Researchers at UNB are looking for seniors to participate in an upcoming study.
“Zoomers on the Go” is a 12 week exercise program for people aged 50 or older, offering 60 minute sessions twice a week.
Dr. Danielle Bouchard, one of the conductors of the study, says they will be evaluating participants’ health outcomes and benefits in an effort to expand the program across the province.
“We were trying to reduce the number of barriers that we hear a lot in the remote communities. It’s good for Fredericton and Saint John and Moncton but its really meant to be a program that can go anywhere,” she said.
She says some of those barriers include lack of communication about the classes, and a lack of space and instructors. She hopes to gather some data on why that is, and improve the program.
Bouchard says the classes will involve aerobic and resistance exercises, as well as flexibility and balance, things that help people as they age.
“What we see for sure is that people who do the program, they are improving some functional ability. Most of the chronic conditions will be helped if you do exercise regularly,” she said.
She says there will also be an education component.
“The whole goal of this at the beginning anyway was to reduce the risk of falls, so that’s one of the outcomes we’re looking at. There’s some pieces of the program that’s meant to decrease the risk…education pieces like what do you do with your rugs at nighttime or when there’s ice outside,” she said.
She also hopes it will raise awareness about the importance of exercise in general.
“For some reason, most people don’t exercise. It’s one of those things that people know and most people will say that they’re always striving to do more, but there’s something that is going on that its not becoming a priority for majority of people,” she said.
The study runs from October 2nd to December 20th at Bernie’s Body Blast in St. Stephen. Sessions will be on Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
Those interested in joining the study can contact the research team at either cellab@unb.ca or by calling 458-7034.
