Purdue News
Purdue News
January 16, 1998
The two-hour physical-ability tests are being offered by Purdue University in conjunction with the Area IV Agency on Aging. The first testing date is Jan. 21. at the Corporate Care facility at St. Elizabeth Hospital Medical Center in Lafayette.
The tests are part of the LifeSpan Project, which is organized by California State University at Fullerton to collect data at locations nationwide to develop national functional fitness standards for older adults. The assessment exercises will test strength, flexibility and aerobic conditioning and are not meant to be overly strenuous.
"We don't know what the normal abilities are for people in this age group," said Donna Hird, graduate student in Purdue's Department of Health, Kinesiology and Leisure Studies. "Right now we just extrapolate the norms for younger adults when working with older persons."
Greater Lafayette data is being collected as a service project by the Graduate Student Organization in HKLS. The project is funded by a mini-grant from the Indiana Campus Compact.
"We hope to test persons with a wide range of abilities," said Roseann Lyle, associate professor of health. "We would like men and women of all races to participate. People with some disabilities may also be able to be tested."
Testing will be done at two sites. All persons who participate must preregister. A questionnaire and consent forms will be mailed to each person who registers. Participants will attend only one testing session.
Tests will be given at St. Elizabeth's Corporate Care facility from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Jan. 21, Feb. 18, March 18 and April 15 and at Purdue in the Mackey Arena concourse from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Feb. 3, March 3, April 7 and May 5.
To register, contact the Purdue Adult Fitness office at (765) 494-3149 or St. Elizabeth's Corporate Care facility at (765) 423-6878.
CONTACT: Lyle, (765) 494-3158; e-mail rlyle@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu
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