Allyson Schweitzer, Michael Koehle, Matthew Fliss, Cameron Mitchell
Collagen accumulation between myofibres is linked to ageing and may impair muscle function. Reduced collagen breakdown rather than elevated synthesis is suggested to drive collagen accumulation, yet protein content and activity of collagen breakdown regulators have never been investigated in aged human skeletal muscle. Collagen breakdown is negligible at rest but increases after exercise. This study measured matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors (TIMPs), key regulators of collagen breakdown, after acute resistance exercise in healthy young and older muscle.
Twelve young and 13 older adults participated in this study. Participants were healthy and matched for aerobic fitness; they fell within the 25th-75th age and sex-adjusted aerobic fitness percentile. Muscle biopsies were taken at baseline, 6h and 72h post-exercise. Collagen content and MMP/TIMP gene expression/protein content/activity were assessed. Data are mean+/-standard deviation.
Collagen content was similar between young (3.4+/-2.1%) and older muscle (3.1+/-3.1%, p=0.779). MMP2/MMP9/MMP14/TIMP1 gene expression increased significantly 72h post-exercise (no age effect). MMP14 proenzyme content, MMP2 (1.3+/-0.5-fold, p=0.016) and MMP9 (1.5+/-0.7-fold, p=0.007) enzyme activity increased 72h post-exercise (no age effect). MMP14 enzyme content rose 72h post-exercise; older adults had greater expression at this timepoint.
Collagen accumulation was not observed in healthy aged muscle, and regulators of collagen breakdown increased similarly between groups. The older adults’ mean aerobic fitness was in the 60th percentile and may represent a more fit subset of the ageing population that does not have intramuscular collagen accumulation. Our findings suggest that collagen breakdown after resistance exercise remains a dynamic process unaffected by ageing per se
Emmarie Racine Hallin, Mark Carpenter
One of the top concussion research priorities is to understand the factors or tests that could best predict prolonged concussion recovery. Most symptoms are unpredictable but vestibular dysfunction is common and likely contributes to persistent post-concussion (PPC) problems with balance and dizziness. The central and peripheral vestibular systems provide orientation feedback to the central nervous system (CNS) to maintain balance and gait coordination. Most vestibular tests focus on peripheral reflex function and do not accurately distinguish higher level CNS processing. Validated vestibular protocols include video head impulse tests and cervical and vestibular evoked myogenic potentials which evaluate peripheral integrity of the organs in the inner ear, independent of the perception of these signals in the CNS.
This research will examine the relationship between peripheral and central vestibular perception in healthy participants and those with post-concussion syndrome with persistent balance deficits and dizziness symptoms. We will integrate the clinical vestibular tests mentioned above with our novel vestibular perception rotating platform which will allow discrimination between perception (by the CNS) and detection (by vestibular system) in individuals with and without a concussion history. Our hypothesis is that individuals with persistent concussion symptoms may have normal peripheral vestibular function but abnormal perceptional function indicating concussion deficits occur in CNS processing.
Data analysis will use a mixed repeated measures ANOVA design allowing within and between group statistical comparisons. Results will improve our understanding of the long-term vestibular processing deficits from a concussion and provide direction for future clinical recommendations.
Lucas Wiens, Mathew D Fliss, Max Abercrombie, Cameron smith, Gleb Valiakhmetov, Cameron J Mitchell
It is well established that low-load resistance training (LLRT) increases low load absolute local muscle endurance (LME). However, the physiological mechanisms that regulate these adaptions are poorly understood. High intensity/sprint interval training (HIIT/SIT) increases muscle capillarization, mitochondrial content and function (hypothesized mechanisms of LME), yet minimal research has investigated the effect of HIIT/SIT on low load absolute LME. LLRT and HIIT/SIT fall the closest to one another on the strength-endurance exercise continuum. Therefore, the largest potential “cross-over” effect may exist for these interventions, whereby HIIT/SIT and/or LLRT may simultaneously increase LME, muscle strength, muscle mass, and maximal aerobic/anaerobic fitness. Untrained healthy individuals aged 19-30 were recruited (N=19). A within subject design was used. Participants legs were randomized to a LLRT or HIIT/SIT condition over a 10-week period (2-3x/week). Knee extension LME (30% pre-training 1-RM), 1-RM knee extension strength, isometric/isokinetic knee extension/flexion strength, leg and thigh lean mass, vastus laterals muscle thickness, single leg VO2peak and Wingate performance were assessed pre and post training. LME increased from baseline in both groups(P<0.05) but was greater in the LLRT group than the HIIT/SIT group following training (P<0.05). An overall effect of time was observed for 1-RM knee extension strength, isometric knee extension (90) strength, Wingate peak and mean power, and VO2peak, while VL thickness trended towards significance. Findings suggest that LLRT induces superior increases in LME relative to HIIT/SIT, however, both LLRT and HIIT/SIT improve strength, aerobic and anaerobic performance.
Annika Szarka, Hyosub Kim, Romeo Chua
Implicit sensorimotor adaptation is thought to be driven by error signals that arise from discrepancies between various sensory information sources. Recently, the Perceptual Error Adaptation (PEA) model has proposed that implicit adaptation is driven by a perceptual error between the perceived hand position and the motor goal. The perceived hand position is derived from Bayesian cue combination of three movement-related cues: vision, proprioception, and the motor goal. While this model successfully describes implicit adaptation during reaching movements, it has not yet been used to quantify adaptation during isometric movements, where participants exert horizontal forces to a fixed handle at a central home location to move a visual cursor towards radial targets. Considering that the notion of a perceived hand position is central to the PEA model, it is unknown how this model would describe an adaptation situation where the hand remains at the home location. The purpose of this project was to gain further insight into the mechanisms driving implicit adaptation by fitting isometric reaching data to the PEA model of implicit adaptation. We fit 32 participants’ data to the PEA model (21 isometric, 11 reaching) and recovered their best-fit parameters. The PEA model was successfully able to model the individual adaptation behaviour of each subject. The results suggested that isometric movements had increased motor variability, as well as higher learning and retention rates. These results serve as a starting point to expand computational models of implicit motor adaptation and deepen our understanding of implicit adaptation more broadly.
