ALAMOSA — The Larry Holder Exercise and Cancer Survivorship Program at Adams State University (ASU) is deeply committed to the well-being of cancer survivors in the San Luis Valley. It offers those who have or are currently experiencing cancer the opportunity to participate in an individualized exercise program conducted in a group setting.
This program, which meets three times per week for 10 weeks, is open to any cancer survivor, including those currently undergoing treatment and over 18.
The program is also a research study that quantitatively measures exercise's positive impacts on those in the program.
Tracey Robinson, Ph.D, Professor of Exercise Science at ASU, explained in an interview with the Valley Courier, "We do pre-testing and post-testing; since this is a research study, we want to see if the exercise program is helping them both physically and mentally with various aspects of fitness. We do these tests at the beginning and end of the program. We compare the data and see what has changed. We see what has changed and hopefully improved. We do see a lot of improvement.
"The program now includes a high-intensity factor to our exercise, so instead of just walking, we would have a target heart rate where they have to walk fast to get a higher heart rate for a minute, and then they walk slower to recover their heart rate. This is done for 20 minutes instead of just strolling the entire period. We have found that we are getting better health results with the higher intensity."
Robinson noted that the entire program is tailored to each participant's individual ability, "We are setting it just for you, whatever your ability is."
Peggy Johnson, who retired from the ASU Department of Kinesiology and works with the program, added, "Interval training benefits have been validated in research studies, and we have realistic goals for those in the program.”
Now in its fifth year, the exercise classes offer a place where participants can work toward their personal fitness goals in a nonjudgmental setting while enjoying a support network of fellow cancer survivors. The program also provides Adams State undergraduate and graduate kinesiology students with experience in fitness testing and guides and supports program participants throughout the exercise program.
The exercise classes meet three times a week for 10 weeks. Prospective participants must commit to the full schedule to ensure the accuracy of the data collected. Absences from classes can be made up. The classes meet Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at the Alamosa Family Recreation Center and are supervised by graduate students from ASU. Robinson and Johnson praised the students' work.
The program data collected so far has shown an increase in walking ability, and increases in muscle strength, endurance, and balance.
The participants greatly appreciate the program; several have participated since its inception. Robinson noted that the quality of life for those in the program has increased. When this reporter visited the exercise classes last year, many in the classes praised the program and noted they experienced increased physical improvements and better mental well-being. Also pointed out by the participants was their dedication to being part of the research that may benefit other cancer survivors. Those in the classes exhibited a sense of joy and camaraderie.
"We designed the program to be in a group setting because that is the social side; they are all going through the same cancer experience. They can commiserate with each other, and help each other," said Robinson.
The Adams State University Department of Kinesiology will continue necessary research on the benefits of several types of exercise on the physical, mental, and social health of cancer survivors. The program is funded through local support from the SLV Health Foundation, including the Larry Holder Memorial Golf Tournament, after completing a two-year grant from the Colorado Cancer Coalition.
All cancer survivors ages 18 years or older are welcome regardless of gender, type, or stage of cancer. There is no cost to the participant, but completing the entire twelve weeks of the study is crucial to ensure accurate results.
The fall semester program is currently full. The next session will be announced in early January. The Valley Courier will have articles this semester and information regarding the next session sometime in December. For more information, contact Peggy Johnson at pvjohnson@adams.edu.
