Division of Exercise Physiology offering free virtual fitness opportunity

During the fall semester, faculty and staff across the three Health Sciences campuses opted into the 5% Healthier program, which offered free, personalized, one-on-one remote/virtual exercise coaching. Participants were assigned a student coach for personalized exercise coaching throughout the fall semester.

 

In addition to personalized exercise coaching, participants received a weekly email focusing on a health-related topic (e.g., exercise for the immune system, exercise for weight management) that included an infographic, a YouTube informational video made by the students, and links to other user-friendly resources on that topic. Participants completed pre-assessments, 10 weeks of training, and post assessments.

 

Participants who completed the 5% Healthier program showed significant improvements in overall function, muscular endurance, and flexibility. Almost all participants (96%) would recommend this program to others citing that it helped them gain fitness (84%), improve mental health (60%), relieve stress (78%), develop the habit of exercising (84%), and improved their ability to complete daily activities (69%). The student trainers, exercise programming, and educational component were rated as good or better by 90% or more of participants.