Scott Clark Media and Public Relations 254-724-9724 or 254-724-3047 Pager: 254-762-1406 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 3, 2007

High school students and teachers in wellness study using iPods

- Researching if recorded workout coaching promotes fitness -

TEMPLE - Belton I.S.D. ninth graders are taking part in a unique research study that uses iPods and downloaded workout routines. Scott & White wellness expert and researcher Jennifer Hays-Grudo, Ph.D., is the principal investigator.

“We’re looking at whether delivering customized fitness routines to an iPod, and mixing it with the music of their choice, makes people exercise more,” Dr. Hays-Grudo said. “No one has studied the possible impact of using these iPods or MP3 players along with recorded workout routines. We want to see if they help get people to be more active.”

Forty students and 40 teachers are participating in the study that began in February and concludes April 12. Each participant received an iPod as part of the research. Podfitness.com, which provides the free weekly downloads for this group, funded the study.

Kevin Rasco, a ninth grade teacher in Belton who recruited students for the study, said he knew students would be interested in receiving a free iPod and hoped it would encourage them to workout.

“I think the kids today tend to be more sedentary and more oriented toward video games, movies, computers and Internet,” Rasco said. “I saw a potential in this because people associate music with dance and movement, and an opportunity to give kids an iPod loaded with music they like with workout routines might have a positive impact on their sedentary habits.”

While each participant receives a free iPod, only half get the free workout downloads.

“We are going to test whether at the end of the period, they are more active than they were at the beginning, and more active than the people with just the iPod and music,” Dr. Hays-Grudo said.

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