Story Ideas Ball State University experts are available to talk about everything from overpriced Valentine roses to heart-healthy workouts. Story ideas include:
Consumers have no choice but to buy expensive gifts: The easiest way to understand the principle of supply and demand is to watch the prices of red roses, candy and other romantic items skyrocket in the weeks before Valentine's Day, says Joe Chapman, a marketing professor. Retailers cash in on the demand for romantic items by raising prices just as hordes of Americans scurry into flower shops and department stores.
Big screen broken hearts, love stories are teaching tools for marriage classes: Movie stars such as Tom Cruise, Michelle Pfeiffer and Bruce Willis unknowingly take on new roles as silver screen educators during marriage classes taught by Becky Adams and Scott Hall, family and consumer science professors. The two often play movie clips to start discussions on communication, gender and power, marriage expectations, and work and family roles. Frequent selections include "Jerry Maguire," "Forget Paris" and "My Big Fat Greek Wedding."
Moderate exercise does not worsen a cold: A new study finds common cold symptoms do not intensify or last longer when a person participates in light to moderate exercise. In fact, regular and moderate exercise may strengthen the body's immune system and help protect it against infection, says Thomas Weidner, director of the Athletic Training Research and Education Laboratory.
Older adults may reap benefits of lifting weights weekly: Exercising once a week is sufficient to maintain muscle tone and avoid injuries for many people age 70 and older. Bruce Craig, a physical education professor, had 10 men participate in resistance training for three months. Half of the group then continued resistance training once a week for the next six months and were able to maintain their muscle strength. The other five did not exercise regularly and showed significant loss of strength.
Doctor's okay necessary before exercising: Many people want to get into shape and lose weight at some point in their lives, but few realize that starting any exercise program involves some risk, says Sharon Burgess, physical education professor and co-author of "A Wellness Way of Life." She recommends getting a physician's clearance due to the increased risk for health problems that could be exacerbated by starting a vigorous exercise program.
Many personal trainers lack proper education: Millions of Americans have hired personal trainers to help them develop and maintain a level of overall fitness, but many of these "professionals" have no little or no formal education, says Mitch Whaley, an exercise physiologist. He recommends people wanting a personal trainer seek out individuals certified by the American College of Sports Medicine or the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Both groups have the highest standards in the field.
Novices should stick with machines when starting weight training: People new to weight training should use machines as opposed to free weights in order to learn to do exercises correctly with full range of motion, says Leonard Kaminsky, an exercise science professor. Workouts move more quickly with machines because there are no heavy plates, bars, benches or dumbbells to move.
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