Starting its seventh year, the Adams State University Larry Holder Exercise and Cancer Survivorship program offers cancer survivors in the San Luis Valley the opportunity to become more active, reach fitness goals, and socialize with fellow survivors.
Whether participating for the first time, like Fred Holman, or a veteran of the program, like Joe Kolupke, community members feel taken care of and supported. “The program made me get up and go,” Holman said. Kolupke said the study improves every year. “The exercise and socialization really improve morale.”
The individualized exercise program is conducted in a group setting which meets three times per week for ten weeks. Regular exercise has been associated with reduced cancer-related mortality and recurrence as well as reducing tumor growth and progression, improving the rate of treatment completion and efficacy of treatment.
Another newbie, Brenda Felmlee, appreciates the professionalism of the student who work with participants, as well as their compassion. “The program exceeded my expectations.” Nancy Harris completed her third year in the spring. “I like interacting with others and the students are encouraging and make it easy to show up and work out.”
The program also provides Adams State undergraduate and graduate kinesiology students experience in fitness testing as well as guiding and supporting program participants throughout the exercise program.
Alexandria “Ally” Miles earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in exercise science. “First assisting as an undergraduate, and then as the graduate student leader I appreciated the opportunity to conduct research and work with these incredible cancer survivors.”
The Adams State University Department of Kinesiology will conduct important research on the benefits of several types of exercise on the fitness and quality of life of cancer survivors.
Graduate students George Lutkenhaus and Cael Figueroa agree with Miles. “No matter their age or ability, all the cancer survivors have the ability to meet fitness goals,” Lutkenhaus said.
All participants will take part in the exercise program which consists of a combination of a resistance training circuit plus cardio training. Participants will be post-tested to determine any changes in fitness and overall health at the end of the study.
Figueroa believes all the program participants have the ability to improve, at their own pace. “I want to become a physical therapist and watching this population stay active has been a good experience. It has been fun getting to know them as individuals.”
The program continues to be funded through local support from the SLV Health Foundation, including the Larry Holder Golf Tournament, following completion of a two-year grant from the Colorado Cancer Coalition.
All cancer survivors age 18 years or older are welcome regardless of gender, type, or stage of cancer. This fall’s research study begins the week of September 1, with appointments for individual fitness testing. There is no cost to the participant, but completing the entire twelve weeks of the study is crucial to ensure accurate results are obtained. The study consists of one week of pre-testing followed by 10 weeks of exercise programming, with post-testing starting the week of November 17.
Interested participants are encouraged to attend one of the following pre-registration meetings: 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 20, or 12 p.m. Thursday, Aug.t 21. Meetings will be held in the Adams State University East Campus building, room 107. The East Campus building is located on the corner of First Street and La Veta Avenue in Alamosa.
For more information, or for those who can’t attend one of the scheduled pre-registration meetings, please contact the Adams State Kinesiology Department program coordinators: Ally Miles at 303-519-9932, milesaj@adams.edu; or Abby Adiong at 510-342-4098, adiongar@adams.edu; or Peggy Johnson at pvjohnson@adams.edu. Visit the website at larryholdersurvivorship.com.
