By Nanette Wiser
MIND – USF DEMENTIA STUDY: Researchers at the USF St. Pete campus are looking for volunteers to help find ways to prevent dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease. Adults ages 65+ are needed for the Preventing Alzheimer’s with Cognitive Training (PACT) study to see if computerized training exercises can reduce the risk of dementia. If you qualify to help, you will complete three study visits lasting no more than two hours each at the USF St. Pete PACT study location, and 45 one-hour sessions on your own, in your own home, over the next three years. The research has discovered some potential benefits of computerized training exercises also known as brain games:
- Protect against dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease
- Enhance mental quickness and visual attention
- Improve gait speed and balance
- Improve driving safety
- Maintain health and well-being
- Allow you to perform everyday tasks more efficiently
- Protect against depression
Call 727-873-4090 and/or visit www.pactstudy.org for more information. If you are interested in having a presentation on brain health in later life for your group/organization, please contact Dr. Jennifer O’Brien jenobrien@usf.edu.
BODY – FUNKY FITNESS IDEAS: Fall into autumn with a new fitness challenge beyond biking, walking, yoga and Pilates. Cardio drumming is all the rage for both men and women at local rec centers (St. Pete Beach, Madeira, Oldsmar), The Y, SoulFit and other gyms. Melt calories and be one with the rhythm of the music. Drumming is not just fun, it can actually be a moderate to intense workout. A person who weighs 185 pounds (about 84kg) will burn about 250 calories per hour of drumming. It can also elevate your heart rate to high levels with enough intensity.
If you like Zumba, you’ll love Hula Hoop exercising. Hula hooping is a safe and fun way to burn calories and body fat, improve your balance, strengthen your core muscles, and boost your cardiovascular fitness. And the best part? It’s inexpensive and easy to start, and you can do it anywhere. It’s an amazing low impact work-out.
Enjoy free hula hoop dance class every first Sunday of the month at St. Pete’s Cage Brewing; dance hoops provided and no experience necessary. Spin into wellness and fun in Breezi’s hoop dance classes. Learn supreme hoop dance and trick content for beginners to advanced spinners while receiving a total body workout. The creator of Hip-Hop Hooping and a professional performer, Breezi’s deep knowledge of hoop tech, flow, and dance moves will elevate any person’s hoop journey. Check out www.hoolamonsters.com/hulahooping-classes/hoola-fit-weekly-schedule and www.meetup.com/SurfsideHooping.
HEALTH TIP: Jeepers, creepers, why are 58% of Americans experiencing eye strain? It’s your computer. The average worker spends seven hours before the screen, resulting for many in dry, itchy eyes and blurred vision. Position your monitor 20-28 inches away from your eyes, use a glare filter on your screen and every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.