#OrganizationOfTheWeek – A Look at AMESF

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This week, we’re talking with Justine Rizzo, president of the Montpellier Midwifery Students’ Association (AMESF). Goals, initiatives, and dedication—find out everything you need to know about this association in this interview!

In a nutshell, what is AMESF?

AMESF is the student association for the midwifery program in Montpellier. Our goals are to represent midwifery students, provide services and recreational activities for our members, and organize solidarity and humanitarian initiatives. To this end, we are part of several networks of student organizations. First, at the local level with AGEM, the General Association of Montpellier Students, and also at the national level with ANESF, the National Association of Midwifery Students.

 

What activities or initiatives do you organize throughout the year? 

Several projects mark the course of our year, some for entertainment—such as the End-of-Year Gala or the Concert en rose—while others, like the latter, are charity events benefiting the Naître en Rose association.

Throughout the year, we also organize several charity events where our members can volunteer to help us staff booths. During “Pink October,” we raise awareness about breast cancer and collect donations for the organization “Cancer du sein, Parlons en !” We also participate in the Telethon and Sidaction. 

This year, a new project was launched for the first time: the “Endometriosis” project. It is particularly close to our hearts because this disease is not well known, yet it affects about 10% of women.  We visited several faculties in Montpellier to meet with many students and faculty members who aren’t necessarily in the health field (the Faculty of Sciences, Paul Valéry University, and the Faculty of Sports Science and Physical Education). We were able to raise awareness about this condition through flyers, quizzes and games, and an informational display. We wrapped up the week by organizing a “film screening and discussion” event at the Faculty of Medicine on this topic. Following a short film, a discussion took place between various healthcare professionals (a midwife and a gynecologist) and the audience. We were thus able to raise awareness about this condition and also raise significant funds for research through the “EndoFrance” association.

Finally, we also partner with the Etablissement Français du Sang; every month, we raise awareness about donating blood, plasma, and bone marrow, and announce the various collection sites through our publications.

Why did you personally choose the midwifery program? In your opinion, what does the association offer students in this program?

What I love about being a midwife is being able to work in healthcare, to help families during a special time in their lives—such as the birth of a child—and to guide, support, and advise women throughout their lives. Being a midwife means having a wide range of skills and knowledge in gynecology, pediatrics, and obstetrics. This profession requires knowing women’s physiology inside and out and being able to detect even the slightest problem.

For its part, the association provides students in this program with support, activities, and an opportunity to explore various issues. It also allows them to participate in various community service and humanitarian projects, as mentioned earlier. The association offers support to both new students and upperclassmen in this program.

Why do you think people should join your organization? 

Membership offers many benefits, which we have divided into several categories. 

The Education Division
The Entertainment Division
The Student Services Center
The Partnership Division
The Representation Division
The Solidarity Division
It allows us to set up a system for sharing notes and printing out course materials in paper format. We also place group orders for books and supplies for the workshops.  It allows members to participate in the events we organize and to enjoy special rates at certain restaurants, bars, and nightclubs in Montpellier. It’s also an opportunity to foster a sense of community through our events, such as the end-of-year gala. It provides access to “SOS Nounou,” a system that connects midwifery students with parents looking for babysitters. We also offer the option to order vegetable baskets at affordable prices. It allows our members to get discounted prices from our association's partners It allows students to stay informed about the various discussions and training sessions organized by AGEM and ANESF and to participate in them. It entitles members to participate in all the activities we carry out, such as those mentioned above.

How do I sign up?

By paying the €10 membership fee at the AMESF office on the Arnaud de Villeneuve Campus, located at 641 Avenue du Doyen Gaston Giraud, Montpellier 34090. 

Starting this year, any student—regardless of their major—can join our association. While they don’t have access to all the same benefits as midwifery students, they’re welcome to attend our social events, share their ideas, or get involved in our various projects, for example!

A few words about the 2020–2021 executive board?

We have complete confidence in the next generation; there are some wonderful things in store, and we can't wait for them to bring all their projects to life! 

In the meantime, you can find us on all our social media platforms!

Facebook: AMESF – Montpellier Association of Midwifery Students in Montpellier

Instagram: amesf_sfmtp

Snapchat: amesf_sfmtp

Twitter: AMESF_SFMTP

 

 

 

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Sports: Health Benefits

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Physical activity is not just a way to lose weight. Exercise offers significant benefits from a medical, societal, and economic perspective. It actually helps boost the immune system and promotes overall well-being: walking, running, or gardening activates metabolic processes—in other words, biological reactions—that take place within our bodies.

