Stay Strong, Stay Healthy The benefits of group fitness

individuals?”

Oklahoma State University introduces the group fitness initiative Stay Strong, Stay Healthy for the first time.

Stay Strong, Stay Healthy (SSSH) is an eight-week exercise program based on extensive scientific evidence. Research has shown that SSSH participants improve their strength, flexibility, balance and enhanced sleep quality. For older and less active, middle-aged adults show a collective reduction in fall risk as well as increased independence.

Stay Strong, Stay Healthy is a national program model originally developed by Steve Ball of University of Missouri in 2005.

Bree Baker – assistant professor and MAAX Lab director in the School of Kinesiology, Applied Health and Recreation – is enriched with the ins and outs of SSSH from her time as a postdoctoral researcher alongside Ball and continues to be involved with the program.

“We were watching the program work firsthand, but we didn’t have the research to back it at the time,” Baker said. “We had to sit down and ask the questions: Does it work? How much does it work? Does it work for a wide range of

Since Stay Strong, Stay Healthy has made it out of the lab, it has shown real growth since becoming an extension program. It has allowed for the program to disperse across many different counties, reaching nearly 15,000 individuals across the U.S. Now, utilizing extension agency networks is standard for the program.

Individuals who participated in the study were not avid partakers in exercise when the program first began. Although, after eight weeks attending classes and practicing a variety of movements, participants found themselves to be stronger and more capable than they thought they were.

“We saw unexpected results beyond the findings we had hoped for,” Baker said.

When contacting the first group of participants one year after their program had ended, many were still resistance training and proclaimed themselves as more confident which had encouraged them to keep trying new activities.

“Not many doctors prescribe weight lifting as a way to reduce fall risk,” Baker said. “The reality is that we have research that proves the efficacy of weight training for increased balance and mobility. This program model will positively impact Okla- homans’ lives. It’s absolutely not necessary to be in shape or regularly active to join the program.” academic programs, OSU Extension and all agricultural research efforts on campus and statewide.

“We are trying to break down barriers to accessibility and educate and educate folks on the benefits of strength training, safely and independently, that can be carried on even after the 8-week session to sustain activity,” she added.

OSU searched for candidates from all over the nation to fill the position.

OSU Provost Jeanette Mendez said this thorough search reached a strong pool of candidates, including Lusk.

“I am delighted that Dr. Lusk, a member of the Cowboy family, has chosen to return and lead the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources,” Dr. Mendez said.

“Oklahoma State University is a national leader in agriculture, and I believe Dr. Lusk will continue to build on the strong foundation of retiring vice president and dean Dr. Tom Coon.

Lusk will also lead the move-in and transition to the New Frontiers Agricultural Hall, the $115 million state-of-the-art teaching, research and Extension facility. The new building will focus on experiential learning, collaboration between students and faculty, adaptive research and encourage innovation. The building was launched in January of 2020 and is set to be completed in the summer of 2024.

The OSU/A&M Board of Regents approved appointing Lusk into the position.

The current session at OSU is progressive in activity and training level. For the first two weeks, participants may not even utilize weights but will instead focus on executing proper form and movements before they work their way up to resistance training. Nutritional facts and strategies will also be included in the curriculum.

Baker and her team are actively working to bring this program to extension agenciesthroughout the state, with the goal of Stay Strong, Stay Healthy having a presence in all 77 counties.

“As part of the systemwide strategy OSU unveiled in October 2022, the university has a focus on fighting food insecurity with the concept of using research to help ‘nourish the world.’ Dr. Lusk’s background in partnering technology and agriculture dovetails perfectly with OSU’s commitment to leveraging research and innovation to improve the world’s food shortage issues.”

There are no requirements to enroll in the program and walkers and wheelchairs are welcome. Visit the Department of Wellness website to stay up to date on upcoming sessions. For more information or to become certified as an instructor for future sessions, contact Bree Baker at bree.baker@okstate.edu.

As part of the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Lusk was chosen to lead the Ferguson College of Agriculture, OSU Extension and OSU Ag Research.

Lusk’s duties consist of overseeing

“I’m excited to welcome Dr. Lusk back to OSU as the new vice president and dean of OSU Agriculture,” said Blayne Arthur, Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture and member of the OSU/A&M Board of Regents. “Dr. Lusk is well-known across the country and will bring a unique perspective and passion to this position. The work of OSU Agriculture faculty and staff, along with the leadership team, is essential to the success of the Oklahoma agriculture industry. I am looking forward to his return to Stillwater and seeing how Dr. Lusk’s vision helps further Oklahoma agriculture.” news.ed@ocolly.com news.ed@ocolly.com