Alexis Pascoal
Physical literacy (PL) is a multidimensional construct encompassing fundamental movement skills, confidence, motivation, knowledge, and understanding. This study examines whether PL prospectively predicts mental health outcomes in children, independent of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) measured by accelerometry.
All grade two students from 14 elementary schools in West Vancouver were invited to participate in a two-year longitudinal study. PL was assessed using the PLAYfun and PLAYself tools, MVPA was measured with wrist-worn accelerometers (GT3X+BT), and mental health was assessed using the parent-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Data were collected at three time points (2022, 2023, 2024). Ethical approval was granted by the University of British Columbia (H21-03586).
At baseline, 342 children participated (M age = 7.51, SD = 0.55; 51.1% boys, 47.2% girls, 1.7% non-binary), with 277 and 259 participants completing follow-ups at T2 and T3. At T1, children averaged 111.1 minutes of MVPA per day, and 97.3% met physical activity guidelines. PLAYfun scores indicated emerging physical competence (M = 45.3, SD = 5.7), with self-perceived PL (M = 68.9, SD = 12.3). Both PLAYfun and PLAYself scores increased over time. Baseline PL was significantly associated with MVPA (r = .27) and most SDQ outcomes (rs = ‐.26 to ‐.13).
Preliminary findings suggest PL may uniquely contribute to children’s mental health, beyond the effects of MVPA. Exploring the relationship between PL, physical activity, and mental health over time is a critical next step for informing the development of policies, curricula, and interventions that better support youth mental well-being.
Priya Dhaliwal
Despite being a driver for strong physical and mental health, there is a lack of representation of women of colour (WOC) in sports, especially at elite levels. When exploring why this might be, the literature points to barriers and issues related to race and gender that lead to power imbalances, discrimination, and the ongoing use of stereotypes. These barriers and issues place the mental health of WOC in sports at risk. Considering this, the white, male and heteronormative dominated culture that ice hockey creates places the sport in a position where research on experiences of the mental health of WOC is valuable. While there is literature on issues in hockey from a gendered lens and a racialized lens, scholars recognize that there is limited work where these forces intersect, and there is a lack of work that hears directly from WOC about their experiences in the sport. My proposed master's study will consider the experiences of these women and question their ideas for mental health-guided practices that, if implemented, would support future generations. This study will be grounded in critical race and feminist theory, and my research methods will include semi-structured interviews and the option to participate in a collage session. These forms of data collection will be analyzed through reflexive thematic analysis. Given this overview of what my proposed research will entail, I aim to present a literature review grounded in the theories I aim to use that focuses on hockey through race and gender.
Kailan Tang, Andrea Bundon, Sara Kramers
Adolescence is a critical period when youth, with or without spinal cord injuries (SCI) form self-concepts, attitudes, and behaviours that shape their adult lives. Physical activity (PA) can serve as a powerful vehicle for this development and to promote overall health while mitigating secondary health complications linked to SCI. Youth with SCI experience higher rates of physical inactivity due to the plethora of physical, social, attitudinal, organizational, and institutional barriers that hinder their access to PA. Parental support has been identified as one of the strongest correlates to PA participation among youth with disabilities. Parents play a crucial role in addressing the challenges their child faces by offering resources for meaningful PA participation that prioritize accessibility and adaptability. Despite this, little attention has been given to how PA experiences of both youth and parents influence participation among youth with SCI. In situating this study in critical disability studies (CDS) through a constructionist lens, the purpose of the proposed research is to: a) understand how society, culture, and power dynamics shape youth and parents’ experiences and perceptions of PA participation across diverse PA settings (e.g., recreation, sports, exercise, fitness (structured and unstructured); and b) contribute to the literature on socio-cultural aspects of disability and PA to inform policy change and inclusive PA program development. Critical inquiry will allow for an in-depth understanding of the subjective experiences of PA among youth with SCI and their parents, while also exploring sociocultural influences to share comparable stories for families engaging in PA with disabilities.
Taylor Unger, Erica V. Bennett, Desmond McEwan Katherine Tamminen
Women athletes experience sport-specific and general sociocultural pressures about body size, shape, weight, appearance, and/or eating. Notably, body image concerns often arise during adolescence and these concerns may explain why girls drop out of sport at a higher rate than boys. Thus, a comprehensive understanding of body image and how to promote experiences of positive body image in girl athletes may help keep them in sport and address this dropout gap. The purpose of this research was to understand late adolescent girls and young women athletes' experiences of positive body image development. Nine late adolescent girls and young women athletes aged 16 to 24 (M=19) who self-identified as experiencing positive body image participated in a semi-structured interview followed by a collage session where they depicted their experiences of positive body image on paper. Three themes were generated from a reflexive thematic analysis of the data. Theme one pertained to factors that facilitated the development and maintenance of positive body image. Theme two referred to factors that hindered the development and maintenance of positive body image. Theme three encompassed the dynamic aspect of positive body image and how the development and maintenance of positive body image is an active process. These findings contribute theoretically to our understanding of positive body image in sport, which is essential in properly equipping clinicians to promote health and well-being and prevent and treat body image disturbances.
