A Leg Up
But that’s exactly what Keagan Kindler ʼ26 and Kathryn Mukherjee ʼ26 did in coveted internships this spring while finishing their bachelor’s degrees in exercise science in the School of Health Sciences’ Department of Applied Exercise Science.
“I feel kind of special because we’re the first interns,” says Kindler. “I feel like you could go into multiple fields with this experience.”
The newly launched Fitness and Community Health Testing program assesses cardiovascular fitness, body composition, metabolic rate, muscular fitness and more for those using weight loss drugs, receiving hormone therapy or simply looking to better understand their fitness levels and longevity. FaCHT does not diagnose or treat health conditions.
Kindler and Mukherjee not only paved the way for other students to gain valuable experience as they consider careers in physical therapy, athletic training and wellness coaching; they also helped introduce the Charleston community to some of the most advanced fitness performance assessments available in the Lowcountry.
Mukherjee says it’s inspiring to see assessment results spark motivation in those who visit the lab. “They get their numbers back and say, ‘Oh my gosh – I’m going to come back in six months to compare. I want to get better,’” she says.
FaCHT offers a variety of aerobic, metabolic and strength assessment packages, including VO2 max testing, the gold standard test for heart and lung health and oxygen utilization, which is the strongest predictor of longevity.
It also offers DEXA scans – short for dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry – which show the amount of fat and non-fat mass on the body and provide insight into bone density, another excellent predictor of lifespan. Packages also include resting metabolic rate testing, which shows the body’s true caloric expenditure, helpful for those on weight loss medications.
Since its launch last December, the state-of-the-art fitness assessment program has attracted elite athletes who wish to optimize performance, as well as older adults and others in the community who simply want to gain insight into their current health.
It’s an incredible opportunity for students, faculty and staff to work directly with campus and community members seeking to better understand various measures of fitness and their impact on their health.
“The FaCHT program fills a void in the health and fitness testing market in Charleston and represents a one-stop shop for anyone who wants to be able to present test results to their physicians for deeper insight,” says Wes Dudgeon, dean of the School of Health Sciences.
The internships provide invaluable experience to students starting their own journeys as they look ahead to their healthcare careers.
Says Chris Reader, coordinator of the FaCHT program: “The most rewarding thing I’ve seen with the interns is seeing the ‘light turn on,’ connecting what they learn in their exercise physiology coursework to real-life application.”
That’s a healthy thing for the university, its students and the broader Charleston community.