Tag archive for: Student life

#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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Illustration-Article-Road Safety-2019

Road Safety: Come and have your vehicle inspected for FREE!

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This Monday, December 9, come along to the Arnaud de Villeneuve Campus! You can have all your vehicle's checkpoints inspected free of charge as part of our "Students, Road Safety, and the Environment" initiative. Ideal for driving with peace of mind as the holiday season approaches!

Renewal of a partnership with Lycée Pierre Mendès France

The safety of our students is priceless! That's why UM and the Faculty of Medicine are renewing their partnership with Lycée Pierre Mendès France and the Hérault Prefecture for the third consecutive year as part of the "Students, Road Safety, and the Environment" initiative . The event, which is completely free of charge , will take place on our Arnaud de Villeneuve Health Campus on Monday , December 9, 2019, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

 

Free technical inspections for students' vehicles

Students will be able to have their vehicles checked FREE OF CHARGE as part of a pre-technical inspection. Thepre-inspections willbe carried out bystudents from partner high schools, supervised by their teachers. Any issues that could lead to a re-inspection during the technical inspection will be reported to the students who have entrusted their vehicles to the program.

A road safety prevention stand will also be set up in the atrium (main hall). This stand, run by volunteers in the presence of Catherine Mallet, Road Safety Officer for the Hérault Prefecture, will offer various road safety awareness activities.

 

The possibility of upgrading vehicles at risk

In a second phase, vehicles at risk can be entrusted once again to the high school students, who will carry out the necessary upgrades in their workshops. Once again, this operation will be completely free of charge! It's an opportunity to drive safely without skimping on savings... So come one, come all!

 

Operation "Students, Road Safety, and the Environment"

– Monday, December 9, 2019, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. –

Arnaud de Villeneuve Health Campus, 641 avenue du Doyen Gaston Giraud – 34000 Montpellier

 
 
 

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You're all our kind! – Homophobia Awareness Week 2019

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From November 18 to 22, UM is joining the fight against homophobia with a themed week. Check out the program for the week here, including street art workshops planned on our Nîmes campus!

Combating homophobia in the workplace

According to the annual report by the association SOS Homophobia, 2018 was a dark year for LGBTQI+ people, with a resurgence of homophobic demonstrations. This violence is also evident in the workplace and has prompted the University of Montpellier to become the first French university to sign the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender charter of commitment of the association L'Autre Cercle.

The UM wishes to reinforce this commitment during the week against homophobia, organized from November 18 to 22, by inviting this association of LGBTQI+ professionals to a round table discussion on the theme of "Managing Diversity." This will be the first session of discussions with university staff to promote diversity management in all its forms and
to vigorously oppose hatred and prejudice.

Trans: shaping society

On November 20, UM is offering the general public a screening of Lukas Dhont's film "Girl." When a young girl born a boy dreams of becoming a prima ballerina. A modest film, balancing societal issues and adolescent intimacy, which will be followed by a debate led by the Trans Division of the "Fierté Montpellier Pride" association.

 

Street art workshops on our Nîmes campus

Throughout the week, street art workshops will be offered to UM students and staff to raise awareness about the fight against homophobia. Cole, the artist in charge of the workshops, will also hold several exhibitions of his work on different campuses of the University of Montpellier.

Visiting our faculty on November 14 in Nîmes, street artist COLE makes a clear statementby taking over the campus of the Faculty of Medicine with colorful creations inspired by his street art practice: " love has no gender or color. "Moving, tender silhouettes and patches of color spread across the walls and floor, revealing an entire artistic universe that rises up in support of the LGBTI+ community.

 

Free screening of Lukas Dhont's film "Girl," open to all, on November 20 at 7 p.m., Maison des étudiants Aimé Schoenig, Richter site, rue Vendémiaire.

Street Art Workshop at the Faculty of Medicine, Nîmes campus: November 14, 2020.

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