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Further information: Contact John McAndrew
Public Relations Office, (570) 208-5958

Oct. 12, 2016 - The Health and Wellness at King’s (HAWK) College Program recently resumed for the fall semester. 

The HAWK study is extensive non-invasive health study of Wyoming Valley men and women between the ages of 21 and 75 and is being conducted by providing a comprehensive health, cardiovascular, muscular, and orthopedic screening to at least 275 Wyoming Valley adults.  The goal of the study will be to provide suggestions based on screening results that will enable participants to prevent or ease the effect of chronic health problems, including cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and joint or back pain.

The program was able to use an anonymous $50,000 gift received in the spring to purchase a low-dose dual X-Ray bone densitometer and a myotensiograph. 

Inclusion of these pieces of equipment will allow assessment of muscle tension, contraction, strength, muscle balance, joint integrity, health and fat distribution, skeletal health, spine health, femur health, bone density, joint integrity, and hip fracture risk. 

Participants are asked to complete a physical, mental and behavioral health history questionnaire at the beginning of each session. They will then be screened by King’s College exercise science and athletic training students under the supervision of faculty from both departments for exercise readiness, body composition, blood pressure, orthopedic, upper and lower body strength, strength endurance, resting EKG, and an exercise stress test.

Each participant will be mailed a confidential comprehensive report containing all their results following their session. 

The sessions are being held this semester on Thursday evenings.  Since the sessions began in spring 2015, almost 100 people have been screened.

Screenings are offered on Thursday evenings at King’s on the Square.  For further information or to schedule an appointment, e-mail health.wellness@kings.edu.

Pictured laying on the X-Ray bone densitometer and a myotensiograph is Matt Dourghty.  Seated is Dr. Jan Kretzschmar, assistant professor of exercise science, and coordinator for the study.  Standing, from left, are student assistants Randy Lisnock, Tyler Mercadante, Evelyn Rivera, and Jessica Walter.