SMU Exercise Is Medicine On-Campus

Depression, anxiety, heart disease, type II diabetes, and cancer are growing and very real concerns for adults today. Physical inactivity is considered an important risk factor for each of these ailments. In fact, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, more than 1 in every 5 U.S. adults do not participate in enough physical activity to protect their health. In 2007, the American College of Sports Medicine established an international initiative known as Exercise is Medicine, in an effort to promote the importance of regular physical activity as a modality to prevent and treat diseases associated with physical inactivity. Exercise is Medicine On-Campus is an important division of this initiative that focuses on providing resources to faculty, staff, and students, while promoting regular physical activity engagement across campus. In an added benefit to the on-campus environment, regular physical activity has been demonstrated to improve academic performance and group activity improves workplace relationships and reduces burnout. We are proud to announce that SMU has been approved as an EIM-OC site!

SMU’s EIM program is a collaborative effort between the Department of Applied Physiology and Sports Management, Campus Recreation, and the Dr. Bob Smith Health Center. The goal of our program is to promote regular physical activity as an important health vital sign across campus and provide faculty, staff, and students with the resources needed to make physical activity part of their daily lives. Our mission is to ensure the campus community understands the importance of regular physical activity and the positive influence it has on their physical and mental health, and overall wellbeing.

SMU-EIM-OC Objectives

  1. To assess physical activity at student health visits.
  2. To connect faculty, staff, and students with campus professionals trained in physical activity and exercise prescription.
  3. To offer physical activity programming to faculty, staff, and students that appeals to a variety of fitness interests and goals.
  4. To serve as a reputable resource on ways to incorporate regular physical activity into the daily lives of faculty, staff, and students.
  5. To create a cultural change across campus in which faculty, staff, and students recognize the importance of regular physical activity.

Leadership Team

Co-Advisors

Kristie Abt, PhD, ACSM-EP
Clinical Assistant Professor
Applied Physiology and Sport Management Department
kabt@smu.edu

Laura Robinson-Doyle, PhD
Clinical Assistant Professor
Applied Physiology and Sport Management Department
laurar@smu.edu

Health Care Professional

Arthi Krishnan, MD
Dr. Bob Smith Health Center
karthi@smu.edu

Health Fitness Professionals

Zach Jones, ACSM-EP
Assistant Director of Fitness
zacharyj@smu.edu

Bonnie Hainline
Director of Campus Recreation
bhainline@smu.edu

Student Program Coordinators

Ally Hannigan
Applied Physiology and Sport Management Department
ahannigan@smu.edu

Shivani Modadugu
Applied Physiology and Sport Management Department
smodadugu@smu.edu

Breanna Laureti
Applied Physiology and Sport Management Department
bnlaureti@smu.edu