Sports & Wellness Expo stresses healthy lifestyle

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By Mary Louise Speer | Wednesday, July 23, 2008 12:29 AM CDT | () comments

The Orthopaedic Specialists Sports & Wellness Expo is the gateway to the 2008 Quad-City Times Bix 7 running and walking event and achieving a healthier lifestyle.

The expo, held at the RiverCenter in downtown Davenport, is the official headquarters for picking up race packets and T-shirts, late registration, chip activation and official Bix 7 merchandise. Fleece blankets are a new item being offered this year. More than

35 exhibitors offer a comprehensive array of products and services. People also can take the Wii-Fit Challenge and learn more about staying injury free.

“The expo’s really a place to come down and get the products you need and the advice you need to have a really healthy lifestyle,” says event coordinator Kathy Heninger McElhiney.

McElhiney expects about 30,000 people will drop in during the two-day event, including racers, fitness enthusiasts and participants in Friday’s Junior Bix and their families. The event “isn’t just for packet pickup, it’s for everyone.

People can come into the expo hall even if they are not participating in the races,” she said.

Visitors can access the expo by going through the registration area. Experts from Advocare, in its 12th year with the expo, will share information on nutrition and health, and Closet Tailors highlights how to organize the home front. Representatives from area running groups will offer information on racing events. Also available are racing shoes, singlets and shorts and information on orthodontic care, massage and physical therapy.

Physicians from the presenting sponsor Orthopaedic Specialists P.C. of Davenport will share their expertise with runners and walkers.

“Each doctor specializes in one area of orthopedics, one area of the body, so we’re always on the cutting edges of the latest in techniques,” says Angie Van Utrecht, director of operations for Orthopaedic Specialists. “We want our patients to have the best orthopedic care in the Quad-Cities and to maintain their active lifestyles. As a practice, we believe education is the key.”

The group will offer free carpal tunnel and arthritis screenings at its booth from

5 to 8 p.m. Thursday and 2 to 5 p.m. Friday. These screenings will help individuals know if they are at risk for developing either condition and what they need to do as follow-up.

Also, visitors are invited to take the Wii-Fit Challenge and discover how to avoid sports-related injuries. Participants can challenge local celebrities in bowling, martial arts and tennis Thursday and Friday at the booth.

The city desk can be contacted at (563) 383-2450 or newsroom@qctimes.com.