonal imbalances such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), carbohydrate restriction is beneficial for improved metabolic health.
It is important to monitor which carbohydrate foods spike blood sugar levels in these individuals because glucose tolerance may also vary from day to day and depending on the time of the day.
Carbohydrates are a macronutrient that provides the body with energy. They occur naturally in a variety of foods, including grains, legumes, fruits, vegetables, and dairy. Despite this, many people use the term carbohydrates to describe starchy foods and simple sugars.
In the body, carbohydrates generate pyruvate, acetyl-CoA, and oxaloacetate in the tricarboxylic acid cycle, playing a key role in energy production.
In the absence of carbohydrates, the body uses ketogenic amino acids and fatty acids to produce ketone bodies for energy production. This process is called keto adaptation.
Carbohydrates are not the only source of energy production in the body, but they provide supportive essential nutrients for energy production, such as B vitamins.
A low carbohydrate diet may improve metabolic markers in people with glucose intolerance and insulin resistance, but it may not be appropriate for other groups of people, such as endurance athletes.
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Carbohydrate as an essential nutrient: What this means - Medical News Today
Man shows incredible 11 stone transformation after cutting down on one thing – Express
Weight loss is something many people struggle with, but without the motivation, only a few manage to achieve their goals. For Dominic, who struggled with his weight for a long time, it was both his son and rugby legend Rob Burrow who motivated him to slim. But how did he manage to lose 11 stone?
Dominic shared his weight loss journey and admitted everything started after watching Rob Burrow's interview.
"I was very emotional in December 2020 and after seeing Rob Burrow give an interview following his diagnosis with MND and how he wanted to fight this awful disease so he could spend more time with his young family, it forced me to ask myself some hard questions about my lifestyle and choices.
"I was weighing in at over 22 stone and very unfit when Rob was diagnosed.
"I realised that I needed to change a lot of things about myself so that I could be here in the long term for my son," he explained.
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"I started eating healthier by joining weight watchers and on January 1 I started to run every day (a minimum of one mile) to kickstart my long road back to being a fit and healthy dad so that hopefully I could be as good a role model for my son as Rob has been for thousands of others.
"I followed the coach to five km to help build up my running slowly whilst continuing to run every day.
"I ran every day for 502 days and completed a virtual marathon on May 14, 2021 to celebrate 500 days of running.
"I ran it in three hours 46 minutes. My first run on January 1 was a park run (five km) in 48 minutes 37 seconds," Dominic explained.
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"By June 2021 I had lost just over 11 stone and Im now at a weight that Im happy with and just eating healthy and exercising to maintain both my physical and mental health," he said.
But Dominic admitted what helped him the most was changing his diet habits and cutting down on one specific thing.
"The big thing that helped the weight loss was cutting my takeaways down from two or three a week to once a week.
"I always kept the one takeaway a week as it gave me something to look forward to and aim towards and it meant that I never felt like I was depriving myself of everything I enjoyed.
"As when Ive done this in the past Ive always 'blown my diet' by having a lot of food that I know I shouldnt all at once because Ive been too strict.
"The other thing was just not having as much processed food as I had before and trying to be more organised by planning my menu for the week so that I had real food to take to work rather than buying a ready meal.
"This usual meant cooking an extra portion of my evening meal to take to work the next day," he said.
Dominic admitted that losing 11 stone has drastically changed his entire life.
"Losing the weight has given me the energy to keep up with my five-year-old son and its given me the confidence to make changes in my life to make me a happier person such as changing careers from being a bus driver to working as a support worker in a college.
"It has also given me much more body confidence than I ever had before. I ran the Manchester marathon on October 10, 2021, and it was such a warm day and I was really struggling with overheating and I actually had the confidence to finally take my top off and run the final nine miles feeling much more comfortable.
"I would never have thought to do this before and even when I was exercising I would wear baggy clothing to hide my body as best as I could," he admitted.
In January 2020 Dominic completed a five km park run in 48 minutes and in October 2021 he ran the Manchester Marathon in three hours 24 minutes 44 seconds.
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Man shows incredible 11 stone transformation after cutting down on one thing - Express
This Is What Actually Happens To Your Body When You Stop Eating Sugar – SheFinds
Some macronutrients, like fat or carbs, are designated as good on some diet plans, and bad on others. But added sugar is one that is known to have *no* nutritional benefits, and thus doesnt need to be apart of anyones daily diet. Your body doesnt need to get any carbohydrate from added sugar, Dr. Yelena Deshko, a general family practitioner with a special interest in, anti-aging medicine, tells us. Natural sugars are found in fruits, vegetables and whole grains, however any added excess sugar beyond that which naturally occurs in plants is unnecessary, she explains.
In fact, people who consume added sugar are at a great risk for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity and many other chronic health conditions, board certified obesity speciality Katherine Saunders, MD, DABOM, explains.High sugar consumption has been linked to many negative health outcomes including obesity, diabetes, and even heart disease, Dr. Deshko warns.Metabolic syndrome, diabetes, heart attack, stroke, and cancer, are also linked to sugar consumption, wellness expert Dr. Matt Chalmers explains. And not to mention, Weight gain, inflammation, belly fat and mood changes, are also known to go hand in hand with added sugar consumption, bariatric physician Dr. Amy Lee offers.
