Sports Medicine Seeks Participants for Arthritis Study

The Sports Medicine Research team at Utah State University is looking for people to participate in the new Exercise and Arthritis Project that studies the effects of an aquatic exercise program for people with arthritis in the knee, hip or ankle.

Dennis Dolny, head of the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Department, directs the project. Along with associate professor Eadric Bressel and research associate Jessica Wing, the team has developed a six-week training program using aquatic exercise. Using aquatic treadmills, jets and other underwater equipment, each participant will undergo extensive testing and physical training.

Both Dolny and Bressel have prior experience working with aquatic therapy, so when funding was received from the National Swimming Pool Foundation to continue their research, this was the next step.

The study is open to anyone who has been diagnosed with arthritis in the legs who feels they would benefit from the help. Participants must be between the ages of 50 and 80. They must also be in overall good health and capable of walking on a treadmill. The full experience will take 12 weeks. All testing and exercise sessions are free to the participant.

So far, six people have completed the training. Bressel said they have all noticed an improvement in their movement and function. The biggest goal is to reduce pain, and so far there has been an average of an 80 percent reduction in arthritis-related pain.

Anyone who meets the qualifications and is interested in participating in the study can call (435) 797-1495 to sign up. Carolyn Brittain is also available by email at carolyn.brittain@usu.edu for registration or to answer questions.

Contact: Eadric Bressel, Health, Physical Education & Recreation, (435) 797-7216, eadric.bressel@usu.edu
Writer: Megan Allen, USU Public Relations & Marketing, (435) 797-0206, megan.allen@usu.edu