性视界传媒

October is Exercise is Medicine Month

Body
Mason is offering a variety of activities, including walks like the Happy Heart Walk pictured here, throughout the month of October. Photo by Shelby Burgess/Strategic Communications

The 性视界传媒 community is celebrating Exercise is Medicine Month this October with a variety of activities.

Regular physical activity is one of the easiest ways to reduce the risk聽for chronic disease and to improve mental health and quality of life.

鈥淩esearch has shown that if people make lifestyle changes by adding physical activity to their day, they may avoid going on medications for high cholesterol, diabetes and hypertension,鈥 said Debra Stroiney, associate professor in Mason鈥檚 School of Kinesiology. 鈥淭he same is true for mental health disorders鈥攕ymptoms of anxiety and depression can be reduced through physical activity.鈥

Under Stroiney鈥檚 direction and in conjunction with campus partners including Mason Recreation, the Center for Advancement of Well-Being, Student Health Services, and the Freedom Center on the Science and Technology Campus, Exercise is Medicine (EIM) Month aims to focus on encouraging the community to be active through activities like EIM Bingo, Women on Weights (an introductory session to the weight room for women), Dumbbells 101, and FUNctional Fitness.

There is also the university鈥檚 partnership with BurnAlong to help individuals train for the Mason Nation virtual 5K, as well as multiple other virtual opportunities.

In addition, Mason is offering weekly walks with Mason鈥檚 health care providers and personal trainers. Faculty and staff can also attend virtual and in-person informational sessions on managing their health numbers while students are encouraged to attend events on reducing stress with exercise.聽

鈥淲ith 鈥楨xercise is Medicine,鈥 we want to provide a free opportunity for people who might be hesitant to exercise to talk to health and fitness professionals, ask questions, and fit in physical activity using methods that work for them,鈥 said Becky Demus, assistant director of fitness for Mason Recreation.

Knowing that some people do not like to exercise or may feel uncomfortable in a gym setting, Demus said she wants to focus more on helping people get started on a physical routine and providing options for all fitness levels.

鈥淲e recognize that some people may have different interests, so we offer a variety of free group fitness classes like martial arts, boot camp, HIIT (high intensity interval training), and cycling,鈥 Demus said.

And for those who are motivated by competition, Mason Rec is offering involving body weight exercises, indoor cycling, and a treadmill run/walk in November, and a Power Meet in December, Demus said.

鈥淲e even offer outdoor adventures and intramural sports,鈥 she added.

Part of the purpose of Exercise is Medicine month is to create a healthy community to improve motivation and provide support at Mason.

鈥淲hen you have a community with lots of activity, it no longer feels like exercise,鈥 she said. 鈥淚nstead you spend time with people you know doing things you and enjoy and you begin to feel better both physically and mentally.鈥

In 2020, Mason earned a silver designation from the Exercise Is Medicine On Campus program鈥攁n initiative supported by both the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Medical Association. The silver designation recognizes Mason for engaging students, faculty, and staff in education initiatives and making movement part of the daily campus culture.

To learn more about all the exercise opportunities, visit the .