416 RUTHERFORD COUNTY GETS FIT WITH NEW MTSU PROGRAM

Next Session of ‘Heart of Tennessee Health and Wellness’ Begins June 10

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 5, 2006EDITORIAL CONTACT: Gina E. Fann, 615-898-5385

(MURFREESBORO)— The “Heart of Tennessee Health and Wellness Program” is helping the residents of Rutherford County improve their health.
Rutherford County has never had a formal program promoting health and wellness. So Murfreesboro cardiologist Tina Gresham, in conjunction with the Department of Health and Human Performance at Middle Tennessee State University, created the structured program as a means of advising participants on steps to take to get healthy.
The program’s director is Dr. Mark Anshel, an HHP professor at MTSU. He monitors the progress of the individuals, collects and analyzes data on the program’s effectiveness and hires the staff.
Other members on the team of specialists are Dr. Brynda Quinn, health psychologist; Greg Garrett, fitness specialist; Christie Wells, dietician; and Deana Brewer, nutritionist.
The fitness curriculum has four main components. The first is collecting data, which is done by testing blood, fitness, nutrition and psychological make-up. The next part is performance coaching, which motivates the individuals and provides instruction.
“People need instruction and need to be held accountable [for their actions],” said Anshel.
The third element is routine development, which creates security and consistency. The final component of the program is learning to attach habits to values. People consider the costs and consequences of their unhealthy habits in that component, Anshel said, and can decide to change.
The “Heart of Tennessee Health and Wellness Program” lasts for 12 weeks. The fee is $250, which includes all activities for that period.
Plans are being made for the next session, which is scheduled to begin Saturday, June 10.
For more information, contact Gresham at 615-895-0533 or Anshel at 615-898-2812.

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NOTE: Tiffany N. Jordan, an intern in the Office of News and Public Affairs and a junior majoring in mass communication, prepared this release.