SDSU program recognized for creating "culture of wellness"

South Dakota State University's Exercise is Medicine program has been recognized with gold status by the American College of Sports Medicine — the largest sports medicine and exercise organization in the world.

"The Exercise is Medicine on Campus initiative brings healthcare and exercise science professionals together to help our community see that exercise and physical activity are key to health and the prevention of chronic disease," said Jessica Meendering, Interim Director for SDSU's School of Health and Consumer Sciences. "Providers at the Student Health Clinic assess physical activity as a vital sign at every visit, similar to measuring blood pressure and height and weight. If patients are not meeting the minimum guidelines for activity, they are referred to supports provided by the Miller Wellness Center and the exercise science students. It is a wonderful partnership that provides the exercise science students with an impactful learning experience and the campus community with a valuable resource."

SDSU is one of only 145 universities and colleges around the world to be recognized and joins a select group of 83 campuses — including Iowa State University and the University of California Berkeley — to be recognized with gold status.

"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," interim CEO Katie Feltman said. "These campus programs are nurturing future leaders who will advance a key tenet of the Exercise is Medicine program: making physical activity assessment and promotion a standard in health care."

SDSU's Exercise is Medicine program began in 2017, but during the COVID-19 years, the program went on the backburner. After Allison Barry was hired as an assistant professor for SDSU's School of Health and Consumer Sciences in 2022, the program was revived and is now set to flourish heading into the 2024-25 academic year.

"The program was developed to promote exercise across campus," Barry said. "We now have a nice, cohesive web between (SDSU's) Student Health Clinic, our exercise science program and the Miller Wellness Center that really meshes well together to improve overall health on campus."

The national Exercise is Medicine program, launched in 2007, 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. The recognition program began in 2014 to honor campuses for their efforts to create a culture of wellness. Gold-level campuses have created a referral system where campus health care providers assess student physical activity and refers students as necessary to a certified fitness professional as part of medical treatment.

Ashlyn Madison, a junior exercise science major from Sioux Falls, is SDSU's Exercise is Medicine coordinator. Over the last six or so months, she has helped to promote the program and educated participants at the start of their exercise journey. 

"We have hosted a promotional, educational and referral event for the program," Madison said. "We are excited for the future, and we expect the program to grow next fall."

SDSU's program host meetings twice a month to introduce exercise, talk about motivation, discuss exercise plans and educate individuals on the importance of exercise.

"Anybody on campus is welcome to attend our meetings," Madison added.

SDSU will be officially recognized for its status at the Exercise is Medicine recognition ceremony at the American College of Sports Medicine's annual meeting May 29.

Those interested in learning more about the program should contact Madison at ashlyn.madison@jacks.sdstate.edu.