Jun. 10, 2020 – Congratulations to Pop-PA Lab member Mahabhir Kandola for completing his proposal defence!
June 12th Webinar – Disability sport research as advocacy work
The Schools of Kinesiology (UBC Vancouver) and Health and Exercise Sciences (UBCO) are co-hosting a weekly webinar series featuring current faculty research topics. The series runs May through June. All are invited to attend these free academic presentations on Friday afternoons from 3:00pm-4:30pm PST.
Andrea Bundon, UBC Vancouver
Assistant Professor
School of Kinesiology
Title: Disability sport research as advocacy work
Description: There is an abundance of compelling scientific evidence that sport and physical activity can lead to a wealth of health and social benefits for people with disabilities. Being physically active can reduce the risk of secondary impairments and complications by enhancing cardiovascular function, musculoskeletal function, mobility, emotional well-being and quality of life and by lessening the impacts of depression, pain and fatigue. Yet despite decades of research, countless policies on inclusion, and millions of dollars spent on ‘creating opportunities’, few people with disabilities regularly participate in sport. I contend that the current situation is the result of a sport culture that is generally unprepared to engage with the politics of disability.
In this talk, I will present findings from three research projects – one on the role of wheelchair basketball in developing para-sport internationally, one on how ‘inclusion’ has been delivered within the British Columbia sport sector, and one exploring the precarious position of women in the Paralympic Games. I will use this research to illustrate how initiatives intended to promote sport opportunities for people with disabilities can still end up reproducing inequity and I will discuss examples of ‘promising practices’ that have the potential to lead to real change. My intent in sharing this work is to demonstrate that researchers need not be unbiased. Rather by working from a Critical Disabilities Studies paradigm, my research becomes my way of advocating for more equitable and inclusive sport.
Details:
Friday, June 12, 2020
3:00pm – 4:30pm
All Welcome – Free admission
Zoom link
Nothing About Us Without Us: Indigenous Engagement, Wellbeing and Campus Recreation
Neither a global pandemic nor final exams could stop a group of ambitious Kinesiology undergraduate students from sharing an important message!
On April 22nd, students from KIN 489C Indigenous Studies in Kinesiology gave a Zoom presentation entitled “Nothing About Us Without Us”: Indigenous Engagement, Wellbeing and Campus Recreation. The presentation was the outcome of a class research project from the fall 2019. For this project, students completed an environmental scan of policies and programs related to Indigenous recreation and wellbeing at UBC, and interviewed Indigenous staff and faculty for their perspectives on fostering Indigenous campus engagement.
The presentation was intended as a knowledge mobilization initiative, with thirty-eight students, staff, faculty and leaders from UBC-V and UBC-O Recreation, Wellness, NITEP and the Faculty of Education in attendance.
Click here to view the webinar.
Zoom Picture of Participants:
Top left to right: Marne McArdle, Moss Norman, Lauren Quigley
Middle left to right: Emma Reiter, Sumayya Dean, Gemma Tomasky
Bottom: Maddi Chow
Not present: Bret Watts, Jasmine Sindhar
Seeking Participants: Seniors COvid-19 Pandemic and Exercise(SCOPE) Study
Seniors COvid-19 Pandemic and Exercise (SCOPE) study is seeking adults aged 65 years and older for a 12-week program to increase your levels of physical activity while at home.
Our goal is to assess whether exercising with other older adults as part of a socially connected (but physically distanced) exercise program, or a personal exercise program, will significantly improve the well-being and health of older adults (aged 65 years or older) currently living in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The trial is being conducted by Dr. Mark Beauchamp (director of the Psychology of Exercise, Health, and Physical Activity Lab at the University of British Columbia) and colleagues. The study is funded by a bridge grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
For more information go to scopetrial2020.ca or contact kin.scope@ubc.ca
Download the flyer: Click Here
June 11 – Dialogue on Aging Virtual Series Session#2
Eli Puterman, PhD
Associate Professor,
Canada Research Chair in Physical Activity and Health
Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Scholar
Faculty of Education, School of Kinesiology
University of British Columbia, Vancouver
1PM:
Come early to participate in virtual interactive exhibits from the comfort of your own home. Bring your own beverage. Participants will have chances to ask questions and win a prize. The exhibitor mini presentation schedule will follow.
