University of Arkansas researchers work to combat ageism

Students at the University of Arkansas recently underwent physical tests in an aging suit, which simulates factors associated with advanced age through a research project on ageism being conducted by doctoral student Ashley Binns.

"The manufacturer says the suit ages you 30 to 40 years, but is that true?" University of Arkansas associate professor of exercise science Michelle Gray, who is Binns’ advisor, said. "We know that performance on the fitness tests goes down after putting it on. Does it age you while performing these physical tasks? The preliminary answer is 'yes.'"

The suit allows young students to experience conditions that older adults commonly suffer from, such as weight gain, arthritis, poor posture, decreased circulation, and impaired hearing and vision. 

Students wearing the suit were surveyed before and after to gauge their views of the elderly. Binns and Gray also conducted surveys with students who take part in a service-learning project at an assisted living facility and students who learn about aging in a classroom setting.

"An important aspect of our research is looking at the question of how we can decrease ageism among our students and in society," Gray said. "Ageism affects more people than racism and sexism ... When we ask students the first word that comes to their minds about older adults, 99 times out of 100 the answer is negative."