Articles
Effects of Exercise on Strength and Mobility
NuStep Article
Older adults with physical limitations and younger
adults who weren't regular exercisers benefited
from exercising with the NuStep, according to two
recent studies.
A study of 39 residents in assisted living communities
with an average age of 83 revealed that, over 13
weeks, residents who spent at least nine minutes
a week on the NuStep reduced the amount of time
to walk 50 feet, increased their performance on
strength tests, and lowered their blood pressure.
They got stronger and faster from using the NuStep,
said Dr. Timothy R. Johnson, assistant professor
of physical education, health, and wellness at
Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn. Johnson,
along with Dr. Scott D. McPhee, coled the study,
which surveyed residents at four Morningside assisted
living communities. Johnson's research convinced
Morningside's parent company, LifeTrust America,
that NuStep would benefit their 1,200 plus residents.
LifeTrust America, which operates 46 Morningside
communities, bought its first NuStep in May 1998.
Residents enjoyed it so much that the company bought
a NuStep for each of its facilities. Six out of
ten Morningside residents need walking assistance
and use a cane, walker, or wheelchair, according
to Johnson, who serves as a consultant for LifeTrust's
Healthy GenerationSM wellness program. For safety
concerns, most exercise equipment is not practical
for them to use. You can't exactly use your walker
on a treadmill, Johnson observed. And for those
with arthritis, lifting a leg over a stationary
bike seat is painful, if not impossible. High seats
also put users at risk of falling. With NuStep,
however, residents ease into the swivel seat and
enjoy greater security because of a reduced risk
of fallingeven blind residents felt secure.
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