Health Promotion and Occupational Health Services

Collaboration across UM campuses will promote investigation in to the benefits of exercise and nutrition to physical and mental health, and the enhancement of worker health and performance. Partnerships between physicians and scientists will advance medically supported testing and training for clinical trials on the impact of exercise and nutrition in children and adults on development, brain plasticity and healthy aging, as well as resistance to stress and disease/illness progression. Research guided by the ‘Exercise is Medicine’ philosophy advocated by the American College of Sports Medicine is expected to provide substantial economic benefits to the State and the Nation as it serves the interests of the general public and the training of first responders and the United States military forces.

Nutrition

Good nutrition is an essential part of the physical performance equation, from muscle activity to bone growth and repair. In conjunction with the Department of Nutrition and Food Science, and the Center for Alternative Medicine, researchers will explore:

• Nutrient requirements to determine the ideal amounts of energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals required for optimal performance of individuals
• Changes in nutritional requirements of athletes as they recover from injuries
• Nutritional needs of younger and older adults, including athletes
• How food consumption during different times of the day affects exercise performance
• Combinations of nutrients needed to optimally build muscle and bone across different sports and populations.

Occupational Health

The Occupational Health focus of the initiative is dedicated to developing injury screening and prevention strategies that are clinically applicable to youth, the elderly, collegiate, professional, and recreational athletes, as well as individuals with occupations that require high-level physical performance (e.g. military agencies and first responders). Faculty, students, and clinical scientists will interact with state-of-the-art instrumentation to assess the following factors to help individuals meet their performance goals and physical requirements for the specific demands of their jobs:

• Cardiovascular Fitness
• Muscular Strength and Power
• Nutrition
• Body Composition
• Balance
• Agility
• Flexibility