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Appalachian students join Pilates research |
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Thursday, 25 January 2007 |
by LAUREN LAWSON News Reporter
The science of exercise has more benefits than getting into shape and one Appalachian State University professor is out to find those exact benefits.
Assistant
human development and psychological counseling professor Dr. Karen L.
Caldwell is researching students engaged in exercise modes such as
Pilates.
In cooperation with the department of theater and dance, which offers
Pilates classes to all Appalachian students, Caldwell will test
individual students’ fitness progression.
The research will follow beginning Pilates students through the spring semester.
“Just between my three classes, there are 50 students involved in the
Pilates survey,” theatre and dance instructor Rebecca H. Quin said.
Participating students will complete written surveys and physical tests
in order to observe the benefits Pilates offers their bodies and minds.
“Caldwell is very interested in the body and mind connection, which is
a big part of Pilates,” theatre and dance professor Marianne Adams
said. “We want to see what the research will show looking at things
like mood, sleep and exercise habits, as well as the individual skills
students have before and after.”
One of the questions on the written survey is student’s self-efficacy,
which is the view students have of themselves to be able to accomplish
tasks, Caldwell said.
“We want to see if there are positive effects [of Pilates] and what
those effects are on students who get involved in these types of
exercises as well as exercise in general,” she said.
Besides Pilates, the study will also be looking at tai chi, rock climbing and aerobic exercise, Quin said.
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