Exercise is Medicine® On Campus premieres at PNW
Small changes can make a big difference.
That’s the message faculty and students leading the university’s inaugural Exercise is Medicine® On Campus (EIM-OC) campaign want to emphasize to the PNW and Northwest Indiana communities through informative programming.
The EIM-OC committee scheduled speaker sessions and hands-on activities during its first ever Exercise is Medicine® Month starting April 7. More than just finding ways to be physically active, programming will incorporate lectures on diet choices, physiological changes, stress management, and sleep all as additional building blocks of proactive health.
“The EIM-OC recognition will help to encourage our entire campus community to engage in regular physical activity and exercise to improve health,” says John Durocher, associate professor of Health Studies. “I am also excited about the many ways we will be able to better train our future healthcare professionals to recognize the health benefits of exercise, and to assess physical activity as a vital sign.”
EIM-OC also serves to draw attention to and connect students with existing physical activity options available at PNW, which can be found at fitness centers on both campuses through assessments, group classes, intramurals, and self-paced exercise.
The EIM-OC committee includes Durocher, Jodi Allen, assistant professor of Nursing, and Tabitha Stills, fitness center manager. One graduate and undergraduate student will also serve as student representatives on the committee. This academic year Colleen Toorongian and Elijah Walker respectively serve in those roles.
Members of the PNW Community are encouraged to meet Durocher on April 7 during poster presentations at the Hammond campus’ Days of Discovery event in Alumni Hall between 12:30 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. The group’s poster will deliver more information about EIM-OC programming and physical activity recommendations by the American College of Sports Medicine.
Visit pnw.edu/eim to see the latest on programming information throughout April.
Exercise is Medicine® Month events – free and open to the public
Extensive Health Benefits of Being Physically Active
Small changes can make a big difference. Lecturer Hassan Naji expands on the many physical benefits of regular physical activity.
Hassan Naji, Lecturer
April 13, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Dworkin Student Services and Activities Complex, Room 1113
How to Recognize Physical Activity as a Vital Sign
What sort of small physical differences can be seen as a result of exercise? Jodi Allen, assistant professor of nursing, shows the visible changes health professionals can observe.
Jodi Allen, Assistant Professor of Nursing
April 13, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Nils K. Nelson Bioscience Innovation Building, Room 306
Healthy Eating for Physically Active Adults
Professor Ezra Mutai dives into how diet choices complement a fulfilling active lifestyle.
April 18, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Ezra Mutai, assistant professor of Food and Nutrition
Nils K. Nelson Bioscience Innovation Building, Room 306
Small increases in physical activity improves health and the quality of life. Dr. Hassan Naji expands on how physical activity and exercise promote physical and mental health.
April 20, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Hassan Naji, Lecturer
Nils K. Nelson Bioscience Innovation Building, Room 306
Tips for Stress Management and Better Sleep
What you do while you’re inactive is just as important for a healthy lifestyle. John Durocher, associate professor of Health Studies, explains how better sleep equals better recovery.
April 27, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
John Durocher, associate professor of Health Studies
Dworkin Student Services and Activities Complex, Room 1113
De-stressing for Finals with Meditation
Join guest Brigitte Morin, senior lecturer of Biological Sciences at Michigan Technological University (MTU), for a stress reduction session.
April 29, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Brigitte Morin, senior lecturer of Biological Sciences at Michigan Technological University (MTU)
Zoom
Introduction to Resistance Training
Fitness center manager Tabitha Stills can show you the basics of resistance training, as well as many of the fitness resources available at both campus fitness centers.
Upon request
Tabitha Stills, fitness center manager
Hammond and Westville campus fitness centers