Students and staff at Robert Gordon University (RGU) took part in a range of activities last month to find out how small changes can lead to a fitter and healthier lifestyle.
The Workout and Work Day - The W@W! initiative - ran on campus on Wednesday, September 7 and provided a number of free exercise sessions throughout the day.
The W@W! initiative in conjunction with RGU’s Health Promoting University strategy - Fit for the Future - was organised by staff in the School of Health Sciences as part of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy's nationwide campaign.
It aims to encourage employees and students to avoid poor work and study habits and take more exercise. The campaign also highlights to employers the benefits of having a fitter and healthier workforce.
Organisers Dr Kay Cooper and Victoria Park from the School of Health Sciences put together a programme of activities over a two-hour lunchtime period.
This included guided walks, Pilates sessions and a drop-in advice clinic which was run by students from the MSc Physiotherapy (Pre-registration) programme. RGU Sport also offered lunchtime taster sessions in the pool, gym and exercises classes.
Mrs Park said: “It was great to see staff and students sign up to ‘get active’ on the day, and the feedback we’ve had from the event has been very positive.
“Long-term the aim is to continue the lunchtime walks by using a series of routes around the campus. The Physiotherapist-led Pilates sessions were very popular and it is hoped to continue these on a more regular basis with assistance from our physiotherapy students.”
The MSc Physiotherapy students also used the day as a platform to highlight their ‘active classroom’ initiatives.
These include a series of brief interactive activity sessions for staff and students to use during lectures and prolonged sedentary classroom time.
A number of staff from various schools are now planning to pilot these interventions in order to promote a healthy teaching environment and better student engagement.