Service and Community
Community Education
Peer Fitness Training Workshops
Peer fitness workshops are held annually throughout the state. This annual training provides fitness training to leaders in law enforcement and fire service.
Soldier Athlete Human Performance (SAHPO) Program
Questions? Contact Us!
For more information contact Nancy Henderson, PT, Ph.D., DPT at
nhenderson@georgiasouthern.edu.
The SAHPO Program is designed to prevent and reduce injuries in soldiers. Through a train-the-trainer model, Doctor of Physical Therapy students provide education to select soldiers who then take the information back to their units. Data has shown a significant decrease in the number of injuries to soldiers enrolled in the program.
Program Benefits
In addition to soldiers participating in the program receiving university credit toward a Tactical Athlete Certificate, the program provides the following benefits:
- Aims to decrease soldier evacuation due to musculoskeletal disorders, which account for 25 percent of all military injuries.
- Allows the State of Georgia to take an innovative stance on improving force readiness.
- Enhances ties between the local communities and the Army.
- Creates opportunities for students to gain experience working with tactical athletes/local military by understanding the unique demands of armored brigade compact teams.
Service Projects
Integrated Wellness Programming
Friday Fire Fitness
Each Friday, a Georgia Southern graduate assistant leads shift training to improve fitness, movement quality and increase team cohesion of the entire shift of firefighters.
For more information contact Bridget Melton, Ed.D., at bmelton@georgiasouthern.edu.
Movement Breaks for Dispatch
Dispatchers are often the forgotten personnel in our first responder system. These individuals who answer 911 calls need to remain calm and collected in helping the community get emergency assistance when needed. Working in this high-stress environment can lead to physical and mental burnout, we offer biweekly movement breaks to educate and teach corrective exercises to help alleviate the physical pains of the job plus the promotes mental well-being.
For more information contact Bridget Melton, Ed.D., at bmelton@georgiasouthern.edu.
Wellness Wednesdays
Wellness Wednesdays are geared at increasing the knowledge of positive health behavior of first responders and providing first responders with the tools needed to access these health-promoting behaviors.
For more information contact Bridget Melton, Ed.D., at bmelton@georgiasouthern.edu.
Police and Fire Recruit Academy Consultations
Couch to Academy Readiness Programming
Training for Fire Recruits
This is a four-week supervised training that lasts five days a week. There are limited seats available at a time. For more information contact Bridget Melton, Ed.D. at bmelton@georgiasouthern.edu.
Law Enforcement Team Training
Law Enforcement Team Training happens in biweekly session and promotes movement quality and movement preparation in order to prevent on the job injuries while increasing officer strength and endurance.
For more information contact Bridget Melton, Ed.D., at bmelton@georgiasouthern.edu.
Health and Human Performance Testing
Last updated: 8/4/2022