Ouachita Students who are interested in learning more about health and fitness should keep an eye out for the “Exercise is Medicine” event on Thursday, November 17.
Ouachita’s kinesiology department was recently recognized by the American College of Sports Medicine last June. This means that the leisure studies department regularly puts on events that promote health and wellness of both faculty and students. These programs focus on teaching the benefits of exercise as medicine.
While many programs emphasize competitive sports as exercise, the “Exercise is Medicine” event is more focused on teaching the benefits of exercise as a necessity for healthy living.
“We are interested in teaching students and faculty that exercise can help prevent conditions like diabetes, heart disease and cardiovascular risk,” said Dr. Terry DeWitt, professor and chair of the department of kinesiology and leisure studies. “Students from the Foundations of Kinesiology course will be conducting the program every semester.”
Where will be several stations running tonight in the SPEC from halftime of the girls’ game until halftime of the boys’ game. Some of these stations include bench press, vertical jump and an instrument to measure body fat.
Students will also be able to enter to win gift cards if they fill out their performance on a card and submit it to random drawing. The winner will be announced, and gift cards will be awarded to those whose names were drawn.
DeWitt did stress, however, that the main focus of these stations is to emphasize good form and healthy workout habits.
Ouachita’s Kinesiology Department is proud to be able to educate students and faculty on the benefits of exercise in order to prevent health problems in both college students and older members of the faculty. So for those interested in learning more about the benefits that exercise can have on your health, as well as advice on proper form and exercise habits, make sure to come to the SPEC on Thursday.
– By Chuck Farmer, Staff Writer
