1. Walk With Ease Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program Gina Peek, Ph.D.
2018 OHCE District Meetings

2. Non-endorsement statement
The information given herein is for educational purposes only
Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by the Cooperative Extension Service is implied

3. From the program
The Arthritis Foundation Walk With Ease program is designed to help you make physical activity part of your everyday life.
Walk With Ease is a six-week program that has been proven to increase balance, strength, and walking pace.
The program also helps to reduce arthritis symptoms.
Walk With Ease is an enjoyable way to help increase physical activity, by yourself or with your friends in a group setting.
“For most people with arthritis, and for people in general, a regular walking program is the easiest and safest way to get needed cardiovascular exercise and all the wonderful physical and mental benefits it brings.”
Source: p. 1

4. Overview
“Walk With Ease was written specifically for people with arthritis, but it can be a practical and useful resource for anyone, whether he or she has arthritis or not.
This program is designed for adults, male and female, fit or flabby anyone who wants to increase physical activity to gain the benefits of exercise.”
Source: p. 1

5. Overview
“Most people who can be on their feet for minutes without increased pain will be able to participate successfully.”
Source: p. 1

6. Walk With Ease
How the Program Works

7. How the Walk With Ease Program Works
Solo
People can read the guidebook and do program activities on their own.
Group
People can participate with a group of walkers coordinated by a Walk With Ease leader.
The program was designed with two formats in mind.
People can either:
1) participate with a group of walkers coordinated by a Walk With Ease leader
2) read the guidebook and do program activities on their own. If you purchase the guidebook; it includes all the tools you need to:
Develop a walking plan that will meet your needs
Stay motivated
Manage your pain
Learn to exercise safely
Either way, Walk With Ease is set up as a structured six week program for walking.
3 times/week for 6 weeks; each session is about one hour long (Leader Guide p. 2-3, etc.)

8. Trained educators (alpha by last name)
A-G
Jean Bailey
Dana Baldwin
Tara Brown
Ashley Davis
Kathy Enyart
Brenda Gandy
H-J
Brenda Hill
LaDonna Hines
Lindy Hoel
Arleen James
Donna Jung
K-N
Janna Kelley
Cynthia Klumpp
Lynda Latta
Cheryl Lively
Sonya McDaniel
Brenda Medlock
Lynn Null
O-Z
Kelsey Ratcliff
Joy Rhodes
Susan Routh
Radonna Sawatzky
Mickey Simpson
Kristy Spalding
Donna Robbins
Jean Bailey, Dana Baldwin, Tara Brown, Ashley Davis, Kathy Enyart, Brenda Gandy
Brenda Hill, LaDonna Hines, Lindy Hoel, Arleen James, Donna Jung
Janna Kelley, Cynthia Klumpp, Lynda Latta, Cheryl Lively, Sonya McDaniel, Brenda Medlock, Lynn Null
Kelsey Ratcliff, Joy Rhodes, Susan Routh, Radonna Sawatzky, Mickey Simpson, Kristy Spalding, Donna Robbins

9. ORDER OF SESSION ACTIVITY ACTIVITY DURATION
Pre-class Socializing and Attendance
10 minutes
Welcome, Announcements
2 to 5 minutes
Discussion Topic
5 to 10 minutes
Walking Warm-up
3 to 5 minutes
Warm-up Stretches
4 to 5 minutes
“FITT” Walk Duration
5 to 30 minutes*
Walking Cool-down
Cool-down Stretches
7 to 9 minutes
Closing
5 minutes
After-class Socializing
TOTAL
Approximately 50–95 minutes
Typical session format
FITT stands for your exercise:
Frequency (how often),
Intensity (how hard),
Time (duration, that is, how long)
Type (what kind)

10. Online resources Website Website resources
Website
Online tool
Videos
Website resources
Website:
Just some resources
Online tool: You’ll find a fully private environment where you can record key elements of the Walk With Ease program, like your contract, starting point test and ending point test. You’ll find resources to help you get started and stay motivated (register & login)
Videos: Get step-by-step instructions for warming up, basic stretches, additional stretches, and strengthening exercises that will help your walking program (no login)

11. Sample
Session 1

12. SOurce
Alpeter, M., Callahan, L. F., Morse, M. L. Meier, A., Schoster, B., Buysse, K., Mielenz, T., Goeppinger, J. (2016). Walk with ease – leader’s guide. Atlanta, GA: Arthritis Foundation.