LOS ANGELES, April 26 (UPI) -- Dr. Antronette K. Yancey, a California professor who promoted short bursts of exercise for getting fit, passed away at the age of 55 of lung cancer.
Yancey died Tuesday at her home in Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Times reported.
She was 55 and a non-smoker, the University of California, Los Angeles, Fielding School of Public Health said.
Yancey, a UCLA public health professor, was known as being an advocate of "instant recess," or doing short bursts of exercise wherever you are -- in the workplace, at school, and even at places of worship.
"It was her vision that said, 'Let's incorporate exercise in small bursts of activity that anyone can do anywhere,'" said Dr. Linda Rosenstock, former dean of UCLA's public health school. "She really was a leader."
Yancey published a book in 2010 on the topic called "Instant Recess: Building a Fit Nation 10 Minutes at a Time."
Following the announcement of Yancey's death, some of her followers on Twitter posted that they were doing instant recesses in her honor.
Yancey, born Nov. 1, 1957, in Kansas City, Kan., is survived by her partner of 11 years, Darlene Edgley; their daughter, a granddaughter and a brother.
A memorial service will be held May 3 at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills.
