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Cooperative Extension Service |
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Agricultural
Experiment Station |
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County
Profile
Dale Bumpers College
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About Us
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| Clay County Strong Women Strength Training Program |
Women in Clay County are getting stronger, building bone mass, increasing flexibility, and improving balance through the Strong Women strength-training program. One participant reported, “My overall body is stronger and I have more stamina. I have less pain. I feel better than I have in a very long time. Thank you for having this program.” Another added, “This is a very good outreach program for the Extension service to offer, especially in rural areas where not much in structured exercise programs is available, especially gratis!”
In response to requests from interested residents of Clay County, Extension began the first Strong Women training at the Rector Senior Wellness Center in the fall of 2005. Since then, three other groups have been trained in Piggott and Corning. A total of 103 women and two brave men have been trained through the program.
Strong Women is a 12-week, strength-training program specifically geared to middle-aged and older women who are at risk for, or who have been diagnosed with, osteoporosis. The program emphasizes progressively increasing strength through lifting hand and leg weights. Peer leaders are identified and continue to lead the program after the initial 12-week training.
Impacts
A morning group meets on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, at 9 a.m., at the Piggott Community Center. New members are joining the group every month.
An evening group meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays, at 5:30 p.m., at General Baptist Church, in order to meet the needs of those who work during the day.
The benefits of the Strong Women program do not stop at improving
physical health. The program also gives women an opportunity to
socialize and to be a part of a peer group that is working on a
common goal. As one participant put it, “I am stronger. I was
depressed because of my son’s death. It got me out of the house and
brought me out of depression.”
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© 2006 |
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Clay County - Piggott Clay County - Corning |
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