Exercise Is Medicine On Campus At Michigan Tech: Promoting Physical Activity During The Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, physical activity levels have decreased by ~30% and sitting time has increased by ~30%. Recent call to actions by the ACSM and Physiological Society have urged widespread promotion and implementation of physical activity to keep communities healthy. PURPOSE: To leverage Exercise is Medicine on Campus (EIM-OC) and promote healthy living behaviors in our rural community during the pandemic. Specifically, we aimed to: 1) assess current levels of physical activity in the community, 2) increase public awareness about staying physically active during the pandemic and 3) offer a community physical activity program. METHODS: A team of kinesiology and biology students (n = 10) led our EIM-OC initiative. Levels of physical activity in the community were assessed through an online survey. Public awareness about physical activity was promoted through an infographic, virtual town hall, and discussion with health care providers. A 10-wk physical activity program was delivered through ZOOM and social media and included live workouts (3x/wk) consisting of home-based activities (e.g., aerobic exercise, resistance exercise using common household items, yoga). RESULTS: Twenty-nine adults (51 ± 17 yrs, 28 ± 6BMI) completed the survey. Majority of adults (72%) reported they were less physically active during the pandemic and 45% indicated that they had been encouraged by a health professional to remain active. Our message of staying physically active during the pandemic was communicated through website, email, radio, newspaper, social media, and state health department. More than 35 guided workouts (30-60 min) were delivered to healthy adults and those with reduced mobility. The physical activity program was also expanded to create a University-wide physical education course (50 students, 1 credit). CONCLUSIONS: Adults in our rural community reported they were moving less and not well informed about the importance of physically activity during the pandemic. As local health departments are currently overburdened with managing COVID-19, it is imperative for exercise specialists to help facilitate and communicate the importance of physical activity. EIM-OC provided a robust platform for us to deliver critical physical activity resources and keep our community active during the COVID-19 pandemic.