Athletes share equipment with hip-fracture study

Because muscle strength can be a matter of winning or losing to an athlete, FSU's Athletic Department has the best, most expensive machine available to measure it: the Cybex.

And because muscle strength can be a matter of living or dying to an elderly person, the Athletic Department is sharing the machine with the Mildred and Claude Pepper Foundation, which is doing a study on prevention of hip fractures.

"This is a very expensive machine which few research organizations can afford to lease and almost none can purchase," said Fran Sullivan-Fahs, director of the Pepper Foundation's Forever Fit program.

Sullivan-Fahs is preparing to begin next spring on a study of the effect of exercise -- particularly Tai Chi, a Chinese meditation and martial art -- on the balance and muscle strength of 100 to 120 persons aged 70 and older.

Some similar studies in the past have had little impact because the results were not scientifically measured, she said.

But with the help of the Athletic Department's $60,000 Cybex, a balance measurement and a statistician, Sullivan-Fahs expects verifiable results.

If the study shows what it is expected to show -- that Tai Chi develops strength and balance in the elderly and therefore prevents falls and fractures -- it will help older people "achieve their last hope of independence in their final years," she said.

Sullivan-Fahs pointed out that Pepper, the late congressman and champion of the elderly, was active until just before he died at the age of 88.

"The senator himself was actively lobbying President Bush four days before his death," Sullivan-Fahs said. "One of his primary goals was to help older persons retain their independence and ability to contribute to society as long as possible."

She is looking for Leon County residents over the age of 70 to participate in the study. Anyone who is interested should call her on Monday, Wednesday or Friday from 2 to 5 p.m. at 904-222-5146.