Author Date

2025-06-02

Degree Name

Department

Exercise Sciences

College

Life Sciences

Defense Date

2025-05-13

Publication Date

2025-06-06

First Faculty Advisor

Mandy Christensen

First Faculty Reader

Allen Parcell

Honors Coordinator

Ron Hager

Keywords

exercise is medicine, exercise science, health system, united states health care, student health center

Abstract

Exercise has been proven for millennia to have significant health benefits, both preventative and curative. Many modern diseases and ailments can be prevented, alleviated, or even cured with increased physical activity. Unfortunately, the United States health system has yet to effectively integrate exercise into mainstream medical models. The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) is working to solve this disconnect through their global health initiative Exercise is Medicine (EIM). Most relevant to BYU is their EIM-On Campus program, which incorporates principles of exercise medicine into colleges and universities. This thesis first explores the dynamics of the health system that inhibit the implementation of EIM. It then shares the beginnings of EIM at BYU through a survey of physicians at the Student Health Center.