#AssociationOfTheWeek – Meeting with AMESF

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This week, we meet Justine Rizzo, president of the Montpellier midwifery student association, AMESF. Goals, actions, determination—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 midwifery students in Montpellier. Our objectives are to represent midwifery students, offer services and entertainment to our members, and organize solidarity and humanitarian initiatives. To this end, we are members of several association networks. First at the local level with the AGEM, the General Association of Montpellier Students, but also nationally with the ANESF, the National Association of Midwifery Students.

 

What activities or actions do you implement throughout the year? 

Several projects punctuate our year, some for entertainment, such as the end-of-year gala or the Concert en rose, which is a charity event for the Naître en Rose association.

Throughout the year, we also organize several charity events where our members can volunteer to help us run stands. During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we raise awareness about breast cancer and collect funds for the association "Cancer du sein, Parlons-en!" (Let's talk about breast cancer!). We also participate in the Telethon and Sidaction charity events. 

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 little known, yet affects around 10% of women.  We visited several faculties in Montpellier to meet with many students and teachers who are not necessarily involved in the health sector (Faculty of Sciences, Paul Valéry University, and the Faculty of STAPS). We were able to provide information about this disease through flyers, quizzes/games, and a model containing a wealth of information. We ended the week by organizing a "film debate" conference on the subject at the Faculty of Medicine. Following a short film, a discussion took place between various healthcare professionals (midwives, gynecologists) and the audience. We were therefore able to raise awareness of this disease and also raise a significant amount of funds for the "EndoFrance" association's research .

Finally, we also collaborate with the French Blood Establishment. Every month, we raise awareness about blood, plasma, and bone marrow donation and announce the various collection locations through our publications.

Why did you personally choose midwifery as a field of study? In your opinion, what does the association offer students in this field?

What I like about being a midwife is being able to work in healthcare, helping families at a special time in their lives such as the birth of a child, and being able to accompany, support, and advise women throughout their lives. Being a midwife means having a wide range of skills and knowledge, including gynecology, pediatrics, and obstetrics. This profession requires a thorough understanding of female physiology and the ability to detect even the slightest problem.

The association provides students in this field with support, activities, and a certain curiosity about various issues. It also allows them to participate in various solidarity and humanitarian projects, as mentioned above. The association provides support to both newcomers and seniors in this field.

Why do you think people should join your association? 

Membership offers many benefits, which we divide into various categories. 

The education division
The entertainment division
The Student Services Department
The partnership division
The representation division
The solidarity division
It allows us to set up a system for sharing notes and handouts from classes in paper format. We also place bulk orders for books and materials for the courses.  It allows members to participate in the evenings we organize and to obtain preferential rates in certain restaurants, bars, and clubs in Montpellier. It is also an opportunity to develop a spirit of cohesion 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 of ordering affordable vegetable baskets. It allows our members to obtain discounted prices from our association's partners. It allows students to stay informed about the various debates 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 you join?

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

Any student, regardless of their field of study, can join our association starting this year. They do not have access to all the benefits that midwifery students have, but they are welcome to attend our festive events, share their ideas, or participate in our various projects, for example!

A few words about the 2020-2021 board?

We have complete confidence in the next generation. Some wonderful things are planned, and we can't wait for them to implement all their projects! 

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

Facebook: AMESF – Montpellier Association of Midwifery Students

Instagram: amesf_sfmtp

Snapchat: amesf_sfmtp

Twitter: AMESF_SFMTP

 

 

 

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Sport: Health benefits

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Physical activity is not just a way to lose weight. Sport has major benefits from a medical, social, and economic perspective. It boosts the immune system and promotes general well-being: walking, running, or gardening activate metabolic mechanisms, or biological reactions, in our bodies.

The benefits of exercise can be seen in physical appearance, but also in mental health:

Physical health

Fighting obesity and diabetes-related diseases

Sport does not, strictly speaking, prevent obesity or overweight. However, physical activity is regularly prescribed as a complement to appropriate treatment to help patients achieve their goals.

In general, exercise helps regulate weight with the aim of achieving a more toned figure. Muscles can produce certain hormones, called myokines, which have metabolic effects on several organs. As Cédric Moro (research director at Inserm at the Institute of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases in Toulouse) explains, "In obese patients, muscles contain a small amount of fat. Exercise melts this fat away, allowing insulin to more effectively supply the muscles with sugar. This helps prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes." 

The positive effects of exercise on weight problems or diabetes are only beneficial if exercised correctly. There are recommendations that exist and must be followed for this to be effective with minimal side effects. 

