Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
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From a morning walk across campus to a Tai Chi stress-buster session on the Academic Quad to breathing and barefoot assessments, national “Exercise is Medicine Day” brought the general public together with West Chester University students, faculty, and staff on Thursday, May 3, for free movement lessons and health education. As a registered participant of the national Exercise is Medicine on Campus program, WCU is encouraging its students, faculty, staff, and those in the surrounding community to work together to incorporate healthy habits into their lives. Sponsored by the College of Health Sciences, indoor and outdoor activities were held throughout the campus.
Following a one-mile walk, participants kicked-off the day listening to the inspiring words of Sue Weldon, Unite for HER founder and breast cancer survivor. The WCU alumna established the non-profit organization in 2009 after discovering a dearth in the amount of resources dedicated to wellness services for women undergoing cancer treatment. She advised those in attendance to integrate additional methods of wellness into any medical treatment, and discussed the positive value of practicing acupuncture, massage yoga, good nutrition, and counseling to enhance human needs.
The energy-packed day was filled with fitness evaluations and testing; therapy dogs and blood pressure checks; sweat testing, fluid replacement, and landing error scoring; sun safety tips; pulmonary function testing, and oxygen and carboxyhemoglobin saturation measuring; voice disorder prevention tips; Lyme disease prevention and physical safety tips; and lots of prizes. Nutrition Department students even distributed nearly 400 chick pea, “no tuna,” salad wraps and banana whip treats.
“This year was such a success, because we involved all departments and areas of the College in today’s activities,” said Scott Heinerichs, interim dean and professor of sports medicine, College of Health Sciences. “We had a tremendous outpouring of attendance from students, faculty, staff, and members of the community. I am happy that we were able to offer this valuable and informative day to so many.”