Centre of Lifestyle Studies

Stronger Together is a virtual care program for adults that are at risk of developing or currently experiencing frailty.   Participants take part in the FIT 2 FUNCTION exercise classes two times per week for 60 minutes and are provided with evidence-based education resources on frailty, aging, nutrition considerations, falls prevention, and physical activity.  The exercise class is led by a Clinical Exercise Physiologist via Zoom and includes light to moderate intensity exercise (options for seated exercise) designed to increase functional muscle strength, balance, mobility, and stamina.

The Stronger Together program was developed in partnership between Acadia University’s School of Kinesiology and Nova Scotia Health (Senior LINCS) via funding through the AGEWELL network (2023-2024).  The program has now become a part of the Centre of Lifestyle Studies community outreach programming within the School of Kinesiology at Acadia University and is being offered in a continuous intake/enrollment format.

The contact for information and to register for the program is activelivingprograms@acadiau.ca .

Participants can begin the program at any time.  Participants meet virtually with a Clinical Exercise Physiologist Coordinator to complete an initial consultation session (pre-exercise health screening and intake) and up to 3 one-on one virtual welcome sessions prior to beginning the FIT 2 FUNCTION exercise classes.  The welcome sessions are used to ensure readiness for the program tech-check, safety check of the exercise environment, and introduction to exercises included in the program.  Following this preparation, participants are provided with the link to the virtual FIT 2 FUNCTION group exercise classes.

Kinesiologists (CSEP-CEP) with the Acadia Centre of Lifestyle Studies provide patients and community members the opportunity to work one-on-one in a clinical setting to navigate ways to live a healthy-active lifestyle. Work with a Kinesiologist to build an appropriate exercise routine to meet your goals and lifestyle.

Patients are referred to the Kinesiologist by their respective Practitioners at the Berwick Family Practice, Harvest Tides or the Wolfville Professional Centre. Alternatively, community members can complete a Self-Referral Form and a Kinesiologist will arrange an in-take appointment at the Wolfville Professional Centre.

Contact exercisereferralswesternzone@nshealth.ca for more information.

Power over Parkinson’s is an exercise program specifically designed for individuals living with Parkinson’s Disease (and carers who wish to attend).  The class is led by a Clinical Exercise Physiologist of Acadia University’s Centre of Lifestyle Studies within the School of Kinesiology.  The program runs Monday and Wednesday’s at 11am-1pm (60 minute exercise class and 30min of social time before and after the class).  The duration of the program is 12 weeks and takes place in the Louis Millet main gymnasium.   Program registration is restricted to only those individuals that have received a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease.  Carers that attend the program to support are not required to register for the program.

Please note that this is NOT a drop in class format and the program gradually progress and build during the 12 week period.  Registration will close September 8.

If you have COPD and would like information on exercise programs, please contact us for more information.  To learn more about this study, check out this article: Acadia Pulmonary Study