UAlberta Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation

Dr. Michael Kennedy (Director of KSR's Fitness Testing Services) discusses why researchers, coaches and athletes need to work closely together to bridge the knowledge-practice gap. Read or listen via Fast Talk Labs: bit.ly/4lNy8wr

Join us for KSR Faculty Research Day on March 20, 2025—a day of discovery, innovation, and connection! 📍 Posters & Research Tables | Social Street, Van Vliet Complex | 9:30 a.m. 📍 Presentations | 3-205 Van Vliet Complex 🔹 11:00 a.m. – Keynote: Dr. Normand Boulé 🔹 12:00 p.m. – Lunch 🔹 1:00 p.m. – Grad student presentations 🔹 3:00 p.m. – Postdoc presentation & prizegiving Explore cutting-edge KSR research and connect with faculty & students! #UAlbertaKSR

We’re proud to share that the U of A has broken into the Top 100 in the Life Sciences category. This highlights the incredible research happening in Kinesiology, Sports, and Recreation, alongside our colleagues in Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences and Biological Sciences. Together, we’re shaping the future of life sciences and advancing knowledge that impacts communities globally. Read more: ualberta.ca/en/folio/2025/… #UAlbertaKSR

A recent study led by An Nguyen, a KSR master’s student, and Danielle Peers, KSR associate professor, uncovers a major disconnect between how adapted physical education textbooks and autistic self-advocates discuss autism. Highlighting the need for more inclusive educational materials, this research calls for amplifying the voices of those with lived experiences. @WCHRIUofA Learn more about this impactful study and how it’s reshaping inclusion: ualberta.ca/en/folio/2025/… #UAlbertaKSR

Your smartphone swipes say more than you think! New KSR research led by Craig Chapman reveals how our everyday touchscreen movements can unlock insights into decision-making. From hiring processes to healthcare, this breakthrough study shows how analyzing swipes and taps could revolutionize human behavior research. “Moving is thinking,” says Chapman, whose work in the Actions in Complex Environments Lab (ACELab) explores how our movements reveal what’s on our minds. Read more: ualberta.ca/en/folio/2025/… #UAlbertaKSR

Join Us for WTJ? Live in Calgary: Connected Through Sport! Feb. 11 | U of C Red & White Club Hear inspiring career stories from U of A alumni, including two from KSR! • Natasha Staniszewski (BCom, ’00), former SportsCentre anchor • Alysia Rissling (BScKin, ’11), Olympic bobsledder • Andrea Oh (BPE, ’98), entrepreneur & Pandas volleyball champion Tickets: $20 (includes appetizers and beverage). For more information and to register go to: ualberta.ca/en/events/alum…

KSR researcher Michael Kennedy spoke with CBC’s Edmonton AM about the dangers of pushing your body too hard during exercise and the serious condition rhabdomyolysis. This condition, caused by extreme muscle breakdown, can release harmful proteins into the bloodstream, potentially leading to kidney damage. While it’s rare, rhabdomyolysis is more common among those new to fitness or those engaging in high-intensity workouts without proper preparation. Kennedy emphasized the importance of listening to your body and gradually increasing workout intensity to prevent injury, stressing that fatigue and pain beyond normal post-exercise soreness are red flags. Listen here: cbc.ca/listen/live-ra… #UAlbertaKSR

Celebrating women in Nordic skiing Discover the untold stories of women who helped shape Nordic skiing in Canada with the Ski Like a Girl podcast!🎙️ Hosted by U of A historians from KSR, this new series weaves archival research and inspiring storytelling to bring Canada’s ski history to life. From early trailblazers to more recent skiers, these stories of winter recreation and sport highlight the lives of women in Nordic skiing. Launch Event: Jan. 23, 2025, at noon MST Virtual Launch Party: Meet the team and celebrate the release of their first episodes! Register for the webinar: ualberta-ca.zoom.us/webinar/regist… Learn more: ualberta.ca/en/kinesiology… #UAlbertaKSR

🌬️❄️ Does being cold make you sick? KSR researcher Michael Kennedy joined CBC’s award-winning science program Quirks & Quarks to break down this age-old question. Some insights from Michael’s Discussion: Cold weather can weaken your body’s ability to fight off infections. Research shows that exposure to cold temperatures can reduce the production of interferons, the antiviral proteins that help your immune system combat viruses. Breathing cold air can dry out and irritate your airways, weakening their ability to clear pathogens and making you more susceptible to respiratory infections. Catch the full episode on CBC’s Quirks & Quarks podcast: cbc.ca/radio/quirks/j…

Happy New Year #UAlberta! We’re looking forward to welcoming students back on campus next week.

