McMaster physical rehab centre fosters space for older adults to get in shape

Tucked away on McMaster’s campus is perhaps its best kept secret: a space to help older adults exercise and recover.

Inside the Physical Activity Centre of Excellence (PACE), an intergenerational gap is being bridged, as students and volunteers work alongside older adults to bring exercise, research, and community together in one place.

“PACE is a great place for any older adult,” said Marianne Longo, a physiotherapist at PACE. “Whether you are brand new to exercise, and really not sure how and where to begin, or you are a seasoned exerciser looking to change things up, but make sure you’re doing this right — PACE is a great place to come.”

PACE is home to a number of fitness programs, designed to help those recovering from injuries to cancer, while getting in shape.

Their most popular program might be their MacSeniors Exercise Program.

“Because you get individualized exercise plans, lots of support from our student volunteers and staff members, and we hear a lot of people tell us that for a ‘gym’ it’s a very welcoming, not intimidating place to exercise,” said Longo.

Geared towards adults over 55, the program helps people age gracefully.

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“We have a functional training area that allows participants to focus on strengthening activities that will translate directly into the activities of daily living that are important to them,” said Angelica McQuarrie, the program manager of PACE.

“Things like rising up out of a chair independently, being able to climb a flight of stairs, carry their groceries — put them away, keeping up with their grandchildren, those are the things that are most impactful that we hear from our participants, that allow them to maintain their independence for longer.”

While simultaneously pushing important research forward.

“In our specific program, we basically looked at lighter weights — the use of lighter weights — and we found they gained quite a bit of muscle, as much muscle you would gain using heavier weights,” said Tom Janssen, a researcher with PACE.

It also serves a place of community. Participants say they aren’t just making gains, they’re making friends.

“The one really cool thing about PACE is you get to know all the people that are here — they’re all seniors, they’re like-minded people,” said Gale Legato.

“It’s a place of love and friendship,” said Sylvia Lamont. “It’s wonderful to come here.”

“You come here, and there’s a program designed for your age group, and for what you can actually physically accomplish,” said Ron Legato.

“It’s really made a difference,” said David Lamont.

Anyone interested in signing up, getting in shape, and making some friends along the way, can visit the official website here.

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