MAKASSAR — The Undergraduate (S1) Physiotherapy Study Program, Faculty of Nursing, Hasanuddin University,conducted a community service activity entitled “FitHer: A Physiotherapy Program to Improve Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Prevent Sports Injuries, and Manage Dysmenorrhea in Adolescent Girls at Athirah Bukit Baruga Islamic Junior High School, Makassar City” on Tuesday (20/10/2026). The event was attended by 75 female students from Athirah Bukit Baruga Islamic Junior High School, Makassar City.
The activity received a positive response from the school. The Vice Principal for Curriculum of Athirah Bukit Baruga Islamic Junior High School, Musdalifah, S.E., stated that FitHer aligns with the school’s efforts to accustom students to adopting healthy lifestyles. Its execution, which coincided with the Selasa Bugar (Fit Tuesday) program, further reinforced the importance of maintaining fitness and health from adolescence.
The Head of the Undergraduate Physiotherapy Study Program at Hasanuddin University, who is also the Head of the FitHer Community Service Team, Andi Besse Ahsaniyah, S.Ft., Physio., M.Kes., explained that puberty is a crucial period to equip adolescent girls with health knowledge tailored to their stage of development.
“Selecting female students from Athirah Islamic Junior High School is highly appropriate because, at adolescent age, they need to be equipped with an understanding of how to manage menstrual pain or dysmenorrhea, perform physical exercise safely, and prevent as well as handle sports injuries,” she stated. She expressed hope that this program would help the students understand their body’s needs, build healthy habits, and implement simple steps to independently maintain their health.
The series of activities included education on cardiorespiratory fitness, principles of safe physical activity, injury prevention, and an introduction to menstrual pain and its management. To complement the education, the team also measured heart rate and oxygen saturation as an introduction to basic physiological parameters. Participants took part in practical physical activities and demonstrations of physiotherapy exercises that help relieve discomfort during menstruation. The material was further supplemented with relaxation techniques, the safe use of warm compresses, and the recognition of red flags that require examination by healthcare professionals.
This activity involved lecturers as well as students from the Undergraduate and Professional Physiotherapy Programs,Faculty of Nursing, Hasanuddin University. The involvement of the academic community serves as part of applying physiotherapy science through health education that directly addresses community needs.
To support the sustainability of health education within the school environment, the team presented standing banners on sports injury management and physiotherapy guide booklets for dysmenorrhea to the school. Both media formats are expected to serve as easily accessible sources of information for students and school staff after the program concludes.
FitHer also supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being) through early health promotion, and Goal 4 (Quality Education) through the provision of relevant and practical education for students. Through this program, students are expected to become more confident in adopting healthy lifestyle behaviors, engaging in physical activity safely, and taking appropriate steps when encountering health issues.
