Exercise Science Outreach
UNH Cardiac Prevention Exercise Program
UNH Cardiac Prevention Exercise Program The University of New Hampshire’s Cardiac Rehabilitation is expanding to offer a new Cardiac Prevention Program as well. The cardiac rehabilitation program was developed in 1978 and was the first of its kind in the state of NH. It is still run today through the Department of Kinesiology. Once completing an in-hospital program, patients can join our class and follow exercise programs designed to improve their cardiovascular endurance, flexibility muscular strength, balance and overall health. This January, UNH will also open their doors to individuals who would like to simply prevent cardiac disease from developing. This program will focus on reducing an individual’s risk for cardiac disease through lifestyle changes.
The Cardiac Prevention Exercise Program is designed for any individual over the age of 45 that has one or more risk factor which may include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, smoking and/or sedentary lifestyles. This program will be limited to 10 participants to ensure individual attention. Each participant will begin the program with an initial assessment including the following tests: resting ECG, cardiac stress test, lipid profile, body composition, as well as strength, flexibility and balance tests. Once testing is complete, the group will begin exercise sessions three times per week for six weeks. These sessions will run concurrently with the cardiac rehab program, Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 6:25-7:30am; however, each participant will follow their own exercise program. After six weeks of exercise training, individuals will be re-assessed and encouraged to continue with the exercise sessions.
Both programs will be held at the UNH Field House at 145 Main Street in Durham, NH. The Cardiac Prevention Program will cost $150 for the initial assessment, six weeks of exercise sessions and the re-assessment. If participants would like to continue with the program past the six weeks, each exercise session is only $5. Facilities include the UNH indoor and outdoor track, gymnasium, and the Employee Fitness Center, which has a variety of machines and exercise equipment. All activities are individually prescribed by our staff of exercise science faculty and graduate students; exercise sessions are supervised with the help of our fourth-year, undergraduate students in the program as well.
Initial assessments will be scheduled through January 25 once we first obtain medical clearance from your physician. The first exercise session for Spring Semester 2008 will be held Monday, January 28. For more information or to register for either program please contact Allison MacKenzie at 603-862-0895 or a.mackenzie@unh.edu.