VSU Presents Exercise is Medicine Symposium April 29

VALDOSTA — Valdosta State University will present the 2017 Exercise is Medicine Symposium on Saturday, April 29, in Health Sciences and Business Administration Building Room 1002. Admission is free of charge with advance registration and open to the public.

Exercise is Medicine is a global health initiative managed by the American College of Sports Medicine. It focuses on physical activity being integral to the prevention and treatment of diseases.

VSU is an active member of the Exercise is Medicine on Campus program, which calls upon universities and colleges to engage in the promotion of physical activity as a vital sign of health. This includes creating a campus community culture that makes movement a part of everyday life, assesses physical activity at every student health visit, provides the tools necessary to strengthen physical activity habits that can last a lifetime, and connects university health care providers with university health fitness specialists to provide a referral system for exercise prescription.

The 2017 Exercise is Medicine Symposium will kick off at 8:30 a.m. with Dr. Clayton Nicks, associate professor and assistant chairman of the Department of Health, Physical Education, and Exercise Science at Columbus State University, discussing why exercise is medicine. He will be followed by Dr. Yuri Feito, an assistant professor in the Department of Exercise Science and Sport Management at Kennesaw State University, who will share his thoughts on resistance training as a lifetime prescription for health at 9:30 a.m. Dr. Melanie Poudevigne, professor and founding director of the Department of Health and Fitness Management at Clayton State University, will share her thoughts on the role of exercise in mental health at 10:30 a.m.

The 2017 Exercise is Medicine Symposium will close with Reuben Brooks, a nationally recognized weight loss coach, discussing the role of nutrition and lifestyle coaching on a person’s overall health and wellbeing. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology from VSU and enjoys prescribing exercise to all populations and age groups. He is a professional fitness model, author, life coach, and motivator, and he believes his main purpose in life is to inspire others.

The 2017 Exercise is Medicine Symposium is hosted by VSU’s Center for Exercise Medicine and Rehabilitation. Tours will be available after the symposium.

VSU’s Health Sciences and Business Administration Building is located at 2525 N. Paterson St., across from South Georgia Medical Center. 

Visit www.tinyurl.com/vsueim to register for the 2017 Exercise is Medicine Symposium.