October is Exercise is Medicine Month on campus

Delaware State University is recognizing October as “Exercise as Medicine” Month on campus.

The Department of Public and Allied Health Science (within the College of Health and Behavioral Sciences) is the driving force behind the Exercise is Medicine Month activities at Delaware State University.

“The goal of Exercise is Medicine on Campus Month is to promote physical activity as an integral role in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases,” said Dr. Megan Rothermel, assistant professor of Public and Allied Health Sciences (PAHS).  The Department of Public and Allied Health Sciences wants to kick off our new school year and celebrate Exercise is Medicine Month with a series of events to get our students, faculty, staff, and community up and moving.”

Dr. Rothermel said everyone’s goal should be to do 150 minutes of exercises of moderate intensity per week. This includes activities such as walking, running, competitive sports and calisthenics and weight lifting.

In connect with the observance of Exercise is Medicine Month, the department is conducting the following events for the University community to participate in:

• Walking Wednesdays – Every Wednesday in October at 12 noon – meet at the flagpoles for a 30-minute walk around DSU’s campus.  In the event of rain, please meet in the lobby of the Wellness and Recreation Center (WRC) for a walk around the track.
• Chair/Desk Workout – Click on the link for a quick and effective core workout that you can complete in the comfort of your office!  This YouTube workout was designed and filmed by PAHS students Judlin Pierre and Jaquay Watt. https://youtu.be/zX_eKP0KZbY
• Weight Workout – Join us for a 30-minute workout using nothing other than your own body weight!  Learn exercises that you can complete in any setting.  The workout will be held in the WRC fitness room at 11 am on Thursday, Oct. 11.  It is open to all faculty, staff and students on campus.
• Core Stability Workout – Activate your core for a stronger, healthier body!  The workout will be held in the WRC fitness room at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 18.  It is open to all faculty, staff and students on campus.
• Behavioral Assessments – Learn the stages of change as it relates to becoming more active and healthy.  PAHS students will be administering behavioral assessments in the MLK and Cafeteria at 11 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday, Oct 23 and 25.  It is open to all faculty, staff and students on campus.
• Kickball – The PAHS Department will celebrate Exercise is Medicine month with a fun interdisciplinary kickball game at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30 on the band practice field (on the west side of the University Village Apartments.

To see an on-camera interview where Dr. Rothermel talks about Exercise is Medicine Month, click on the below link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwp738rxOCk&feature=youtu.be

During a recent ceremony in the Wellness and Recreation Center, DSU Provost Tony Allen signed the following proclamation:

WHEREAS, October 2018 is Exercise is Medicine® on Campus Month; and WHEREAS, all STUDENTS, FACULTY, and STAFF are encouraged to speak with their physicians about how physical activity and exercise may help treat or prevent numerous chronic conditions, such as hypertension, cardiac disease and diabetes; and

WHEREAS, all physicians and other health care providers are encouraged to talk to their patients about the health benefits of exercise and to strongly recommend that their patients engage in appropriate exercise; and

WHEREAS, regular, moderate-intensity exercise has curative and protective health benefits; and WHEREAS, the health benefits of physical activity and exercise can do so much to improve the quality of life for everyone; and

WHEREAS, a healthier populace means cost savings, greater participation in the workforce and other benefits to society at large; and

WHEREAS, regular physical activity and exercise is indeed a powerful prescription, with great potential to improve the health of all Americans; and

WHEREAS, the American College of Sports Medicine and Delaware State University call on health care organizations, physicians and other professionals, regardless of specialty, to assess, to advocate for, and to review every patient’s physical activity program during every comprehensive visit;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Dr. Tony Allen, Provost of Delaware State University, do hereby proclaim the month of October 2018 as:

EXERCISE IS MEDICINE® ON CAMPUS MONTH

At Delaware State University and encourage all STUDENTS, FACULTY, and STAFF to participate in activities and observances relating to Exercise is Medicine® on Campus Month in the interests of better health and quality of life for all.