UP and Moving! Keeping Adults in the Upper Peninsula Physically Active during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Why This Project Is Important
During the COVID-19 pandemic, daily physical activity levels have decreased by ~30% and sitting time has increased by ~30%. Thus, adults are moving less and sitting more! There is an urgent need to facilitate physical activity during the pandemic because regular physical activity is considered as a robust “form of medicine” that can promote good physical and mental health, bolster immune function, and potentially improve prognosis with COVID-19 infection. Access to infrastructure that promotes physical activity here in the Upper Peninsula (fitness centers, group exercise classes, outpatient rehabilitation clinics, senior centers) is severely limited right now during the pandemic. This project aims to increase activity levels and enhance health through a virtual community-based physical activity program.
Project Description
We are offering a FREE physical activity program called “UP and Moving”. The program provides live and recorded home-based workouts online (Zoom), through social media (Facebook), and on TV (ABC 10). No equipment is needed and workouts are done right from the comfort of home. The goal is to keep adults (students, staff, faculty, community members) in the Upper Peninsula physically active and healthy during the pandemic and beyond. To date, our team of graduate students from the Department of Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology has delivered more than 75 live workouts to adults ranging from 18-80 years of age across Michigan and Wisconsin. These workouts are archived on our website YouTube channel and available to watch anytime. The team is currently developing a home-based physical activity DVD option for those adults who do not have internet access. This DVD will be distributed across the Upper Peninsula to healthcare clinics and community members. For more information go to www.upandmoving.org. Your support will help us continue to provide this critical service to the community. Any contributions will make a difference and assist with costs related to our website platform, workout recordings, and TV broadcasting. We greatly appreciate your support! Most importantly, help us spread the message about the importance of staying physically active during the pandemic (click here for our published infographic https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/55/6/346).
Meet the Researcher
Steven Elmer
Dr. Elmer is an Associate Professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology at Michigan Technological University. His research interests in health are broad in nature and he uses a cycling model to investigate aspects of skeletal muscle function and dysfunction. Applications for his research range from basic aspects of neuromuscular function to applied human performance in a variety of settings including injury, rehabilitation, ergonomics, and sport.
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What Your Donation Can Help Us Do:
- Any donations will make a difference and help to support our website platform and TV broadcasting costs.
$25 15 Funders
UP and Moving T-Shirt
$250 1 Funder
Sponsorship acknowledgement during our next TV show
$500 4 Funders
Presenting sponsor for our next TV show
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Gifts to projects listed on SUPERIORIDEAS.ORG are received and processed by Michigan Tech Fund. Michigan Tech Fund is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code acting on behalf of Michigan Technological University. It is the policy of Michigan Tech Fund that a portion of the gifts and/or income therefrom may be used to defray the costs of raising and administering the funds.