Cardiovascular diseases

When it comes to cardiovascular disease, the risk factors are well known: smoking, stress, high blood pressure, etc. Regular physical activity improves and regulates the functioning of the heart, 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, which is the maximum amount of oxygen the body consumes during intense exercise, a heart transplant is necessary. Thibaut Guiraud, a physiology researcher at I2MC, explains that "With exercise, we improve our 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)."

Regular physical activity makes the heart stronger and therefore prevents or slows down cardiovascular problems.

 

Cancer

It's no longer a secret that physical activity can be beneficial in the treatment of certain cancers.

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

Exercising during treatment helps the body counteract certain negative effects of treatment, such as fatigue. Of course, this is provided that the exercise is moderate and adapted to the treatment. Béatrice Fervers, an oncologist at the Léon-Bérard Center, explains that "the sooner patients start exercising after their diagnosis, the better they are able to counteract the side effects."

Indeed, exercise changes body composition (decrease in visceral fat and maintenance or even improvement of muscle mass) as well as muscle strength. The possible consequences of regular physical activity on the mechanisms involved in tumor proliferation can be explained: the best-documented effects concern breast cancer and relate to glycemic regulation, increased insulin sensitivity, an anti-inflammatory effect, and hormonal regulation.

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

Mental health

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

Sport not only helps people with illnesses. Sport also promotes the well-being of those who practice it by reducing psychological risks.

Anti-stress

Physical activity can help reduce stress. Exercise triggers the body to produce hormones called endorphins, which are feel-good hormones. As a result, anxiety levels are reduced after physical activity. 

Dr. Martine Duclos, endocrinologist and head of the Sports Medicine Department at Gabriel-Montpied and Estaing University Hospitals (Clermont-Ferrand), explains that sport can replace the use of anxiolytics, for example: "In anxious or stressed individuals, regular physical activity provides the same benefits as anxiolytics, without the side effects and addiction; it also has a similar effect to antidepressants in individuals suffering from mild to moderate depression." Sport also induces the secretion of neurotransmitters involved in depression when they are deficient, particularly serotonin.

Beyond its calming effect, exercise also allows us to take a break from everyday life and forget the little worries that usually occupy our minds while we are exercising.

Sleep quality

From reducing stress to improving sleep, it's just one small step. 

Dr. Duclos says that "exercise has two positive effects: you'll have less trouble falling asleep, and athletes will wake up less often during the night."

This can be explained in particular by the regulation of blood pressure and the secretion of endorphins, which help you relax better. So, thanks to sport, you feel less stressed, which leads to physical fatigue rather than psychological fatigue.

In addition, practicing sports requires people to be more organized and therefore to regulate their biological rhythm (also known as circadian rhythm). This also means eating better for better performance. All these factors play an important role in sleep quality.

However, it is important not to exercise too late in the day, "because otherwise it will delay 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 mechanism.

Memory, cognition, mood: physical exercise optimizes mental performance and health.

Lisa Weinberg's team at the Georgia Institute of Technology (United States) conducted a study on students: memorizing 90 photos. The first group had to do leg exercises while the other group remained seated. Two days later, the students had to recognize as many images as possible from a set of 180: the trained group was able to recognize 60%, 10% more than the control group.

Researcher Martine Duclos observed a "positive correlation between their physical condition 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 leads to the production of myokines, proteins which, through a complex mechanism, stimulate the brain to produce growth factors, neurotrophins, and more specifically BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor). It promotes the creation of microvessels (angiogenesis) and the production of new neurons (neurogenesis)."

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

This sports association consists of 3-4 members serving medical students who wish to engage in regular physical activity. With the aim of promoting sports, it provides them with sports fields and equipment and organizes university competitions.

Our projects:

  • Creation of a women's volleyball team;
  • Development of a rugby team combining medical and dental students;
  • Creation of a basketball team made up of medical, pharmacy, and dentistry 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 on the body

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Stress and anxiety have an impact on our cardiovascular system, which leads to increased stress and anxiety. It's a vicious cycle! However, there are non-medicinal solutions available to many people. Among them is meditation.

Meditation is known to have several positive effects on health.

Stimulates the brain

One of the unique features of mindfulness meditation is that it helps develop memory by promoting attention. It involves treating the mind like a muscle. So, like any other muscle, to develop it, you need to train it daily using mindfulness meditation.

The latter helps to keep your attention focused on a specific idea and avoid letting your mind wander too much.

Did you know?

Mindfulness meditation, or mindfulness, involves focusing on your sensations, breathing, emotions, and thoughts without making any 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 can increase gray matter in areas of the brain associated with learning, memory, and emotional control.

This study also proved 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 can reduce stress and anxiety, and therefore the risk of depression. How does it work? You focus on your breathing by simply becoming aware of your inhalation and exhalation. These techniques are easily accessible to everyone, even children.

