Wellness director presents research at conference
Written by Danielle Portteus | | news@toledofreepress.com
Juliana Rakowski, wellness director at St. James Club, 7337 W. Bancroft, presented research she conducted for her graduate degree and certification at the 53rd annual meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine in Denver, Colo.
The purpose of her project, “The Metabolic Cost of Double Leg versus Single Leg Cycling,” was to see what happens to the metabolism of cyclists when they train with one leg at a time versus both legs.
“My project was a look into why cyclists will peddle with one leg and what happens to the body,” she said. “The thought is using one leg makes the cyclist stronger and more efficient.”
Rakowski said peddling one leg at a time does not feel efficient or make the rider more efficient.
“It’s not well supported,” she said. “It’s a more high-intensity exercise, but I don’t know that it lends to more efficiency.”
According to a news release, her research was selected for publication in a supplemental issue of Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise.
The conference had national and international schools of graduate and post-graduates presenting research.
“There were lectures and presentations in the field of exercise science,” she said. “I tried to attend programs that were clinical in nature and not just focused on classroom research.”
Rakowski said a symposium on health assessment had interesting information she could bring back and implement in the club.
“It was all about measuring fitness levels and ways of taking where people are now with their weight and setting a goal about how to achieve the weight loss,” she said. “Sometimes people fall off their exercise program and this program is good to help people be more successful.”
Rakowski said some of the other forums and presentations related to childhood obesity, weight control and exercise for senior citizens.
“It was a very practical way to see what research has worked and what has not,” she said.
Rakowski has a master’s degree in exercise physiology from Adelphi University in New York.
Nancy Stone, general manager of St. James Club, said it was important for Rakowski to attend the conference.
“It helps keep us up to date in the industry,” she said. “Our members are interested in improving their health, not just their looks, and are looking for safe and effective programs.”
Stone said Rakowski leads the fitness staff programs for people with cardiac and obesity problems.
“It’s good to keep abreast on that to have the best programs in the fitness field,” Stone said.
