UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – University Park will transform into a fitness community the week of Oct. 10, with workout stations and health resources offered across campus.
The effort occurs every year as part of Exercise is Medicine on Campus (EiM) week, a national initiative calling on universities and colleges to promote physical activity and its health benefits.
New this year, EiM organizers want to relay an important message: Exercise is medicine every day of the year, not just during EiM week.
“This is about so much more than just one week,” said Zack Papalia, EiM coordinator and kinesiology doctoral student and faculty member. “I want to see an actual change after EiM. I want to see people taking action by joining clubs and getting more involved.”
In its fifth year, the Penn State Kinesiology Club hosts EiM week at Penn State with support of faculty members in the Department of Kinesiology in the College of Health and Human Development.
The event will kick off at 9 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 10, with the Dean's Walk, a one-mile walk across campus starting at the side entrance of the Biobehavioral Health Building and ending at the steps of Old Main. Ann C. Crouter, Raymond E. and Erin Stuart Schultz Dean of the College of Health Human Development, will lead the walk while accompanied by college faculty members, staff members, administrators and students. Others from across the University will also participate.
Campus-wide activities, including free exercise stations, will be offered throughout the week, ending with free yoga on the Old Main lawn at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 13.
Renee Richardson, EiM undergraduate public relations chair and kinesiology major, said EiM week is crucial for student engagement, as many students do not see exercise as a priority.
“As students, our main concerns are our schoolwork and classes, and health seems to be put on a back burner,” Richardson said. “With this initiative, we get students and community members thinking about and excited about exercise. We help them realize all of its the benefits, and encourage them to figure out a way to implement it into their daily lives.”
To help engage students in healthy lifestyles beyond EiM week, this year the exercise stations will also feature various health-related University clubs, organizations and resources.
These new partners will showcase their resources for students and share healthy lifestyle tips and information to encourage student involvement throughout the year. Partners include Penn State HealthWorks, Penn State Ability Athletics, Penn State Crossfit, Penn State Adventure Recreation and Penn State University Food Services.
“Exercise is Medicine, as a national initiative, recommends building a strong network of campus partners,” said Melissa Bopp, associate professor of kinesiology and faculty adviser of EiM at Penn State. “This is one way we are building our team.”
Also new this year is a friendly challenge with Michigan State University, which is aimed at getting students to be more active.
“Michigan State seemed like a natural partner,” Bopp said. “They’ve been involved with EiM for a long time and are a great EiM resource and role model.”
For the challenge, Penn State students will run laps around the quad of West Halls on Wednesday, Oct. 12, while Michigan State students run laps around a campus Spartan statue. The school with the most collective laps will win.
Additionally, Papalia, in partnership with the Penn State Kinesiology Club, will offer a free strength training instructional seminar from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 11, in room 12 of the Intramural Building on campus. The session will focus on proper form and function of free-weight strength training and weight lifting safety. No experience is necessary, and anyone with a Penn State ID is welcome to attend.
The American College of Sports Medicine and the American Medical Association launched Exercise is Medicine in 2007 to encourage primary care physicians and other health care providers to assess physical activity during office visits and discuss the health and medical benefits of exercise with their patients.
Penn State EiM Exercise Stations will be available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the following days/locations:
- Monday, Oct. 10, Willard Building
- Tuesday, Oct. 11, The Palmer Museum of Art
- Wednesday, Oct. 12, West Halls
- Thursday, Oct. 13, The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences
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