Kinesiology/psychology double major Rylee Noack ’26 brought energy and enthusiasm to the exercise class she led at the Moline Activity Center this summer.
Older adults find community, student finds new calling
Every class started with stretches.
What happened at the older adults’ exercise program led by Augustana students? Something unexpected.
“We anticipated positive outcomes,” said Dr. Kimberly Murphy, director of Augustana's Center for Advancement of Community Health and Wellness, “but nothing prepared us for how powerful and moving this experience would be for the older adults, and for our students.”
Launched two years ago at the Moline Activity Center, the number of participants in the 13-week Fit and Strong! classes has doubled and there’s now a waitlist. Dr. Murphy is fielding calls from other interested Quad-City agencies.
“I have watched the older adults grow stronger and more connected,” Dr. Murphy said. “At the same time, our students have grown into compassionate, engaging and skilled facilitators, discovering how movement and human connection can spark real change.
“It’s a privilege to witness growth that unfolds in such unexpected ways.”
With that in mind, meet Rylee Noack ’26, one of the four Augustana students who completed 10 hours of training to lead the inaugural exercise program.
Ankle weights were worn during some exercises to build muscle and improve balance and stability.
Soft-spoken and not so comfortable in front of the class early on, Noack found herself energized by working with her new older friends twice a week — with shared goals of building strength, learning healthy habits and making connections. They range in age from mid 60s to 96 years old.
“I still plan to apply to grad school for occupational therapy, but I’ve been thinking more and more about applying to doctorate programs in kinesiology to conduct research on exercise physiology,” said Noack, a kinesiology/psychology double major and a long-distance runner for the Vikings.
Motivated to learn more about the biological, psychological and social aspects of exercise, Noack wanted to continue the exercise program during the summer even though her three co-leaders graduated last May. She applied for and was awarded an Augustana Summer Student Research Fellowship.
With the funding, she developed a modified Fit and Strong! eight-week exercise program she led on her own at the Moline Activity Center. She will use the data she collected as part of her kinesiology Senior Inquiry this fall.
“I loved getting to work with this group because of their positive attitudes and hard work ethic,” Noack said. “They showed up each day and truly gave it their all, inspiring each other, and me in the process.
Noack used workout (resistance) bands to enhance strength, flexibility and balance.
“I never thought I would like research before this summer fellowship, but now I realize how much I enjoy it. I think connecting the social aspect of exercise into my research has been a huge factor.”
At the end of the last summer class, “I had multiple people come up to me saying the sweetest and most meaningful things,’ Noack said.
Participants told Noack they had attended exercise classes before, but none offered the social connection they felt was missing. Noack's research included one session a week primarily targeted for social connection. Participants broke up into small groups and discussed prompts such as: Who was a role model for you? What brings you joy? What is something you are proud of?
"These gave all the participants a chance to open up to each other and connect," Noack said. “It’s more than just movement, it’s that feeling of community that’s crucial, especially for older adults."
Dr. Murphy has played a key role in helping Noack navigate and embrace her newly discovered interest. “I truly would not be where I am, doing this research, if it were not for her,” Noack said. “She has been so patient and helpful, and opened doors to countless new opportunities.
“She is the kind of person everyone needs in their corner… someone who supports you while simultaneously pushing you out of your comfort zone because they know you are capable of it.”
The 13-week exercise program will return to the Moline Activity Center this fall, with new students stepping in to help lead the class. They’ll be trained by Noack, who got involved during her first year at Augustana. At the time, she had no idea how much the experience would shape her life well beyond college.