Pokemon Is Medicine

Abstract

The Exercise is Medicine (EIM) global health initiative includes an “On Campus” component that encourages faculty, staff, and students to work together toward improving the health and well-being of the campus and surrounding community. PURPOSE: To describe the implementation of EIM On Campus at a large U.S. university in the mountain west. METHODS: A multidisciplinary EIM On Campus leadership team was assembled, comprised of faculty members from nursing (2) and exercise science (1), as well as university students (2). A physical activity event (Pokethon 3k Fun Walk) was planned using the currently popular Pokemon theme and promoted through flyers, posters, word of mouth, social media, and homecoming parade float. The event was guided by the following principles in order to attract participation from those who might otherwise not be active: 1) free of cost, 2) open to all, 3) use of a currently popular theme (Pokemon), 4) safe 3k route with plenty of nearby parking, 5) late morning start time, 6) free “lures” activated at all “Pokestops” within the Pokemon Go game along the 3k route, and 7) numerous prizes given at random to incentivize participation rather than speed. RESULTS: The Pokethon 3k Fun Walk event was held during Fall 2016. A total of 140 people were involved in the event: 5 (3.6%) were EIM On Campus leadership members and event organizers, 23 (16.4%) were volunteers, and the remaining 112 (80.0%) were event participants. Of the 112 participants, 72 (64.3%) were community members and the remainder were university students. Verbal feedback included high levels of satisfaction and interest in making it into an annual event. CONCLUSION: The EIM On Campus leadership team successfully implemented an event to promote physical activity based on principles that would encourage participation. The next steps are to: 1) add more members to the EIM On Campus leadership team from diverse areas, 2) hold educational opportunities, and 3) implement the physical activity vital sign within the student health center.