BGSU nationally recognized for championing student wellness through exercise

The University was named an Exercise is Medicine Gold Campus for the fifth consecutive year

By Laren Kowalczyk ‘07

Committed to comprehensively supporting students’ physical and mental health, Bowling Green State University has been nationally recognized for the fifth consecutive year for promoting a culture of well-being throughout the learning community.

BGSU was named an Exercise is Medicine Gold Campus by the American College of Sports Medicine. The University is one of only three universities in Ohio and 83 worldwide to receive gold-level recognition among the 145 institutions honored globally.

“The exciting thing about our program is the collaborative effort across our campus to make it successful,” said Dr. Jessica Kiss, an assistant teaching professor and laboratory coordinator in exercise science and assistant director for graduate education in the School of Applied Human Development. “We’re thrilled to be recognized again as a gold campus for helping create a healthier BGSU through physical movement.”

Exercise is Medicine is part of a global health initiative by the American College of Sports Medicine and American Medical Association to make physical activity assessment and promotion a standard in clinical care.

Brought to colleges and universities, Exercise is Medicine On Campus encourages universities to make movement a daily part of campus culture. The Exercise is Medicine program at BGSU offers physical activity referrals for students, which Kiss said has been pivotal in achieving gold status since 2020.

Through the program, students are referred to the Student Recreation Center, where they can participate in personal training, coaching, group fitness classes and numerous other wellness activities.

Kiss said the Counseling Center is an active referral partner, valuing the connection between physical and mental health.

“Physical activity is incredibly beneficial in reducing stress and improving mental health, and research has also linked it to academic success and engagement,” Kiss said. “The Counseling Center has been a wonderful partner in supporting the mission of Exercise is Medicine On Campus.”

In addition to educational programming, the University’s Exercise is Medicine program provides various health assessments for students, faculty, staff and community members through the exercise physiology laboratory in Eppler South, offering experiential learning opportunities for students majoring in exercise science and food and nutrition.

Under the supervision of Kiss, students conduct the assessments to gain real-world experience through the process.

“The Exercise is Medicine On Campus program has many facets, but our main focus is to increase physical activity and wellness across BGSU and the community,” Kiss said.