Saskatchewan universities mark national health and fitness day with new initiative to get province moving
SASKATOON – Canada is facing an inactivity crisis. Daily physical activity is on the decline and preventable illness is on the rise. That’s why the University of Saskatchewan (USask) and the University of Regina (U of R) are combining forces to launch a new province-wide physical activity pilot initiative called the Physical Activity Hub.
The Physical Activity Hub will be a place designed to bring researchers and students together with front-line leaders to learn, share information, and inspire innovative solutions to get Saskatchewan people moving.
“Saturday, June 3 is National Health and Fitness Day, a Public Health Agency of Canada initiative to challenge Canadians to become the fittest nation on Earth by getting out and getting active, which makes this an ideal time to announce the Physical Activity Hub,” said Dr. Harold Riemer (PhD), dean of Kinesiology and Health Studies at the U of R.
A formal launch of the Physical Activity Hub will occur in fall 2023. In the interim, the universities invite anyone interested in taking action to increase physical activity in Saskatchewan to join the Physical Activity Hub on social media channels and stay up to date on activities such as a web-based resource library, workshops, research projects, and new community initiatives that will roll out over the next few months.
“Universities are a tremendous resource to our Saskatchewan communities,” said Dr. Joel Lanovaz (PhD), dean of the College of Kinesiology at USask. “We are excited for the opportunity the Physical Activity Hub provides to build closer relationships between members of our faculties and community leaders. This will be an important step forward to increase physical activity and health in our province.”
The Physical Activity Hub is an in motion legacy initiative. From 2003–2021 Saskatchewan in motion was a mainstay in physical activity promotion in Saskatchewan and a model program for the country. On March 31, 2021, Saskatchewan in motion closed their provincial operations due to the termination of funds from its financial supporters.
“Supported by in motion, schools, communities and organizations have done tremendous work to increase physical activity in our province,” said Dr. Louise Humbert (PhD), past president of Saskatchewan in motion. “We are pleased that the Physical Activity Hub will build on the legacy left by the in motion program, by providing access to tools, resources, research and expertise to support and enhance continued community action.”
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For media inquiries, contact:
Alyssa Wiebe
Communications and Advancement
University of Saskatchewan
306-966-4562
alyssa.wiebe@usask.ca