We have developed an innovative computer-aided, game-based platform for rehabilitation. The platform includes an embedded automated assessment subsystem, which provides electronic measures of fine and gross motor skills and specific psychomotor skills. The primary objective of this research project is to evaluate the test-retest reliability and convergent validity of the standardized assessment subsystem embedded into […]

There are a number of factors that can impact ones level of physical activity. Interpersonal, intrapersonal, and environmental factors are all important when looking at how active or sedentary an individual can be. For schoolchildren, it is important to promote active behaviors that will lead to a healthy lifestyle. By creating a tool to identify […]

Rates of obesity are continuously rising despite efforts to decrease them. The purpose of this study is to show that obese but fit individuals are protected from many adverse health conditions such as metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, type-2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease as the result of being physically active. This study is […]

Celiac disease is an autoimmune dysfunction that requires strict adherence to a gluten-free (GF) diet in order to prevent detrimental health outcomes. Following a strict GF diet is difficult given that gluten is added as a preservative or binding agent to many foods. Findings from a review suggest strict adherence to a gluten-free diet is […]

The Ford Motor Company is bringing 800 jobs into the Oakville Assembly Plant. These jobs will be concerned with sequencing parts for the new Material Sequencing Centre. To ensure that workers remain healthy, and their productivity and quality output is up to Ford’s high standards, Ford (through this fellowship) wants to establish clear ergonomic guidelines […]

In able-bodied individuals, increases in core temperature during exercise are controlled by the nervous system as a sweating response. However, individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI) may have altered sweating responses due to autonomic dysfunction, leading to increased risk of heat stress during exercise. Currently, standard tests do not fully describe how temperature regulation is […]

Dental hygienists (DH) are exposed to many potentially injurious physical demands, such as prolonged exposure to awkward neck, trunk, and shoulder postures. The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in this group is alarmingly high (62-93%). DH would benefit from ergonomics-specific workplace safety education, but it is unknown what sort of instruction, if any, is currently offered […]

The study focuses on the assessment of motor proficiencies of children before and after their involvement in a specialised recreation program, when compared to children of the same age who are enrolled in standard parent-selected programming. The specialised program sets at  introducing children to a wide array of activities in multiple environments, and are taught […]

Children born with an absent or ineffective right or left ventricle (single ventricle) have a low life expectancy and will undergo at least three surgical procedures ultimately leading to the Fontan Procedure (FP), which allows blood to travel directly to the lungs (bypassing the heart) to become oxygenated. Adolescent FP-patients indicate poor cardiovascular health which […]

This project aims to assess a number of novel exercise training techniques to improve exercise performance in elite Canadian Wheelchair Rugby athletes. The first training technique to be assessed is training in the heat, a condition that many Wheelchair Rugby players may have difficulty competing in, to lead to adaptations that will improve performance in […]

The proposed project is two-phased. The first phase involves a study that will use specialized research analysis techniques to compare the effectiveness of pharmaceutical drugs used to treat type II diabetes and to identify if a group of drugs are producing similar benefits in terms of controlling the disease. The applicant’s clinical and epidemiological background […]

This research aims to understand athlete recovery and training adaptation by monitoring athlete fatigue. The research will have a direct impact on multiple podium-performances in both Summer and Winter Olympic and Paralympic athletes since knowing how fatigue is present in athletes can help to improve training prescription; specific training prescribed during varying periods of fatigue […]