Maya Willis-Fry
By 2068, it is estimated that around 3.5 million Canadians will be aged 85 and older, yet older adults remain the least physically active demographic in the country. Yoga has been shown to address key physical and psychological needs for older adults, such as increasing flexibility, strength, and respiratory function, while managing pain. Despite these benefits, research on yoga has primarily focused on younger practitioners in private studios, often overlooking accessibility issues, including costs and physical barriers. Community centres, by contrast, aim to be inclusive spaces, offering yoga classes specifically tailored to older adults, with affordable fees and accessible facilities. This study investigates how older adults experience and perceive yoga in community centres in Vancouver. Guided by age relations theory, this study will include semi-structured interviews with 25 older adults (those aged 55 and over as defined by the city of Vancouver). To gain insights into how yoga classes are developed and marketed and how assumptions about aging underpin their delivery, I will interview 15-20 community centre staff, including yoga teachers and decision-makers. Participants will be recruited from diverse backgrounds. Using reflexive thematic analysis, I aim to explore the meanings older adults assign to their yoga experiences, the role of community centres in fostering social connections, and the age-related dynamics shaping the design and delivery of yoga classes. This research will contribute to understanding how community-based yoga classes can better support older adults’ physical activity and well-being, while addressing broader questions about aging, inclusivity, and accessibility in public spaces.
Gabriel Zieff, Max Abercrombie
Exercise is a cost-effective, scalable lifestyle strategy with potent physical and mental health benefits. Exercise is Medicine on Campus (EIM-OC) is a translational health initiative aimed at inclusive physical activity (PA) promotion for UBC students. While this abstract does not present research per se, the aim of this submission is to educate the department and campus stakeholders about this evolving initiative. The goal of EIM-OC is to enable UBC Student Health Service (SHS) and Counseling to i) assess PA at every student health visit, and ii) refer students not meeting PA guidelines to qualified exercise professionals (QEPs) on campus who can counsel and develop exercise prescriptions for these individuals. Importantly, EIM-OC is in alignment with the SOK’s mission as well as UBC’s broader Wellbeing Strategic Framework. By embedding PA assessment within clinical care and cultivating a referral system to QEPs, we aim to cast an inclusive net of PA prescription and uptake. This systemic approach includes modifications to electronic medical record systems and workflows and bridging traditionally isolated, yet highly interdependent fields of care (physical medicine, mental health, lifestyle). EIM-OC will help usher in a new era in the ways in which UBC not only supports, but truly takes responsibility for cultivating a student-first approach to campus health. Importantly, young adulthood is a life-stage in which health behaviors are “hardwired.” Thus, EIM-OC presents a golden opportunity to set students up for health, wellness, and thriving during and beyond their time at UBC.
Xiangwei Zhang, Mark Carpenter
Virtual Reality (VR) has shown utility in examining postural adjustments related to fear, anxiety, and confidence under elevated heights. However, whether emotional and postural adaptations learned in VR can transfer to real-world scenarios remains unknown. This study explored the adaptation of emotional states and standing balance measures following repeated exposure to virtual heights and the subsequent transfer to real heights.
Forty healthy young adults participated and were randomly assigned to either a VR or Control group. All participants visited the lab twice, with a 24–48-hour interval between sessions. In the first visit, VR group participants performed quiet standing tasks repeatedly under HIGH conditions (3.2 m) in a VR environment. Meanwhile, Control group participants completed the same number of standing trials under LOW conditions (0.8 m) in a real environment. During the second visit, both groups stood quietly on a real elevating platform set at Low and High heights.
Results showed threat-related changes in emotional state in the VR group, which adapted toward baseline levels across repeated virtual height exposures. Such changes were not seen in the Control group. During real platform standing, both groups exhibited increased fear, anxiety, arousal, decreased balance confidence, and changes in attentional focus at High versus Low heights. However, some group effects and interactions revealed that the VR group experienced smaller threat-related emotional changes and different standing balance parameters from the control group. These findings suggest VR can effectively elicit and train emotional responses and some threat-related postural strategies, particularly in height-related contexts.
Kassandra A. Welch
Individuals with limb loss often experience reduced physical activity participation, leading to social isolation and decreased quality of life. This presentation draws from an ongoing qualitative study that examines how prosthesis use both directly and indirectly impacts the ability of individuals with limb loss to engage in meaningful life activities. I have used structural narrative analysis and the creative analytical practice of poetry to explore patterns and themes in one participant’s personal stories, offering insight into how experiences and identities are constructed, communicated, and lived. This presentation focuses on Leo (pseudonym), a man living with unilateral transfemoral lower limb loss, to investigate how his lived experiences highlight the complex entanglement of identity, limb loss, and physical activity. I will present a poetic representation of Leo’s interview, crafted using his own words, to illuminate emotional and conceptual dimensions often overlooked in traditional forms of analysis. I will also consider the potential of poetic inquiry as a way to create more emotionally resonant and accessible representations of research data to foster diverse and inclusive avenues for knowledge translation across academic and community contexts.
Fatemeh Khosrobeygi, Guanyu Xiong
Spinal cord injury (SCI) often results in profound and irreversible motor deficits, limiting mobility and independence. While current brain-computer interface (BCI) technologies offer promising avenues for restoring voluntary control over assistive devices, single-modality systems frequently suffer from limitations in reliability, accuracy, and usability, particularly in users with severe neurological impairments. To address these challenges, this project proposes the development and evaluation of a hybrid BCI-controlled lower-limb exoskeleton that combines motor imagery (MI) and steady-state visual evoked potentials (SSVEP). This hybrid system aims to enhance control robustness, reduce cognitive load, and accommodate users with complete or incomplete SCI.
