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Ellen Evans, an associate professor in kinesiology and director of the new UGA Health and Physical Activity Center. Photo by Paul Efland

For more than 30 years the University of Georgia Fitness Center has provided supervised exercise programs for adults with heart disease and training for students to work as exercise specialists in cardiac rehabilitation programs.

Now, the center based in the College of Education and located in the Ramsey Center, has transitioned into a contemporary fitness program with a new mission and a new name—the UGA Center for Physical Activity and Health.

Ellen Evans, its new director and an associate professor of exercise science in the department of kinesiology, is leading the Center’s transformation. The Fitness Center was first established in 1980 by Harry Duval, a professor in the department of physical education in the College of Education. It was designed as an outreach program which also served as a teaching/learning lab for student practicums and internships.

“I worked in the Fitness Center as a PhD student when it was a Phase III cardiac rehab center,” said Evans. “Through the years, it has only served two of the university’s three missions—teaching and service. Now, we will be serving all three missions—research, teaching and service.”

The Center has also broadened its mission to include programming for various populations with an emphasis on the prevention and management of chronic diseases and conditions which benefit from physical activity.

Evans (PhD ’98) is the perfect person to lead this transition. She earned her doctorate in exercise science at UGA under the guidance of Kirk Cureton, professor and head of the department of kinesiology. She is a recognized researcher in body composition and exercise. Since joining the UGA faculty in 2010, she has secured $1.8 million in new external funding, $1.3 million as principal investigator.

Lauren Peterson, a second-year graduate student in kinesiology from Twinsburg, Ohio; leads a step aerobics class at the UGA Center for Physical Activity and Health.

Evans says the changes she is bringing to the UGA Center for Physical Activity and Health will benefit individuals from the Athens community as well as UGA researchers, faculty, staff, and students. “The goal is to provide community outreach programs and learning opportunities for our students while simultaneously providing infrastructure for research in physical activity,” said Evans.

“Employee health and wellness programs, which always include exercise, are of high interest because the health benefits translate into a more productive employee and reductions in health care costs,” said Evans. “We plan to reach out to UGA employees. We want the Center to be a resource for the “Working Dawgs” who prefer a smaller fitness facility with greater one-on-one attention. Right now, we’re the best-kept secret on campus for faculty and staff. For about a dollar a day, members receive a very comprehensive program.”

The Center is an excellent option for individuals who prefer a high trainer-to-participant ratio and/or a higher level of supervision for safety reasons.

“In addition, the social aspects of membership are really important. Social support is a primary reason why many people adhere to an exercise program,” said Evans.

There are exercise sessions in the early morning, mid-day and early evening on weekdays. The Center offers group-based exercise classes for cardio-respiratory endurance, muscle strength and flexibility and individualized personal training is also available.

Evans says her work in developing the Center for Physical Activity and Health really excites her because it’s a vehicle through which she can have the most impact to help people enhance their health through physical activity.

“It’s on my professional bucket list,” she said. “When I’m dead and gone my goal is that UGA will have an established Center with sustainable physical activity programs that will make a difference in people’s lives.”

For more information, visit: www.coe.uga.edu/CPAH/
or contact uga.cpah@gmail.com

 Sept. 16 Columns story