West Liberty University participated in a national effort to “get moving” and focus on physical activity at 10 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 27, when they joined the JAM World Record 2012 promotion.
“We’re proud to be a part of the JAM World Record effort and happy to report that West Virginia led the nation in this physical activity event with its number of JAMmers,” said Melissa Hudson, WLU instructor of health and human performance, the department that has coordinated this healthy effort on the Hilltop campus.
West Virginia posted 124,072 JAMmers signed up for the minute of movement. In second place is Colorado with 79,860 signed up.
WLU students will travel to West Liberty Elementary, Elm Grove Elementary and Madison Elementary schools to lead the workouts Thursday.
“The concept behind the day is to support physical fitness, especially for kids. The goal this year is to reach 2 million JAMmers and our students are pleased to be a part of this important national initiative,” she said. “The most important message we are trying to promote is to get and keep kids moving. Even just a minute starts you thinking that exercise is fun and easy to fit in to your day,” Hudson said.
“The activity was beneficial for both the college students and the elementary school students. The college students got real-life experience in teaching children, and the elementary students got excited about fitness. The JAM World Record was a great way to promote physical activity, make it fun, and teach about the importance of an active lifestyle,” Kathleen Wack, WLU instructor of physical education. Wack took 46 college students from her group fitness class and they instructed all 425 students at Elm Grove Elementary. Her group actually increased the time to 15 minutes of exercise.
“We did ABC Yoga for Kids and two other workouts, Fitness is a Good Time aerobic routine and the Cupid Shuffle dance. It was a great experience,” she added.
West Liberty University is a forward-looking, four-year public institution of higher education. Established as West Liberty Academy in 1837, it was created to respond to the need for higher educational opportunities west of the Appalachians. Led by President Robin C. Capehart, West Liberty is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. For more information on WLU, please visit westliberty.edu or call 1.866.WESTLIB.