Before his next core class, Sgt. 1st Class Jefrey Peters dropped by to see Physical Therapy Assistant Corey Ioerger at the Fort Riley SRU. VIEW ORIGINAL
Soldiers in recovery use exercise balls in core class at the Fort Riley SRU. VIEW ORIGINAL
Corey Ioerger leads a core strength class at the Fort Riley SRU. VIEW ORIGINAL
FALLS CHURCH, Va.- Physical Therapy Assistant Cody Ioerger from the Fort Riley Soldier Recovery Unit focuses on core work every day with Soldiers in recovery. “The minimal amount, even 30 to 40 minutes of a core workout two to three times a week, can be enough to make everything go smoother if you must recover from something physically,” said Ioerger.
In the core classes he teaches at the Fort Riley SRU, Ioerger shares how having a strong core helps with everyday activities. “You could be lifting some groceries or helping a kid, holding a pet, or even holding the door open for someone. All these things require using your core, and if your abilities are not all there from a wound, illness, or injury, it can take even longer to recover.”
A Soldier who knows this firsthand is Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey Peters, who recovered at the Fort Riley SRU after surviving a stroke and took Ioerger’s core classes. “Oh yes, I took his classes for my impairment. The biggest part of my brain that was hit with my stroke was the cerebellum, and that affects my balance, so I use my core a lot more to combat my imbalance than I do anything else,” said Peters.
Ioerger remembers Peters believing in core training so much that he encouraged others. “I don't know that I can think of any of our classes he didn't attend. It’s great that he pushed other people to go, which is wonderful from my perspective,” said Ioerger.
It all paid off for Peters as he will compete once again at the Warrior Games on Team Army this July. “It's always been an honor to compete for Team Army. I'm elated, my family is happy and proud of me. I am proud and motivated to compete on Team Army,” said the return-to-duty Soldier.
Peters shared that he didn’t get to where he is today without adaptive reconditioning at the Fort Riley SRU and Ioerger’s core classes. “He's been a huge help. He's always been there every step of the way for me, coming up through all of this,” said the avid swimmer and cyclist.
Ioerger is proud of Peters' accomplishments and can’t wait to watch him compete again. He also shares the importance of core training for everyone, regardless of their situation. “You don't need much, in fact, almost no equipment. You don't have to use a core stabilizing ball. If you don't have the ball to do some stability techniques, then you can use throw pillows like the ones on the couch.”
Peters added that it doesn’t have to be hard. “I think core work is one of those foundation elements you must be consistent with. I think of it as one of those things you must get up and do every day. You don't have to hit it extremely hard every day. I have a battle rhythm. Get it into your battle rhythm, and you’ll see that a little bit every day will help you.”
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