The study involves the implementation and comparison of three BCI paradigms: MI-only, SSVEP-only, and a hybrid MI-SSVEP system. Each version will be integrated with a lower-limb exoskeleton and tested across motor tasks including Start/ Stop/ Normal/ Fast Gait. EEG signals will be processed using common spatial patterns (CSP) and canonical correlation analysis (CCA), with classification performed using machine learning algorithms such as LDA and CNN. Key performance metrics such as classification accuracy, information transfer rate (ITR), response latency, user workload (NASA-TLX), and perceived ease of use—will be collected and compared across systems.
We anticipate that the hybrid MI-SSVEP BCI will outperform unimodal systems in terms of accuracy, responsiveness, and user satisfaction, offering a more reliable and adaptive control method for individuals with SCI. The outcomes of this research may contribute to the development of clinically viable neuroprosthetic systems that support both functional recovery and assistive mobility.
Xueqing Zhou, Alison Williams, Stephen Busch, Jeff Nickel, A. William (Bill) Sheel, Jean-Sébastien Blouin, Tania Lam
The pelvic floor muscles (PFM) work closely with the respiratory and trunk muscles to achieve an integrative control of breathing and postural stability. Since respiratory and postural tasks engaging the PFM often occur outside of voluntary processes, we hypothesized that the control of the PFM involves subcortical structures. However, non-invasive approaches to subconsciously and selectively engaging the PFM in humans are lacking due to confounding neuromechanical factors (gravitational loading, intra-abdominal pressure (IAP), synergistic muscle activity). Therefore, the objectives of this pilot study were to (1) design a stimulus that selectively triggers PFM activity; and (2) examine the contribution of loading and IAP to PFM activation. Supine participants (4F) were inverted to -20°/-40°/-60°/-90° with respect to horizontal from +60° upright, maintained for 10s, and brought back to the start position at different speeds (mean range 3.43-57.89 deg/s). We recorded surface electromyography (EMG) bilaterally from the PFM, abdominal, and gluteal muscles (synergists) alongside whole-body angular velocity. In one participant, we measured IAP with an intragastric balloon catheter. We observed two consistent PFM EMG bursts associated with the inversion and return, respectively. The burst amplitude was positively correlated with whole-body angular velocity (r = 0.83±0.05) , but independent of the end-inversion orientation. This phenomenon was absent in all synergistic muscles tested, presenting an innovative method to selectively activate the PFM and assess the loading effects. Measuring intragastric IAP was feasible, but more investigation is needed to clarify its role. Experiments using a robot to deliver precise motion stimuli to the PFM are ongoing.
V. Whiteford, M. Gierc, H. Gainforth, E. Puterman, G. Faulkner
Purpose: Exercise is an evidence-based strategy for treating depression. However, limited research has investigated ways to translate exercise-based therapy for depression to community settings. The aim of this study was to test the feasibility and acceptability of an exercise-referral therapy program for women with depression in partnership with an existing community-based exercise clinic.
Method: We conducted a mixed-method single-arm feasibility study assessing a 12-week exercise program for women with clinical depression. The exercise program included two one-hour sessions/week at the exercise clinic with one independent session outside of the clinic. The program was supplemented with behaviour change counselling delivered over 9 sessions, via telephone. Feasibility was assessed by tracking attendance and reporting pre-post trends on measures of depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-7) and physical activity (IPAQ). The Multi-Process Action Control Approach (M-PAC) assessed reflective, regulatory, and reflexive processes. Acceptability was explored through thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with participants.
Results: 14 participants were recruited in one month and 11 completed the program. Adherence to the program (79% adherence rate) and behavioural counselling (94% adherence rate) was high. Depression and anxiety symptoms decreased (15± 3.74) to (7.73± 3.61), and (13.36± 7.31) to (8.27± 5.25), respectively. Minutes of MVPA increased from (74± 101.3) to (208± 141.27). Self-regulatory skills increased from (11.64± 4.68) to (18± 4.84). Participants described the program as a positive and enjoyable experience, with all recommending the program to ‘other women like them’.
Conclusion: Our results confirmed the feasibility and acceptability of a 12-week community-based exercise program for women with depression.
Hargun Dhillon, Moss Norman
First-generation Punjabi immigrant women face cultural and social challenges that affect their well-being and limit their participation in physical activity (PA). PA maintains physical health, prevents chronic diseases, and fosters social connections. Yet, these benefits are underutilized by many immigrants due to cultural expectations, language barriers, and limited access to programs designed with their needs in mind. Current PA research underrepresents Punjabi immigrant populations and lacks qualitative insights into their lived experiences. This study examines the experiences of these women participating in a PA program designed specifically for Punjabi women, incorporating group exercise sessions and culturally appropriate activities, offered by the Age Strong Unity Wellness Society (ASU) in Surrey, British Columbia. Using a qualitative methodology, this study employs semi-structured interviews with participants to understand how cultural factors shape engagement in PA. Interviews are organized thematically and ask questions about cultural relevance, social connections, and barriers, such as gender norms, cultural stigmas, and language barriers that hinder Punjabi women from accessing traditional PA programs. Research with other ethnic groups has found that culturally relevant PA programs enhance participation and health outcomes by addressing barriers and creating culturally inclusive spaces. Findings suggest that culturally relevant programs not only improve physical health through mobility but also foster community connections, reducing social isolation among participants. This study offers practical recommendations for designing PA programs that better serve Punjabi immigrant communities, ensuring they feel included in public health initiatives.
