Earlier this year, students majoring in kinesiology at California State University, San Bernardino Palm Desert (CSUSB) had the unique opportunity to enroll in two courses, Physical Activity and Aging, and Exercise Testing and Prescription. These courses allowed students to interact and connect with adult community members in the Coachella Valley over a three-week experience titled, “Well-Seasoned: Understanding and Managing Your Maturing Health.”
The time spent in the classroom provided opportunities for both generations to learn more about aging and the impact it has on cognition, motor control, bone, muscle, metabolism, and the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Students met in small groups with community members, much like a private health consultation, to discuss the community members’ overall health and wellness. Additionally, they assessed and prescribed exercise to keep the adults moving and staying fit in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
This program was seen as a positive, life-long learning experience for both the students and the older adults. The collaboration delivered unique and meaningful activities in the classroom aimed at improving functional performance and quality of life for all involved.
The program was designed to educate, assess and address aging health and wellness through the following modules:
- Natural Aging Process – Learning about bone, muscle and related bodily systems (heart, lungs, brain, etc.)
- Assessment – Checking current health and wellness status and behaviors
- Personalized Prevention – Discussing practical ways to improve and maintain health while minimizing disease risk
This spring semester, students enrolled in kinesiology courses at CSUSB’s Palm Desert campus will again have the opportunity to match up with adult community members interested in discussing their health and wellness with students. These unique intergenerational partnerships exist to help transform students’ understanding in the classroom and leave a lasting impression on all who take part.
The kinesiology department will be seeking volunteers from the community to take part and all who are interested in contributing their time are encouraged to reach out.
The CSUSB Palm Desert campus is dedicated to providing a transformative educational experience in the Coachella Valley. With a focus on academic excellence and community engagement, the campus offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs designed to meet the diverse needs of its students and the region.
To volunteer to take part in the program, please contact Professor of Kinesiology Sarah L. Dunn, PhD, at [email protected]. Nicole Dabbs, PhD, is chair of the CSUSB kinesiology department. For more information about the CSUSB kinesiology program, visit www.csusb.edu/kinesiology.
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