SHU Exercise Science Students Attend Health Summit

Participants heard lectures and helped present a workshop about preventing shoulder injuries

Five Sacred Heart University exercise science students recently attended an annual health and fitness summit in Chicago, where they interacted with industry professionals and helped present a program about avoiding shoulder injuries.

The summit sponsors, IDEA Health & Fitness Association and American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), are professional organizations with deep roots in the fitness and wellness industries. They partnered for this year’s four-day summit to underscore the importance of unity and commitment to top-level education and professional engagement for personal trainers, group fitness instructors, fitness facility owners and managers, clinical exercise specialists and other health and fitness professionals.

The participating Sacred Heart students helped Peter Ronai, SHU clinical professor of exercise science, conduct the workshop, “Why Shoulder the Burden: Exercise Modifications and Strategies to Enhance Shoulder Stability and Function.” Ronai started with a presentation about the anatomy of the shoulder, how it works and the common ways it is injured. He then shared exercises that can reduce risks of injury.

“There are several types of exercises that can be done anywhere with minimal equipment, even in an office, to improve the shoulder’s stability, function and mobility,” said Ronai.

The professor had attendees do the exercises while his students stood among them and demonstrated. Ronai frequently uses this method in his classes so his students fully understand the movements he is teaching.

“My teaching philosophy is, ‘If I hear it, I’ll try to memorize it. If I see it, I might understand it. But if I do it, I’ll know and remember it,’” said Ronai. “If you do this exercise and have someone guide you, you will leave with several new tools.”

The shoulder workshop was one of the summit’s most widely attended, and the SHU students said they were honored to be a part of it. “It was such an incredible and unique experience to give a presentation to an audience of experts from all over the country,” said Ridjkaard Victor ’24.

Ronai said the students’ assistance added another dimension to his workshop. “The professionals at the summit really liked seeing them get up there with confidence, and they enjoyed interacting with such vibrant and competent young people,” said Ronai. “It was a great representation of the Sacred Heart University community.”

The SHU students also attended the summit’s other various lectures and workshops. Victor was impressed with “The Future of Fitness,” which explored the impact of artificial intelligence on the fitness industry.

“Being able to immerse myself in discussions while also networking with other professionals in the industry are some of the many takeaways I have from this whole experience,” said Victor.