Sarah Burns
Sport participation during adolescence can improve physical and mental health and offer opportunities to foster social connections. However, social stigma experienced by sexual and gender minorities can create hostile sport environments which can lead to the concealment (e.g., the act of not disclosing one’s sexual identity due to triggers in the social environment that deem it not safe for the individual to do so) of their identities. Identity concealment has been shown to have considerable adverse effects on 2SLGBTQIA+ athletes’ stress and mood which in turn can affect their participation and performance in sports. Guided by Self-Determination Theory and the Minority Stress Model, the purpose of this study is to explore: (1) the effects of identity concealment on motivation, well-being, and sport participation experiences among 2SLGBTQIA+ adolescents, and (2) the effects of early identity concealment on 2SLGBTQIA+ athletes’ long-term engagement in sports. I will conduct 10-15 semi-structured life history interviews paired with body mapping sessions, with young adults (18-25) whose identities align with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and have experienced queer identity concealment in their youth sport participation. The study is informed by critical interpretivism, whereby data derived from interviews will be analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. It is anticipated that the findings from this study will enhance our understanding of queer adolescents’ past experiences in sports and offer valuable insights that may aid in the development of inclusive, safe environments that empower athletes.
Carmen Golnaraghi, Naomi Maldonado-Rodriguez, Ben Hives, Kay Anderson, & Eli Puterman, Erica V. Bennett
While 30.8 percent of students in Canadian postsecondary institutes openly identify as part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, they remain significantly underrepresented within the post-secondary traditional curricula, specifically in physical activity literature and practice. Transgender, non-binary, and queer community members face barriers that negatively impact their participation in physical activity, including gender-segregated bathrooms and locker rooms, lack of representation in gym facilities, fear of judgment, as well as violence, stigma and discrimination. Current literature highlights social discrimination in athletic spaces as a key contributor to the heightened psychosocial distress in transgender, queer, and non-binary students; however, very minimal research focuses on the factors that can enhance their safety, well-being, and inclusion in these spaces. Addressing this research gap, in this study we investigated the physical activity experiences of transgender, non-binary, and queer students on the University of British Columbia (UBC) Vancouver campus. Employing a constructivist approach and drawing on a reflexive thematic analysis of focus group interviews with 22 sexual and gender minority students, four recurring themes within the participants' stories were identified. Participants willingness to engage in physical activity on campus was shaped by (1) the prioritization of community-building over physical capabilities in program designs, (2) gender norms and body surveillance (e.g., programming requiring specific uniforms), (3) 2SLGBTQIA+ representation in UBC sessions and facilities, and (4) the implementation of inclusive language and infrastructural spaces. The findings from this research will inform recommendations on how to support sexual and gender minority students to thrive within UBC's physical activity programming.
Vienna Nguyen, Winston Brandt, Jasmin Ma
The School of Kinesiology at UBC is currently developing a Clinical Exercise Physiology (CEP) Pathway to implement curricular changes supporting development of professional competencies needed for graduates to obtain CEP certification following their degree and broaden their scope of opportunities post-graduation. We aim to co-create and co-deliver a kinesiology-focused professional practice course with content experts, addressing the missing competencies identified through curricular mapping and consultation activities. The Knowledge to Action Framework (Graham et al., 2006) and Quality Implementation Framework (Myers et al., 2012) were adapted to approach the design and delivery of this course. Content experts were identified and engaged throughout this process. Student feedback surveys assessed the obtainment of learning objectives and informed recommendations for future delivery. Enrollment was capped at course commencement (n=90), demonstrating the desire for such a course amongst students. 85% of survey responses indicated students ‘agreed’ or ‘strongly agreed’ that the 41 identified learning objectives were met across the 10 modules. Students highlighted case studies, small group discussions, pre-seminar materials, hearing from experienced CEPs, and structured skills practice as strengths in the delivery and content of this course. Areas of improvement expressed include more time for class activities, role clarification of kinesiology professions, and more application of real-life examples. The need for a professional practice course within the kinesiology curriculum was underscored by capped enrollment. The success of this course, supported by student confidence in obtaining learning objectives throughout the term, highlights the value of theory-based co-developed approaches to course design in the professional pathway.
Katelyn Eisner, Stewart Jeromson, Bradley Baranowski, Michael Akcan, Annalaura Bellucci, Serena Trang, Meagan Arbeau, David Wright
GLP1 receptor agonists (GLP-1ra) have previously been used for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes. Human trials have shown body weight loss of ~ 15-20% in adults and ~ 5-10% in adolescents with semaglutide, a weekly injectable GLP-1ra, primarily facilitated by reductions in food intake. Semaglutide causes large reductions in adipose tissue mass in adults, but there is limited information on its effects in adolescent populations. Our goal was to investigate the effects of semaglutide in adolescent mice. Adolescent male and female C56BL6/J mice (N=10 per group) were weaned at 4 weeks old and placed on a high fat diet for ~4 weeks (HFD, 60% fat, 20% carbohydrate, 20% protein), then assigned to sex andweight-matched groups: 1) HFD, 2) HFD + Semaglutide. Mice were subcutaneously injected daily, for 3 weeks, at the start of dark phase with 10nm/kg semaglutide or vehicle, with food intake and body weight measured daily. During the 4th week of treatment, an oral glucose tolerance test, in vivo body composition analysis, grip strength testing, and tissue collection occurred. Visceral and subcutaneous fat were reduced with semaglutide treatment. There were no significant reductions in lean mass or for the majority of skeletal muscles, however grip strength was reduced. Our results suggest that semaglutide may prevent weight gain and excess adiposity in adolescent mice, however its effects on lean mass and musculoskeletal health require additional investigation.
