Fitness programs at Rice Memorial Hospital were developed to meet a need expressed by the community for an ongoing opportunity to exercise under the benefits of medical supervision. A fitness program now exists for individuals who require supervised exercise, regular blood pressure checks and oxygen monitoring. The goal of the fitness program is to provide an exercise opportunity to improve the overall fitness of each individual with ongoing health education and support.

The Purpose:

• To help individuals with pulmonary breathing problems return to their best possible level of physical and emotional health.
• To offer a program of preventive medicine for those who are predisposed to pulmonary breathing problems.

The Objectives:

• To improve pulmonary efficiency by enhancing endurance, strength and flexibility
• To provide a stimulating environment for continued support of lifestyle changes
• To reinforce the importance of exercising in a safe and effective manner
• To provide ongoing education on risk factor modification

Eligible Candidates:

Individuals with any of the following conditions may be eligible for the program:

• COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
• Emphysema
• Asthma
• Chronic Bronchitis
• Pneumonectomy
• Lobectomy
• Lung Reduction
• Restrictive Lung Diseases

Evaluation:

A physician referral is necessary for entry into the programs. The participant must have had an oximetry monitored, limited exercise test within the past six months. This information is utilized by the rehabilitation staff to develop an individual exercise prescription. It is recommended that the exercise test be repeated yearly to update the exercise prescription.

Exercise Sessions:

Fitness sessions will be offered two times per week. Exercise sessions will consist of a warmup, 30 minutes of aerobic exercise, and followed by a cool down period. Participants will follow an individual exercise prescription established by the Pulmonary Rehabilitation staff. Heart (pulse) rates are monitored by the participant with oximetry, exercise data and progress notes recorded at each exercise session. In addition, participants will have regular blood pressure checks at rest and during exercise, and be oximetry-monitored on a monthly basis or on an as-needed basis with periodic summaries sent to the participant's physician.

Exercise Facility:

The program will take place in the Cardiac Rehabilitation Facility located on the second level of the Lakeland Health Center at the corner of 2nd Street SW and Trott Avenue, across from Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar. The address is 502 2nd Street SW, Willmar.

The facility offers exercise bicycles, stair stepper, treadmills, cross-country skiing, rower, and opportunities for upper extremity exercise.

Staff:

The fitness programs are medically directed. Each session will be supervised by a registered Respiratory Therapist qualified in Pulmonary Rehabilitation.

Cost & Financial Information:

The program charge is $45.00 per month. There would also be a charge for an initial assessment if one has not recently been completed. The Pulmonary Rehabilitation fitness exercise sessions may be covered by some third party payers; however, most of the time this is a self-pay program. Limited exercise tests are normally covered by third party payers.

Contact Information:

For more information and/or to register for the classes, contact Rice Rehabilitation Center at 320-231-4175 or email: lsti@rice.willmar.mn.us