2PM:
Canada Research Chair, Dr. Eli Puterman will:
- Discuss how physical activity improves health, wellbeing, and mood on a daily basis in highly stressed adults.
- Provide tips and resources for seniors at home to become more physically active on their own, without risking their health during this pandemic.
- Discuss his latest research that supported family caregivers to become more physically active and what lessons can be applied for all older adults during the current COVID-19 pandemic
Registration:
Please register now: Click Here
Presentation Poster:
Click Here
June 5th Webinar – Regulation of cerebral blood flow in humans; Old concepts, new ideas
The Schools of Kinesiology (UBC Vancouver) and Health and Exercise Sciences (UBCO) are co-hosting a weekly webinar series featuring current faculty research topics. The series runs May through June. All are invited to attend these free academic presentations on Friday afternoons from 3:00pm-4:30pm PST.
Dr. Philip Ainslie, UBC Okanagan
Professor
School of Health and Exercise Sciences
Co-Director, Centre for Heart, Lung & Vascular Health
Title: Regulation of cerebral blood flow in humans; Old concepts, new ideas?
Description: Relative to its size, the brain is the most oxygen-dependent organ in the human body. This presentation will discuss older concepts and new ideas on the fundamental mechanisms that regulate brain blood flow in health, disease and during environmental extremes. The implications for understanding brain health and future research avenues will be discussed.
Details:
Friday, June 5, 2020
3:00pm – 4:30pm
All Welcome – Free admission
Zoom link
Arielle Sadaka
Arielle Sadaka will graduate with a Bachelors of Kinesiology in the Interdisciplinary Stream on June 17, 2020. As a Varsity athlete and captain of the UBC Track and Field team, Arielle was a highly active member of the Kinesiology student body.
Hailing from Montreal, Arielle was a transfer student from Dawson College who first went into UBC’s Faculty of Science, however, she quickly found she was much more suited for Kinesiology. “When I transferred to Kin, I found that I was seeing many of the same people in my classes which made it easier to start talking in class, and eventually outside of the classroom. With Kinesiology being a smaller School in contrast to larger faculties, it allows individuals with similar interests to meet and learn together, creating a really great environment!” says Arielle.
During her years at UBC, Arielle was a valuable member of the Student Athlete Mental Health Initiative (SAMHI) and served as co-lead in her second year. This initiative strives to promote the importance of mental health amongst athletes by increasing awareness and aims to reduce stigma. Arielle also volunteered for the I’m Going to UBC (IGUBC) program where she worked as the Program Assistant. The IGUBC invites elementary school children from inner-city schools to UBC, where Varsity athletes lead children on tours of the campus, engage them in a skills clinic and bring them to a varsity game! This past academic year Arielle also took part in the Campus Kinnection program which she says, “was a great way to connect with a first-year student and hopefully be a role model and a part of their support system at UBC.”
Looking back at her UBC track experience Arielle says, “the thing that sticks out the most is the many different, amazing people I was able to meet and connect with during my time on the team and at UBC. Coming into UBC, I really didn’t know anyone in Vancouver and was worried about meeting people on such a large campus with such a big student body. However, I immediately was welcomed by my team which made the transition so much easier and led me to make lifelong friends.” Unfortunately, Arielle’s grad track season did not occur due to COVID-19, however her proudest moment is still fresh in her mind. “My proudest moment would definitely be when the women’s team won the 2019 NAIA Championship last year, I am really grateful that I was able to be part of such a historic win!” says Arielle.
As for her ability to successfully juggle track, academics and other extracurriculars, Arielle advises “the most important thing is to be organized and try not to take up more than you can balance. I also think that being surrounded by student athletes allowed me to meet peers juggling similar things, so it did not feel like I was alone in my challenges to juggle track, school and everything else. It had also allowed us to share techniques to try to be more efficient with my time and reduce stress.”
Arielle will be continuing her education at McMaster University in the MSc Physiotherapy program as she “had the privilege of working with many therapists through my athletic career which has just solidified my interest to enter the field.”
Brandon Lam
Brandon Lam is set to graduate on June 17th, 2020 with a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology in the Interdisciplinary Stream. Upon transferring into UBC from Capilano University, he immediately became heavily involved within the Kin community.
