By Christopher Gillett and Brandon Cantwell
The Exercise Science Department hosted a session Oct. 7 for Active Aging Week at Beeghly Center. The event brought in elders from local senior centers and faculty from Youngstown State University, leading them in hour-long sessions of exercise biking, stretching and resistance-band training.
Active Aging Week was started by the International Council on Active Aging and took place Oct. 3 to Oct. 9. The purpose of the week was to promote exercise among older adults. Dr. Nicole Mullins, a professor of exercise science and physiology, formed the event at YSU.
Mullins has been at YSU for 20 years and became interested in exercise physiology as an undergraduate at the University of New Hampshire. She said it’s important people know about Active Aging Week, because of the benefits of being physically active.
“We stay alive a lot longer than we used to, but the quality of life can be very low for some people, and exercise strengthens the body, strengthens the mind, keeps us engaged with others, creates friendships [and] is fun,” Mullins said. “[Exercise] truly is medicine in some regards and helps us manage diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular disease and can have effects on everything – cognition, thinking well and clearly.”
Another purpose of Active Aging Week was to bring awareness to age-based discrimination, also known as ageism. Mullins explained ageism’s extent.
“[Ageism] has been called by the World Health Organization the most socially accepted prejudice in the world,” Mullins said. “There are more subtle [types of ageism] like benevolent ageism where we automatically help older adults do things that they are capable of doing on their own and we provide too much help that ultimately makes them move less and work less.”
The event also worked to bridge intergenerational connection. Mullins’ students led exercises for attendees. Jordan Anzelmo, a senior exercise science major, explained his favorite part of leading exercises.
“We actually got to train [YSU] facility members here; and just seeing them progress throughout the whole semester, it just made me feel like I’m making a difference in the world, even if it’s just a tiny difference,” Anzelmo said.
Keegan Butler, another senior exercise science major, said he enjoys people participating.
“[My] favorite part of Active Aging Week is just seeing everyone come and participate. Ultimately, all these people came, got up on their day, came down to see us [and] participated in this event. That makes them all winners. For those that didn’t show up they might have missed out on this opportunity, but we’re very glad that people came and participated,” Butler said.
Mullins is planning to host Active Aging Week again next year. If interested in contacting Mullins, you can reach her at [email protected].