Asthma-detection program aims to keep kids healthy

Dr. Gentile said many families said they have trouble getting transportation to their child’s doctor’s office. In the program, she said, the specialists come to the patients. Ms. Elliott’s pharmacy student volunteers are a big help, she said.

“They provide one-onone education to the children and their parents — about their asthma and how to use their medication properly.”

Duquesne sponsors a pharmacy in the Hill District, she added, which can provide medications if needed overnight.

“We have good relations with pharmacists in the neighborhood, to get kids the right medication at the right time,” Ms. Elliott said.

Preventing the effects of exposure to air pollution is a long-term goal, Dr. Gentile said. “One of their big triggers is exposure to that outdoor air pollution. That takes policy change; that takes time.”

“In the short term,” she said, “we educate them about their disease, they learn about asthma control, and they get access to doctors and medications.”

High schoolers often first notice breathing problems when they get involved with sports, Dr. Gentile said, and they get interested in treating their asthma.

“We have a lot of kids [who say they can’t play football], but after we work with them, with medications, they can be on the football team, on the cheerleading squad,” Ms. Elliott said.

Duquesne University athletes in various sports have worked with the Clairton athletes, she said.

“If they’re worried about their symptoms,” Dr. Gentile said, “I’m there, to help with rescue, if needed. It’s a safe environment; they can feel safe exercising there.”

Families can get help with eliminating indoor triggers, Dr. Gentile said. If indoor smoking is an issue, people can get help with quitting. The program can also direct families to county programs to help with indoor allergens such as pets, mice and cockroaches.

At Clairton this year, Ms. DiCarlo also helps with tracking student attendance. That data will be analyzed along with air quality data.

“This year we’re going to look at more long-term outcomes,” Dr. Gentile said. “We’re looking at school attendance, and how many times [students] have asthma attacks and emergency room visits.”

In the earlier study, Dr. Gentile said asthma cases declined in the Northgate School District after the closing of DTE Energy’s Shenango Coke Works in 2015.

“There was a 25 percent decrease in diagnoses after that and a 50 percent improvement in better [asthma] control,” she said. “Overall our region is working on cleaning up the air. The issue is we lag behind other cities in the U.S. It’s this mentality that it’s OK to breathe air pollution.” She cited the proximity of the coke works to the Clairton school.

“Overall the air is getting better, but we have these pockets where vulnerable populations are being exposed.” medicine and rehabilitation specialist at the Mayo Clinic. “For example, you may want to do a front kick in martial arts or in dance. So you would start with some slow and gentle kicks, gradually increasing speed and intensity until you are performing the kicks you normally would.”

A comprehensive review of the scientific literature over the past 15 years tries to put the controversy to rest. After considering hundreds of studies, researchers concluded that a mixed warmup — static stretching along with dynamic stretching — was the optimal approach. “Brief periods of static stretching, often followed by dynamic periods of warmup, is a great means to prepare for competition,” Dr. Jonesco said.

Dr. Laskowski agreed. “A combination of stretches is likely best,” he said. “Static stretching to ensure equal flexibility side-to-side and to optimize range of motion about the joint, and dynamic stretching as a preparation for a sport or activity, especially one requiring explosive movements.”

Moreover, regular static stretching — whether tied to exercise or not — conveys a number of benefits. It increases range of motion in the joints, enhances flexibility, improves circulation and reduces risk of injury, among other things. “I like to think of stretching as a way to optimize the range of motion about your joints,” Dr. Laskowski said. “The more motion you have, the

The exhibition, curated by independent curator and former critic Graham Shearing, examines the interpretation and re-presentation of the object in contemporary art.

“Our world is made up of objects, things perceived by the eye,” Mr. Shearing said in a release. “From our use and understanding of them come ideas perceived by the mind, which makes it possible to ‘conceive’ the world.”

Exhibiting are Fabrizio Gerbino (painting), Ben Schonberger (photography) and Imin Yeh (paper sculpture).

At 2 p.m. Sunday, the Akropolis Quintet will perform in Foxburg’s Lincoln Hall ($5-$25). better the muscles can work.”

Recent research in animals and an unpublished preliminary study in humans also suggest that static stretching helps the elderly and those with impaired mobility because it increases blood flow to the muscles. The data showed that regular stretching improved walking ability among those with peripheral artery disease, a condition that causes painful cramping in the lower extremities and afflicts more than 8.5 million Americans. It also might improve mobility for diabetics, who sometimes suffer nerve damage in their extremities.

“You are never too old to gain a benefit,” Dr. Laskowski said. “Our connective tissue tightens as we get older, so stretching is beneficial as we age.”

For optimal benefit, Dr. Laskowski suggested holding a stretch for at least 30 seconds. Don’t bounce, which can cause “micro trauma” to the muscle, he added. Many people stretch both before and after exercise, but given a choice, Dr. Laskowski said, he believed the best time to stretch is after, when the muscles and tissues are warm. Symmetry also is important — equal flexibility on each side — to prevent muscle imbalance, which can lead to injury, he said.

Dr. Jonesco agreed. “Be sure to do both sides, right and left,” he said. “I also recommend antagonistic muscle pairing as well — front to back, for example, quad and hamstring.”

He dismisses the lack-oftime argument some people make. “Static stretching is simple,” Dr. Jonesco said. “It can be done anytime with minimal effort. Do it while in the hot tub or shower. You can do it while sitting in your work chair.”

Mr. Schneider always finds that hour.

“I put some music on or watch a television show while I stretch. I’m relaxed, I’m not rushed, and it gives my muscles a better chance to stretch out,” he said. “I have kept that schedule to this day.”