Originally founded by Professor T.K. Cureton, the University of Illinois Adult Fitness Program has the distinction of being the first University-based adult fitness program in the world.

Professor Cureton established the Physical Fitness Research Laboratory in 1944 and the Adult Fitness Program was established shortly afterwards in order to examine the effects of exercise and physical activity on health and effective functioning.

Since Dr. Cureton’s retirement, the Adult Fitness Program has continued to support the Department of Kinesiology’s research, teaching, and service mission. Now known as the Lifetime Fitness Program, the program is directed by Professor Ken Wilund, an exercise physiologist. Dr. Wilund has expertise in clinical exercise physiology, renal and cardiovascular physiology. Specifically, he conducts research regarding the effects that exercise and dietary modifications have on the development or progression of cardiovascular disease and other related metabolic disorders in chronic kidney disease patients.