Mayors’ Physical Fitness Days

Office of the Mayor - April 5, 2007
Contact: Linda Jackson-Barnes, 727-2058

To help adults over 50 maintain lifelong independence, and to identify individuals at a high risk of losing their independence, the Mayors’ Roundtable of Forsyth County is joining with the Forsyth County Aging Services Committee, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem State University and Salemtowne Retirement Community to sponsor the Mayors’ Physical Fitness Days, April 11 and 14.

With aging comes physical decline that can lead to disabilities that limit the normal activities of daily living. By age 70 or 80, it is not uncommon for people to have lost the ability to get out of a chair, climb stairs, or do their own household chores. Research indicates that 50 percent of the physical decline associated with aging can be prevented or delayed through physical activity.

Volunteers from Wake Forest, Winston-Salem State and the Forsyth County Aging Services Committee will administer simple tests to assess the function and health of adults over 50. The tests will assess muscular strength, balance and blood pressure. The tests are age specific and are recommended by the Department of Health and Exercise Science at Wake Forest University.

The tests will be conducted Wednesday, April 11, from 9 a.m. - noon at Salemtowne retirement community, 1000 Salemtowne Drive off Bethabara Park Boulevard in Winston-Salem; and on Saturday, April 14, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Clinical Research Center of Wake Forest University, located behind Groves Stadium, 411 Deacon Blvd; and from 9 a.m. to noon at the C.E. Gaines Center on the campus of Winston-Salem State University.

Participants will receive feedback at the session and learn about simple ways to stay physically active and maintain their independence.

Mayor Allen Joines of Winston-Salem will kick-off the Mayors’ Physical Fitness Days by being the first to be assessed at the Salemtowne site.

For more information call Vicki Cineviva at 703-3883.