And not mentionit just makes you feel crummy! In addition to the effects on health, added sugar can make people feel terrible, Dr. Saunders, who is the co-founder and senior medical officer of Intellihealth, warns. Think about children eating sugar and subsequently being on a sugar high. What happens next? They crash, she explains. Adults experience the same response to sugar in terms of our blood sugar fluctuations. When blood sugar crashes after eating sugar, were more likely to feel tired and hungry. Ugh, the worst!
Finally convinced that cutting out sugar is for you? Heres everything you know about what you can expect when you kick your added sugar habit:
We're Giving Away 25 Body Creams From Womaness
If you've been eating a lot of added sugar, you're going to feel withdraw symptoms like fatigue, lethargy and headaches when you first break the habit. "If you are used to eating a lot of sugar in your day, then stopping sugar intake can cause you to have symptoms of withdraw," Dr. Lee warns. "Sugar is a chemical that activates your receptors in every living cell. Sugar is used in the form of a glucose molecule which the body recognizes. As one uses sugar, the more you take, the more tolerant the body becomes and one would need more and more to get the same emotional and physical effect, hence, people end up eating more of it,"--aka, sugar can create an addiction-like relationship to the body. "But thankfully, these symptoms do stop after a day or so and the human body is smart enough to figure out other ways to not depend on sugars," she says.
In the short-term, cutting out sugar can prevent or curb further cravings and get more consistent energy levels, Dr. Deshko explains. "Sugar cravings often manifest when the concentration of glucose in the blood stream starts to drop beyond a certain threshold. This signals to the body that you need to replenish levels ASAP, which creates cravings for sugar rich foods for an immediate glucose hit," she says. But if you replace high-sugar foods with eating protein, complex carbohydrates, fiber and healthy fats, you stabilize the rate at which glucose is released into the bloodstream. "This essentially flattens the peaks and troughs in blood sugar levels keeping your energy levels stable."
"In the first few weeks you'll notice fat loss, energy increase, sleep gets better, inflammation decreases," Dr. Chalmers adds. Sounds amazing! "When you stop eating sugar your body will reduce the resistance to insulin making everything run smoother in the body," he adds.
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Following a dietary strategy that avoids added sugar ("try to minimize packaged and processed food to start!") can make people feel more energized and less hungry," Dr. Saundersexplains. "My patients often tell me that they feel so much better after making these dietary changes and many didnt even realize how badly they felt previously."
In the long term, reducing or stopping sugar consumption can help reduce chronic inflammation. "Lower chronic inflammation can help improve some inflammatory medical conditions such as atherosclerosis, arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease," Dr. Deshko advises.
Recent research also links high sugar consumption with accelerated skin aging, Dr. Deshko points out. "Therefore cutting out sugar can even help you look younger," she says. Sounds good to us!
"Some people can actually lose water weight; as sugars can cause the body to retain water," Dr Lee says. As time passes, most people can start burning fat or losing weight and or inches.
"Joint pain will start to subside, mental clarity increases, your taste buds will start to reset so things are not so bland," Matt Chalmers continues of the added benefits of quitting sugar. We want all of the above!
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This Is What Actually Happens To Your Body When You Stop Eating Sugar - SheFinds
Studies: Mixed results on nature, extent of healthcare professional’s weight biased attitudes towards patients living with overweight/obesity -…
SILVER SPRING, Md.New findings show that healthcare professionals hold implicit and explicit weight-biased attitudes towards people with overweight and obesity. The extent and nature of these results, however, are mixed, according to a paper published online in Obesity, The Obesity Societys flagship journal. The new review is the first meta-analysis of pooled estimates of implicit and explicit weight biases across healthcare disciplines and found no presence of publication bias within the implicit bias pooled effect.
It is important to emphasize that health care professionals endeavor to provide the highest quality of care for their patients, but this review shows that weight-biased attitudes may be present within many healthcare settings. It is important that clinicians are aware of how their attitudes may affect their provision of care when working with people with overweight or obesity, said Blake Lawrence, PhD, BPsych (Hons), MAPS, research fellow, Western Australia Cancer Prevention Research Unit; Discipline of Psychology, Curtin School of Population Health; associate investigator, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute; Faculty of Health Sciences. Lawrence is the corresponding author of the paper.
Experts note people living with overweight and obesity rely on healthcare providers when seeking advice to improve their health, and a supportive patient-provider relationship is of the utmost importance for successful, long-term weight loss and improvements in health. Weight bias has been reported in physicians, nurses, dieticians, physiotherapists, psychologists, nutritionists and exercise professionals. Weight biases include assumptions that people living with overweight or obesity are lazy, incompetent, lacking willpower and self-discipline, and not motivated to improve their health, which can lead to depression, anxiety, substance use or suicidality. Longitudinal evidence shows that irrespective of baseline body mass index, adults who experienced weight discrimination have a 60% increased risk of death.
