SportMed Health Beat is a fun and easy way for participants to learn about personal risk factors for heart disease and diabetes, and how to help lower their risk for cardiovascular diseases. Participants are tested before the start of the Aboriginal RunWalk program and again 13 weeks later after the training is complete. These BEFORE and AFTER screenings will identify health improvements as a result of the Run Walk program and living a healthier lifestyle.
To be eligible for SportMed Health Beat you must be a part of the Aboriginal RunWalk program. Group leaders will handle registration.
What does the screening involve?
- Family and personal health history
- Blood pressure, healthy body weight & grip strength
- Cholesterol & glucose screening
- Heart health profile & goal setting
- 6-min aerobic fitness station
Why is screening important?
With the help of researchers from the University of British Columbia (Dr. Darren Warburton and his team at the Cardiovascular Physiology and Rehabilitation Laboratory) it was established that Sun Run InTraining participants underwent significant reductions in cardiovascular risk, and showed significant improvements in exercise participation rates, blood pressure, body mass index and waist girth measurement, all independent risk factors for Cardiovascular Disease.
Upcoming Health Beat Sessions will be held in the following locations:
April 2nd – Merritt
April 3rd – Hope
April 10th – Vancouver
April 17th – Quesnel
April 20th -23rd – Haida Gwaii
April 26th – Victoria