Alumnae host fitness day

A new center run by Alumnae will work to help increase awareness of fitness and health for the women of JMU and Harrisonburg.

The Center for the Promotion of Physical Activity for Women and Girls will invite JMU female athlete and non-athlete alumnae back to campus to participate in health and fitness assessments, attend lectures and work with kinesiology students to develop exercise programs.

The center hosted the first Alumnae Health and Fitness Program last semester.

"I would encourage all alumnae to take part in the Alumnae Health and Fitness Program," Pat McCool (’67) said. "It is an opportunity to reconnect with JMU and reflect on women’s issues."

Kinesology professor Judith Flohr started the center in the spring of 2004. The center was created to develop and provide activities that are designed specifically to promote physical activity for females. It also works to increase their knowledge of health issues specifically related to women.

The goals of the center are to provide programming that enhances the physical activity of girls and women, conduct research within fields related to women’s physical and mental well-being, and to disseminate research-based information related to the role of physical activity.

"I believe that there are different needs and different issues to be addressed in the female population, and the center is a progressive means of doing so," said Stephanie VanArsdale, coordinator of this spring’s Movin’ and Groovin’ event.

Movin’ and Groovin’, a one-day workshop for local children with limited opportunities to participate in physical activity, will involve educational activities to enhance children’s knowledge of heath and fitness.

"As of right now, students can get involved through their classes — some Kinesiology classes help with the events — or through [practicums] or internships," said Molly Whittaker, the center’s assistant director. "We are developing more opportunities for students to be more involved in the future."

To learn more about the center, contact Whittaker at whittamb.