Student Publications
University of Houston
151C Communications Bldg
Houston, TX 77204-4015
713.743.5350

©1991-2007
Student Publications,
All rights reserved.

Last modified:

Contact:
ktruitt@uh.edu

News

Study keeps track of students' health

Study of band members, cheerleaders and dancers 
finds 10 percent face health risk

by ADAM BARRERA 
The Daily Cougar

An ongoing study conducted by the UH Department of Health and Human Performance ensures that UH cheerleaders, dancers and members of the Spirit of Houston Marching Band have heart-health on their minds all year long.

Each year, assistant professor Jill Bush and her team of research assistants subject students at summer band camp to a battery of tests that measure maximum oxygen intake and assess lower and upper body strength. 

Surveys evaluate students' eating habits and blood tests measure glucose and cholesterol levels. 

The tests are repeated in December to track changes spurred by a new diet or the intensity of band season.

"It would be very expensive for an average person to do that outside of a research study," Bush said.

About 10 percent of the participants are at risk for developing obesity-related conditions such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes, Bush said. 

Students are provided with one-on-one consultations with registered dieticians and are encouraged to begin an exercise regimen to prevent the development of obesity-related health problems.

"Ten or 15 (students) have actually said, ‘We are so glad you're doing this, this has changed our life. Now we know our risk factors,'" Bush said.

For some students, the initial evaluation is enough to raise self-awareness and spur a change in lifestyle.

"I'm on my way to becoming Arnold-ized," accounting sophomore Seth Hunter said. "I'm constantly working out, running long marathons, marching or playing in band."

Band Director David Bertman said he realizes the importance of awareness among youth who may not feel susceptible to cardiovascular disease.

"There are students that really need to get on some type of diet or exercise plan," Bertman said. "It's pointed it out to them, exposing some of the high-risk areas."

Bertman said as the study progresses he would like to see unhealthy students' needs met as part of band education at the University. 

Bush proposed increased intervention measures for those at risk beginning next year.

The study will eventually track a freshman's health statistics until his or her graduation. 

Bush's research team will present what it learned since the study began in June 2004 at the American College of Sports Medicine's National Conference.

Bush said she wants to have the study published in the sports medicine journal Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, as well as in a music performance journal.

Send comments to dcnews@mail.uh.edu