Hadil Alfares, Annalaura Bellucci, Bradley J Baranowski, Stewart Jeromson, Michael Akcan, Serena Trang, Meagan Arbeau, Katelyn Eisner
Topical application of L-menthol, a pharmacological cold-mimetic and agonist of the cold-sensing receptor TRPM8 (Transient Receptor Potential Cation Channel Subfamily M Member 8), has been shown to stimulate brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenesis and reduce weight gain in both obese and lean male mice, without affecting energy intake. While these findings suggest that L-menthol could offer a novel approach to prevent weight gain, its potential to enhance the benefits of exercise on whole-body metabolic health remains unexplored. In this study, we investigated whether daily topical L-menthol application, combined with voluntary wheel running, could enhance exercise-induced improvements in metabolic health in male and female C57BL/6J mice housed at thermoneutrality (29°C). Our results demonstrated that although L-menthol treatment reduced voluntary wheel running distance there was still a main effect of exercise to reduce fat mass, weight gain and improve glucose tolerance. Indirect calorimetry revealed that L-menthol increased total energy expenditure, potentially explaining improvements in metabolic health despite reductions in voluntary wheel running. These findings suggest that although L-menthol does not enhance the effects of voluntary exercise, it remains a promising strategy for improving metabolic health.
Jost Hausendorf, Nicola J. Hodges
Our central nervous system adjusts movements to changes in the environment via frequent recalibration of motor controllers. In the past, researchers tried to quantify the contributions of implicit, explicit, and reinforcement learning mechanisms fostering this sensorimotor adaptation process. Traditionally, implicit learning mechanisms have commonly been linked to subcortical processing of sensory prediction errors in the cerebellum. In contrast, explicit learning is often classified as a voluntary process, predominantly associated with the encoding of task errors in prefrontal structures. Further, there has also been growing appreciation of how reinforcement learning – driven by the processing of reward prediction errors in dopaminergic reward circuitry – might impact sensorimotor recalibration. However, in previous work, researchers assigned intrinsically rewarding properties to performances of low task error, thereby possibly conflating the contributions of two distinct error signals: a vectorial task error and a non-vectorial reward prediction error. To account for this, we aim to conduct a gamified visuomotor rotation experiment where implicit recalibration – driven by task- and sensory prediction errors – occurs in a conflicting direction to an extrinsically reinforced explicit aim. Specifically, we plan to induce implicit recalibration from a clamped cursor rotation straddling a reaching target across two experimental conditions. Meanwhile, all participants will be told to ignore cursor feedback and aim straight towards reaching targets. In one of the groups, a performance-based extrinsically reinforcing signal will be provided on trials where participants successfully direct their physical reaches to the original target.We predict that introducing this conflicting reinforcement signal will attenuate implicit recalibration.
Nick Butler, Hyosub Kim, Tim Inglis, Romeo Chua
Our body’s ability to adapt our movements to meet novel task demands (i.e. muscle fatigue, external forces, reliability of sensory information) is crucial in successfully maneuvering everyday life. To optimize performance, we utilize conscious strategy concurrently with our sensorimotor system recalibrating subconsciously. This recalibration transcends the exact conditions it originally occurs in and generalizes to varying movement parameters depending on the similarity to the original conditions. Experimentally, movement errors can be artificially imposed during reaching movements by rotating visual feedback of the hand. After repetitive exposure to rotated visual feedback to allow participants to reach an adapted state, we can probe the degree of adaptation around the reaching environment to measure the generalization of motor adaptation across space. To parse apart conscious and subconscious processes, previous studies have utilized the method of getting participants to report where they are aiming prior to performing a reaching movement. The aim report provides an estimate of the degree of conscious strategy that the participant is utilizing as they are aiming off the target to counter the visual rotation of their feedback; however, it may affect the subconscious component of adaptation. The study will determine if the act of aim reporting affects implicit adaptation and the generalization of implicit adaptation across reaching angles. The findings of the study will potentially influence the interpretation of previous studies that utilized the aim reporting protocol as well as the design of future studies intended to examine the generalization of implicit and explicit adaptation.
Regan S.I. Thompson, Erica V. Bennett, Kevin C. Harris, Trent Smith, Christine Voss
Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) affects over 2000 children in BC, and congenital heart disease (CHD) affects 1 in 100 births. Children with chronic diseases benefit greatly from physical activity (PA), as PA is associated with improved physical and mental wellbeing and can directly improve clinical outcomes (e.g. glycemic control in diabetes). Yet, children with chronic conditions are typically less active than their healthy counterparts. Our study aims to better understand PA patterns in children with T1D and CHD in BC over time, through life history interviews and timeline mapping with 45 parents (15 CHD, 15 T1D, and 15 control) at three time points over 24 months. So far, we have interviewed 9 CHD, 2 T1D, 1 CHD/T1D, and 6 control participants, and using reflexive thematic analysis, constructed themes comparing their PA experiences. In the first theme ‘physically able, but contextually stuck’, parents understand the benefits of physical activity, but environmental barriers unrelated to their children’s chronic conditions (cost, access, scheduling) limit participation. In the second theme, ‘(monitoring) normal’, parents of children with T1D and CHD face tensions between healthcare advice to "treat their child like a normal kid" and their personal anxieties monitoring their children’s activity, which shape how their children see their bodies and abilities compared to their peers. This research will provide insight about the contextual factors impacting the longitudinal patterns of PA in children with CHD and T1D, and may inform improvements to intervention and/or prevention approaches to support children with chronic illness to engage in PA.
Stef Atkinson
The presence of trust typically characterizes closeness within a coach-athlete relationship (CAR). The trust-performance relationship is well documented, but trust may also contribute to athlete well-being. Within the CAR, scholars have typically considered trust from the trustor’s perspective (i.e., the person offering their trust) rather than the trustee’s (i.e., the person being trusted). Trust from the trustee’s perspective is known as felt trust, representing one’s perception that others trust them. Within organizational psychology, scholars have highlighted the distinctness of felt trust from trust and being trusted, and its importance for performance, empowerment, and well-being among followers. Yet, this construct has not been explored in sport. Thus, the proposed research aims to offer initial qualitative insights into how athletes experience felt trust, specifically its development within the CAR and how it shapes and constrains athletes' experiences in sport. Data from semi-structured interviews with 10-15 individual athletes across two time points will be analyzed using a reflexive thematic analysis to identify the meaning athletes associate with felt trust. Criteria to achieve a rigorous, high-quality study and ethical considerations are reviewed. This research may support the training and development of coaches, contribute to desirable athlete outcomes, and nurture meaningful connections in sport.
