Exercise is for Everyone
The Students on the Move program aims to make exercise more approachable and accessible on campus. By introducing active equipment to campus areas, the program encourages brief moments of exercise during the day.
“We are currently mapping out suitable locations for break exercise areas in collaboration with facility services. These areas should be easily accessible to ensure they are actively used. The goal is to bring various games to these areas, which naturally encourage movement and also enhance a sense of community,” explains project coordinator Sini Karsa.
Another goal is to increase community engagement through physical activity by encouraging and supporting student organizations in organizing events that promote physical well-being.
“We are discussing with representatives from Tamko and TREY the best ways to support organizations equally, and we will provide more information as soon as the practical details are resolved,” Karsa says.
Small Actions, Big Impact
Even small actions matter. When a teacher or meeting chairperson gets participants to stand up every 30 minutes and allows for a brief shoulder stretch, it positively impacts both physical and mental well-being. We are designed to move, not sit still!
A great example of small break-time activity was seen during the August TAMK Day. A fantastic musical performance prompted the audience to spontaneously stand up and show their appreciation. Afterward, the hosts encouraged the audience to continue this practice during the next presentations. This way, we were able to stretch our backs every 30 minutes as the speakers changed.
“The practice was praised several times throughout the day—it’s worth continuing at different events. Rarely have I felt so refreshed after sitting for two hours in an auditorium as I did during the morning of TAMK Day,” Karsa recalls.
More information on the benefits of taking breaks and other good practices for increasing movement during meetings and lectures can be found on the TLC’s Movement as a Part of Teaching page. Also, check out the Students on the Move page on SportUni website and the links available there.
Leading by Example
The importance of movement needs to be discussed and visibly promoted on campuses. This way, it will gradually become a normal part of our university life. The goal is that, in the future, no one will look askance at someone doing an impromptu squat in the hallway—instead, it might trigger a chain reaction where multiple people get some exercise and maybe even a smile!