Keep up the PACE at free health and wellness sessions
The MacSeniors Exercise and Wellness Program (pictured) offers a supervised regimen of aerobic and resistance training for individuals 60-80 years of age. McMaster's PACE facility is offering three free information sessions this week with an overall focus on health and wellness among seniors.
Your muscles may be screaming, but your brain (and body) will be smiling.
McMaster’s Physical Activity Centre of Excellence (PACE) is offering a trio of information sessions this week with an overall focus on health and wellness among seniors, and the importance of physical fitness. Topics include arthritis and exercise, exercise and the brain and how to develop and maintain effective exercise habits.
The free events will help introduce the University’s world-class research and exercise facilities to older adults and retirees in the Hamilton area, and each session will be led by a McMaster researcher working at PACE.
“Throughout the past decade, an increasing number of researchers have been exploring the cognitive benefits of regular exercise,” said Kathleen Martin Ginis, director of PACE and a professor in the Department of Kinesiology. “Our hope is that all of the attendees will leave these sessions with a better understanding of what we do here, and how our research and exercise programming can be used to improve wellbeing.”
Martin Ginis’ May 8 session will focus on the importance of sticking with an exercise program for the long-term, and creating a routine that suits one’s lifestyle. Jennifer Heisz, a a cognitive neuroscientist and an assistant professor in the Department of Kinesiology, will lead the May 7 session with a focus on the cognitive benefits of regular exercise. On May 6, physiotherapist and biomechanist Monica Maly will offer tips and strategies for exercising with arthritis.
Each session is free to attend, and attendees can register online.
Opened in the spring of 2012, PACE is a state-of-the-art exercise research and training centre located in the Ivor Wynne Centre. Faculty, staff and students who work in the centre are committed to studying and improving health and wellbeing among older adults, as well as people with chronic diseases and disabilities.
The facility is also home to three innovative service programs: the MacSenior Exercise and Wellness Program, the McMaster Cardiac Rehabilitation Program and the MacWheeler Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Program. All three programs are supervised by trained staff and facilitated by undergraduate and graduate students in the Department of Kinesiology.
“We’ve grown to more than 700 members this year, and we’re seeing more and more involvement from our undergraduate students here at McMaster,” added Martin Ginis. “Ultimately, we want this space to be open and accessible to the community.”
On Saturday, May 24, staff at PACE will be leading a Walk of Life event on behalf of the Cardiac Health Foundation of Canada. The event is open to all members of the McMaster community and local residents.
