Date Completed: 2/23/09
Faculty Name: Gary Hunter
UAB Department: Human Studies
UAB School: Education
Campus Address: ED 205
Campus Zip: 1250
Telephone: 934-8338
Fax Number: 975-8040
Email Address: ghunter@uab.edu
Research Program Area: Cancer Control and Population Science
Project Title: MINORITY SUPPLEMENT: Measures of Central And Peripheral Fatigue (Frequency of aerobic/resistance training in older women)
Project Status: Already up-and-running
Proposed Start Date: April 13
Proposed End Date: August 28
Number of Weeks of Internship: 16
Number of Interns: 1
Other faculty, staff, or graduate students who may help supervise intern: Amy Thomas, David Bryan
Expected Number of Work Hours Per Week: Negotiable
Expected Work Schedule for Intern: Flexible, intern can largely set his or her own schedule
Category of Research: Laboratory Research; Clinical (Patient Care) Research
Cancer Research: Obesity; Exercise
Project Description: Combined aerobic and resistance training have unique benefits for maintaining physical activity (PA). However, the optimal training program for combining these two modes of training in older adults is unknown. This study builds on current and past studies showing that training induced gains in aerobic fitness, muscle strength, and ease of PA are important for maintaining an active lifestyle, a favorable body composition, and high bone density. Traditionally 3 days/week combined training has been felt to be optimal while recent studies suggest 1 day/week combined training may create similar adaptations as more frequent training. We will examine changes in circulating cytokines, mood states, muscle size, bone density, aerobic capacity, strength, power, ease of PA, PA, and total energy expenditure following 16 and 32 weeks of training.
Women are over 60 years old, sedentary, and healthy. Many have never been on a treadmill or lifted weights. They must be taught the basics, worked with one on one, and graduated into an extremely intense exercise regimen. The intern will be trained in ALL aspects of the study: primarily exercise training and testing. Testing is done at baseline, halfway, and at the end of the 8-month study. Most appointments are scheduled between 7-11 am and 3-7 pm. A keen interest in anatomy and physiology are warranted. A rewarding/fulfilling position: research subjects surpass limits they didn't know they had, and you will have taught them how. Additionally, through testing, you will show them numbers stating exactly how much they've improved.
Intern's Anticipated Duties:
Duty 1: Assist with exercise and body composition testing (functional, metabolic, BioDex, BodPod, DXA, etc)
Duty 2: Assist with exercise training (orientation of new subjects, supervision of existing subjects)
Duty 3: Assist in measuring central and peripheral fatigue using electomyography
Preceptor will provide intern with access to the following: office or desk space; computer and printer; equipment needed to complete project; supplies needed to complete project; laboratory work bench space
Likelihood of authoring publications: Very Likely
Background, education, experience, or expertise preferred: Physiology, Just the willingness to learn, Interview Skills, Literature Review Skills, Patient Care, Obesity and diet, Women's health issues
This faculty member has been a CaRES Preceptor for one summer.
Intern 1: OPEN