Electronic databases were searched such as MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science and PsycInfo to identify published articles reporting weight bias in healthcare professionals. Gray literature and pre-print databases were also searched (e.g., OpenGrey, biorxiv, psyrxiv) to identify unpublished manuscripts that were relevant to this topic. Reference lists of previous systematic reviews were searched for relevant articles, and studies were included from 19892020. Searches were limited to adult participants.
More than 40 studies consisting of 12,818 healthcare professionals met inclusion criteria with 17 studies providing sufficient data to be meta-analyzed. Among the studies that reported sample demographics, participants were middle-aged and more frequently female. A moderate pooled effect (standardized mean difference = 0.66; 95% CI: 0.37-0.96) showed that healthcare professionals demonstrate implicit weight bias. There was also a large degree of heterogeneity within the pooled effect (Q = 114.99, p < 0.001; I2 = 94.78). Healthcare professionals also report explicit weight bias on the Fat Phobia Scale, Antifat Attitudes Scale and Attitudes Towards Obese Persons Scale. More than 25 different outcomes were used to measure weight bias and the overall quality of evidence was rated as very low. Most studies that used or developed original outcomes did not report sufficient psychometric properties to determine their reliability or validity.
The studys researchers noted that any future attempts at assessing the extent of weight bias in healthcare professionals must either administer an existing outcome measure with sufficient psychometric properties or use a theoretical framework to develop a global measure, including context-specific sub-scales to assess weight bias across all healthcare disciplines and follow established psychometric conventions for questionnaire development. Researchers have recommended the Type 2 Diabetes Stigma Assessment Scale as an example. Each construct of the assessment scale, as well as the overall factor structure of the questionnaire, demonstrated high internal consistency and sufficient concurrent validity, convergent validity and discriminant validity. After development of a questionnaire, future research also needs to explore potential interventions to reduce weight bias in healthcare settings. Results of the review suggest that improving healthcare professionals knowledge of obesity as a disease instead of a lifestyle choice may begin to change their attitudes toward people living with obesity, and therefore, reduce weight bias in healthcare settings.
Awareness is an important first step toward combatting weight bias. Research is now needed to determine concrete steps that can prevent these negative attitudes from affecting patient care, and how to implement such strategies into healthcare policies and practices, said Rebecca Pearl, PhD, assistant professor, Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville. Pearl was not associated with the research.
Other authors of the study include Deborah Kerr and Christina Pollard of the School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia; Elise Alexander, Darren Haywood and Moira OConnor of the School of Population Health and the Western Australia Cancer Prevention Research Unit, Curtin University, and Mary Theophilus of St. John of God Hospital in Perth, Australia.
The paper, titled Weight Bias Among Health Care Professionals: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis", is published online in Obesity and is freely available. The paper will be published in the November 2021 print issue.
The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
# # #
The Obesity Society (TOS) is the leading organization of scientists and health professionals devoted to understanding and reversing the epidemic of obesity and its adverse health, economic and societal effects.Combining the perspective of researchers, clinicians, policymakers and patients, TOS promotes innovative research, education and evidence-based clinical care to improve the health and well-being of all people with obesity. For more information, visit http://www.obesity.org.
Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.
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Studies: Mixed results on nature, extent of healthcare professional's weight biased attitudes towards patients living with overweight/obesity -...
COVID-19: Researchers warn against overhyping early-stage therapies – Medical News Today
The COVID-19 pandemic has created a sense of urgency to generate new drugs and vaccines. In many cases, this urgency became a regulatory opportunity to bypass established regulatory pathways for new drugs.
While this has led to the fast emergence of many useful drugs and vaccines for COVID-19, it has also led to a general reduction in the quality of medical research from which to derive conclusions.
For example, according to Janet Woodcock, former director of the Food and Drug Administrations (FDA) Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, an FDA analysis found that 6% of clinical trials are yielding results the agency deems actionable.
The lack of regulation coupled with a sense of urgency has also led to overhype and rushed development of certain treatments, including cell-based therapies often sold as stem cell treatments.
While some of these products have undergone well-designed, adequately controlled trials, most are in the early stages. Some clinics are nevertheless offering these unproven and unlicensed treatments to people, promising to boost their immune system or overall health to protect against COVID-19.
Promoting and selling unproven and unlicensed treatments can harm public health and could lead many to undergo untested and potentially harmful treatments.
Recently, a group of researchers from the University of California, Irvine, the Georgia Institute of Technology, the University at Buffalo, NY, and the University of Melbourne in Australia, published a report outlining misinformation around cell-based treatments for COVID-19, calling for their stronger regulation.
Efforts to rapidly develop therapeutic interventions should never occur at the expense of the ethical and scientific standards that are at the heart of responsible clinical research and innovation, said Dr. Laertis Ikonomou, assistant professor of Oral Biology at the University at Buffalo, and co-author of the study.
