RESEARCH IN THE SPOTLIGHT WHAT AM I DISCOVERING? side of the world to measure the effects of poi on UNINEWS highlights some of the University physical and cognitive function in a clinical trial. research milestones that have hit the I wanted to discover how science and culture headlines in the past couple of months. might meet, and what they might say to each other about a weight orbiting on the end of a FISHING string. A study that exposed six decades of Working between the Centre for Brain widespread under reporting and dumping of Research and Dance Studies, the first round of marine fish has been covered extensively in an assessor-blind randomised control trial has the media. Lead researcher Dr Glenn Simmons just concluded. Forty healthy adults over 60 from the New Zealand Asia Institute at the years old participated in a month of International Business School appeared on Nine To Noon, Poi lessons (treatment group) or Tai Chi lessons Paul Henry, Radio Live, NewsHub and One (control group), and underwent a series of News, and was quoted in print and online. The pre- and post-tests measuring things like research, part of a decade-long, international balance, upper limb range of motion, bimanual project to assess the total global marine catch, coordination, grip strength, and cognitive put the true New Zealand catch at 2.7 times flexibility. Feedback from the participants official figures. after their International Poi lessons has been exciting: “Positive on flexibility, stress release, coordination and concentration. Totally, totally GRADUATION positive. Mental and physical.” “I am able to AGING GRACEFULLY use my left wrist more freely, and I am focusing The story of 84-year-old Nancy Keat, oldest better. Learning to age in a positive way. A great graduate in this Autumn’s Graduation has exercise and I hope to continue with this.” had a dream run with a piece coming up on We are currently facing unprecedented TV3 news, stories in the NZ Herald online, population ageing worldwide, and simple, the Auckland City Harbour News, the East & effective strategies to maintain cognitive and Bays Courier, the Northern Advocate and the physical function in old age are urgently needed. Wairarapa Times. There is evidence indicating that moderate exercise, in particular Tai Chi, has beneficial DANCERS effects on balance, fear of falling, blood pressure, The Cesan brothers Richard, Andrew and Josh, and cognitive performance in older adults. graduated together, all with Bachelor of Dance POI FOR YOUR HEALTH International Poi shares many characteristics Studies. The story and photographs featured with Tai Chi, and also has some unique features in Sunday Star-Times, Sunday News, Central The first research study to measure the that may specifically benefit motor control and Leader and East & Bays Courier. effects of International Poi on physical and cognitive function. This pilot study is the first in cognitive function in healthy older adults is the world to evaluate these potential benefits, WATER underway. with a view toward designing a larger randomised Professor Mohammed Mehdi Farid, from the controlled trial for adults affected by stroke and Faculty of Engineering’s Chemical & Materials A pākehā from America studying poi? I mild cognitive impairment. This research may department discusses his life in Iraq during am often met with confusion, curiosity, and also have specific implications in Māoridom, as the 1990 Gulf War and the lengths he had to sometimes skepticism when explaining my many physical and mental health programs have go to in order to get clean drinking water for research on poi and health. It can all be dispelled been aimed at Māori populations, but there are his family. His story was part of a feature in quite simply, if you consider one small fact ... few approaches offered in a whānau context that the Dominion Post on the possible effects the whole world practices poi. It may take on utilise activities found within Māori culture. of a major earthquake on Wellington’s many shapes and sizes, but people around the Conducting the first research in a field infrastructure: “Post-quake preparedness- the globe enjoy spinning a weight on the end of a can often leave one confused, curious, and lowdown on emergency water”. cord in circular patterns around their bodies, sometimes skeptical, but I believe working at and they all refer to the art by its Māori name, the intersection of science and culture to study CORNEAL RESEARCH “poi.” I have been practicing and teaching a weight orbiting on the end of a cord is the A video on Professor Trevor Sherwin’s International Poi (an overarching term which perfect place for a pākehā from America to be. innovative corneal research (hosted now on refers to poi practiced outside of Māoridom) for This study is an important stepping stone toward the UOA YouTube page at https://youtu.be/ over a decade. During this time, I have witnessed future International Poi research, and I hope it EDn-COxytjI ), has had more than 820 views the positive impact of poi on many people’s lives will have ever growing implications for improving on the Facebook page of Optometry Australia. (including my own), be it physically, mentally, health and prolonging quality of life worldwide. A clip from the video also features on the emotionally, and everything in between. But I If you’d like to learn more about my research, webpage of Optometry UK. have always wanted … more. Why, exactly, does or are interested in participating in the next it feel so good to spin a weight on a cord in a round of the study, visit www.spinpoi.com or circle? How, exactly, might it affect the brain and email [email protected]. the body? And so, naturally, I moved to the other Kate Riegle Van-West JUNE 2016 | UNINEWS 9.