Exercise and Fitness

Do you exercise? One study showed that students who participated in vigorous activity seven days per week had GPAs that averaged 0.4 higher than those who participated in no vigorous activity. Exercise is known to improve memory retention, focus and concentration, as well as boost mood, and relieve stress. Is that enough to get you moving?

" What sculpture is to a block of marble, education is to the human soul."

Joseph Addison

Looking Back:
A Self-Reflection

How active or inactive are you in regular life?

Check out our worksheet.

Quiz Ideas

  • Are you up to date on the fitness dos and don’ts? Find out how your fitness knowledge measures up. Take this quiz now.
  • Are you getting started with an exercise program? Do you know what your fitness personality is? Use this online test to find it.

Moving Ahead:
The Challenge

How will you change your exercise routine to incorporate the three main types of exercise into your schedule?

Check out our worksheet.

Articles

Campus Resources

  • Mason Recreation
    Mason Recreation creates an atmosphere that encourages individuals to develop lifelong involvement in recreational, fitness, and wellness activities through both structured and informal opportunities that meet the dynamic needs of the diverse community. They offer club sports, intramural sports, aquatics, fitness, the Edge, and more.
  • Patriot Athletics
    Patriot Athletics provides information about the intercollegiate athletic teams at Mason including their schedules and rosters. This site offers media information, ticket information, fundraising information, recruiting information and more.
  • Freedom Aquatic and Fitness Center
    FAFC is a full service recreation center that offers recreational, fitness and wellness activities for all ages. They are the home of Mason's The EDGE. The EDGE offers team building, hands on experiential learning, and organizational development. FAFC is located at the Science and Technology Campus.
  • Student Health Services
    Student Health Services provides high quality health care, counseling, health education and prevention services to George Mason University students. From diagnosis and treatment of illness and injury, to women’s and men’s health, to immunizations and prescriptions, Student Health Services is available to all Mason students with clinics at Fairfax, Arlington and Science and Technology Campuses. There is no charge to be seen by one of our healthcare providers. There are nominal fees for treatments, and supplies.

Additional Resources

  • City of Fairfax Parks and Recreation
    City of Fairfax Parks and Recreation offers listings of parks, trails, pools, athletic field, and more.
  • Fairfax county Park Authority
    Fairfax County Park Authority offers listing of county parks, recreation centers, special events, campgrounds, trails, fitness and recreation venues.
  • Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority
    The NVRPA has preserved more than 10,000 acres of the rolling and wooded Virginia countryside and created a legacy for future generations. Through the regional parks, the NVRPA provides almost two million citizens with recreational facilities from a wave pool to nature trails, from golfing to boating, and more.
  • Washington Area Bicyclist Association
    WABA strives to create a healthy, more livable region by promoting bicycling for fun, fitness, and affordable transportation. They advocate for better bicycling conditions and transportation choices for a healthier environment and they help educate people about safe bicycling.
  • ACE Fitness
    The American Council on Exercise (ACE) is a nonprofit organization committed to enriching quality of life through safe and effective physical activity. ACE protects all segments of society against ineffective fitness products, programs and trends through its ongoing public education, outreach, and research. It also protects the public by setting certification and continuing education standards for fitness professionals.
  • Medline Plus
    MedlinePlus houses a wealth of excellent health information from the National Library of Medicine for health professionals and consumers. MedlinePlus Exercise and Physical Fitness has extensive information from the National Institutes of Health and other trusted sources on health information and is updated daily.
  • WebMD
    WebMD provides valuable health information, tools for managing health and support to those who seek information. They offer a variety of articles and information fitness and exercise.
  • President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition
    The President’s council promotes programs and initiatives that motivate people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to lead active, healthy lives. They offer information, articles, tips, resources, real life stories and more.
  • American Heart Association
    The AHA is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to reduce disability and death from cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Through swimming, cycling, jogging, skiing, aerobic dancing, walking or dozens of other activities one can maintain a healthy heart in a structured exercise program or part of a daily routine.  They offer articles, research, tips, and more.
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
    The CDC works to protect America from health diseases that start at home or abroad, are chronic or acute, curable or preventable, human error or deliberate attack. They conduct critical science and provide health information that protects our nation including information on exercise and fitness.

David S. Anderson, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus
Director, Center for the Advancement of Public Health
College of Education and Human Development
School of Recreation, Health and Tourism
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA 22030
PH: 571-296-2521
Email: danderso@gmu.edu

Affiliated websites:
College of Education and Human Development
Center for the Advancement of Public Health
vacalc.org