Marshall, C.D, Beauchamp, M.R
Background: Ice-hockey is a defining feature of Canadian culture, yet recent scandals involving Hockey Canada have ignited concerns about a longstanding issue in the sport, namely, toxic culture. In elite men’s ice-hockey, this culture is often marked by on- and off-ice aggression, conformity to unhealthy norms, and toxic masculinity. Recent evidence suggests that this toxic culture is also present in adolescent ice-hockey. As such, adolescence is a key developmental period (e.g. identity formation, conformity, socialization), to examine the pervading culture and climate. Despite growing awareness of the current competitive ice-hockey environment in Canada, little is known about how toxic norms emerge, evolve, or persist within this sport, particularly across early and late adolescence.
Purpose: The purpose of my Master’s research is to examine the experiences of minor (ages 12–15) and junior (ages 16–20) ice-hockey players to understand how these toxic norms emerge, evolve, and/or persist during the course of adolescence.
Methods: Guided by social identity theory, social learning theory, and the concept of hegemonic masculinity, this study will be grounded in a constructionist paradigm and relativist ontology. Twenty to thirty participants will be recruited to participate in semi-structured interviews, which will be analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis to identify systemic and interpersonal factors that potentially contribute to toxic culture.
Anticipated Impact: The findings will shed light on factors that potentially contribute to toxic cultures in sport more generally, and ice-hockey in particular, as well as generate insights that will help foster cultural change.
Porter Trevisan, Baylee Munro, Nicola Hodges
There has been much interest in pathways of skill development in sport related to early specialization and sport-sampling. Most of this research has been centered around team sports (where skill group differences, rather than performance times can be compared) or late involvement sports (where diversity is expected). Moreover, diversity has primarily focused on involvement in different sports, rather than different events within the same sport. One study that stands out as a counter-example, was on German swimmers from an online database of swim-times and events (Staub et al., 2020). Reliable relationships were shown between within-sport diversity (stroke and distances) and adult success at age 18 (higher FINA points). However, the data was from a relatively old cohort, when specialization may have been the norm, and with no distinctions between male and female athletes; despite evidence that males specialize later compared to females (Dormehl & Williams, 2016). I will replicate and extend this work, evaluating the role of within sport diversity for later success in Canadian swimmers (using www.swimrankings.net). I will compare across sex, different age cohorts, and evaluate success at junior (16 yr) and adult years (18 and 21 yr). Preliminary analysis has been conducted on competition diversity, delimited to overall number of events and FINA points at age 16, 18, and 21 years for the top 100 males and females in 50m freestyle (N = 200). Relationships were seen between diversity in early adolescence (11-13 yrs) and later success in the 50m free, especially for the female athletes.
Sayna Soleymanian, Mark Carpenter
When individuals were exposed to support surface height manipulations to determine the effects of fear of falling on balance control, studies found that height-induced postural threat led to maladaptive emotional and postural responses. Individuals standing at height have also directed attention toward or away from certain stimuli. Motivational self-talk has been effectively used in sports to improve performance and reduce anxiety; however, its effects on postural and emotional height-induced threat responses remain unknown.
Due to the effects of verbalization on balance, participants were randomized to two groups (motivational self-talk or distraction task). Participants stood on a force plate at the edge of a hydraulic platform and performed standing and rise to toes tasks at low height (0.8 m) and high height (quiet stance: 3.2 m, rise to toes: 1.6 m) with and without instructions to engage in motivational self-talk or a distraction task. The following data were collected: force plate measures, electromyography of bilateral soleus and tibialis anterior muscles, electrodermal activity (measure of sympathetic arousal), and questionnaires to assess trait characteristics and emotional states.
We hypothesize that engaging in motivational self-talk compared to no instructions at height will reduce the emotional responses and improve the maladaptive postural responses that accompany height-induced postural threat. However, engaging in a distraction task at height will not lessen the emotional responses nor mitigate the maladaptive postural changes that accompany height-induced postural threat. Results from this thesis will provide further understanding regarding potentially attenuating the maladaptive responses to height-induced postural threat through motivational self-talk.
Matthew Skirrow, Aidan Comeau, André Silveira, Chris Hansen-Barkun, Michael Koehle
Background: While exposure to greater effective doses of O3 (product of the concentration of O3, ventilation, and duration of exposure during exercise results in greater decrements in pulmonary function, the effect of matched effective doses of O3 at different exercise intensities on pulmonary function has seldomly been explored.
Aim: To investigate whether exercise performed in O3 results in greater decrements in pulmonary function when performed at a higher-intensity for a shorter duration compared to moderate-intensity exercise performed longer when the effective dose of O3 is matched across intensities.
Methods: 14 endurance-trained athletes (6 female, VO2peak=56.9±9.6 ml/kg/min) randomly completed steady-state exercise bouts at a moderate-intensity (average duration =43:53) and heavy-intensity (average duration =66:07) with different air conditions (180ppb O3 and room air ≤10 ppb). Cumulative ventilation was controlled across trials to control for effective dose. Spirometry was measured before, during, and after each exercise bout.
