St. Thomas’ exercise science department found an unlikely partner this fall – the St. Paul School of Divinity.

The university’s advanced exercise and physiology lab course developed a 12-week fitness program to encourage a healthy lifestyle among seminarians. Angela Effertz, a health and human performance professor, said the program’s goal is to help seminarians develop good habits now.

“The research suggests that clergy are not necessarily the healthiest,” Effertz said.

Lesley Scibora, health and human performance professor, said the St. Paul School of Divinity came to the department for help influencing seminarian health. The two teamed up to find a way to get the seminarians into shape by creating a course, dubbed Fit for Ministry.

“It’s a comprehensive fitness program that meets the needs of each individual seminarian,” Scibora said.

Student trainers conducted wellness assessments to measure cardiovascular strength, height, weight and body mass index of each seminarian and then developed a fitness program specific to each individual. The class meets on a weekly basis with the student trainers.

“The question for us is if an intervention like this would allow them to develop better habits, will that affect them down the road?” Effertz said. “We are comparing them as students right now with the individuals that they see themselves being 20 years from now.”

Seminarian Matt Shireman said he finds the student advice helpful and has enjoyed camaraderie of the program.

“I figured that … listening to students who are preparing to be experts in the field, I could learn something about exercise and improve my flexibility,” Shireman said.

Deacon Adam Laski noted the dual benefits of the program.

“It’s a fun thing to be doing, and it’s also helpful to be able to expand what workouts you can do,” Laski said.

Scibora said the program focuses on long-term healthy habits.

“As they become leaders in their religious communities, then they can share that healthy lifestyle with who ever they serve,” Scibora said.

Laski stressed the importance of staying healthy not just for themselves but for their future parishes.

“When you get into a parish, you have to know how to keep yourself healthy so you can serve the people,” Laski said. “When we are healthy, we can experience the Lord and the beauty of His creations.”

The department also hopes to prevent health problems for seminarians down the road.

“We look at disease risk prevention. One way we can tackle these are from good habits and good healthy lifestyle behaviors,” Effertz said.

Both Scibora and Effertz expressed their excitement to work with the School of Divinity.

“As a department, we are really excited to partner with the School of Divinity and have the students share their knowledge,” said Effertz. “It serves as a hands-on opportunity for students and to provide a great service to the seminarians.”

Margaret Murphy can be reached at murp6449@stthomas.edu.