Waterford Institute of Technology is among 166 campuses honoured worldwide for using Exercise is Health initiative to bring wellness to its campus
Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) is one of only 166 universities and colleges around the world to be honoured by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Exercise is Medicine® initiative for its efforts to create a culture of wellness on campus.
The activities that helped WIT earn silver level designation from the Exercise is Medicine® On Campus (EIM-OC) program included the ExWell@WIT exercise programme for individuals with chronic health problems, a health and fitness consultation for staff led by 2nd year Exercise Science students, a Marchathon Challenge led by 2nd year Public Health and Health Promotion students and an Operation Transformation initiative led by the WIT Arena.
What is 'Exercise is Medicine?'
“We are thrilled to recognize these campuses’ commitment to make movement a part of daily campus culture and give students the tools to cultivate physical activity habits that will benefit them throughout their lives,” said Robyn Stuhr, Vice President of Exercise is Medicine. “These campus programs are nurturing future leaders who will advance a key tenet of Exercise is Medicine: making physical activity assessment and promotion a standard in health care.”
“WIT has traditionally been one of the national leaders in the field of Exercise and Health Science, physical activity research and national policy development. This designation from the American College of Sports Medicine is recognition of our staff expertise in the field and our commitment to advancing novel physical activity initiatives on campus for health and well-being,” said Dr Michael Harrison, Head of Department of Sport and Exercise Science and Exercise is Medicine-On Campus Lead.
Recognition
Of the 166 campuses recognized this year, 77 received gold, 62 silver and 27 bronze. All gold, silver and bronze universities and colleges will be officially recognized on May 27 as part of the 11th World Congress on Exercise is Medicine, held in conjunction with ACSM’s 67th Annual Meeting.
EIM-OC calls upon universities and colleges to promote physical activity as a vital sign of health and encourages faculty, staff and students to work together to improve the health and well-being of the campus community.
Culture of wellness
EIM-OC launched its recognition programme in 2014 to honour campuses for their efforts to create a culture of wellness. Schools earn gold, silver or bronze status based on their activities. Gold level campuses have created a referral system where campus health care providers assess student physical activity and refer students as necessary to a certified fitness professional as part of medical treatment. Silver campuses engage students, faculty and staff in education initiatives and make movement part of the daily campus culture while bronze level campuses promote and generate awareness of the health benefits of physical activity.
View a complete list of recognized schools and learn more about the EIM-OC program here
SETU Waterford, Cork Road, Waterford City, 
