Joanne Kraenzle Schneider This is Me

Education

 Web References

1. 1. www.healthpromotionresearch.org

   www.healthpromotionresearch.or - [Cached]

   Published on: 1/19/2008   Last Visited: 1/19/2008

   Joanne Kraenzle Schneider, PhD, RN, St. Louis University School of Nursing

2. 2. www.healthpromotionjournal.com

   www.healthpromotionjournal.com - [Cached]

   Published on: 3/13/2007   Last Visited: 3/13/2007

   Joanne Kraenzle Schneider, PhD, RN, St. Louis University School of Nursing

3. 3. Exercise and Positive Thinking to Get Moving

   www.seniorcircuit.net/health/m - [Cached]

   Published on: 6/13/2004   Last Visited: 1/28/2006

   Joanne Kraenzle Schneider, Ph.D, assistant professor of nursing at Saint Louis University School of Nursing, hopes to change the way those over 65 years old think while they are exercising. The project, titled "Modifying Interpretations of Exercise in Older Adults," is being funded by a five-year, $1,431,900 grant from the National Institute of Nursing Research.
   
   In an earlier study, Dr. Schneider found that how older adults interpret exercise is important in their likelihood of sticking to an exercise program. She surveyed 364 women over 55 about how they feel and what they are thinking while exercising. Were they conscious of sweating? What were the sights and sounds they enjoyed while working out? Did they think about muscle and joint discomfort?
   
   "I found that women who concentrated on their bodily movements during the exercise session exercised less often, less intensely or for shorter periods," said Dr. Schneider. "This type of episode-specific information was missing from previous studies."
   
   With that knowledge, Dr. Schneider now hopes to change the way some older adults think about exercise, to encourage them to engage in regular physical activity. "Older people have been exposed to different societal influences in regard to exercise," Dr. Schneider said. "Many have not been brought up to think about exercise as a way to get healthier, gain more energy and ultimately, feel better inside and out. Some may think of it as something that makes you sweaty, results in pain or soreness, or leaves you feeling exhausted."
   
   Dr. Schneider will compare different types of educational methods to encourage older people to exercise. "We hope that once people change what they think while they exercise, they will also change their behaviors. When they are thinking positively about the experience and what good they are doing for their bodies, they will feel confident and motivated to get and stay physically active," Dr. Schneider said.
   
   All study participants will undergo assessment before beginning, and exercises will be tailored to each individual. Initially, exercise sessions will take place at YMCAs throughout St. Louis city and county. Because walking is an essential part of an exercise program for older adults, the sessions will be held at YMCA facilities that offer tracks. "Since we will be using YMCAs all over the metropolitan area, we are hoping for a diverse group of volunteers, " Dr. Schneider said.
   
   If needed, some individuals can begin the exercise regimen very gradually. Though the exercise programs may vary somewhat for each participant, all exercises will fall into one of four categories: endurance (aerobic), flexibility, strength or balance. "We want them to perform exercises that are most helpful to them, and that they can incorporate into their daily lives once the study ends," Dr. Schneider said.
   
   Misperceptions abound regarding older adults, such as the belief that people over 65 may be too frail to exercise regularly. "That includes some older people themselves," Dr. Schneider said. "Some tend to put limits on what they think they can do, when they are really capable of much more."
   
   Exercise is particularly beneficial for older adults, mentally and physically. Regular physical activity has been shown to help combat depression and boost self- esteem, and increase strength and balance to reduce falls, a common risk for older people. Weight bearing exercises reduce chances of osteoporosis. Dr. Schneider said, "The bottom line is, older adults who exercise regularly have a better chance of staying healthly and maintaining their independence than those who don't.