You mention that the materials were subject to “expert peer review” prior to publication — who are the experts who did so? or, at the very least, who are the members of your Scientific Advisory Board, who vouch for the quality and accuracy of the content you present? I can’t find this important information in your website, and it would be the starting point for our analysis. Thank you!

http://www.seniorfitness.net/brain-fitness-program-checklist.htm

Sorry about that.

grant

Mr. Fernandez, I am posting on behalf of the American Senior Fitness Association (SFA). We are pleased to discover that Sharp Brains has taken an interest in our “Brain Fitness for Older Adults” program and would be happy to answer any questions you may have concerning the program. First, let me give you a little background on our organization.

SFA was founded in 1992 to promote excellence in older adult fitness. In 1998, SFA president Janie Clark, MA, co-authored the “National Standards for Preparing Senior Fitness Instructors” and in 2004 we were a supporting agency for the “International Curriculum Guidelines for Preparing Physical Activity Instructors of Older Adults,” which were prepared in collaboration with the World Health Organization among others. We provide widely accessible senior-specific fitness information and resources as well as internationally recognized educational programs for fitness instructors, personal trainers, and health care providers. Our programs are accepted for continuing education credit by most major fitness organizations, and the programs and other initiatives recently earned us a 2009 “Best Practice Award” from the National Council on Aging (NCOA).

The “Brain Fitness for Older Adults” educational program is our newest initiative. As with all of our programs, it was submitted for expert peer review with recommendations being incorporated prior to its release to the public. The program is designed to help senior physical activity professionals learn how to blend cognitive fitness into their active lifestyle programs. Janie Clark was the lead author of the program and I have made her aware of this blog. She would be able to answer any technical questions you might have about it.

Meanwhile, I invite you to learn more about SFA and our educational programs at our website (www.seniorfitness.org). Additional information about “Brain Fitness for Older Adults” can be found in the December 16, 2008 issue of our e-newsletter Experience! (www.maturefitness.com/Newsletter_2008-12–16.htm). We would also be pleased to send you a copy of the program for your review if you’d like. If so, let me know where you want the materials sent. Here is my contact info:

R. Grant Clark
Member Services
American Senior Fitness Association
P.O. Box 2575
New Smyrna Beach, FL 32170

Phone: 888.689.6791 /386.423.6634
Fax: 877.365.3048
E-Mail: asfa@seniorfitness.net
Website: http://www.SeniorFitness.org

I would also like to reiterate my offer to send a complimentary copy of the program for you to examine.

R. Grant Clark
Member Services
American Senior Fitness Association
P.O. Box 2575
New Smyrna Beach, FL 32170

Phone: 888.689.6791 /386.423.6634
Fax: 877.365.3048
E-Mail: asfa@seniorfitness.net
Website: http://www.SeniorFitness.org

M.A.: I agree that it is time to debunk the left brain– right brain myth…but I missed how that is relevant here? did the training program mentioned above say something about it? I hope not!

I’m a bit suspect of “right” brain emphasis as we now know so many of the activities once associated with right brain dominance, i.e. Betty Edwards argument for creativity and visual art, actually involve the whole brain and central nervous system!

Edward’s program was ground breaking years ago. I’m for moving forward to create whole-brain programs that qualify hemispheric relations relevant to particular human activities!