Scientists, regulators, and policymakers must guard against the proliferation of poorly designed, underpowered, and duplicative studies that are launched with undue haste because of the pandemic, but are unlikely to provide convincing, clinically meaningful safety and efficacy data, said co-author Dr. Leigh Turner, professor of Health, Society and Behavior at the University of California, Irvine.
The researchers published their report in Stem Cell Reports.
Researchers conducted a study in August 2020 of 70 clinical trials involving cell-based treatments for COVID-19. They found that most were small, with an average of 51.8 participants, and only 22.8% were randomized, double-blinded, and controlled experiments.
The authors concluded that the cell-based interventions for COVID-19 were likely to have a relatively small collective clinical impact.
Cell-based treatments for COVID-19 are still at an experimental stage, Dr. Ikonomou told Medical News Today. There are tens of clinical trials, of varied complexity and rigor, that evaluate various cell types, such as mesenchymal stromal cells, for COVID-19 treatment.
Expanded or compassionate use of cell-based interventions has also been reported, but these individual cases are unlikely to tell us whether and how cell therapies could help with COVID-19 and do not substitute for the systematic clinical evaluation of cell-based products, he added.
A few completed phase 1/2 trials have shown a favorable safety profile, but larger size trials are required. Eventually, properly-powered, controlled, randomized, double-blinded clinical trials will help determine whether cell-based treatments are a viable therapeutic option for COVID-19 and its complications, he explained.
The urgency of the pandemic has made it easy to exaggerate early-stage research. The scientists highlight this is especially the case in press releases, where media professionals can over-hype findings and understate or omit limitations to gain more media coverage.
The researchers also say that even when online media include limitations and key aspects of studies, other communication channels can strip these away easily. What is left then gets amplified, as the public is desperate to see positive news.
To address this, the researchers say science communicators should ensure they have an accurate understanding of the information they report and highlight the required steps for the science to advance without exaggerating its speed.
The researchers also say that simply feeding the public more information in what is known as the information deficit model alone is insufficient. They also suggest science communicators should strive for an engaged or dialogue-based communication approach.
Over-hyping of promising treatments and in particular cell-based treatments has been a longstanding problem, and it did not first emerge with the COVID-19 pandemic, said Dr. Ikonomou. It has become a salient issue during these times due to the global nature of this health emergency and the resulting devastation and health toll.
Therefore, it is even more important to communicate promising developments in COVID-19-related science and clinical management [responsibly]. Key features of good communication are an accurate understanding of new findings, including study limitations and avoidance of sensationalist language, he explained.
Realistic timeframes for clinical translation are equally important as is the realization that promising interventions at preliminary stages may not always translate to proven treatments following rigorous testing, he added.
The researchers say that commercial investments by biotechnology companies to develop cell-based therapies for COVID-19 have led to well-designed and rigorous clinical trials.
However, some other businesses have overlooked the demanding process of pre-marketing authorization of their products. Instead, they made unsubstantiated and inaccurate claims about their stem cell products for COVID-19 based on hyperbolic reporting of cell-based therapies in early testing.
Some clinics advertise unproven and unlicensed mesenchymal stem cell treatments or exosome therapies as immune boosters that prevent COVID-19 and repair and regenerate lungs.
Often, these businesses make their treatments available via infusion or injection. However, one anti-aging clinic in California shipped its kits to clients, where they were to self-administer with a nebulizer and mask.
Such companies often market stem cell treatments via online and social media. In an initial review of many of these brands, the researchers could not find published findings from preclinical studies and clinical trials to support their commercial activities.
Instead, they found that these companies drew from uncritical news media reports, preliminary clinical studies, or case reports in which those diagnosed with COVID-19 received stem cell interventions.
Promoting such therapies that have not undergone proper tests for safety and efficacy have the potential for significant physical and financial harm.
Health experts have documented adverse events due to unlicensed stem cell products, including vision loss and autoimmune, infectious, neurological, and cardiovascular complications.
Early in the pandemic, scientific and professional societies, including the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine and the International Society for Stem Cell Research, have warned the public against businesses engaged in the marketing of cell-based treatments that have not undergone adequate testing.
The researchers highlight that it is unclear whether these warnings reached individuals and their loved ones or significantly affected public understanding of the risks of receiving unlicensed and unproven stem cell treatments for COVID-19.
They also indicate that it is unclear whether these societies and organizations have an important role in convincing regulatory bodies to increase enforcement in this space. Nevertheless, at the time of writing, the FDA and Federal Trade Commission have issued 22 letters to businesses selling unproven and unlicensed cell-based therapies.
And while many of these companies have ceased market activity, the presence of other companies continuing to pedal the same claims makes it clear that regulatory bodies must increase their enforcement.
Additionally, the researchers question whether warning letters are sufficient to disincentivize clinicians and others to sell unlicensed products. They write:
If companies and affiliated clinicians are not fined, forced to return to patients whatever profits they have made, confronted with criminal charges, subject to revocation of medical licensure, or otherwise subject to serious legal and financial consequences, it is possible that more businesses will be drawn to this space because of the profits that can be generated from selling unlicensed and unproven cell-based products in the midst of a pandemic.