The benefits of exercise can be seen not only in one's physical appearance but also in one's mental health:

Physical Health

Combating Obesity and Diabetes-Related Diseases

Strictly speaking, exercise does not prevent obesity or being overweight. However, physical activity is often recommended as a supplement to appropriate treatment to help patients achieve their goals.

In general, exercise helps regulate weight with the goal of achieving a more toned physique. Muscles can produce certain hormones, called myokines, that have metabolic effects on various organs at a distance. As Cédric Moro (research director at Inserm’s Institute of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases in Toulouse) explains, “In an obese patient, muscle tissue contains some fat. Exercise burns this fat, and insulin then becomes more effective at supplying the muscle with glucose. This, in particular, helps prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes.” 

The positive effects of exercise on weight issues or diabetes are only beneficial if exercise is done correctly. There are guidelines that must be followed to ensure effectiveness with minimal side effects. 

Cardiovascular Diseases

When it comes to cardiovascular disease, the risk factors are well known: smoking, stress, high blood pressure… Regular physical activity improves and regulates the functioning of the cardiovascular system, leading to a reduction in cardiovascular risks:

  • Potential 50% reduction in high blood pressure
  • Increase in "good" cholesterol levels
  • Regulation of Blood Sugar Levels

We also know that below a certain VO2 max threshold—the maximum amount of oxygen the body consumes during intense exercise—a patient with heart failure must undergo a transplant. Thibaut Guiraud, a physiology researcher at I2MC, explains that “With exercise, you improve your physical capacity and can move out of the ‘red zone,’ which is above 5 METs (equivalent to the ability to walk at 4–5 km/h for a few minutes).”

Thus, regular physical activity helps the heart become stronger and can therefore prevent or slow the onset of cardiovascular problems.

 

Cancer

It's no secret anymore: physical activity can help with the recovery from certain cancers.

Cancer is the leading cause of death, ahead of cardiovascular disease: the number of cases has doubled over the past 30 years.

Exercising during treatment helps the body counteract certain negative effects of treatment, such as fatigue. Provided, of course, that the exercise is moderate and tailored to the specific treatment. Béatrice Fervers, an oncologist at the Léon-Bérard Center, explains that “The sooner a patient begins physical activity after diagnosis, the better they are able to counteract side effects.”

In fact, physical activity alters body composition (reducing visceral fat and maintaining or even increasing muscle mass) as well as muscle strength. The possible effects of regular physical activity on the mechanisms involved in tumor proliferation can be explained: the best-documented effects relate to breast cancer and involve blood sugar regulation, increased insulin sensitivity, an anti-inflammatory effect, and hormonal regulation.

According to researchers at ISERM, physical activity may help reduce the risk of recurrence in breast and colon cancers.

Mental Health

As we saw in the article on meditation, physical activity contributes to better mental health.

Exercise doesn't just help people with illnesses. It also promotes the well-being of those who engage in it, reducing psychological risks.

Stress Relief

Physical activity can help reduce stress. In fact, exercise triggers the body to produce hormones called endorphins, which are known as “feel-good” hormones. As a result, anxiety levels are reduced after physical activity. 

Dr. Martine Duclos, an endocrinologist and head of the Sports Medicine Department at the Gabriel-Montpied and Estaing University Hospitals (Clermont-Ferrand), explains that exercise can help reduce the need for anti-anxiety medications; for example, “in people who are anxious or stressed, regular physical activity provides the same benefits as anti-anxiety medications, without the side effects or risk of dependence; it also has an effect similar to that of antidepressants in people suffering from mild to moderate depression.” Exercise also stimulates the release of neurotransmitters involved in depression when they are deficient, with serotonin being the primary one.

Beyond its calming effect, exercise also allows us to take a break from our daily lives and forget the little worries that usually occupy our minds while we’re working out.

Sleep Quality

It's just a short step from reducing stress to improving sleep. 

Dr. Duclos states that “exercise will have two positive effects: you’ll have less trouble falling asleep, and athletes will wake up less often in the middle of the night.”

This is due, in particular, to the regulation of blood pressure and the release of endorphins, which help us relax more effectively. As a result, exercise reduces stress, leading to physical fatigue rather than mental fatigue.

In addition, participating in sports requires people to organize themselves better and, as a result, regulate their biological rhythm (also known as the circadian rhythm). This also involves eating a healthier diet to improve performance. All of these factors play an important role in sleep quality.

However, it’s important not to exercise too late in the day “because otherwise it will push back your bedtime,” Martine Duclos points out.