Looking back at his UBC KIN journey, Brandon says “The School of Kinesiology is like no other school at UBC. I was welcomed with open arms by students of all years, both inside and outside of the classroom. My first Kin event was Kin Camp — a weekend camping trip for first years and transfer students to mingle and connect with people that they’ll spend the next few years alongside. After that, I was hooked on everything kinesiology! I started attending more kinesiology events which led me to work with the KUS. Without the ‘Kin-munity’, and the relationships I have created along my entire undergraduate degree, I would not be the person I am today.”
Brandon was an active contributor to the School. He served as the KUS Vice President of Student Life, coordinating traditional School events such as the KIN Boat Cruise, the Ski Trip, formal dinners, sport weeks, and networking events. For the past 3 years, Brandon has also enjoyed being a team member of the UBC Kin Games, a Canada-wide university “Kinesiology Olympics.” Brandon worked for 3 placement semesters in the Kinesiology Co-op program, and states that the experience helped him immensely to improve and fine tune his resume, and build his interview and skill acquisition abilities. Brandon says that his Kinesiology background has permitted him to find many volunteer opportunities and part-time jobs, some of which include becoming a RYU Campus Connector, assisting the Canucks Ice Team, and working in fitness facilities.
After graduation Brandon will apply to do a Master of Physical Therapy, and hopes to one day fulfill his dream of becoming a physiotherapist and opening up his own clinic or working alongside a professional sports team.
Brandon’s Advice for First Years and Transfer Students: “Get involved! Whether it be with the KUS or any KIN opportunities or events, you never know who you’ll meet or what could spark a new interest.”
June 9th, Tuesday: Assessing and training Perceptual skills in hitting sports
Dr Sean Müller is a senior researcher specialised in the field of expertise and skill learning in sport. A focus of his research has been to understand how experts use visual information to anticipate in sport, as well as how anticipation can be trained and transfers to field settings. Dr. Müller has also conducted interdisciplinary research that combines visual anticipation with biomechanics and decision-making with sport psychology. He has an in-depth knowledge of perceptual-motor skill learning, feedback, and instruction principles for sports skills. Dr. Müller has collaborated with several sports organisations such as Cricket Australia, Hockey Australia and Tampa Bay Rays Major League Baseball Organisation. Findings from his research have been used to assess and train athletes in a variety of sports.
Dr Müller’s presentation will discuss the importance of visual anticipation and decision-making to expert performance in sports. His presentation will be structured into three parts. Part one, will make the case for why anticipation and decision-making are vital in order to guide action in high-speed sports skills. Part two, will outline how anticipation and decision-making can be assessed in athletes using video simulation and field-based tests. Part three, will explain how anticipation can be trained and whether it transfers to field settings. His presentation is relevant to managers, coaches, analysts, and sports science support staff who are involved in athlete development across the skill continuum.
Details:
Tuesday, June 9th
4 pm – 5 pm
Zoom Link
Kinghorn, Marilyn Peterson
When Marilyn Peterson attended UBC she executed one of the most impressive and versatile athletic careers in the School’s history. Between 1957 and 1961 she was a star on the Thunderbird basketball team, a high-scoring Varsity field hockey player and an outstanding Varsity volleyball player.
At UBC she was considered one of the top basketball players as she was selected to the team representing BC at the 1959 national championships. In 1960 she was a key member of UBC’s first Western Canadian women’s basketball champions, a title she and her teammates would win again in 1961. At this same time, she led the UBC volleyball team to its first Western Canadian university title — this all before the existence of national university championships for women.
1960 was a good year for Marilyn; not only did she play for two champion teams in two different sports but she served as vice-president of the UBC Women’s Athletic Directorate and president of her sorority. That year she was the very first recipient of the Barbara ‘Bim’
Schrodt Trophy (now the Marilyn Pomfret Award), naming her the top UBC female athlete of the year and recognizing Marilyn for her skill, athletic service and participation.
Marilyn graduated with a BPE in 1961 and was among the select few to be initiated into UBC’s honorary sorority, Delta Sigma Pi. These inductees were selected on the basis of the quality of their scholarship, leadership and service.
Marilyn later married fellow Physical Education graduate Bruce Kinghorn (BPE’63). Marilyn would go on to serve in both Kinesiology and Education as a faculty advisor for three decades. A friend of UBC, in 2000 she was inducted into UBC’s Sports Hall of Fame.
Written by Fred Hume, UBC Historian