CURRENT RESEARCH

Physical Fitness Training for Individuals with and without Mental Retardation

• We work with young adults who have mental retardation from the Sidney Lanier School of Gainesville, FL.
• During the fall and spring these young adults come to the University of Florida twice a week for 50 minutes.
• In that time the students train with weight machines at Living Well and play a sport such as football, soccer, and kickball.
• The Sidney Lanier students have dedicated volunteers from UF who assist them with the weight machines.
• We take continual data on the program in order to add to the small amount of literature available on weight training for individuals with MR.
• Please feel free to contact us for more information.
• Dr. Christine Stopka,  Corey Campbell, & Coleen Martinez

Stretching Techniques to Improve Flexibility in Individuals with and without Mental Retardation

• We study the effects of static stretching and PNF stretching on individuals with and without MR.
• We test flexibility levels with a standard sit-and-reach box.
• We use the hold-relax method of PNF (proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation) stretching.
• When our participants used PNF stretching after static stretching, significant improvements in stretching performances were observed.
• The PNF method is pain free and our research has shown that individuals with and without MR can successfully improve their flexibility. 
• Please feel free to contact us for more information.
• Dr. Christine Stopka & Coleen Martinez
  

Adapted Physical Activity @ UF

 

Low-Intensity Exercise Therapy for Individuals with Peripheral Vascular Disease

• We work with individuals who have peripheral vascular disease (PVD) and intermittent claudication (IC). 

• Our patients are mainly older individuals who feel pain in their legs when they walk.

• PVD is plaque build up in the peripheral arteries of the legs, similar to heart disease where there is plaque build up in the arteries surrounding the heart. 

• IC is the name of the symptom the patients feel when they walk because there is not enough oxygen rich blood flowing to the legs and this results in a painful feeling.

• We teach our patients to walk on a treadmill without experiencing pain.

• We are currently running our exercise therapy program at Fit for Life Fitness Center in Gainesville, FL. 

• We have done extensive work on the area and invite you to contact us for more information. 

• Dr. Christine Stopka, Coleen Martinez, & Sharon Barak