RESEARCHER PROPOSES TRAQ 3D OBESITY STUDY
FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN YOUTH
Bay Village – Traq Ltd announced today that its recently released TRAZER 2 simulator was featured at the international APHA Conference in Denver this week. Amongst the more than 1,000 scientific sessions showcasing the most cutting edge public health research, it was the only interactive technology of its type presented.
Melissa K. Thomas, PhD, CHES, Manager of Health Disparities Research and Federal and Foundation Funded Research at the OhioHealth Research & Innovation Institute, presented her peer-reviewed study entitled, “Determining the Effectiveness of the Traq3D Interactive Technology-Guided Exercise Program in Treating Childhood Obesity Among African American Youth”.
She explained that “in the last twenty years, the increase in childhood obesity rates, particularly among minority populations, has increased dramatically, and that fully one-third of children in Ohio are obese.” Furthermore, more than one-half of high school students are inactive.
Dr. Thomas proposed a cross-over study that will randomly assign African American students between the 5th and 9th grades to either a traditional indoor-based exercise program, or to a TRAZER-enabled interactive exercise program called TRAQ 3D. TRAQ 3D combines periods of higher-intensity interval training with traditional strength and core-building exercises, all performed on TRAZER.
She hypothesizes that while both groups will see results from the program, which is comprised of 30 minute sessions four times a week, the TRAQ 3D group will also enjoy an improved self perception as a result of TRAZER’s interactive, game-like protocols and drills that are computer-modulated, based on each student’s performance capabilities. Thus students will be sufficiently challenged without being discouraged or bored.
The realtime feedback of student performance is believed to play an important role in the anticipated positive change of attitude. It is hoped that any such improvement in self-perception will lead to long-term compliance of a healthy fitness program.
Founded in 1872, APHA is the oldest, largest and most diverse organization of public health professionals in the world. This 138th Conference attracted more than 13,000 national and international health specialists, including physicians and nurses, administrators and educators, epidemiologists and researchers, involved in both private and public service.
Traq Ltd’s founders are recognized leaders in the use of computer simulation for the enhancement of health, physical performance and fitness. For more information, contact the Company at 440.835.9191, or visit the www.trazer.com or www.traq3d.com websites.