Current Projects

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The following projects are currently being carried out by graduate students in the Department of Exercise Science.

Moral influences and sport leadership

Sandra Pelaez, Ph.D. candidate (SIP program; Supervisor Dr. Simon Bacon)

The present includes three studies.  To understand the role of moral influences.  Specifically, exploring how ancience athletes have been morally influenced by their past coaches and how these ex-athletes that have now become sport coaches use their moral basis to influence their athletes in the grame of their current sport practices.

The Impact of Chemotherapy on Autonomic Nervous System Function and Cardiovascular Reactivity in Young Adults with Cancer

Scott Adams, MSc. candidate (Supervisor Dr. Robert Kilgour)

With the aggressive use of chemotherapeutic agents, such as doxorubicin (formerly known as adriamycin), several toxic effects have been identified that alter normal functioning of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and cardiovascular system (CV). These alterations are severe enough to pose a threat to patient recovery and survival. The systemic chemotoxic effects of doxorubicin have not been adequately explored in young adults (18-39 yrs) with cancer. As a precursor to a follow up study investigating the use of exercise training as a form of protective therapy against drug chemotoxicity, this pilot study will determine if doxorubicin treatment significantly affects the regular functioning of the autonomic nervous system and the cardiovascular system in young adults under well controlled conditions of rest and acute exercise. We will measure ANS and CV functioning before and at pre-determined intervals during the patients’ cycles of chemotherapy for a variety of sarcomas as well as testicular, ovarian and gastrointestinal cancers.

Diurnal Variations in Cardiorespiratory Response to Exercise Testing in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Emilie Chan-Thim, MSc. candidate (Supervisor Dr. Veronique Pepin)

Daily variations in lung function have been reported in the literature in several populations, including healthy and asthmatic individuals. However, few studies have investigated the functional implications of such daily variations in COPD patients. Even small changes in lung function may significantly affect functional status in this patient population. The objective of my study is to assess the effect of time of day on exercise performance in individuals with COPD.

The effect of fear of pain on rehabilitation of acute musculoskeletal injury

Laura Legge, MSc. candidate (Supervisor Dr. Geoff Dover)

Following athletes through the healing process of a musculoskeletal injury to determine if fear of pain affects the length of the rehabilitation.

Acute Affective and Physiological Response to Different Exercise-Training Protocols in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Amanda Rizk, MSc. candidate (Co-Supervisors Dr. Simon Bacon and Dr. Veronique Pepin)

The main objective of this study will be to compare the acute affective and physiological responses to bouts of exercise training performed using different protocols (continuous training at 80% of Wpeak, continuous training at the ventilatory threshold and interval training) in individuals with COPD. An additional goal will be to determine which factors (clinical, demographic, etc.) mediate the relationship between exercise and affect in this patient population.

Gap junction role in cerebellar rhythmicity

Jennifer Robinson, M.Sc. candidate (Co-Supervisors Dr. Richard Courtemanche and C.Andrew Chapman, Psychology)

The brain exhibits waves of electrical activity that could be related to its internal mechanisms for readiness to process information. Cerebellar rhythms could be at the root of our capacity to properly recruit cerebellar circuits to perform everyday activities. This project aims to identify the relative contribution of gap junctions to cerebellar cortex granule cell layer rhythmicity, in identifying the electrophysiological signature leading to the formation of optimal neural populations. 

The influence of sexual activity on athletic performance

Terry Vouyoukas, MSc. candidate (Supervisor Dr. Jim Pfaus, Psychology and CSBN)

The purpose of the project is to study the influence of sexual activity on the physiological variables of physical fitness thought to be predictive of athletic performance. Parameters such as aerobic power, leg power, muscular strength, reaction time, as well the availability of certain hormones will be studied.

Effects of Aerobic Exercise on Asthma Quality of Life: A Pilot Project

Alicia Wright, MSc. Candidate (Supervisors Dr. Simon Bacon and Dr. Kim Lavoie)

The objective of this study is to do determine the effects of a 12-week aerobic exercise intervention on asthma quality of life in adults with asthma. Whilst a few studies have examined the effects of exercise (specifically aerobic) programmes on children with asthma and evaluation of their quality of life post-intervention, there have been a paucity of studies evaluating adult populations. A secondary outcome measure of this study evaluates changes in asthma control post-intervention. We believe that asthma quality of life as well as asthma control will improve after the 12-week programme.