Exercise science students build strength and relationships through community outreach

For the past three years, students in Dr. Alyssa Weatherholt's Program Design for Diverse Populations exercise science course have spent a semester building their knowledge while also building the strength of residents at Jacob's Village. The accessible, neighborhood community in northwestern Vanderburgh County serves people 55 and older as well as adults with disabilities.

During 75-minute weekly fitness sessions, teams of Jacob's Village residents and their USI student trainers walk, stretch, lift weights-and even sweat to the oldies with a Richard Simmons' workout video. Jamie Espenlaub, resident manager of Jacob's Village, swears it's happened. "I heard '80s music blasting," she says. "Residents were dancing, USI students were dancing. It was the coolest thing just to see that." 

Customization is key.

"They [USI students] learn how to adapt their exercise program to meet the needs and wants of their [Jacob's Village] client," explains Weatherholt, assistant professor of exercise science.

Some residents are fully mobile, while others use wheelchairs. All have different abilities, which means progress takes many forms. Success for one person may mean more reps of an exercise, and for another, more easily completing ADLs (activities of daily living), such as brushing their teeth. "It is a very rewarding experience to see how much our clients improve through the exercise programs we prescribe for them, and see how much we impact their lives," says Samuel Johnson '20, exercise science.

"Not only is it a health benefit for the residents, it's fun to see the relationships that form between the residents and the students," Espenlaub says. She also appreciates the understanding students gain about the special needs population Jacob's Village serves. "Once we get people in and [they] see what it's about, I think they fall in love with the community and the residents and the mission," she says, noting one student enjoyed her time at Jacob's Village so much she returned to volunteer with other programs.

In addition to the partnership with Jacob's Village, Weatherholt and two kinesiology and sport student interns organize and lead fitness programs for seniors through Carver Community Organization. Angela Hammers, project manager for Carver's Retired and Seniors Volunteer Program (RSVP), says the visits give some participants a reason to leave home and be more active. "I can see the change in [the residents] when the students come in and work with [them]. The social, the mental and the physical improvement are the biggest impacts those kids are having with this program."

Both programs fill a need in the community while allowing students to learn in a "real-world setting," says Weatherholt.

Jacob Delk M'19, graduate assistant in the Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education, contributed to this story.