Get active as a family

Family support is positively associated with children’s physical activity levels. Parents and guardians can facilitate physical activity by encouraging, watching, role modelling, co-participating and attending physical activity events with their kids. Being active as a family encourages life-long physical activity and increases feelings of social support, connectedness and attachment – all important for good mental…

Understanding barriers to sport in Hamilton, ON

Project summary This study uses a random group of adults in Hamilton, ON to determine what barriers to sport are preventing adults from being active through sport. The research using data from a questionnaire that was part of a larger study called the Hamilton Active Living Study or HALStudy. This questionnaire data was used to…

Team-based incentives

Participants using a physical activity app with team-based incentives accumulated more steps per day during a 12-week intervention period compared to matched controls. The findings offer further evidence that even very small incentives (users earned on average $3.60 CAD over 12 weeks) can be used to influence behaviour change and increase physical activity.

Tips to engage adults with intellectual and developmental disability in sport and physical activity

Exercise leads to many benefits for individuals with intellectual and developmental disability (IDD), including those diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). These include improved physical and mental health, increased community engagement, and, amongst individuals with ASD, a decrease in repetitive behaviours that often result in functional and social impairment. The Adapted Physical Exercise (APEX) Research…

Building meaningful programs for indigenous youth

Project summary The main purpose of this research program was to help build more meaningful and relevant sport and recreation-based programs for Indigenous youth through the examination of a series of multidisciplinary analyses and case studies (mainly the Promoting Life-skills in Aboriginal Youth [PLAY] program from Right To Play, Project George, and Milo Pimatisiwin from…

Survey on participation in amateur soccer in Canada

Project abstract In general, sport is seen as a powerful contributor to social and personal development (Sport Canada, 2002). The benefits of physical activity and sport have been the subject of numerous studies (Gendron et al., 2005; Parfitt & Eston, 2005). Nonetheless, the number of young North Americans who play sports has been decreasing for…

Demonstration effects

While many bids for the hosting of major sport events include increased sport participation as an expected outcome, researchers argue there is no reliable evidence for a “demonstration effect” through which citizens are inspired by elite sport, sports people, or sports events to participate themselves. In the SIRCuit, Dr. Luke Potwarka suggests demonstration effects do…

Exercise as therapy

Individuals living with two or more chronic conditions – known as multimorbidity – might need to reconsider their prescriptions. A review of the literature suggests exercise therapy can be safe and beneficial for their physical and psychosocial health, and has a lower risk of negative side effects compared to pharmacological treatments.

Esports and Cycling: A Match to Stand the Test of Time

On December 9, 2020, the inaugural UCI Cycling Esports World Championships will be hosted on Zwift. For more information on following the Canadian team at this event, and Cycling Canada’s multi-platform virtual cycling calendar for the 2020/2021 winter season (including all-level group rides and public races!) click here. Esports have experienced a meteoric rise in…

Corporatizing sport for aboriginal girls: Connecting corporate social responsibility, the ‘Girl Effect’ and aboriginal-focused sport, gender and development programs

Project Summary This study explored how urban Aboriginal young women understand and experience their participation in a sport for development (SFD) program administered by the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Society Centre (VAFCS); and investigated how corporate funding and involvement in the VAFCS SFD program impacted targeted beneficiaries. The three specific objectives of the research were: To…