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IMPLEMENTATION REACH AND DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS FOR THE EIM ® -OC EXERCISE REFERRAL PROGRAM

Abstract

Sedentary lifestyle habits are among the biggest risk factors of chronic disease and other poor health outcomes in the United States. The Exercise is Medicine-On Campus® (EIM -OC) Exercise Referral program on the University of Arkansas campus is an implementation study that investigates improvement in the physical activity levels of university students, faculty, and staff, and therefore aid in eliminating chronic illness risk factors. Despite 200 universities implementing EIM-OC PURPOSE: To collect demographics of successful referrals and follow-ups for an EIM-OC Exercise Referral Program. METHODS: In Spring 2024, after receiving IRB approval, students, faculty, staff, and community members were -campus events to take the PAVS, a screening tool that collects both frequency and volume of moderate to strenuous exercise. Participants were then referred to an exercise specialist, where they completed a fitness assessment before intervention. The exercise counseling intervention consisted of 3 motivational interviewing sessions, followed by a repeat fitness assessment the next semester. Data was then collected regarding the number of participants completing each portion of the study, including PAVS, fitness assessments, MI sessions, and follow-up fitness assessments. RESULTS: 66 individuals completed PAVS of which 48 (72.7%) were female and 32 (48.5%) were undergraduate students, 6 (9.1%) were graduate students, 8 were faculty (12.1%) or administration and 20 (30.3%) were staff. 61 participants were invited for referral. 33 completed the follow-up detailed questionnaire and were contacted to schedule fitness testing. 22 (n=18, 81.8% females) fitness assessments were completed. 8 (n=6, 75% females) participants completed at least one motivational interviewing session. To date, 4 participants have completed 6-month follow-up fitness assessments. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that participation in follow-ups decreases significantly after being invited for referral. Future research could investigate possible recruitment strategies for male participants and improvements in outreach after PAVS are taken.

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