Not everyone can run five miles a day or stick to a weightlifting routine, but sometimes an individual can stay active through daily tasks. MSU Moves U embraces movement rather than exercise as the key to sustaining a healthy lifestyle.
The MSU Moves U program began as a collaborative effort among students, the Health4U Program through Olin Health Center and the recreation sports facilities on campus. It is targeted at students as well as faculty and staff.
“We want to engage people in movement — it’s hard to exercise,” said Health Promotion Services Integration Coordinator Nancy Allen . “We encourage people to get involved with movement that is fun for them.”
The word “exercise” can be scary for some, so it isn’t used often in the MSU Moves U program. According to Allen, any type of movement is encouraged, like biking or walking.
“It doesn’t have to be competitive,” Allen said. “It’s good for you and your body.”
Health Education Services Coordinator Dennis Martell said the average student’s activity level is not high enough.
“When you’re sitting for class anywhere from four to eight hours, and then you go home and spend a lot of time on technology — our new studies say that most students spend two to four hours a day between texting and Facebook alone,” Martell said.
Sitting for long periods of time can ultimately strain the back or lead to poor posture, Martell said.
“You don’t have to go out there and sweat. We’re really about movement and moving enough of the body during the day,” Martell said.
MSU Moves U recently developed a smartphone app to boost students’ physical activity. The app allows students to view upcoming events and interact with other students.
“We’re trying to make this more productive and fun for people,” Martell said. “It’s a challenge where you can get points for doing certain things.”
The app is being marketed through all residence hall neighborhoods, recreational sports services and student health services.
Kinesiology sophomore Theresa Quaderer became a part of the MSU Moves U program during the Zombie Walk event on campus in October. Quaderer said she keeps her MSU Moves U social media accounts up to date as part of her involvement in the program.
“You meet new people and make friends by getting involved,” Quaderer said. “It was really exciting to see people get others interested and hopefully we can get the word around and make this a big campus program.”
MSU Moves U coordinators are planning more events and additional app developments for the spring semester.
“People from across campus come together and the live interest in movement is great to see,” Allen said. “I think we’ll see it grow and see more interest.”
