17th Annual Student Research Conference
Human Potential and Performance
PACE: People with Arthritis Can Exercise
Sarah B. Cooper*, Elizabeth Carpenter, and Magen Hembree
Dr. Carol Cox, Faculty Mentor
Arthritis is the largest cause of disability in America. The Arthritis Foundation’s PACE (People with Arthritis Can Exercise) program provides education and exercises to allow participation in everyday activities. This biweekly program is conducted for sixteen weeks at community facilities and nursing homes. PACE consists of joint flexibility and muscle strengthening exercises, and education about pain threshold and ergonomics. After successful completion of PACE Leader training by the Arthritis Foundation, ten Eta Sigma Gamma members targeted those suffering from arthritis in the Kirksville area. The average participant was Caucasian (100%), female (94%), and aged 75 and over (94%). The sites averaged 87.5% attendance per session. Fifty-two percent of those who attended the second sixteen week block of PACE had also attended the first block. Only 20.6% of participants exercised on their own using at least two of the exercises learned in PACE.
Keywords: arthritis, disability, Arthritis Foundation, PACE, Eta Sigma Gamma, exercise, joint mobility, muscle strengthening
Topic(s):Health Science
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 26-14
Location: OP Lobby & Atrium
Time: 1:15