Published on Show Me Mizzou April 24, 2025
Stephen Ball is exercising his influence over an army of older adults. In the 20 years since the professor in the Department of Physical Therapy introduced his Stay Strong, Stay Healthy program, about 25,000 people have gotten off their couches and enjoyed the program’s twice-weekly exercise sessions in cities throughout Missouri and the Midwest.
The program consists of an eight-week course in which trained instructors lead older adults through group exercises designed to help them build muscles, increase their bone density and decrease their risk of falls. Attendees who complete the introductory course can move on to more challenging exercises at different levels. The program, developed at Mizzou, links academic research with MU Extension to serve older adults who meet at community centers, churches, public schools and senior centers.
“As we get older, we tend to lose muscle mass and strength,” Ball says. Some of the Stay Strong, Stay Healthy exercises require light dumbbells or ankle weights, while other exercises, such as squats, need no special equipment. “We’ve got to get rid of that misconception that strength training is just for athletes,” he adds. “Strength training is more important for older adults than cardiovascular exercises.”
Also critical for older adults is the socialization that takes place during and after exercise sessions. Social isolation not only lowers the quality of life, but it also can lead to mental health problems, such as depression and cognitive decline. Marta Oliveira, BHS ’21, MS ’22, a program coordinator and health and rehabilitation science PhD student, is enthusiastic about the program’s impact on participants. “It’s super rewarding to see these adults come together and build a community that encourages everyone who attends to live a healthier lifestyle,” she says.
Students not only gain valuable experience as they lead sessions, but they also enjoy forming intergenerational friendships with program attendees. One such relationship involved Ball’s parents, who have progressed through several levels of the program. Most recently, their instructor was a Mizzou student with a special connection to them: their grandson.
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