Outreach

Bringing Tai Chi to Mississippi's Aging Population

Tai Chi is a slow and gentle exercise that helps manage chronic conditions and has been proven to improve the health of seniors. Kinesiology faculty, Dr. Zhujun Pan, Dr. Chih-Chia (JJ) Chen and Dr. John Lamberth, graduate students and undergraduate student work together to integrate Tai Chi exercise sessions at Trinity Place Retirement Community, The Claiborne at Adelaide Retirement Community and Carrington Nursing home in Columbus and Starkville, Mississippi. Our goal is to use Tai Chi exercise to improve the active ability and social engagement of older adults, thereby helping them maintain independence and quality of life. Our team aims to extend the work into more senior facilities in Mississippi.   

iCanBike Mississippi State

The iCanBike Camp is offered in cooperation with iCan Shine a non-profit charity that travels the country teaching physical activity skills to children with special needs(such as Autism or Down Syndrome). The iCanBike Camp teaches special needs children how to independently ride a two-wheel bike. Through the use of their adapted bicycles and specialized training, the iCanBike Camp has an average success rate of over 80% by the end of the week. Camp Director Dr. Gregg Twietmeyer ran the camp for five years at Marshall University before coming to Mississippi State University in the Fall of 2015.

The 2022 iCan Bike Camp was held May 16-20, 2022. The Department of Kinesiology currently anticipates holding the 2023 iCanBike Camp at Mississippi State in May as well. Media coverage of the 2022 Camp can be found here.

More information on the camp including details on registration and volunteering can be found at: http://bulldogbike.msstate.edu/

StarkVegas Futbol Jamboree

The StarkVegas Futbol Jamboree is an inclusive 3 on 3 soccer tournament hosted by the Department of Kinesiology. It is led by Dr. Soyoun Lim and organized by the SPAD graduate students, who are in charge of administration, publicity, marketing and sponsorships. It is held every spring and has U8, U10, U13, High School, Adult, and Unified divisions. 

More information on the Jamboree can be found at: https://svfj.weebly.com/