FIT UBC: An active approach to learning

"It is to a student's benefit to keep himself or herself in great mental and physical shape, as a healthy body equals a healthy mind," says Ruth Roth, author of Nutrition and Diet Therapy. This quotation highlights the underlying mission of the FIT UBC project.

The mission of the FIT UBC project is to educate the student body about the benefits of an active and healthy lifestyle through the delivery of innovative and engaging events and educational opportunities. We believe that the innovative FIT UBC projects and programs will inspire students to lead a balanced and active life by providing opportunities not only to learn about the benefits of activity, but also to participate and experience these benefits firsthand. As published in the NIRSA Sports Journal (April 2002), over 75% of university students surveyed stated that physical activity has "improved their overall emotional well-being, reduced their stress and helped them handle their workload, improved their overall happiness, and improved their self-esteem." Furthermore, 2003-2004 1st year UBC REC participants achieved a 3% higher academic average than non-participants. This clearly outlines the academic benefits for a more active student population.

FIT UBC aims to enhance the educational experience and overall well-being of UBC students through the vehicle of physical activity. This goal is clearly connected with those of Trek 2010 where it states that UBC "[believes] in the importance of an educated citizenry that contributes positively to the well-being and improvement of all". Further, it is one of Trek 2010's listed proposals "to promote health in the UBC community through such events as an annual 'Health and Wellness Day'" - FIT UBC would play an integral role in making this vision a reality.

FIT UBC's primary goals are to engage students in learning about the benefits of physical activity and to increase student activity levels by 20% by 2010.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The following initiatives are the core components of the FIT UBC proposal:

FIT UBC Awareness Week:

To Take place in September 2005, this week long event will feature six major projects:

• Healthy Living Fair and Exposition: bringing together educational experts on health and wellness, fitness professionals, product demonstrations, educational CDs, videos and materials (to take place in the SUB plaza).
• Kickoff day: the first day of FIT UBC week will be a kickoff celebration that will include demonstrations and free classes in areas such as: martial arts, yoga, aerobics, etc. We will also include a high profile speaker, healthy food samples, nutritional information, live music, information booths, and free giveaways.
• Educational materials: This brochure will highlight the benefits of a healthy active lifestyle and how one can achieve this while at UBC. This will feature information about UBC programs and resources including: student clubs, off-campus resources, on-campus running routes, Human Kinetics programs, and UBC REC programs.
• First of the workshop series: see below of more information.
• FIT UBC video: This video will feature successful UBC alumni that have espoused the benefits of physical activity discussing how their choices have led them to their successful careers. This video will also feature research surrounding the link between physical activity and academic success, as well as, footage of potential programs for students to get involved. This video will be played throughout FIT UBC week at all events and on UBC TV (campus station) throughout the year.
• Free access to programs: Human Kinetics and UBC REC programs would be offered free of charge during FIT UBC week including aerobics, body composition measurements, personal training, aerobic classes, martial arts, yoga, pilates, dance and many others.

Year-Long Workshop/Certification series:

This program will be focused on a free monthly workshop/seminar with a distinguished speaker. Additionally, FIT UBC will also coordinate a year-long subsidized certification series. These ongoing workshops will ail to provide personalized attention to the students and each speaker and program will be focused on educating and engaging their student audience. Each month we will feature:

• High-profile speakers: These speakers will discuss how they espouse the values of academic success by linking it to physical activity. Potential speakers to include: Nancy Green-Raine, current Olympians, and UBC alumni.
• Nutritional seminars: Featuring nutritional experts, these workshops will be geared towards: "the challenges of eating right as a student".
• Certification series: Fitness Trainer/Instructor, and Coaching certifications will be offered at a subsidized rates for UBC students wishing to become certified and who want to use that certification to further benefit other UBC students by working with Human Kinetics or UBC REC programs in the future.
• FIT UBC "Get Active· workshops: These free workshops will feature personal trainers assisting students in developing their own individualized activity programs.

Kavie Toor, Manager, Programs, UBC Recreation / Sessional Lecturer, Human Kinetics, Faculty of Education
Bob Sparks, Director, Human Kinetics, Faculty of Education
Akash Chowdury, AMS Fitness UBC Club
Derek Langill, AMS Fitness UBC Club
Grant Wong, Executive Coordinator, Student Services, Alma Mater Society
Katherine Ringrose, 2010 Legacies Now
Judith Pratt, UBC Wellness Centre