The Socializing Together while Running InDEpendently (STRIDE) pilot randomized controlled trial: Feasibility and acceptability of an online-delivered running and walking group program to support low active university students’ well-being and exercise behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic
Project summary Group-based sport and exercise programs, guided by the social identity approach1, represent a viable strategy to promote physical activity and well-being among university students, particularly during the COVID-19 context. Social identity informed interventions aim to cultivate a sense of ‘togetherness’ and distinctiveness by grouping individuals based on salient characteristics (e.g., age, similar lived…
The implementation of a sport-based, trauma-sensitive, youth development program in a national community organization
Project summary Community organizations can adopt sport-based, trauma-sensitive, youth development programming to support underserved youth who face high risk of traumatic exposure. These programs involve leaders who create safe environments, recognize and respond to youth’s trauma-related distress, and promote youth’s healing and resilience-building. In partnership with BGC Canada, a national non-profit community organization that serves…
The impact of COVID-19 on the everyday lives and wellbeing of Atlantic University Sport hockey players
Project summary This exploratory study examined the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the daily lives and wellbeing of Atlantic University Sport (AUS) ice hockey players around the cancellation of competition in the Fall of 2020 and beyond. It was primarily concerned with disruptions and modifications to sport participation, academic achievement, and personal experiences. It…
Opening the “Black Box”: Exploring board decision making in non-profit sport organizations operating in a multi-level governance system
Project summary A central group responsible for the effective governance of non-profit sport organizations (NPSOs) and systems is the board of directors (Board). This group has the formal power and authority within an organization for which a central activity is to make decisions. Despite the need for decisions to be made, knowledge on this central…
Climate change and the future of the Winter Olympic Games: Athlete and coach perspectives
Project summary The International Olympic Committee recognizes the risks climate change pose to the Games and its responsibility to lead on climate action. Winter is changing at the past Olympic Winter Games (OWG) locations and an important perspective to understand climate change risk is that of the athletes who put themselves at risk during these…
Sport participation among adolescents with a history of child maltreatment
Project summary The prevalence of child maltreatment is overwhelming: a third of the Canadian population has endured at least one form of child maltreatment (Afifi et al., 2014). This includes sexual, physical, and emotional abuse, exposure to inter-parental violence, and neglect (WHO, 2016). Considering the deleterious and long-lasting consequences of child maltreatment (Dion et al.,…
Immigration, integration, and intersectoral partnership: A critical examination of introductory winter sport programmes for newcomers to Canada
View the summary of this research here. Project summary The objectives of this project were threefold: This project was based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. I co-designed the WNP with intersectoral community partners from WinSport (a community-based sport facility) and Center for Newcomers and Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association (two Calgary-based settlement services organizations). Our aim was…
The psychology of recovery among endurance athletes
View the summary of this research here. The development of sport performance takes a lot of hard training, and all that training also takes equal amounts of recovery. Recovery is about restoring performance capability after facing stress in various ways, mentally, physically, and socially (Kellmann et al., 2018). Sufficient recovery compensates for stress and spurs…
The prospective contribution of sport and active leisure to student academic and psycho-social success from kindergarten to high school
Introduction and context Only 8% of school age Canadian students meet the recommended daily goal of ≥ 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Youth mental health problems have doubled over the past two decades. As family life represents a primary vehicle for child growth and development, lifestyle movement habits are learned in early childhood. As such,…
Nature Games: Traditional Indigenous Games and Environmental Stewardship in Oceania
Introduction and Context My project was about understanding the development of environmental stewardship through gameplay in Indigenous societies. The South Pacific has many similarities to Canada in terms of Indigenous-settler relations, colonial histories and a resurgence in reconciliation efforts, and an onus on climate action via grassroots engagement. Indigenous traditional games – played in nature, with…