WESTFIELD- This past Thursday the Westfield Council on Aging held the last class of their six-week exercise program, a collaboration with Westfield State University’s Movement Science Department.
Each spring for the last few years the Westfield COA has partnered with Movement Science students in putting together an exercise program for older adults.
Each week of the program focused on a different physical activity such as aerobics or strength training, but this year the program’s focus for the entire six weeks was balance.
“There’s a push on the state level to prioritize balance among older adults,” said COA Executive Director Tina Gorman.
This year twenty Movement Science students and about twenty seniors participated in the program. The Movement Science students utilize the senior center as a lab to take what they learn in the classroom and turn that into an experience that benefits the community.
Students lead the class each week putting together what exercises and routines are involved. The classes usually begin with a warm up in a large group, breaking down into smaller groups at different stations. Participants at each station are provided with a chair and then rotate around the room performing different exercises. All classes end with a cool-down.
Through working with the older adults, the students learned about everyone’s own individual needs.
“Many older adults require one-to-one help,” said Gorman. “You’re clearly able to recognize that there’s all different abilities”.
With increased popularity, this year the program had to have a waiting list. To get a head start on future COA programs and news, follow COA’s Voice of Experience Newsletter on cityofwestfield.org or call (413) 562-6435.
