Purpose:

The purpose of this program is to provide "real world" experience for physical education students interested in learning more about aging, and how to lead enjoyable older adult physical activity. For ten Thursdays, October to December, 45 seniors come to the "Butterdome" to join in an hour of planned physical activity.

Activities:

The activities of this program include a 15 minute warmup, 15 minutes of aerobic walking, dancing or playful activity, 15 minutes of muscle and bone strengthening activity, and 15 minutes of stretching and warmdown. Groups have access to a number of first rate facilities including the Rick Hansen strength training centre, the Butterdome track, the matted wrestling studio and any other nook and crannie they can find. Sometimes they go for walking tours of the campus or P.E. Building which has interesting facilities.

Success:

The success of this program include: very happy older participants who rave about how well they are treated by the students; intergenerational learning and sharing (of music, exercise challenges, health issues, dance steps, jokes, etc); overcoming social stereotyping both ways (older and younger), and camaraderie.

Reason:

The program is successful because seniors get a low-cost (free) one hour class and students do not have to leave campus to get "hands-on" experience. The seniors really enjoy the program because the students invest a lot of time and effort hoping to learn a lot and get a good grade in the PEDS 384 course! Of course!

Contact Information:

Ms. Sandy O'Brien Cousins
Professor, Exercise Gerontology
Faculty of PE & Recreation, University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2H9
phone: (780) 492-1033
fax: (780) 492-2364
email: scousins@ualberta.ca [1]