The University of Arkansas is one of only 166 universities and colleges around the world to be honored by the American College of Sports Medicine Exercise is Medicine initiative for its efforts to create a culture of wellness on campus.

Erin Howie Hickey, assistant professor of exercise science in the College of Education and Health Professions, is the advisor for the Exercise is Medicine Registered Student Organization at the U of A. The RSO, which is only two years old, earned a silver level designation from the Exercise is Medicine® On Campus program.

Bryce Daniels, Hickey's graduate assistant who is also passionate about promoting physical activity, helped rally students to join the RSO.

"We were lucky to gain the support from driven exercise science undergrad students, the Health, Human Performance, University Recreation, the College of Education and Health Professions, and the Pat Walker Health Center to really start the Exercise is Medicine initiative at the University of Arkansas," Daniels said.

In the first year, the RSO developed a campus event called Exercise is Medicine Field day, which has been held every semester since then. In addition to Daniels, other students from the HHPR department who have led the charge on the U of A campus are Sally Barnes, Sarah Schwartz, Sarah Jenkins, Nathan Garcia, Kayla Accurso and Kylar Eagle.

"We partner with University Recreation to check out a variety of lawn games and have a college recess for students to enjoy between classes and promote physical activity," he said.

In the fall of 2020, students in the organization wanted to continue to grow the initiative across campus, so they created a website to keep the public and U of A community in the loop about events and the Exercise is Medicine research study.

"The research study investigates various health behaviors and health statuses of students, faculty, and staff at our university," Daniels said. "The website also links to our social media pages where informative videos of how to properly perform a variety of exercises and post work recovery techniques can be found."

Daniels said the organization will continue to work with Pat Walker Health Center to inquire about physical activity at each appointment, just like the would measure heart rate and blood pressure. The RSO would also like to grow the initiative by seeking student involvement from different departments across campus.

Students also envision spreading the initiative into the Northwest Arkansas community, he said.

Hickey is proud of the impact her students are making through Exercise is Medicine.

"They are gaining momentum, as shown by the silver recognition," she said. "They have been growing partnerships towards a long term goal of making our campus an example of how exercise truly is medicine."

Universities and colleges that earned gold, silver and bronze status were officially recognized in a virtual ceremony on Friday (June 12).

The national Exercise is Medicine On Campus launched its recognition program in 2014 to honor campuses that encourage faculty, staff and students to work together to improve the health and well-being of the community.