Health & Kinesiology
Volume 1, Issue 2 August 2010
In the News
PYED 4356/5345: Aging & Physical Performance An Amazing Elective for all H & K Students
Dr. Joyce Ballard With the aging of the US Population, it will be important to improve your resume by signing up for PYED 4356/5345-Aging and
with them.
Physical Performance Course and get prepared to work with older adults who are sure
cling), and balance training (using information from eyes, ears, and lower legs to prevent falls).
to be part of the future fitness movement. Many in this age population have the financial ability to hire personal trainers, but they expect trainers who know how to successfully work
This course is an opportunity to have hands on experience, working one-on-one with “eager” older adults who present unique challenges but are very moti-
vated to become more active and fit in order to improve their health and to prevent falling. The first 7 weeks of the course will be a combination of a few lectures but primarily labs to familiarize you with training procedures appropriate for the older adults (60-85 years of age). The training procedures will consist of a combination of weight training (on 10 weight machines), aerobic training (track or treadmill walking, or cy-
Last semester, the clients in the class could not tell me often enough how wonderful the students were and some students were taken out to lunch and others given gifts at the end. On the other-hand, the students became very attached to their clients and some of them gave their clients gifts.
What’s New in H&K A Novel Way to Promote Academic Success The Academic Advising Punch Card Program demic Year is for each of our students to meet with their academic advisor at least three times throughout the year (for Spring 2011, Summer 2011 and Fall 2011 registration) . While academic advising should be an important part of every students’ University Experience, many students shy away from utilizing this resource. My goal for the Department of Health and Kinesiology during the 2010-2011 Aca-
To help achieve this goal, a new Advising Punch Card program will be initiated Fall 2010. Each Health and Kinesiology student will receive an Advising Punch Card when they meet with their academic advisor in the Fall.
Upon completing each advising meeting, the student’s advisor will sign their card. When the card is complete the student can turn in their Academic Advising Punch Card for a Dept. of Health and Kinesiology T-Shirt. I really feel strongly that academic advising makes a positive difference for students and I hope this program works to increase the percentage of students that regularly receive advising!! Dr. Marzilli
Volume 1, Issue 2
Department Spotlight:
Dr. Sloan’s Research
As a Department Chair, nothing makes me prouder than bragging on one of the Department’s Students or Faculty; this month, I get the opportunity to do both! Many of you may know Dr. Sloan from his teaching and PJ from class, but you probably did not know they are currently working on a NIH funded research proposal investigating health outcomes in rural patients suffering from chronic cardiopulmonary disease (COPD). I’m so excited Dr. Sloan has agreed to share his experience... Dr. Marzilli
Dr. John Sloan The broad purpose of my current research, in collaboration with Dr. David Coultas the principle investigator in our study, is to examine the effectiveness of a home based exercise and education program on patient health outcomes. Specifically, this National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded research project is Health Faculty Member designed to examine health outcomes in rural patients suffering from chronic cardiopulmonary disease (COPD). This study’s funding allows us to recruit students to assistant our team of scientists who are scattered throughout several institutions in Texas. A student here at UT-Tyler, Princess Joy “PJ” Verdan, got involved in this study as an undergraduate and is now a graduate student working formally as my graduate research assistant
while completing her M.S in Kinesiology. In a recent conversation with PJ I asked what she likes best about her research role. Learning about the various components of the research process, gaining confidence from playing a real and significant part in moving the study along, and the trust of the research team were all mentioned. “I like learning on my own and absorbing interesting information. This experience has allowed me to do that...I just like figuring stuff out.” PJ will continue her education once she leaves Tyler to pursue a Physical Therapy doctorate. Certainly, her research experience here will make her a highly competitive applicant for any program of her choosing. For me as a teacher involved in research there is no greater reward than to see a student like PJ roll up her sleeves and find intrinsic reward in developing her competence as a scientist and scholar. Princess Joy is a significant synergistic force in our line of research and represents what makes research and teaching such an exciting part of what I get to do in the Health and Kinesiology Department here at UT-Tyler.
Message From the Chair of Health and Kinesiology
Dr. Scott Marzilli The summer is coming to an end, and hopefully many of you have had a great break from school and have taken my advice to recharge your batteries in anticipation for the new year. Well, I am taking my own advice and I am leaving Tyler for my summer vacation!! Mount Rainier, Washington (14,411Feet)
Since arriving in 2008, I have tried to take very exciting summer trips. Last summer I went whitewater rafting down the Grand Canyon for 7 days and ran the LA Marathon. This summer I have something planned equally exciting. As you read this I am no longer in Tyler, Texas. I flew to Southern California on July 26th to see my Family and Friends and to continue to train for this year’s summer adventure. As some of you may know, I have been preparing to climb Mount Rainier in Washington for the past several months and on August 9th, I will start the 9,500 ft climb arriving at the 14,411 ft summit August 11, which is also my 40th B-day!!!!
This has been quite an adventure so far and I look forward to the last couple of weeks of training in California so that I can actually train on some real mountains and not just the stair climber and the streets of Tyler!! However, before my trek up Mount Rainier, my Parents surprised the family with a 7-day cruise to Alaska! This should be awesome! I just hope that I can keep my training up on the boat!! I am confident some of the excursions (i.e., dog sledding, trekking on a glacier, and salmon fishing) will keep me in shape!! Anyway, I get back August 16th and will be ready to start the next year!! Hang on because we are in for a great ride!!!
Tip of the Month Clubs and Honor Societies are great ways to meet students with similar interests! I strongly encourage you to join at least one of the clubs and work toward an invitation to the Honor Society this year. This is especially important if you are new to UT Tyler and the Department of Health and Kinesiology. The more you invest in something, the greater return you can expect! .Dr. Marzilli