The researchers conclude that regulators should increase enforcement against unproven and unlicensed therapies for COVID-19.
They also say that science communicators should report on scientific claims more realistically and include the public in more discourse.
In the U.S. and elsewhere, there are regulations and enforcement mechanisms that deal with harms caused by unproven and unlicensed cell-based interventions and false advertising claims, said Dr. Ikonomou. It may be preferable to implement existing regulations more vigorously than introduce new ones.
Stakeholders, such as scientific, professional, and medical associations, can contribute towards this goal with reporting and monitoring of cell therapy misinformation. There is a shared responsibility to combat cell-therapy related misinformation and disinformation that undercuts legitimate research and clinical efforts and portrays unproven interventions as silver bullets for COVID-19, he concluded.
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COVID-19: Researchers warn against overhyping early-stage therapies - Medical News Today
Emergency Management Institute (EMI) – EMI Programs and …
The Federal Emergency Management Agency continues to monitor the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as it relates to COVID-19. To mitigate the spread of COVID-19, the CDC is encouraging organizations to promote social distancing, hold meetings via videoconferencing, reduce non-essential travel, and adjust or postpone events and gatherings. We also continue to evaluate the local and national situation and will provide regular updates.
Students will be notified in advance concerning the status of their on-campus course offering.
We thank you for your understanding, and we invite you to visit our extensive catalog of Independent Study Courses as well as classroom courses available by virtual delivery.
Notice:
All revised E/L/K0146 HSEEP training material from the 2020 HSEEP doctrine updated is approved by EMI for release and use within the HSEEP community. The documents are uploaded to the EMI Instructor Materials Download Application (IMDA). All Regional Training Managers (RTMs) and State Training Officers (STOs) will be added to the Approved Instructor List (using their First Name, Last Name and Email Address) by COB April 2, 2021. All RTMs (FEMA staff) will use their PIV card for access and STOs (non FEMA staff) will use their Student Identification number (SID) to access the K/L0146 HSEEP course material (IG, POI, SM, Pretest, Posttest, Videos, PowerPoints, Activities Guide and Reference Material). You will receive an email with the link and instructions to access the IMDA.
If you are planning on delivering a K/L0146 course, you will need to identify your instructors and submit your request NLT six weeks prior to course delivery to the EMI HSEEP Course Manager steven.cardinal@fema.dhs.gov and cc fema-emi-iemb@fema.dhs.gov. The 2013 K/L0146 training material is still being used to deliver approved courses into 3rd quarter FY 2021, please monitor this webpage and NED HSEEP webpage: https://www.fema.gov/hseep for updates on sunsetting the 2013 K/L0146 training material.
Exercises are a key component of national preparedness they provide the whole community with the opportunity to shape planning, assess and validate capabilities, and address areas for improvement. HSEEP provides a set of guiding principles for exercise and evaluation programs, as well as a common approach to exercise program management, design and development, conduct, evaluation, and improvement planning.
Through the use of HSEEP, the whole community can develop, execute, and evaluate exercises that address the preparedness priorities. These priorities are informed by risk and capability assessments, findings, corrective actions from previous events, and external requirements. These priorities guide the overall direction of an exercise program and the design and development of individual exercises.
These priorities guide planners as they identify exercise objectives and align them to capabilities for evaluation during the exercise. Exercise evaluation assesses the ability to meet exercise objectives and capabilities by documenting strengths, areas for improvement, capability performance, and corrective actions in an After-Action Report/Improvement Plan (AAR/IP). Through improvement planning, organizations take the corrective actions needed to improve plans, build and sustain capabilities, and maintain readiness.
Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program Doctrine
HSEEP Information Sheet
HSEEP Frequently Asked Questions
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Emergency Management Institute (EMI) - EMI Programs and ...
Exercise Science BS | RIT
CourseSem. Cr. Hrs.First YearBIOL-101
General Education Elective: General BiologyI
This course serves as an introduction to cellular, molecular, and evolutionary biology. Topics will include: a study of the basic principles of modern cellular biology, including cell structure and function; the chemical basis and functions of life, including enzyme systems and gene expression; and the origin of life and evolutionary patterns of organism development on Earth. Lecture 3 (Fall, Summer).
General Education Elective: General BiologyII
This course serves as an introduction to animal and plant anatomy and physiology, in addition to the fundamentals of ecology. Topics will include: animal development; animal body systems; plant development; unique plant systems; Earth's terrestrial and aquatic environments; population and community ecology; animal behavior; and conservation biology. Lecture 3 (Spring, Summer).
General Education Elective: General Biology ILab
This course provides laboratory work to complement the lecture material of General Biology I. The experiments are designed to illustrate concepts of basic cellular and molecular biology, develop laboratory skills and techniques for microscopy, and improve ability to make, record and interpret observations. (Co-requisites: BIOL-101 or equivalent course.) Lab 3 (Fall, Summer).
