Projects

BrainWorx Body Breaks: Camp participants’ and staff perceptions and experiences of Fitness Frenzy Videos (REB#8862)

The purpose of this study is to better understand children’s and staff perceptions and experiences of CHC’s Fitness Frenzy videos that will be used between sessions at Laurier’s BrainWorx day camp to get kids moving. It is expected that the research findings will improve the development of future Fitness Frenzy videos and offer evidence that can be used to promote greater use of the videos within classroom settings to increase children’s physical activity levels during the school day.

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House of Hockey Program Evaluation (REB#8923)

This study seeks feedback from parents/guardians and program participants to better understand their perceptions and experiences of House of Hockey. The information provided by participants will improve future House of Hockey programs and inform the delivery of other physical activity-based programs for children.

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Physical activity, Social Support, and the Effects of Providing Informal Care for Individuals with Dementia: A Scoping Review

Investigators: Hailey O’Neil

This project involves conducting a scoping review to explore the relationship between physical activity (PA), social support, and the effects of dementia caregivers. The results of this scoping review will provide insight into the relationships between PA and social support on the effects of caregiving experienced by dementia caregivers.

Creation and Evaluation of Physical Activity Programs for Youth with Developmental and Physical Disabilities

Investigators: Nicole Luymes & Pam Bryden

CHC Community Outreach

Peer-reviewed Publications

Examining the Relationships Among Cultural Diversity, Cohesion, and Individual Outcomes in a Youth Sport Context (2018-2021)

Investigators: Michael Godfrey and Dr. Mark Eys

The purpose of this study is to understand how cultural diversity influences team cohesion and important individual outcomes (e.g. satisfaction) in youth sport. This will be achieved through two projects. First, the relationships among cultural diversity, cohesion, and individual outcomes will be examined. Second, a qualitative methodology will be used to gain a more in-depth understanding of how cultural diversity influences youth athletes' sport experiences and perceptions of cohesion. Overall, this study is expected to provide an initial understanding of the effects of cultural diversity in youth sport environments.

Conference Presentations

• Godfrey, M., & Eys, M. (2020). Poster presented to the Sport Canada Research Initiative Conference.
• Godfrey, M., Kim, J., & Eys, M. (2018). Ethnic diversity and cohesion in interdependent sport teams. presented to the Canadian Society for Psychomotor Learning & Sport Psychology.

Peer-reviewed Publications

• Godfrey, M., Coleman, T., & Eys, M. (2021). Ethnic diversity and cohesion in interdependent youth sport contexts., Article 101881.

Influence of Ethnicity on Group Exercise and Socialization for New Canadian Women

Investigators: Charlotte Revell and Vanessa Karim

The purpose of this study is to highlight the lived experiences of new Canadian women participating in exercise groups with a focus on the effects of ethnicity on socialization processes. To understand these experiences, we ask the following questions to guide our discussions: (1) How does being a new Canadian woman who identifies as an ethnic minority affect socialization with others in exercise groups? (2) What is the preferred environment to exercise for new Canadian women who are ethnic minorities?

Classroom Activity Breaks in Elementary Schools (2018-2020)

Investigators: Abigail Broad, Tom Hazell, Derek Bornath, Seth McCarthy, Pam Bryden, Jennifer Robertson-Wilson

CHC Community Outreach

• Fitness Frenzy videos were provided free to elementary school teachers.

Peer-reviewed Publications

• Broad, A., Bornath, D. P. D., Grisebach, D., McCarthy, S. F., Bryden, P. J., Robertson-Wilson, J., & Hazell, T. J. (2021). Classroom activity breaks improve on-task behavior and physical activity levels regardless of time of day. (2), 331-343.

Awards and Recognition

• Laurier teaching candidate using research to get kids active

Understanding the Physical Activity Challenges and Preferences of New Canadian Women and Children (2018-2019)

Investigators: Amy Gayman and Mark Eys

Given the importance of a physically active lifestyle to overall well-being, it is imperative that steps are taken to encourage earlier involvement in physical activity among newcomers to Canada. Physical activity interventions may be particularly beneficial to new immigrant women and children. The proposed study will involve a qualitative examination of recent female immigrants’ views of physical activity after arriving in Canada to gain insight into their personal experiences, challenges, and preferences for physical activity, and to better understand their perspectives of physical activity among children in their family and community.

CHC Community Outreach

• Cost-free physical activity programming and childcare provided to new Canadian women. https://activeintegration.ca

Conference Presentations

• Eys, M., Gayman, A., Coleman, T., Smith-Ackerl, M., & Bhandari, R. (2021, June). Understanding the physical activity challenges and preferences of New Canadian women. Lecture presented to the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity.
• Gayman, A., Coleman, T., & Eys, M. (2022, October). Social integration through physical activity: A multi-method assessment of a program for new Canadian women. Poster presented to the Canadian Society for Psychomotor Learning & Sport Psychology.

Awards and Recognition

• Provided information as a pilot project that was critical in securing a larger grant through the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (2018-2023).

Group Processes and Sustained Involvement in Youth Sport: The Influence of Early Sport Experiences on Sport Participation throughout the Lifespan (2018-2019)

Investigators: Amy Gayman and Mark Eys

The proposed study will conduct interviews with adults (55 years of age and older) involved in team sport to gain insight into the influence of early group experiences on continued participation or re-engagement in sport following dropout in childhood or adolescence. Participants’ reflections on past and present experiences in team sport may inform the structure of sport environments to reduce or prevent current levels of sport attrition seen in child and youth sport and promote sport participation in older adulthood. Furthermore, this information may be used to enhance positive group experiences in community sport programming for both younger and older participants.

Conference Presentations

• Gayman, A. M., Eys, M., & Coleman, T. (2021, October). Group dynamics in recreational team sport later in life. Lecture presented to the Canadian Society for Psychomotor Learning & Sport Psychology.

Peer-reviewed Publications

• Gayman, A. M., Eys, M., & Coleman, T. (2022). Group dynamics in Canadian recreational team sports later in life. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 60, Article 102137.

Graphical Abstract

• Group Dynamics in Canadian Recreation Team Sports Later in Life

Impact of Team Member Hormone Profiles on Group Cohesion

Investigators: David Webster and Mark Eys

The purpose of this study will be to use the Group Environment Questionnaire to measure group cohesion. The study's plan is to recruit 15 varsity sports teams, each with an estimated 15 members. Testosterone and cortisol levels in all team members of all groups will be measured. The outcome of this research project could demonstrate a critical determinant of cohesion and offers a unique perspective on group dynamics by combining psychological and physiological methods.

Physical Activity and Nutrition Survey for the KW Region

Investigators: Brianna Redquest, Nicole Reinders, and Paula Fletcher

The purpose of this study is to assess the physical activity and nutrition behaviours of youth and their caregivers in the K-W region. The study will collect information that will direct program development at CPAC. Steps of this research include creating a survey regarding physical activity and nutrition behaviours for youth and caregivers. Next, the team will distribute surveys throughout the region to youth through schools, clubs, and teams and to caregivers through youth, advertisements, and word of mouth.

The Acute Effects of High-Intensity Exercise on Spatial Memory

Investigators: Gabriel Massarotto, Melissa Lacasse, Tom Hazell, & Michael Cinelli

Spatial memory deteriorates with advancing age; however, exercise appears to be beneficial for spatial memory. In particular, acute sprint-interval training (SIT) may serve as an effective tool to enhance spatial memory and navigational behaviour. The purpose of the study was to determine if an acute session of SIT had an immediate or delayed (48-h post-exercise) effect on cognitive performance during a spatial memory task.