THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, August 26, 1994 TAG: 9408240151
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 1B EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY KRYS STEFANSKY
LENGTH: Medium: 100 lines
A middle-aged woman with high blood pressure can exercise. But she's not the ideal candidate for a heart-pumping aerobics class taught at the neighborhood shopping center.
Yet, there is someplace safe for her to go.
In cooperation with Tidewater Health Care, the Department of Parks and Recreation will begin offering a fitness program called Recreational & Educational Approach to Complete Health. It debuts at the Princess Anne Recreation Center on Ferrell Parkway.
``This program is designed for anyone who wants some supervision with exercise. The key term is `medically managed,' '' said Allen M. Bostian, manager of Tidewater Health Care's Cardiac Fitness Center/Health Quest/R.E.A.C.H.
The unique joint venture between the private sector and municipality takes advantage of exercise equipment and trained staff already in place at city recreation centers.
``This fits in with trends in health care - prevention and keeping costs down,'' said Sandi E. McPherson, center coordinator of the Great Neck Recreation Center and of this new program.
The fitness program depends on expertise provided by medical professionals. Scott Van Geluwe, an exercise physiologist with Tidewater Health Care, will serve as the program coordinator at the Princess Anne center.
The pilot program is limited to 25 participants. They may have medical conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, or may be recovering from strokes.
``They do not necessarily have an illness,'' Bostian said, ``but their physician has recommended exercise to improve or control their condition.''
Individual goals may be to lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol levels or reduce dependence on medications.
To sign up, participants need a physician's referral.
``We'll obtain a person's medical records and talk with their doctor about the need for a stress test,'' said Van Geluwe. ``We'll be kind of a link between the participant and the physician.'' After an initial evaluation, a participant's physical progress will be evaluated at the three- and six-month mark and the information will be forwarded to his doctor.
A typical 90-minute fitness session will include a weight check, blood pressure and heart rate and conversation about how a person is feeling. Workouts will include individual and group sessions in walking, running, biking and stepping with periodic blood pressure and heart rate checks.
``A lot of these individuals have been sedentary and this is to show them, hey, you can do this,'' Van Geluwe said. ``It's important to keep people active in a program. That's a real key - having fun while doing something good for yourself.''
Classes will cost $49 for 12 sessions. Frequency will be tailored to individual needs and schedules. In addition to exercise, instructors will offer courses in smoking cessation, weight control, stress management and recreation activities.
A dietitian will consult with participants twice. One day each week will feature a group activity such as bowling or volleyball.
``We hope this will make them feel comfortable coming here on their own,'' said Robert C. Leedom, center coordinator of the Princess Anne Recreation Center.
Recreation center staff at Princess Anne has received special training in medically managed fitness program supervision, another aspect that Leedom thinks will help his patrons feel safe there.
``In fact, we have the ability to expand the program if interest is high. We anticipate this blossoming rather quickly,'' Leedom said. ``We're providing a need we cannot provide ourselves and are working with a group that has the expertise.''
Organizers hope the fitness classes will be so popular they will spread to all city recreation centers and, as Bostian put it, out of the shadow of Virginia Beach General Hospital.
``This is easier and more affordable and offered at less cost to people than seeing their doctor once a month,'' Bostian said. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by CHARLIE MEADS
Scott Van Geluwe, left, coaches Wendy Irick on the fitness routine.
Allen M. Bostian, left, manager of Tidewater Health Care's Cardiac
Fitness Center/Health Quest, and Robert C. Leedom, coordinator of
the Princess Anne Recreation Center, are presenting the R.E.A.C.H.,
Recreational & Educational Approach to Complete Health, program
that debuts at the Princess Anne Recreation Center on Ferrell
Parkway.
WHAT & WHERE
R.E.A.C.H., a medically managed fitness and intervention program, is
open to 25 participants at the Princess Anne Recreation Center from
Sept. 12 to Nov. 23. Classes are Monday through Friday from 10 to
11:30 a.m. and cost $25 for six sessions, $49 for 12 sessions. A
valid facility card is required (for ages 18 to 64 it costs $27 per
year, for 65 and older a lifetime membership is $50). To register
call Tidewater Health Care at 481-7656 or Princess Anne Recreation
Center at 426-0022.
by CNB