A Natural Fit: Trent Centre for Aging & Society Partners with Trent Athletics Centre
Partnership to foster healthy and active aging in Peterborough community
Whether you are two or 102 years old, keeping active and putting health first is a priority at any age, which is why two centres at Trent University, the Trent Centre for Aging and Society (TCAS) and the Trent Athletics Centre, are joining forces with an official new partnership aimed at boosting aging studies at Trent and fostering healthy and active aging in the community.
“Not only are we proud to join forces with the Trent Athletics Centre in co-hosting the Walk for Alzheimer’s on January 31, we are also honoured to recognize the synergies between centres with a formal partnership. I look forward to many collaborations down the road,” said Dr. Mark Skinner, TCAS director and Geography professor at Trent University.
The Trent Centre for Aging and Society cultivates a number of both academic and community partnerships, and this particular agreement has elements of the two. The collaborative work is already well under way, as demonstrated through the research of the newest TCAS faculty member, Dr. Sarah West. Professor West, a Kinesiology professor at Trent University, sees firsthand how exercise can impact muscle and bone health across the lifespan, especially for those living with chronic disease. Prof. West is working to establish an exercise lab to prescribe exercise and study the effects of aging with participating older adults who make use of the Trent Athletics Centre.
“I am excited to be a part of this partnership as it benefits both organizations and the community as well. Apart from developing the new Kinesiology lab at Trent, I look forward to exploring community outreach programs that encourage healthy physical activity in aging individuals,” said Prof. West.
“We have an amazing community of swimmers, yoga practitioners, rock climbers and high performance athletes, with participation across the generations,” said Deborah Bright-Brundle, director, Athletics & Recreation at Trent University. “At the Athletics Centre, these same people have access to sports experts and rehabilitation therapists. As the work of Prof. West demonstrates, exercising can have a significant positive impact on health and we want to facilitate and promote this whenever possible.”
About the Trent Centre for Aging & Society
Drawing on Trent University's reputation in inter-disciplinary excellence, the Trent Centre for Aging & Society promotes innovative research, education and community engagement on aging and old age that is critically-informed, challenges ageist policies and practices, and is responsive to the issues facing older people and aging communities in Peterborough, across Canada and internationally. Established in 2013, the Centre is now home to 31 Trent faculty, student and staff members, affiliated researchers and community associates, and partners with organizations like the Alzheimer Society PKLNH to debunk the myths about aging. Visit www.trentu.ca/aging for more information.
About the Trent Athletics Centre
The Trent Athletics Centre offers something no other community or university centre can – state-of-the-art indoor facilities combined with access to the Otonabee River, diverse nature areas and kilometres of winding trails right at our doorstep. This state-of-the-art facility includes: 12,000 sq. ft. cardio loft and weight room; 28 foot high indoor climbing rock wall; North America’s most advanced indoor rowing tank; on-site Health In Motion therapy clinic offering on-site physiotherapy, rehabilitation, and sports health services; Aquatics centre with a 25m competitive pool and a SwimEx hydrotherapy pool; two fitness studios; Justin Chiu Stadium; a gymnasium, with basketball, volleyball and badminton courts; two outdoor beach volleyball courts and an international competitive squash court. You can find a variety of exceptional program offerings including day camps; youth development basketball programs; pilates; yoga; Zumba; bootcamp; and personal training – you’re bound to find your favourite activity and get fit along the way. Visit www.trentu.ca/athletics for complete information.
For more information contact:
Dr. Mark Skinner, director, Trent Centre for Aging & Society, Trent University, (705) 748-1011 x7946 or markskinner@trentu.ca