Results: Compared to baseline measures using mixed-effects modeling, O3 exposure resulted in worsened measures of FEV1 (-7.48%, p-value<0.001) and FVC (-2.55%, p-value=0.014) immediately post exercise. Independent of pollution exposure, moderate-intensity exercise resulted in worsened FEV1 (-2.36%, p-value=0.026) and FVC (-2.07, p-value=0.043). While post hoc comparisons reveal differences in FEV1 and FVC measures from moderate- and heavy intensity O3 conditions, differences did not reach significance (-3.57%, p-value=0.197 and -3.193%, p-value=0.120).
Conclusion: Significant differences in FEV1 and FVC are observed with O3 exposure and moderate intensity exercise. While differences between O3 exposure at different exercise intensities were observed, values only approach significance in-part due to a lack of statistical power
Jonah Brindley, Simon Boulianne, Andre Casanova Silveira, Aidan Comeau, Michael Koehle
Introduction: Ozone is a photochemical air pollutant known to induce respiratory symptoms and reductions in lung function. This study aimed to determine the effects of ozone and the difference between oral and nasal breathing on subjective reporting of dyspnea during endurance exercise.
Methods: Twelve healthy adults classified as recreationally trained completed four experimental visits separated by at least 48 hours, performing 30-minute bouts of moderate-intensity stationary cycling (90% of 1st ventilatory threshold) in four conditions [nasal/oral × ozone (400 ppb)/room air (RA)] in a 2×2 within-subjects crossover design. Multidimensional Dyspnea Profile (MDP) was assessed every 5 minutes during exercise, measuring both sensory and affective dimensions of dyspnea. MDP measures were analyzed over time using mixed linear modeling.
Results: Dyspnea increased significantly over time in all measures (p＜0.001). Exposure to ozone significantly increased dyspnea compared to RA over time in measures of air hunger, perceived chest tightness, and breathing discomfort (p<0.001). Air hunger increased significantly over time with nasal ozone inhalation compared to oral RA or ozone (p = 0.021). Finally, nasal breathing increased perceived chest tightness (p=0.008), mental effort of breathing (p=0.04), and air hunger over time (p=0.02) in both air conditions.
Conclusion: Results suggest that exercise in a high ozone environment produces greater dyspnea and breathing discomfort over time, increasing disproportionately compared to exercise in ambient air conditions. Moreover, exercise during nasal breathing produces higher ratings of dyspnea and breathing discomfort over time than oral.
Aidan K. Comeau, Andre Silveira, Jonah Brindley, Simon Boulianne, & Michael Koehle
Introduction: Ozone is an air pollutant known to induce acute reductions in pulmonary function. In a high-ozone environment, nasal breathing has been proposed to enhance upper airway absorption, limiting the dose of ozone that reaches the lungs.
Aim: To determine if nasal breathing attenuates reductions in pulmonary function following ozone exposure during exercise.
Methods: Twelve recreationally trained subjects (5 females, VO2 peak=45.0±5.3ml/kg/min) completed a double-blinded crossover study with 4 experimental visits: either breathing only by nose or only by mouth, and in the presence of either room air or high-ozone (400ppb). During each trial, 30 minutes of continuous, moderate-intensity cycling was performed, with lung function being measured before and 0, 15, and 30 minutes post-exposure. Mixed-effects modeling was utilized to determine the effect of environment, breathing route, and time on two primary indices of pulmonary function (ΔFEV1 & ΔFVC).
Results: Ozone exposure impaired lung function following exercise when compared to room air (ΔFEV1= -4.6%, ΔFVC= -2.8%, p<0.05). Trends indicate nasal breathing may attenuate lung function reductions for ΔFEV1 (+3.2 %, p=0.06) but not for ΔFVC (+1.7%, p=0.22). No significant interactions were present between breathing route & environment. Inhaled dose of ozone was marginally lower in the nasal condition (-40PPM•L, p=0.15).
Conclusion: Nasal breathing was found to be protective of lung function in the presence of both room air and ozone. Provided inhaled dose was slightly reduced, the protective effect of nasal breathing in ozone may be partially attributable to a reduction in the dose of ozone delivered to the lung.
Chloe Mathews, Viviana Shiffman, Tania Lam, Jean-Sebastien Blouin, William Sheel
The diaphragm is the primary muscle of inspiration and fatigues during whole-body exercise or isolated inspiratory loading. Like other skeletal muscles, compared to males, females demonstrate greater resistance to diaphragm fatigue, though the mechanisms underlying sex-based differences remain unclear. Transcutaneous electrical bilateral phrenic nerve stimulation (BPNS) enables frequency-specific stimulation to differentiate between high-frequency (HFF) and low-frequency fatigue (LFF). Comparisons of HFF and LFF have not been made previously in females. This study evaluated sex-based differences in HFF and LFF using BPNS. Healthy young adults (n=3 F; n=4 M) performed pressure threshold loading (PTL) to task failure. Pre and post PTL transdiaphragmatic pressure (Pdi) measurements were recorded to quantify fatigue. HFF and LFF were assessed using 50 Hz and 10 Hz paired stimulations, respectively. Force development of the diaphragm was estimated using Pdi, obtained via subtraction of esophageal from gastric pressure. Cardiopulmonary and pressure variables were recorded throughout PTL. During PTL a rise in mean arterial pressure was observed in all participants (16 mmHg), with males having a larger rise (17 mmHg) compared to females (13 mmHg). Post PTL, all participants experienced a reduction in twitch Pdi, (Pdi,twitch) (78% of max), with males experiencing a greater reduction (75.1%) compared to females (82.3%). Stimulations at 10 Hz decreased in all participants (88.9%), with females demonstrating greater LFF (81.4%) compared to males (96.4%). No participants demonstrated HFF. This study furthers our understanding of female respiratory muscle physiology, improving the knowledge gap and assumptions that sex-based differences are negligible.