The Brain and Depression

Finally, exercise causes the brain to release dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter involved in the reward system.

Memory, cognition, mood: Physical exercise enhances mental performance and health.

Lisa Weinberg’s team at the Georgia Institute of Technology (United States) conducted a study with students: memorizing 90 photos. The first group was asked to perform a leg-strengthening exercise while the other group remained seated. Two days later, the students were asked to identify as many images as possible from a set of 180: the group that exercised was able to identify 60%, 10% more than the control group.

Researcher Martine Duclos observed a “positive correlation between their physical fitness and the type of high school they attended (general, vocational, agricultural).” According to Dr. Duclos, this can be explained by the fact that “muscle activity triggers the production of myokines, proteins that, through a complex mechanism, prompt the brain to produce growth factors, neurotrophins, and more specifically BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor). It promotes the formation of microvessels (angiogenesis) and the production of new neurons (neurogenesis).”

Sports at the University – ASMM Association (AS Médecine Montpellier)

This sports club consists of 3–4 members who support medical students who wish to engage in regular physical activity. With the goal of promoting sports, it provides them with sports fields and equipment and organizes intercollegiate competitions.

Our projects:

  • Formation of a women's volleyball team;
  • Formation of a rugby team made up of medical and dental students;
  • Formation of a basketball team made up of medical, pharmacy, and dental students;
  • Organization of futsal, tennis, pétanque, and beach volleyball tournaments.

Office:

President: Mustapha MOUSTAFAOUI
Secretary: Maxime FOULQUIER
Treasurer: Youssef TRIGUI

 

 

Contact:


Institute of Biology 4 Boulevard Henri IV
34965 Montpellier Cedex 2

Instagram

 

Sources: 
https://lejournal.cnrs.fr/articles/le-sport-est-bon-pour-la-sante-cest-prouve
https://www.naturaforce.com/blog/2017/06/03/bienfaits-du-sport-sur-la-sante/
https://www.sciencesetavenir.fr/sante/bouger-ameliorer-le-cerveau_29226

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Meditation & Health: 3 Benefits of Meditation for the Body

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Stress and anxiety affect our cardiovascular system, which in turn leads to increased stress and anxiety. It’s a vicious cycle! However, non-pharmacological solutions do exist and are accessible to many people. Among them is meditation.

Meditation is known to have several positive effects on health.

Stimulates the brain

One of the unique aspects of mindfulness meditation is that it helps improve memory by enhancing attention. This involves thinking of the mind as a muscle. Just like any other muscle, to strengthen it, you need to train it daily through mindfulness meditation.

The latter helps keep your attention focused on a specific idea and prevents your mind from wandering too much.

Did you know?

Mindfulness meditation, or mindfulness, involves focusing on one’s sensations, breathing, emotions, and thoughts without making value judgments. It was developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn, a professor of medicine at the University of Massachusetts. 

American studies led by neuroscientist Sara Lazar of Harvard Medical School have shown that meditation may increase gray matter in the areas of the brain associated with learning, memory, and emotional control.

This study also showed that meditation can be highly beneficial for people with attention disorders: it reduces hyperactivity and impulsivity, thereby improving attention.

Antidepressant 

Among the other benefits of meditation, research has shown that it helps reduce stress and anxiety, and thus lowers the risk of depression. How does it work? You focus on your breathing by simply becoming aware of each inhalation and exhalation. These techniques are easily accessible to everyone, even children.

Did you know?

Professor Tu-Anh Tran, a faculty member at the School, has posted four guided meditations* on her YouTube channel so that children and their families can practice them throughout the day to find inner peace and focus on their work.

Episode 1:

Watch the video

Episode 2:

Watch the video
 

Episode 3:

Watch the video
  

Episode 4:

Watch the video
  

 

This method increases respiratory movement, allowing for better oxygen diffusion throughout the body—and particularly in the brain. Finally, mindfulness meditation improves the functioning of the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for regulating emotions. It enhances intuition and creativity while reducing negative emotions such as stress, fear, and anger.

“Meditation balances the levels of activity in the two hemispheres of the brain. This balance fosters harmony between the body and the mind. Meditation is a valuable resource in an era that is generating more and more psychosomatic imbalances” – Marc de Smedt, French publisher, writer, and journalist, specializing in meditation techniques and world wisdom.

Immune Booster

Finally, meditation is also valued for its benefits as an “immunity booster.” 

