By Evanna Tchir, Exercise Physiologist at Fox Rehabilitation
Role of an Exercise Physiologist
An exercise physiologist studies the body’s biological responses to exercise and monitors heart rate, oxygen saturation, and blood pressure. One major goal as an exercise physiologist is to provide an exercise program focusing on overall health and fitness to promote physical maintenance and improvement.
Fox Better Living Exercise Program includes our Strength, Mobility, and Balance exercise class held twice a week, Monday and Wednesday at 10:00AM for about 45 minutes. It’s a unique exercise program that includes standing strengthening, mobility, and balance exercise followed by seated resistance band exercises and stretches. Sometimes I incorporate light weight dumbbells or exercise balls to make the program fun.
The program also provides a formal fitness testing for new senior residents and class members as deemed appropriate. With this I can monitor the short term and long term effects of exercise for individual residents. Typically, I test participants every three months to keep an eye on them and make sure they are at least maintaining their physical strength if not improving. If there is a significant decrease in scores between the three months, I’ll discuss with the resident, Fox rehabilitation team, and the nursing staff the option of utilizing the Physical Therapy and/or Occupational Therapy we have here on site at Wilf Campus.
At Martin and Edith Stein Assisted Living we have a great group of active participants who come to the class regularly. We even have visitors from the Wilentz Senior Residence and throughout the local central New Jersey community come and participate in the class.
Along with the Strength, Mobility and Balance class I can provide one on one training for residents if they feel they would like an independent session apart from the group. This is considered the “Exercise Physiologist Wellness Program”. The sessions run for 45 minutes in their room or quiet part of the facility for additional strengthening and balance exercises. During these sessions I monitor heart rate, oxygen saturation, and blood pressure at rest, during exercise, and post activity. It is important for elderly adults to take positive steps towards maintaining their fitness and our programs help our residents work towards that goal.
The exercises and activities can include therapeutic exercise including strengthening, balance, walking, and stretching. Each wellness program is designed for the individual. Exercise Physiologist Wellness Program is ideal for those who cannot fully participate in the Strength, Mobility and Balance class due to limitations, for those who need a little extra exercise, and those who have specific goals in mind.
I’d love to answer any questions anyone might have about the programs offered. My email address is [email protected]. To learn more about the wellness and social activities for seniors available at Wilf Campus contact us or email us at [email protected].