Senior Success Story at Fit For Life

A Preventive Health & Fitness Company
"Keep Active and Have Fun!"


	Strength Training Program Helps Nursing Home Residents
	The Freedom Through Functionality Nautilus Strength Training For The Elderly Program was a huge success when implemented recently to nursing home residents. It is a 14-week program with an average of two exercise sessions per week. Each workout consisted of six strength exercises performed on five Nautilus machines. The exercises were: leg press, triceps press, seated row, trunk extension, neck flexion and neck extension. Each exercise was performed for one set of 8 to 12 repetitions to the point of momentary muscle fatigue. When 12 repetitions were completed with proper exercise form the weightload was increased by 5 percent. All training repetitions were performed in approximately six seconds, with two seconds for each lifting movement and four seconds for each lowering movement. All training repetitions were executed through the full range of joint movement as determined by the subject’s functional ability and freedom from discomfort. Here are the stories of three participants. Ms. Florence Griddin, 92 year old resident, has undergone three back surgeries. After 8 weeks of strength training program for back rehabilitation, she can now stand straight again. In her opinion the strength training program helped both her back and her posture. She also attributed a feeling of well-being and more energy to work around her campus home to her strength workouts. Ms. Esther Duvall, 84 year old resident, claimed to hurt at the time prior to the strength training program, and her husband confirmed that she had a very low functional capacity. Ms. Duvall said she was somewhat frightened at first, but after using the Nautilus machines her strength increased and her walking ability improved. In fact, the combination of therapy and strength training enabled her to leave the nursing home and return to independent living campus with her husband. Ms. Peg Terbeek, 77 year old resident, claimed that her energy level and posture improved considerably as a result of the strength training program. In fact, she insisted that she now feels just like she did in her 20s in terms of muscle strength and physical function. Ms. Terbeek also noted that the program helped reduce her low back pain. By Carol Glasscock, MS, PT