General Education Elective: General Biology IILab
This course provides laboratory work to complement the material of General Biology II. The experiments are designed to illustrate concepts of animal and plant anatomy and physiology, develop laboratory skills and techniques for experimenting with live organisms, and improve ability to make, record, and interpret observations. (Co-requisites: BIOL-102 or equivalent course.) Lab 3 (Spring, Summer).
General Education Natural Science Inquiry Perspective: General & Analytical ChemistryI
This is a general chemistry course for students in the life and physical sciences. College chemistry is presented as a science based on empirical evidence that is placed into the context of conceptual, visual, and mathematical models. Students will learn the concepts, symbolism, and fundamental tools of chemistry necessary to carry on a discourse in the language of chemistry. Emphasis will be placed on the relationship between atomic structure, chemical bonds, and the transformation of these bonds through chemical reactions. The fundamentals of organic chemistry are introduced throughout the course to emphasize the connection between chemistry and the other sciences. Lecture 3, Recitation 1 (Fall, Spring, Summer).
General Education Scientific Principles Perspective: General & Analytical ChemistryII
The course covers the thermodynamics and kinetics of chemical reactions. The relationship between energy and entropy change as the driving force of chemical processes is emphasized through the study of aqueous solutions. Specifically, the course takes a quantitative look at: 1) solubility equilibrium, 2) acid-base equilibrium, 3) oxidation-reduction reactions and 4) chemical kinetics. (Prerequisites: CHMG-141 or CHMG-131 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring, Summer).
General Education Natural Science Inquiry Perspective: General & Analytical Chemistry ILab
The course combines hands-on laboratory exercises with workshop-style problem sessions to complement the CHMG-141 lecture material. The course emphasizes laboratory techniques and data analysis skills. Topics include: gravimetric, volumetric, thermal, titration and spectrophotometric analyses, and the use of these techniques to analyze chemical reactions. (Corequisite: CHMG-141 or CHMG-131 or equivalent course.) Lab 3 (Fall, Spring, Summer).
General Education Scientific Principles Perspective: General & Analytical Chemistry IILab
The course combines hands-on laboratory exercises with workshop-style problem sessions to complement the CHMG-142 lecture material. The course emphasizes the use of experiments as a tool for chemical analysis and the reporting of results in formal lab reports. Topics include the quantitative analysis of a multicomponent mixture using complexation and double endpoint titration, pH measurement, buffers and pH indicators, the kinetic study of a redox reaction, and the electrochemical analysis of oxidation reduction reactions. (Prerequisites: CHMG-131 or CHMG-141 or equivalent course.Corequisites: CHMG-142 or equivalent course.) Lab 3 (Fall, Spring, Summer).
Seminar in Exercise Science
This course will provide first-year exercise science students with a strong foundation for a successful transition to university life. The course will introduce them to key personnel and resources essential for academic and personal achievement at RIT. Students will also develop a peer-based learning community with group projects centered on exercise science. (Prerequisites: This course is restricted to students in EXRSCI-BS.) Lecture 1 (Fall).
Introduction to Exercise Science
In this initial course of the Exercise Science undergraduate curriculum, students will be introduced to a broad array of topics within the field. Through an introductory review of body systems and physiological concepts students will gain an understanding and appreciation for the processes of response and adaptation which enhance and improve both health and fitness of people who exercise regularly. Career options will be reviewed and explored giving students an informed exposure to potential areas of future employment. (Prerequisites: BIOL-121 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Spring).
General Education Mathematical Perspective A: Applied Calculus
This course is an introduction to the study of differential and integral calculus, including the study of functions and graphs, limits, continuity, the derivative, derivative formulas, applications of derivatives, the definite integral, the fundamental theorem of calculus, basic techniques of integral approximation, exponential and logarithmic functions, basic techniques of integration, an introduction to differential equations, and geometric series. Applications in business, management sciences, and life sciences will be included with an emphasis on manipulative skills. (Prerequisite: C- or better in MATH-101, MATH-111, MATH-131, NMTH-260, NMTH-272 or NMTH-275 or Math Placement Exam score greater than or equal to 45.) Lecture 4 (Fall, Spring).
Cell Structure & Function
This course will cover the foundations of cellular biology and will focus on the integration of cell structure and function as a platform for advanced work in courses such as molecular biology, endocrinology, pharmacology, histology, anatomy & physiology, neuroscience, microbiology, pathology and related areas of study. (Prerequisite: BIOL-101 or BIOL-121 or BIOL-123 or equivalent course and 1st or 2nd year student standing with a major in CHST.) Lecture 3 (Spring).
RIT 365: RIT Connections
RIT 365 students participate in experiential learning opportunities designed to launch them into their career at RIT, support them in making multiple and varied connections across the university, and immerse them in processes of competency development. Students will plan for and reflect on their first-year experiences, receive feedback, and develop a personal plan for future action in order to develop foundational self-awareness and recognize broad-based professional competencies. Lecture 1 (Fall, Spring).