Did you know?

Professor Tu-Anh Tran, a faculty member, has posted four guided meditations* on his YouTube channel so that children and their families can practice 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, particularly in the brain. Finally, mindfulness meditation improves the functioning of the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for managing emotions. It develops intuition and creativity while limiting negative emotions such as stress, fear, and anger.

"Meditation balances the levels of excitement in both hemispheres of the brain. This balance facilitates harmony between body and mind. Meditation is a valuable resource in an age that generates more and more psychosomatic imbalances" – Marc de Smedt, French publisher, writer, and journalist, specialist in meditation techniques and world wisdom.

Immunity booster

Finally, meditation is also beneficial as an immunity booster. 

Mindfulness meditation has an effect on pro-inflammatory genes, allowing the body to regenerate more easily after a stressful or anxious situation. 

The rest it provides is considered to be more effective and deeper than that achieved during sleep. The body produces less waste thanks to increased oxygenation of the lungs, which acts on the hormonal, vascular, and muscular systems. This leads to increased immunity and regulation of pain sensitivity.

Did you know?

The Montpellier-Nîmes Faculty of Medicine offers a University Diploma (DU) in Meditation and Health. 
Objectives of the course: To learn about the principles and benefits of meditation and how to put it into practice to improve the health of caregivers and patients.
Skills acquired

  • Identify what meditation is/is not
  • Understanding the physiological mechanisms of meditation and their health benefits Identifying possible applications of meditation in healthcare settings
  • Continue or strengthen your own regular practice
  • Implement a project integrating meditation into your healthcare setting (for your patients or professional colleagues).

Studies using theMindfulness-Based Stress Reduction(MBSR) protocol have shown positive effects on reducing pro-inflammatory genes, the immune response to the flu vaccine, immune communication in people with cancer, and immune cell activity in HIV patients.

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 create a sense of belonging.

Meditation

  • Promotes attention and develops memory
  • Helps regulate stress and anxiety
  • Would help the immune system develop

 

*These meditations are taken from his book Méditasoins: petites méditations pour grands maux de l’enfant (Meditations: short meditations for children's serious ailments), published by Thierry Souccar.
*Journal of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapy (2010) 20, 11—15 – Impact of the mindfulness-based stress reduction ( MBSR) therapeutic approach on mental health (stress, anxiety, depression) in students – C.Berghmans∗, C. Tarquinio, M. Kretsch

 

The Healthcare Professional:

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

Tu-Anh Tran

Tu-Anh Tran

Professor, Head of Pediatrics Department, Nîmes University Hospital

Professor Tu-Anh TRAN is a pediatrician specializing in inflammatory and rheumatological diseases in children, and head of the pediatrics department at the Nîmes University Hospital. A practitioner of meditation himself, he was behind the creation of one of the first university degrees in meditation in France, at the Montpellier-Nîmes Faculty of Medicine: "Meditation and Health." Professor Tran has been using meditation to treat his young patients for over 10 years.

 

 

 

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Books: online resources for learning, reviewing, 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 confinement, many digital books have been made available online for free. Whether you are an avid reader or someone who wants to discover new areas of knowledge, there is something for everyone.

 

Here is a list of several themes and platforms that could help you find what you are looking for:

 

Montpellier Inter-University Library

The first port of call for students at UM, the Montpellier Inter-University Library (BIU) gives students at the University of Montpellier access to all documents available on the platform.

You will find:

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

Everyone will find something to suit them, whether they want to learn, study, or work on their thesis. 

Access the BIU

 

Gallica BNF

The National Library of France also offers a wide range of free books to everyone, but that's not all! Find:

  • to read: ePubs
  • must-see: the conferences
  • Discover: selections of treasures
  • for students: resources
  • for children: activities, coloring pages, stories

Access Gallica

 

Online reading – Medicine

In addition to the above resources, some websites offer PDFs and ebooks related to your studies. This is the case with the website "Livres pour tous" (Books for All), which has a section on Medicine and Health with documents that are accessible to all and free of charge.

The same applies to the website "Univers médecine," which offers books on medicine according to level.

Medicine Universe

Books for Everyone

 

Major groups and publishers

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

With a wide variety of themes, you can find:

  • Crime novels
  • Romance
  • Fantasy
  • French Literature

 

A host of authors for your enjoyment: J.K. Rowling, Harlan Coben, Stephen King...

 

FNAC e-books

Amazon e-books

Northern ferret

Wikisource and Project Gutenberg

On these two websites, you can find thousands of free books and texts to browse! The wide variety of topics means that there is something for everyone.

Wikisource Gutenberg

And if you still can't find the book you're looking for with all these links, here's a link to this online book repository!  

Online book repository

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