Exercise is Medicine Week to promote physical activity for the 10th year

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — For the 10th year in a row, University Park will transform into a fitness community for a week, with workout stations and health resources offered across campus. The annual effort, happening from Oct. 17-21, is part of Exercise is Medicine on Campus (EiMOC) Week, a national initiative calling on universities and colleges to promote physical activity and its health benefits.  

In 2020 and 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic forced EiMOC to become a much smaller event. This year, the program represents an opportunity for members of the Penn State community to reflect on and revitalize their fitness routines.  

“The pandemic really underscored how important physical activity is to both physical and mental health,” said Melissa Bopp, associate professor of kinesiology and faculty coordinator of EiMOC. “When students transition from high school to college, physical activity typically decreases. And then, physical activity continues to decrease from semester to semester throughout college.” 

Bopp has collected data showing that college students experienced increased depression, anxiety and stress during the pandemic. “Exercise is good medicine for the prevention and treatment of all those conditions,” she said.  

Research from the Department of Kinesiology’s Center for Fitness and Wellness has shown that many college students have cardio-metabolic risk factors like high blood pressure and unhealthy cholesterol profiles that can — and should — be treated with exercise. These risks underscore the need for Penn State students to embrace physical activity and all its health benefits, according to the Penn State Exercise is Medicine team.  

“I work with the general student population at Penn State,” said Jennifer Niessner, supervisor at the Center for Fitness and Wellness and campus coordinator for EiMOC. “Students are taking our exercise classes and coming in for exercise testing. Overall, they are much less active than they were pre-pandemic. It has been said before that ‘inactivity is the new smoking’ because inactivity is a serious risk factor for heart disease, diabetes and other potentially life-altering health problems.

"A lot of students know that they have been inactive, and they know that they have not been eating well," added Niessner. "But they don’t always know how to turn it around. Exercise is Medicine week is a great chance for students — and staff and faculty — to get back on track towards making physical activity part of their daily lives.” 

For the last 10 years, the Penn State Kinesiology Club has hosted EiMOC and turned the program into a national leader in the promotion of physical activity on campus. Penn State’s achievements have been recognized by the national Exercise is Medicine organization. Bopp credits Exercise is Medicine’s success at the University with the relationships and partnerships they have formed with University Health Systems, Penn State Health Promotion and Wellness and other units.  

Additionally, Department of Kinesiology faculty members have conducted extensive research on college-student health. This research has provided an evidence-base around which EiMOC opportunities and activities are designed.  

Exercise is Medicine Week: Monday, Oct. 17 – Friday, Oct. 21 

Throughout the week, opportunities to participate in EiMOC activities will be available all around the University Park campus. Everyone is encouraged to participate in physical activity and/or health testing as their schedules permit. Below are a few highlights.  

• Monday, Oct. 17: Penn State Exercise is Medicine On Campus Kick-off Walk begins at 9:30 a.m. at the Lion Statue and will conclude at the steps of Old Main. 

• Monday, Oct. 17: A yoga and meditation class will be offered in 107 Pasquerilla Spiritual Center, 5:15-6:15 p.m. 

• Tuesday, Oct. 18: Spin classes will be held in the White and Intramural Buildings at noon. 

• Wednesday, Oct. 19: Blood pressure screenings, body fat analysis, and fitness screens will be available in the HUB 8 Lounge. 

How to get involved

Learn more about all upcoming EiMOC events:

• Penn State Exercise is Medicine schedule 

• Goosechase app (join code D76LPW) 

You can also follow Penn State Exercise is Medicine on social media: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

“This is an exciting year,” Niessner said. “Penn State Exercise is Medicine has a rich history of innovation and achievement that we can build on. On the other hand, most current undergraduate students have never experienced a full EiMOC week, and the need has never been greater to increase physical activity among students and the rest of the University community. We hope everyone will take time during the week to participate in one of our activities and — more importantly — begin to make more time for physical activity every day.”