Memorial Sportscare promotes a healthy lifestyle for the middle years

For most people, after the age of 40, energy, strength, and stamina seem to drain more quickly than before.

On Dec. 12, Memorial Hospital’s Sportscare facility in Springfield presented a community outreach session titled “Over 40 Fitness,” geared towards people who are curious about how to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The event was hosted at the Kerasotes YMCA at 4550 W. Iles.

During the outreach session, Dr. Rod Herrin, orthopedic surgeon and comedical director of Sportscare, Dr. David Sandercock and Dr. Nicole Florence, who are both internal medicine physicians and pediatricians, talked to a crowd of 60 people, introducing topics like weight loss, stretching, strength training and hydration.

According to Herrin, “strength training is the key to the fountain of youth.” With the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention citing unintentional injuries as one of the leading causes of death in 2015, learning how to build muscle and retain balance as you age can’t be a bad idea. “Muscle strengthening and balance retaining programs prevents 45 percent of falls,” stated Herrin.

Of the 60 attendees, a majority were interested in learning about what the doctors had to say about ways to engage in daily routines that lead to healthy lifestyles.

One reoccurring topic among the doctors was hydration. “Drinking more water is the simplest routine to change,” said Florence. “When you start off the day drinking tea, coffee and soda, this does not count as hydration. You have already put yourself in the negative. Water carries nutrients, flushes out your system and moisturizes your skin. It is the most efficient way to improve strength, stamina and conditioning.”

Sandercock touched on the topic of metabolism, the process by which the body converts food into energy. “Who are you?” he said. “You are your metabolism.”

Hydration is important in this process, but having a consistent eating regimen is equally important when it comes to regulating metabolism.

Sandercock explained that you speed up your metabolism by fueling the body. “What you eat, how often you eat and how much you eat are the main factors. Eating frequent meals and snacks helps the body to use quick energy and be healthier overall.”

Sportscare’s Over 40 Fitness sessions were set to begin Jan. 26 and will be conducted in three phases for 10 weeks each.

Before the outreach session came to a close, Gabriel Stinson, sports enhancement specialist at Memorial Sportscare, provided details on how anyone interested could enroll in the upcoming session.

The first phase of the program requires participants to attend an educational session every Tuesday during the 10-week session. The session will be geared towards topics that were covered in the presentation as well as any others particpants may have questions about. Stinson also mentioned that participants have the opportunity get one-on-one training by scheduling individual training sessions Monday-Friday, once a week. An optional group workout class follows the weekly educational class. “The cost for phase one is $300 or can be broken up into $30 per week,” stated Stinson.

Joshua Grant, certified athletic trainer, was not present at the session, but he works alongside Stinson individually training participants.

Phase two of the program allows participants to take advantage of more time with the trainers, requiring participants to schedule two individual training sessions a week. “If you miss a class, no worries,” stated Stinson. “It’s OK to reschedule. We understand people go on vacation throughout the year.” The cost of phase two is $400 for the 10-week session.

Florence provided some insight on the cost, which a lot of people pay attention to when they are looking to enroll in health and fitness classes. “One way of looking at this factor is the longterm cost savings on less medication for blood pressure and diabetes,” she stated.

Phase three of the program enables participants to join the local YMCA at a reduced cost. “Through the Sportscare program, the joining fee is waived for people interested in becoming a member of the YMCA,” stated Stinson.

For those who may not want to move straight through the phases of the programs, Frank Wader, managing director at Memorial Sportscare, provided attendees with a little tip. “There are no restrictions on going forward through the phases. Participants are welcome to stay in phases for multiple rotations. We also offer other sports enhancement programs here at the facility that may cater to those who don’t want to commit to the three-phase program.”

Contact Brittany Hilderbrand at [email protected].