VDU Community Marked World Health Day
On April 8, the Vytautas Magnus University (VDU) community—students, lecturers, staff, and guests—gathered at the university building on K. Donelaičio St. 52 to mark World Health Day together. This annual event has become a well-established tradition, encouraging the university community to pause and reflect on their physical and emotional wellbeing.
An Opportunity to Assess Physical Health
The central feature of this year’s event was the Physical Activity and Wellness Station-Laboratory, where participants could take part in various simple but informative health assessments—from body composition analysis to vertical jump testing. It provided a valuable opportunity to evaluate one’s physical condition and receive professional insights and recommendations.
The event was initiated by VDU Sports Centre specialist doc. dr. Asta Mockienė, who expressed her joy that this year marked the tenth anniversary of the university’s World Health Day celebration. “We started this initiative ten years ago. Since then, it has become a tradition—staff members know they can come in, check their physical health, and get advice. For the academic community, this is especially important, as research work often involves long hours of sedentary activity, which affects health,” said doc. dr. Mockienė.
She not only carried out body composition assessments during the event but also offered consultations and shared personalized health advice with the participants.
A New Addition: The “Mini Spa Zone”
For the first time this year, participants could also visit a newly introduced relaxation area, quickly nicknamed the “mini spa zone” by members of the university. This space offered an opportunity to use part of the lunch break for meaningful physical and psychological recovery.
The area featured calming low-frequency background music, aromatherapy, and the main highlight—a lymphatic drainage pants procedure. This treatment stimulates leg circulation, improves lymph flow, and helps restore a sense of energy. After the session, visitors were offered a cup of herbal tea specially prepared by the VDU Botanical Garden.
VDU Sports Centre Encourages Year-Round Wellness
The VDU community is reminded that taking care of one’s health is not limited to World Health Day. The President Valdas Adamkus Sports Centre—one of the most modern sports facilities in the Baltic region—offers free access to all university students, staff, and faculty. Visitors can work out individually, attend group classes, or even watch high-level sporting events held at the venue.
In addition, every Friday at 12:00 p.m., everyone is invited to join a 20-minute online workout led by VDU Sports Centre trainer doc. dr. Asta Mockienė. These simple but effective exercises are designed to be done even at your desk—improving circulation, posture, and restoring energy. The login link is shared weekly via the university’s internal email system.
Stay Active During Your Lunch Break
For those based at the Agriculture Academy in Akademija, the Sports Centre also offers lunchtime workouts. Every Monday and Wednesday from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m., trainer Indrė Piličiauskaitė leads wellness sessions, and every Tuesday and Thursday at the same time, functional training sessions are held by trainer Domantas Žalga. These take place in the main building of the VDU Agriculture Academy (Studentų St. 11-106, Akademija, Kaunas District).
These sessions are a great way to break away from work, move your body, share smiles with colleagues, and recharge for the rest of the day. Sports at the VDU Sports Centre is not only about taking care of your health—it’s also about strengthening community connections.
For more information about available activities or to ask questions, feel free to contact the VDU Sports Centre team via email at: sporto.centras@vdu.lt