Amy Rauworth, MS, RCEP, is the Associate Director of Operations and Exercise Physiology Research at the Center on Health Promotion Research for Persons with Disabilities (CHP). Ms. Rauworth’s primary job responsibilities include work in the National Center on Physical Activity and Disability (www.ncpad.org).  Additionally, she contributes to other Center grants that include:The Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC) on Recreational Technology and Exercise Physiology Benefiting Persons with Disabilities (www.rectech.org), and “Randomized Controlled Trial Examining the Effects of a Physical Activity and Nutrition Intervention for Overweight/Obese Adults with Mobility Disabilities: PEP-II”.

She is a Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist with the American College of Sports Medicine.  Ms. Rauworth has applied exercise physiology experience in the areas of orthopedic and cardiac rehabilitation, health promotion, and corporate wellness.  Ms. Rauworth conducts Inclusive Fitness trainings nationally on behalf of NCPAD and specializes in accessible fitness center design.  In addition, Ms. Rauworth has over 14 years of personal training experience, focusing on the delivery of physical activity programming to older adults and people with disabilities. 

Biosketch

Positions and Employment

October 2002 to Present
Associate Director of Operations and Exercise Physiology Research, CENTER ON HEALTH PROMOTION RESEARCH FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (CHP), Department of Disability and Human Development, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL

May 2001 to October 2002
Senior Project Coordinator, Project AIMFREE, CENTER ON HEALTH PROMOTION RESEARCH FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (CHP), Department of Disability and Human Development, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL

January 2000-April 2001
Manager, Fitness Programs, ADVOCATE HEALTH CARE; Advocate Fitness, BorgWarner Wellness, Bellwood, IL

December 1995-December 1999
Exercise Specialist, ADVOCATE HEALTH CARE; Comprehensive Physical Therapy, Chicago, IL & Buffalo Grove, IL

May 1996-June 1997
Exercise Leader, QUAKER CORPORATE FITNESS CENTER Chicago, IL

Publications

Selected peer-reviewed publications

Rimmer, J. H., Riley, B., Wang, E, & Rauworth, A. (2005). Accessibility of health clubs for people with mobility disabilities and visual impairments. American Journal of Public Health, 95, 2022-2028.

Rimmer, J. H., Riley, B., Wang, E, & Rauworth, A. (2004). Development and validation of AIMFREE: Accessibility Instruments Measuring Fitness and Recreation Environments. Disability & Rehabilitation, 26, 1087-1095.

Rimmer, J. H., Riley, B., Wang, E., Rauworth, A., & Jurkowski, J. (2004). Physical activity participation among persons with disabilities: Barriers and facilitators. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 26, 419-425.

Published Abstracts and Proceedings

Rauworth, A.E., Rimmer, J.H., Wang, E.C., Riley, B.B.: A National Study of the Accessibility of Fitness Facilities for People with Disabilities. American College of Sports Medicine, 50th Annual Meeting, May 2003.

Rimmer, J. H., Rauworth, A.E., Riley, B.B.: Perceived Barriers and Facilitators Related to Accessing Fitness and Recreation Facilities by People with Disabilities. American Public Health Association, 130th Annual Meeting, November 2002.

Rimmer, J.H., Riley, B.B., Rauworth, A.E.: Interest and Usage of Various Types of Fitness and Recreation Facilities by People with Disabilities: A National Survey. American Public Health Association, 130th Annual Meeting, November 2002.

Invited Book Chapters

Rauworth, A.E. and Rimmer, J.H.: (In Press) Cerebral Palsy and Exercise. In J.K. Erhman (Ed.), Clinical Exercise Physiology, 2nd edition. Champaign, IL. Human Kinetics.

Swann-Guerrero, S.A, and Rauworth, A.E.:(In Review) Fitness, Physical Activity, and Wellness. In GH Kassing (Ed.), Inclusive Recreation, Champaign, IL. Human Kinetics.

Other Publications

Rauworth, A. E., (January 2008) Finding a Needle in a Haystack. Sports ‘N Spokes, Vol. 34, No. 1.

Rauworth, A. E. and Swann-Guerrero, S. A., (September 2007) How much is enough? Sports ‘N Spokes, Vol. 33, No. 9.

Hiss, S. B., and Rauworth, A.E. Creating an Accessible Fitness or Wellness Facility. International Council on Active Aging (ICAA) Developer's Guide 2007.

Rauworth, A.E., (Oct/Nov/Dec 2006).Designing a Fitness Facility for All. ACSM's Certified News. Volume 16, Issue 4.

Select Presentations

(July 2008)
National Consortium for Physical Education and Recreation for Individuals with Disabilities 2008 Annual Conference, “American College of Sports Medicine - Inclusive Fitness Trainer Certification Overview", Reston, VA

(July 2008)
IDEA World Conference 2008, “Tap into the Growing Market of Inclusive Fitness,” Las Vegas, NV

(January 2008)
Findlay YMCA Seminar, “Inclusive Fitness Initiative Seminar,” Findlay Ohio

(October 2007)
Associations of Programs for Rural Independent Living (APRIL) 2007 National Conference, “Access to Fitness”

(April 2007)
National Association for Health and Fitness Annual Conference, “Inclusive Fitness Initiative: Improving the Health and Fitness of ALL Americans”

(August 2006)
YMCA/JCC Lake Erie West Membership & Program Network Meeting, “Inclusion: Adapted Fitness”

(August 2006)
North Carolina Office on Disability and Health: Adapted Fitness Guidelines and Techniques, Training Seminar

(July 2006)
RIC Academy’s Falls Prevention and Balance: A Rehabilitation Challenge and Opportunity: Prevention, Risk Assessment, and Interventions
“The Role of Fitness in Reducing Risks for Falls”

(April 2006)
International Congress on Physical Activity and Public Health, “Exercise for Persons with Disabilities: Meeting the Needs of an Underserved Population” Atlanta, GA

(August 2005)
Can Fit Pro Conference, The Inclusive Fitness Initiative: Creating a Facility That Serves Everyone, Including Persons with Disabilities” Toronto, Canada

Other Current Research Support

(2/17/09 – 2/17/10)
Illinois Department of Transportation; Safe Routes to School
Count the number of students who walk and bicycle to and from school by National Center for Physical Activity and Disability, described as: A valid quantitative survey will be created to identify and measure the engagement of students with disabilities in the statewide SRTS program. Focus groups will be facilitated to gain their input into the survey development. (Role: PI) Award amount: $45,500.00.

Illinois Department of Transportation; Safe Routes to School
Create educational materials by National Center for Physical Activity and Disability, described as: To increase the number of children with disabilities participating in SRTS programs through the development of educational materials. Instructional materials will include general guidelines and curriculum to teach how to address the needs of all children for their inclusion and for the promotion of safe healthy active travel that include children of all abilities. (Role: Co-I) Award amount: $48,100.00.

(4/01/08– 9/30/08)
NPT Breast Cancer 3-Day, LLC
The Breast Cancer 3-Day grant entitled Breast Cancer 3-Day Accessibility Pilot Program which evaluated current event models to ensure a positive and safe experience for participants with disabilities. The objective was to hone-in on every element of the Breast Cancer 3-Day to ensure all aspects of the journey, from ceremonies to the route to the camp site, accommodated all participants. (Role: PI) Award amount: $24,806.