General Education First-Year Writing (WI)
General Education Elective
Fitness Prescription
This course is designed to provide instruction to prepare students for certification as a Personal Trainer. It examines the role exercise plays in both the enhancement of health and fitness as well as the improvement of athletic performance. Students will develop a basic understanding of how the human body functions while physically active. Case studies are utilized to assist in the development of practical skills. (Prerequisites: (MEDG-101 and MEDG-103) or (MEDG-102 and MEDG-104) or BIOL-101 or BIOL-121 or (BIOL-123 and BIOL-125) or (BIOL-124 and BIOL-126) or equivalent courses.) Lecture 3 (Fall).
Human Motor Behavior
Human movement is complex and learning to move is an essential component of a lifetime of healthy activity. Exploring the nexus of learning and movement is the primary aim of this course. Using application-based activities students will develop the skills to recognize movement patterns, perform assessments, and correct inefficient movement. After successful completion students will be able to provide appropriate instruction leading to better movement mechanics, reduced risk of injury, and higher levels of athletic performance. (Prerequisites: MEDS-250 or equivalent courses.) Lec/Lab 3 (Spring).
General Education Elective: Human Anatomy and PhysiologyI
This course is an integrated approach to the structure and function of the nervous, endocrine, integumentary, muscular and skeletal systems. Laboratory exercises include histological examination, actual and simulated anatomical dissections, and physiology experiments with human subjects. (Pre-requisite: (BIOL-123 and BIOL-124 and BIOL-125 and BIOL-126) or (BIOL-123 and BIOL-124) or (BIOL-101 and BIOL-102) or (BIOL-121 and BIOL-122) or MEDG-102 or equivalent course or NUTR-BS students.) Lab 3, Lecture 3 (Fall).
General Education Elective: Human Anatomy and PhysiologyII
This course is an integrated approach to the structure and function of the gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, immunological, respiratory, excretory, and reproductive systems with an emphasis on the maintenance of homeostasis. Laboratory exercises include histological examinations, anatomical dissections and physiological experiments using human subjects. (Pre-requisite: (BIOL-123 and BIOL-124 and BIOL-125 and BIOL-126) or (BIOL-123 and BIOL-124) or (BIOL-101 and BIOL-102) or (BIOL-121 and BIOL-122) or MEDG-102 or equivalent course or NUTR-BS students.) Lab 3, Lecture 3 (Spring).
General Education Elective: College PhysicsI
This is an introductory course in algebra-based physics focusing on mechanicsand waves. Topics include kinematics, planar motion, Newtons laws,gravitation; rotational kinematics and dynamics; work and energy; momentumand impulse; conservation laws; simple harmonic motion; waves; datapresentation/analysis and error propagation. The course is taught using bothtraditional lectures and a workshop format that integrates material traditionallyfound in separate lecture, recitation, and laboratory settings. Lab 4, Lecture 2 (Fall, Spring, Summer).
General Education Elective: College PhysicsII
This course is an introduction to algebra-based physics focusing on thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, optics, and elementary topics in modern physics. Topics include heat and temperature, laws of thermodynamics, fluids, electric and magnetic forces and fields, DC electrical circuits, electromagnetic induction, opyics, the concept of the photon, and the Bohr model of the atom. The course is taught using both traditional lectures and a workshop format that integrates material traditionally found in separate lecture, recitation, and laboratory settings. (Prerequisites: PHYS-111 or 1017-211 or equivalent course.) Lab 4, Lecture 2 (Fall, Spring).
General Education Mathematical Perspective B: Introduction to StatisticsI
This course introduces statistical methods of extracting meaning from data, and basic inferential statistics. Topics covered include data and data integrity, exploratory data analysis, data visualization, numeric summary measures, the normal distribution, sampling distributions, confidence intervals, and hypothesis testing. The emphasis of the course is on statistical thinking rather than computation. Statistical software is used. (Prerequisite: MATH-101 or MATH-111 or NMTH-260 or NMTH-272 or NMTH-275 or a math placement exam score of at least 35.) Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring, Summer).
General Education Artistic Perspective
General Education Ethical Perspective
General Education Global Perspective
Kinesiology
As a study of human movement this course will cover topics that begin with a review of the functional anatomy of the musculoskeletal system including both the upper and lower extremity as well as the spinal column and thorax. Factors of linear and rotary motion are reviewed along with postural analysis and movement elements associated with pushing, pulling and throwing objects. There is no separate Lab for this class and laboratory experiences will be incorporated into specifically designated lecture times. At the conclusion of this course students will have a functional capability to assess the intricacies of human movement. (Prerequisites: MEDS-250 or equivalent courses.) Lab 3, Lecture 3 (Fall).
Biomechanics
The study of mechanics as it pertains to living organisms is the basis of biomechanics. Principles of physics are applied to human motion with movements being analyzed for their relationship to statics and dynamics. Kinematics and kinetics are explored within the context of sports performance and functional human locomotion. (Prerequisite: EXSC-410 and PHYS-112 or equivalent courses.) Lab 3, Lecture 3 (Spring).