Assistant professor Josephine Godwyll is driving sustainability and inclusion through her innovative research in recreation accessibility. By addressing barriers to leisure spaces and championing SDG goals like Reduced Inequalities and Sustainable Cities and Communities, Josephine’s work transforms environments into meaningful, inclusive spaces for all. Read more: ualberta.ca/en/the-quad/20… Explore and read more 2024 stories that highlight research, innovation, our students and our programs in KSR. ualberta.ca/en/kinesiology…

KSR Alumna Klaudia Sapieja, BPE '07, MA '09 expertise in sports psychology offers invaluable guidance for overcoming failure—a vital skill for competitors at every level. Discover Klaudia's insightful strategies and how her experiences can inspire and support athletes navigating their own paths. ualberta.ca/en/newtrail/ho… Explore and read more 2024 stories that highlight research, innovation, our students and our programs in KSR. ualberta.ca/en/kinesiology…

As of the end of today, KSR joins the U of A community for Winter Closure. We wish you all well-earned rest, relaxation and joy during this time, and look forward to seeing you again on Jan. 2, 2025 Please visit uab.ca for information about holiday hours. Note: Social channels will not be monitored during the winter closure

On Nov. 29, we gathered at the sold-out Climate Health Action Talks (CHAT): For Winter to collaborate on shared challenges, break down silos, and explore innovative solutions. Through insightful discussions, we tackled ecological grief, hope, and collective action. Watch the video featuring voices from the panel, attendees, and thought leaders: bit.ly/4iSVct8 After the panel, attendees watched the breathtaking National Geographic Society documentary For Winter—following Alison Criscitiello’s daring expedition to Mount Logan. Learn more about the Climate Change + Health Hub: bit.ly/4iJO2XJ

‘Experts in their own lives’: amplifying children’s voices in research. There are some types of information that are easy for researchers to measure with the right equipment, such as heart rate and lung capacity. But how do you measure something more subjective, like whether a child feels included in an activity at summer camp? For quite some time, the answer has been to ask parents, guardians or educators to essentially speak on behalf of the child. But that might not be the best path forward, according to Dr. Nancy Spencer, associate professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation at the University of Alberta. ualberta.ca/en/folio/2024/… Explore and read more 2024 stories that highlight research, innovation, our students and our programs in KSR. ualberta.ca/en/kinesiology…

Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation alumnus, Brian Sugiyama, speaks about coaching hockey, shaping young athletes and instilling invaluable life skills. Read more: ualberta.ca/en/kinesiology… Explore and read more 2024 stories that highlight research, innovation, our students and our programs in KSR. ualberta.ca/en/kinesiology…

A dream becomes reality KSR graduate Donna Johns is using her degree to help ‘bring back our warriors.’ As a Canoe Leader, Johns has guided youth on meaningful canoe journeys, reminding them of their heritage and deep-rooted connection to the water. Johns also aims to use her education from U of A to develop an Indigenous-led tourism venture to support a healing centre at Rose Haven. She notes the need for authentic Indigenous experiences in Yukon tourism and is committed to ensuring Indigenous voices are at the forefront. Read more about Donna's journey and her plans for the future: ualberta.ca/en/kinesiology… Explore and read more 2024 stories that highlight research, innovation, our students and our programs in KSR. ualberta.ca/en/kinesiology…

Bachelor of Arts in Recreation, sport and tourism (BARST) degree students Amber Cleasby and Colton Meronyk are in the same program, but their career aspirations are very different. One pictures herself working in sustainable tourism, while the other envisions himself in a recreation advisory-management role. Read their stories: ualberta.ca/en/kinesiology… Explore and read more 2024 stories that highlight research, innovation, our students and our programs in KSR. ualberta.ca/en/kinesiology…

Dr. Amber Mosewich, associate professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation has five tips to help you get exercise in the great outdoors and be mindful of your mental health while you’re at it. Folio story: ualberta.ca/en/folio/2024/… Explore and read more 2024 stories that highlight research, innovation, our students and our programs in KSR. ualberta.ca/en/kinesiology…

U of A researcher Clara-Jane Blye discusses tourism in Alberta’s Rocky Mountain destinations: Postdoctoral fellow Clara-Jane Blye says all of Alberta's parks and outdoor recreational areas have seen a significant increase in visits following the COVID-19 pandemic. Alberta should promote some of its lesser-known destinations this summer, which could help ease the burden on popular sites like Banff and Lake Louise, says Dr. Blye. Read more from the CTV News story: edmonton.ctvnews.ca/banff-lake-lou…