Scholar Profiles
Keith Elizabeth Pena
2003 - 2004 University Scholar
Mentor: Christine Stopka
College of Health and Human Performance
"It was through my friends that I learned about the USP. As they told me stories of how much they were learning, I got interested in the program. I enjoy being part of a research team that fulfills my desire to learn new concepts."
Keith is a junior majoring in exercise and sports sciences. She is a research assistant in an applied human physiology laboratory and volunteers as a translator and assistant at Shands Hospital at UF. Keith is a member of the Hispanic Association of Bilingual Assistance, the Venezuelan Student Association and the Alpha Lambda Delta honors society. In 2002-2003, she was named the “Most Active Member of the Year” by both the Pre-professional Student Organization and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.
Research Description:
Effects of Low-Intensity Exercise on Patients with Peripheral Vascular Occlusive Disease (PVOD)
The purpose of this project is to conduct research on the clinical improvement of patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease. Patients will be taught how to perform a therapy technique of low-intensity exercise for a period of six weeks. Each patient will be responsible for attending two exercise sessions per week. Every session will begin with a warm up consisting of propioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching. Then, the patients will start walking on the treadmill for approximately 20-25 minutes. The rate of speed will be gradually adjusted and kept below the threshold that elicits claudication pain. PNF stretching will be perform again after the exercise. During the summer 2003, data (metabolic, vascular, functional, and psychological) will be collected to evaluate the effectiveness of the training. Since the elderly population over the age of 55 is affected and limited by peripheral vascular occlusive disease at any given time, it is extremely important that safe and pain free techniques be studied for their effectiveness. As a result, these individuals will be offered with a way to improve their functional abilities and enhance their quality of life.
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