Exercise Physiology
Exercise Physiology is the scientific basis for the field of exercise science. This course provides students with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of the bodys responses and adaptations to exercise. Neuromuscular physiology is reviewed along with energy systems and mechanisms of fatigue. The cardiorespiratory system is examined with a focus on control and regulation during activity and there is a look at the physiological components of exercise training. Environmental factors that impact sport activities as well as training techniques which optimize performance will be reviewed. The differences in performance and adaptation that exist between children, adolescents, and adults as well as between males and females will be compared and contrasted. Exercises influence on long term health and fitness will conclude the course. Laboratory experiences will allow students to integrate and apply the concepts of exercise physiology through investigative experiments. (Prerequisites: (MEDS-250 and MEDS-251) or (1026-350 and 1026-360) or equivalent courses.) Lab 3, Lecture 3 (Fall).
Exercise Science Research (WI-PR)
Gathering and analyzing data in order to establish the need and effectiveness of athletic training interventions is the focus of this course. Students will learn sport specific protocols and become familiar with analytical software as well as develop proficiency in the application of data in the design and implementation of training programs. (Prerequisites: EXSC-550 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Spring).
Professional Electives
General Education Social Perspective
General Education Immersion 1
Group Exercise
Group exercise has progressed to include a wide variety of activities, equipment and environments. This course explores both the dynamics of group participation as well as techniques of instruction across a number of modalities including; hi/low impact, step training, kickboxing, sport conditioning, stationary indoor cycling, water exercise, yoga, and Pilates. Students will not only learn theory but will also design and teach classes to one another. Graduates of the class will be prepared to achieve certification in many of the modalities included in the course. (Prerequisites: (MEDG-101 and MEDG-103) or (MEDG-102 and MEDG-104) or BIOL-101 or BIOL-121 or (1026-211 and 1026-231) or (1026-212 and 1026-232) or (1026-213 and 1026-233) or 1001-201 or 1001-251 or equivalent course(s).) Lab 1.5, Lecture 1.5 (Fall).
Coaching Healthy Behavior
This course will teach students to encourage those with long standing lifestyle habits that contribute to their chronic illness to change is a very challenging proposition. It addresses this problem by incorporating psychological, sociological and counseling principles, along with coaching skills, into an intervention technique that emphasizes the positive and leads people to choose and adhere to a wellness lifestyle. Students will review case studies and meet with professionals in the field. (Prerequisites: (MEDG-101 and MEDG-103) or (MEDG-102 and MEDG-104) or BIOL-101 or BIOL-121 or (BIOL-123 and BIOL-125) or (BIOL-124 and BIOL-126) or equivalent courses.) Lecture 3 (Spring).
Open Electives
Professional Elective
General Education Immersion 2, 3
121
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Exercise Science BS | RIT
Rec center renovation in Texarkana nearly completed – Arkansas Online
TEXARKANA -- The transformation of a derelict former Boys and Girls Club into a modern, multipurpose recreation center is only weeks from completion.
The Texarkana Recreation Center on Legion Drive lacks only installation of a gymnasium floor, kitchen equipment and electronics such as televisions and computers before residents can begin using it, said city Parks Department's Adam Dalby during a recent tour.
The result will be a hub of community activity not only for children who need a place to play, but also for anyone who needs computer and internet access, a meeting, event or classroom space, or an opportunity to volunteer.
The city is taking bids for industrial kitchen equipment for the center and should award a contract within two to three weeks. Installation of a gymnasium floor, made of compressed plastic like those in many elementary schools, should begin in the meantime. The kitchen and gym are connected by a concession stand.
An activity room will feature pool and foosball tables, TVs and a seating area. A computer lab with free Wi-Fi access will be available to everyone.
A meeting room will have plenty of seating and electronics that users may need such as telephones and largescreen TVs for videos and presentations.
Restrooms have been completely renovated, and on Wednesday workers were busy polishing all-new flooring throughout the building.
It is suitable for everything from exercise classes, to sports and summer camps, to family reunions and more, and early plans include a Breakfast with Santa event in December, Dalby said.
The center will also house the Parks Department's offices, and Dalby has plans to install a Hall of Fame featuring autographed photos of athletes who were involved in the old Boys and Girls Club and went on to success.
Outside, spruced up ball fields will accommodate baseball, softball, soccer and football games. A walking trail will provide another place for residents to get some exercise.
The Parks Department will be hiring some part time staff for the center, and organizations and volunteers are needed to facilitate afterschool and other programs. Eventually, school buses will stop at the center to drop off students who need a place to go after the last bell rings.
The price tag of more than $1.18 million was paid for through a low-cost loan secured by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as well as federal Community Development Block Grants and Parks allocations.
A safe, healthy place where the city's youth can congregate has continuously been on the wish list of many residents, Dalby said.
"Now we've got that place," he said, "and hopefully we can keep it open a long time."
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Rec center renovation in Texarkana nearly completed - Arkansas Online