- Cardiovascular Risk, Exercise, and Women (CREW)
- Fit Minded Mommas (FMM)
- Healthy Kids
- Let's CHAT (Create Health Activities Together)
- Women Atherosclerosis Inflammation And Thrombosis (WAIAT)
- Spring Interval Training (SIT)
- Self-Competence, Activity, Motor competence, and Physical fitness (SCAMP)
- Fit Minded
Cardiovascular Risk, Exercise, and Women (CREW)
The CREW research project was designed to determine how traditional (cholesterol, triglycerides, blood glucose, blood pressure) and non-traditional (hsC-Reactive Protein, fibrinolysis profile, endothelial function, and sleep quality) cardiovascular risk factors relate to physical activity, physical fitness, and body composition in postmenopausal women. The current phase of this study is a cross-sectional study that will help establish baseline values of risk factors and fitness for participants. Women who enter the study will be followed and retested at five-year intervals to determine the how longitudinal changes in physical activity, fitness, and body composition affect a woman’s risk for cardiovascular disease.
Participants enrolled in the study will complete several questionnaires regarding their current health behaviors, quality of life, physical activity habits, and health status and have their blood drawn, complete a DXA scan (for body composition and bone density), and undergo a simple, non-invasive ultrasound test that determines blood vessel lining (endothelial) function. Finally, participants will take part in physical fitness testing that determines their cardiovascular and muscular fitness, as well as their flexibility. Testing is spread over three sessions.
This study was funded by a CISAT Teaching and Research Grant, as well as two CISAT Mini-Grants.
If you would like any further information, please contact the Morrison Bruce Center at morrisonbrucecenter@jmu.edu.
Fit Minded Mommas (FMM)
The "Fit-Minded Mamas (Madres Saludables)" study was designed for both English- and Spanish- speaking women at all stages of pregnancy or less than six months postpartum living in the Harrisonburg-Rockingham county area. Participants visited the Human Performance Lab in Godwin Hall on JMU's campus for one morning testing session. The session included completing a questionnaire packet and giving a blood sample. Participants were given a pedometer and log book for two weeks of recording daily step counts - upon completion women received free reading materials covering a variety of pregnancy-related topics such as nutrition, cardiovascular/strength training, and breastfeeding. Over the course of the study period, investigators tracked trimester- specific diabetes and cardiovascular disease risk status along with volume of physical activity as the research topics for two Masters Theses.
Healthy Kids
(Formerly I am Moving I am Learning)
I Am Moving I Am Learning (IMIL) was a 12 week physical activity and nutrition knowledge program designed for children ages two to five with a pre-post measurement design. The purpose of this study was to use color association in combination with a physically active program to enhance basic nutrition concepts among low-income preschool-aged children. This program is now run as Healthy Kids.
Let's CHAT (Reate Health Activities Together)
Would you like to learn how to incorporate more good nutrition and physical activity into your busy life? How about into your family’s lives?
The RMH Women’s Center and JMU, along with the Women and Girls Health Coalition of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County, present Let’s CHAT, a new program designed to help you and your family live a healthier life.
Choose the class option that you prefer. Both options, including all screenings, are *FREE!
Option 1: Adults only
- Weekly meetings held Mondays, Jan 21-April 15, 5-6:30pm at RMH
- Nutrition and physical activity education along with social support
- Blood draws at three different times to check blood sugar, cholesterol, triglycerides and inflammatory markers.
Option 2: Adults with a pre-school aged child or grandchild
- Weekly meetings held Tuesdays, January 22-April 16, 6:15-7:45pm at JMU’s Godwin Hall (free parking for program participants)
- Adults receive everything included in Option 1
- Children ages 3-5 will participate in nutrition and physical activity lessons and games. They’ll also be given a healthy snack.
- A supervised, quiet space will be provided for older children (ages 6+) to complete homework or read.
Want to learn more? Join us for an information session on Tuesday, January 15, 6pm
RMH Medical Offices, conference room 1
To register for the info session or for one of the program options, call Healthsource at 564-7200.
Space is limited!
Adults who complete the program will receive a $25 Visa giftcard!
*Funded in part by the RMH Foundation.
Women Atherosclerosis Inflammation And Thrombosis (WAIAT)
The WAIAT research project was designed to determine the effects of diet induced weight loss and exercise on traditional (blood pressure, blood cholesterol, BMI, blood glucose) and nontraditional risk factors (hsC-Reactive Protein, fibrinolysis profile, endothelial function, and sleep quality) for cardiovascular disease by using a randomized intervention trial in previously sedentary post menopausal (12 months without a menstrual cycle) women.
The following variables were assessed: blood cholesterol, glucose, body composition (using DEXA scan) and physical fitness (cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, endurance and flexibility). The study was a 9 week intervention. Participants were randomly assigned to the Diet Intervention or the Exercise Intervention. Individuals in the Diet group completed all of the tests listed above and come to the MBC once a week for 30 minutes to review their dietary intake and body weight. Participants assigned to the Exercise Intervention completed all of the tests listed above and were asked to come to the Crawford Fitness Center (JMU Godwin Hall) 3-4 times per week (60 minutes/day) to complete a prescribed exercise routine designed to increase their cardiovascular and muscular fitness.
Spring Interval Training (SIT)
The Fall 2013 semester marked the beginning of a new study examining the effects of sprint interval training in overweight and obese women at the Morrison-Bruce Center. This study will expand on recent research which indicates that sprint interval training may confer many of the same benefits as moderate-intensity training in significantly less time and may be more enjoyable. We will be examining at several aspects, including physical fitness, health status (including blood pressure, lipid panel, and blood glucose), psychosocial variables (including perceived effort, physical activity enjoyment, and overall attitudes towards exercise), as well as how active participants remain after the end of the intervention. This study is a collaboration between the MBC and the Departments of Kinesiology and Health Sciences.
Self-Competence, Activit, Motor competence, and Physical fitness (SCAMP)
In Fall, 2014, The Morrison-Bruce Center conducted the first phase of a large-scale project that will investigate the relationships between physical fitness, physical activity, movement patterns and proficiency, and self-perceptions of competence in a variety of life domains. We hope to gain a better understanding of these variables in order to promote better health and increased enjoyment of physical activity in people of all ages. The first stage of the project involved studying the variables of interest in a college-aged population, with younger adolescents and children being assessed in future phases of the project.
Fit Minded
In partnership with Dr. Jennifer Huberty (Arizona State University), the Fit Minded study was designed to assess the impact of a book club intervention on women’s physical health, as well as motivation for, self-beliefs surrounding, and participation in physical activity. Women ages 30-60 exercising less than 30 minutes most days of the week participated in a 12-week intervention. At baseline, anthropometrics, body composition, blood lipids, and blood pressure were measured. Additionally, the participating women completed a battery of surveys to assess their physical activity and related self-perceptions. Each week, participants met with a member of the research team to discuss a set of books (covering topics such as behavior change and self-image) and supplementary educational materials. Data from wearable activity trackers provided to the women were also collected during each book club meeting. The first Fit Minded study will conclude in Fall 2016, with the baseline assessments repeated post-intervention. It is our hope that Fit Minded becomes an ongoing collaboration and opportunity to provide a positive service to the women of Harrisonburg/Rockingham.
