Overview

The Lifetime Fitness Program (LFP) at the University of Illinois is a community-based exercise program for Urbana-Champaign area residents ages 55 and over.The exercises and physical activity opportunities are designed to develop overall improvement in health, fitness and performance of activities of daily living.

Directed by Professors Jack Senefeld and Emerson Sebastião, the staff is comprised of graduate students from the Department of Kinesiology at the University of Illinois. In addition, undergraduate Kinesiology students work with the program to develop fitness instructional skills.

See Join LFP to learn about our membership options and our collaborations with the community!

History

Originally founded by Professor T.K. Cureton, the University of Illinois Adult Fitness Program has the distinction of being the first University-based adult fitness program in the world. Professor Cureton established the Physical Fitness Research Laboratory in 1944 and the Adult Fitness Program was established shortly afterwards in order to examine the effects of exercise and physical activity on health and effective functioning.

Since Dr. Cureton’s retirement, the Adult Fitness Program has continued to support the Department of Kinesiology’s research, teaching, and service mission. Now known as the Lifetime Fitness Program, the program is directed by Professors Jack Senefeld and Emerson Sebastião.

Our Vision

Mission and Purpose:

The program’s primary emphasis is to provide opportunities for:

structured group or individualized fitness activities;
cognitive understanding of the principles and techniques of fitness activities;
a supportive non-competitive atmosphere;
a pool of research subjects for study of selected aspects of physical activity and health for adults;
an avenue for continued adherence to a physically active lifestyle after completion of exercise intervention studies within the Department of Kinesiology and Community Health.