Thanks to the efforts of Exercise Science students, the University of Vermont joins a leading-edge group of 200 colleges and universities around the world that promote physical activity as a vital sign of health.
Students who participate in the UVM Exercise Science Club (also known as Exercise and Movement Science Association) actively engage with Exercise is Medicine (EIM), a global health initiative launched by the American Medical Association and American College of Sports Medicine. EIM strives to integrate physical activity into healthcare and link patients to community resources with the ultimate goal of implementing interventions that will slow, stop and reverse the progression of chronic diseases.
EIM On Campus encourages university and college communities to advance these principles among students and employees. The ultimate goal is to change the culture of chronic disease prevention campus-wide.
To achieve gold status, Exercise Science Club members asked university health care providers to establish physical activity as a vital sign within the health care system, so that they assess physical activity at every student health visit. The club’s mission is to make movement a part of the daily campus culture at UVM.
Connie Tompkins, associate professor of exercise science, serves as faculty advisor for the Exercise and Movement Science Association, helping club members engage with university health care providers. Exercise science students comprise the club’s leadership team: John Bickers '20, is president; Ariana Cacciola '19 vice president; Lindsey Koski '19, treasurer, Lauren Lamberton '20, secretary. Students in any major may join the club and serve as EIM ambassadors to the campus community. Currently, UVM has seven active student EIM ambassadors.
“We serve as a foundation for EIM, helping to develop and assist the next generation of physical activity and health professionals,” said Bickers. “What I enjoy most about being an EIM ambassador is having a direct impact on my community and the way that it views health and wellness. Being an ambassador will not only impact my career in the health industry but will also help me change future communities I become involved with and their perspective on physical activity.”
The club hosts body composition testing events at which the students provide health assessments to fellow students, faculty and staff. To test body composition, club members perform bioelectrical impedance analyses to measure body fat and muscle mass, calculate waist–to-hip ratio and body mass index and ask about participation in physical activity. Participants leave with a personal cardiovascular risk report and suggestions for improving risk through exercise. The students encourage participants to ask their primary care providers about utilizing exercise as medicine for the prevention, treatment and management of chronic diseases.
“It is important to always try to get others to exercise because that could be the motivation that person needed to make a decision that could help them live a longer and healthier life,” Bickers said.
Students interested in joining the Exercise Science Club or becoming an EIM ambassador should contact eim@uvm.edu.