In fact, mindfulness meditation affects pro-inflammatory genes, allowing the body to recover more easily after a stressful or anxious situation. 

The rest it provides is considered more effective and deeper than that achieved during sleep. The body produces fewer waste products thanks to increased oxygenation of the lungs, which in turn affects the hormonal, vascular, and muscular systems. This, in turn, leads to a boost in immunity and a regulation of pain sensitivity.

Did you know?

The Montpellier-Nîmes Faculty of Medicine offers a University Diploma (DU) in Meditation and Health. 
Course Objectives: To understand the principles and benefits of meditation and learn how to apply it to improve the health of healthcare providers and patients.
Skills acquired

  • Identifying What Meditation Is—and Isn't
  • Understand the physiological mechanisms of meditation and their health benefits; identify possible applications of meditation in healthcare settings
  • Continue or strengthen your own regular practice
  • Implement a project that integrates meditation into your healthcare setting (for your patients or colleagues)

Studies using the“Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction”(MBSR) protocol have shown positive effects on the reduction of pro-inflammatory genes, the immune response to the flu vaccine, immune signaling in people with cancer, and immune cell activity in patients with HIV.

Key Takeaways

During this unprecedented health crisis, it is important to find new ways to protect ourselves from the stress and anxiety caused by lockdown. Practicing meditation in a group—even remotely—can help break the feeling of social isolation and foster a sense of belonging.

Meditation

  • Promotes concentration and improves memory
  • Helps manage stress and anxiety
  • May help the immune system develop

 

*These meditations are excerpted from her book *Méditasoins: Short Meditations for Children’s Major Ailments*, published by Thierry Souccar.
*Journal of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy (2010) 20, 11–15 – Impact of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction ( MBSR) therapeutic approach on mental health (stress, anxiety, depression) among students – C.Berghmans∗, C. Tarquinio, M. Kretsch

 

The Healthcare Professional:

We would like to thank Professor Tran for his assistance in writing this article.

Tu-Anh Tran

Tu-Anh Tran

Professor, Chief of the Pediatrics Department at Nîmes University Hospital

Professor Tu-Anh TRAN is a pediatrician specializing in inflammatory and rheumatic diseases in children, and head of the pediatrics department at the Nîmes University Hospital. A meditation practitioner himself, he spearheaded the creation of one of France’s first university-level meditation programs, “Meditation and Health,” at the Montpellier-Nîmes School of Medicine. Professor Tran has been using meditation to treat his young patients for over 10 years.

 

 

 

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Books: Online Resources for Learning, Studying, or Entertainment

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The current situation is leading us (or bringing us back) to new activities, and reading is one of them. During this period of lockdown, many e-books have been made available for free online. Whether you’re an avid reader or someone looking to explore new areas of knowledge, there’s something for everyone.

 

Here is a list of several themes and platforms that might help you find what you're looking for:

 

Montpellier Interuniversity Library

A go-to resource for students at the University of Montpellier, the Montpellier Interuniversity Library (BIU) gives students at the University of Montpellier access to all the materials available on the platform.

So, you'll find the following there:

  • Scientific journals
  • Books
  • E-books
  • Theses and dissertations

There's something for everyone—whether you're looking to broaden your horizons, study, or work on your thesis. 

Access the BIU

 

Gallica BNF

The National Library of France also offers a wide selection of free books to everyone—but that's not all! Check out:

  • Read: ePubs
  • Don't miss: the lectures
  • Check out: our curated selections of treasures
  • For students: resources
  • For kids: activities, coloring pages, stories

Go to Gallica

 

Online Reading – Medicine

In addition to the resources mentioned above, some websites offer PDFs and e-books related to your field of study. One such site is “Livres pour tous,” which has a section Medicine and Health section with documents that are free and accessible to everyone.

The same is true of the “Univers médecine” website, which offers books on medicine tailored to different skill levels.

World of Medicine

Books for Everyone

 

Major corporations and publishers

To help the French people get through this health crisis, some major retailers and publishers have made free e-books available. 

With a wide variety of themes, you'll find:

  • Crime Novels
  • Romance
  • Fantasy
  • French Literature

 

A host of authors to delight you: J.K. Rowling, Harlan Coben, Stephen King…

 

FNAC e-books

Amazon e-books

Northern Ferret

Wikisource and Project Gutenberg

On these two websites, you’ll find thousands of books and articles available for free! With such a wide variety of topics, there’s something for everyone.

Wikisource Gutenberg

And if, after checking all these links, you still haven't found the book you're looking for, here's a link to this online book database!  

Online Book Repository

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