成人头条

Knee replacements, low blood pressure and hip fractures haven't stopped the older-than-90 crowd from participating in 成人头条's personal fitness courses.

Since 1983, the Department of Health and Physical Education, now the Department of Kinesiology and Sport Studies, has provided a variety of activity classes and fitness tests to older adults in the 成人头条 community.

Born from a partnership with Wesley Medical Center in 1979, the exercise program continued to grow under the direction of Nancy Stubbs, associate professor emeritus of kinesiology and sport studies.

In 1993, another class was added to accommodate the almost 75 senior citizens attending, and a weight training class was added in 1995.

Then, in 1996, as an addition to the personal fitness courses, WSU created the Center for Physical Activity and Aging.

Upon Stubbs' retirement in 1998, more than 120 seniors were attending classes aimed at providing wellness and performing research for the benefit of older populations.

Even retired, Stubbs continues to participate in the courses.

"These folks are retired," she said. "They can be anywhere they want, and they choose to be here."

A certain group has been with the program since the beginning.

Phil Griffith, 92, has attended the personal fitness courses on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays since 1994. He had taken a class from Stubbs on "keeping healthy and all that stuff."

Both of his knees have been replaced. He said he'd worn them out.

"I can't run," he said. "But that's all right. I can walk."

Griffith will walk in the 成人头条 River Festival's 2-mile River Run Saturday, May 8. Last year, he said he was "number one" of the 90-year-olds because he was the only one who showed up.

"I wish there was some way to get this type of class in every university," he said.

He's contacted former Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius twice, but hasn't had any luck pushing the program across Kansas.

Griffith comes to every class and tries to bring three or four friends, or strangers, with him, including Fred Arbauch.

"He gets you off the street," Arbauch said of Griffith. "He's a go-getter."

Arbauch joined the class when he was 88. At the time, he weighed 215 pounds. Now he weighs a healthy 169 pounds.

Three years ago, Arbauch went through a 12-week fitness test of seven exercises. Over the 12 weeks, he improved 100 percent-150 percent on each exercise.

And he still does them 20 times each, three days a week.

Not only do older adults benefit from the fitness portion of the class, but also from the testing and research portion.

Ruth Bohlken, CPAA director and instructor, said seniors are offered bone density assessments to check for osteoporosis and low bone density. The CPAA has been testing for the past 10 years.

Many participants are on medication for low bone density. Bohlken has monitored their bone density to track the medication for effectivness.

The added benefit: Physical activity can increase bone density, she said.

Betty Craig, 81, said keeping busy and keeping active at WSU is the key to a healthful life.

"I know it's key for me," Craig said.

Classes run Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. A $50 per semester membership fee is due, as well as a $20 parking fee, which is good for one year.

Activities offered include personal fitness courses, Tai Chi, Flex and Tone and Water Fitness, which runs Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 a.m.-8:20 a.m.

For more information, contact Ruth Bohlken at (316) 978-5150 or ruth.bohlken@wichita.edu.