Kinesiology & Health Science

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10315/27572

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Now showing 1 - 20 of 452

Access status: Open Access ,
Bridging Baseline Assessment and Injury Surveillance: A Three-Study Examination of Sport-Related Concussion Monitoring in Canadian Post-Secondary Sport
(2026-07-24) Michael Jason Modica; Hynes, Loriann M.
Background: Sport-related concussion (SRC) surveillance in Canadian post-secondary sport remains fragmented, limiting the ability of institutions to accurately characterize injury risk, recovery trajectories, and academic consequences. Existing systems tend to emphasize isolated components of concussion monitoring, such as pre-season baseline assessment or injury documentation, without integrating athlete-exposure (AE) data or educational outcomes, constraining epidemiologic interpretation and institutional decision-making. Purpose: This dissertation examined how differences in concussion surveillance structure influence the interpretation of SRC risk, recovery, and academic impact within Canadian post-secondary athletics. The three-study program aimed to (1) characterize baseline and historical concussion features among university athletes, (2) quantify exposure-adjusted incidence and post-injury outcomes in post-secondary sport, and (3) synthesize findings across systems to inform a harmonized concussion surveillance framework. Methods: Study 1 analyzed pre-season baseline data from university athletes participating in the Varsity Student-Athlete Data Analytics Research (VADAR) program, examining concussion history, baseline symptom presentation, and self-reported recovery duration. Study 2 evaluated retrospective injury surveillance data from Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) athletes, incorporating AE-adjusted incidence rates, recovery duration, and documented academic accommodations. Study 3 employed a comparative analytic approach to examine differences in exposure measurement, recovery tracking, and academic outcome reporting across post-secondary surveillance systems. Results: In Study 1, 43.1% of female and 30.9% of male athletes reported a prior concussion, and female athletes were more than twice as likely to experience recovery lasting longer than 28 days (OR = 2.29, 95% CI [1.26, 4.18]). Study 2 demonstrated that sport-specific risk interpretations shifted substantially when AE denominators were applied, particularly among contact sports. Although female athletes represented 58.2% of diagnosed concussions, no significant sex difference in recovery duration was observed, and nearly half of documented concussions required formal academic accommodations. Conclusion: Surveillance design is a primary determinant of interpretability in post-secondary concussion research. Integrating baseline measures, exposure-adjusted incidence, and academic recovery indicators enhances understanding of SRC and supports decision-making across institutional, clinical, and team-level contexts. These findings inform evidence-based recommendations for a unified concussion surveillance framework tailored to Canadian post
Access status: Open Access ,
Exploring Women's Experiences in a YMCA Health and Wellness Program for Mothers of Newborns
(2026-07-24) Shimmerman, Abby Kaitlyn; Fraser-Thomas, Jessica L.
The postpartum period is a transformative time marked by significant physiological, emotional, and psychosocial changes. Although physical activity (PA) supports recovery and well-being, many mothers face barriers such as fatigue, childcare demands, time constraints, and financial limitations. This study explored the lived experiences of mothers in the YMCA Northumberland Mothers of Newborns (MON) program, examining how this community-based, mother-centered program supports postpartum adjustment. Guided by Self-Determination Theory and Becoming a Mother framework, a qualitative phenomenologically-informed approach was used. Seven participants engaged in semi-structured interviews, analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Four themes were identified: reclaiming identity by prioritizing the self beyond caregiving; building community through connection, support, and belonging; (re-)integrating physical activity into postpartum life; and designing mother-centred programming. While the program aimed to reduce barriers to PA, participants also described benefits, including reduced isolation, meaningful social connections, and renewed sense of self, highlighting the value of mother-centred community-based postpartum supports.
Access status: Open Access ,
Neurobehavioural Predictors of Mobility During Distracted Walking in Healthy Young, Middle-Age, and Older Adults
(2026-07-24) Krelove, Lorna Maureen Ferguson; Mochizuki, George
Brain activity and balance strategies change throughout adulthood such that older adults have increased fall risk and rely on executive resources to maintain balance. Falls have significant negative outcomes for older adults, however, fall risk begins to increase during mid-life. The specific timing of the age-related change in neurobehavioural markers of mobility have not been established. This work aimed to determine the age at which brain activity and gait speed during complex walking deviated from young-adult patterns and identify sociodemographic factors that influenced this relationship. Piecewise linear regression on data points from 113 participants indicated that neurobehavioural outcomes became more similar to older adults by the mid-Fifties. Two-step cluster analysis showed that age and education predicted neurobehavioural mobility outcomes. Mediation analyses revealed that brain activity compensated for age-related mobility decline. Together, these findings suggest that neurobehavioural changes in mobility begin in mid-life and that sociodemographic factors can predict mobility outcomes.
Access status: Open Access ,
Examining Motivational Climates and Psychosocial Developmental Outcomes in Adolescent Girls' High Performance Soccer in Canada
(2026-07-24) Nivicki, Valentina; Fraser-Thomas, Jessica L.
Youth sport is an important context for positive youth development (PYD); however, it is dependent on program delivery. While mastery-oriented climates are associated with positive developmental outcomes, high-performance sport is often characterized by performance-oriented environments that may pose developmental risks. Given the limited research on motivational climates in high-performance girls' sport, this exploratory study examined perceived coach- and peer-created motivational climates and their relationships with PYD experiences in high- performance girls’ soccer in Canada. Athletes completed self-report measures assessing motivational climate and developmental experiences. Results indicated that athletes perceived relatively high mastery-oriented climates alongside moderate performance-oriented climates and reported moderate-to-high PYD outcomes. Regression analyses revealed mastery-oriented climates were positively associated with goal setting and inversely associated with negative experiences. Overall, findings suggest high-performance girls’ soccer can support PYD, with developmental outcomes shaped by the motivational climates created by coaches and peers.
Access status: Open Access ,
Syrian Refugee Parents Resettling in Canada
(2026-07-24) Chowdhury, Mohiul Islam; Tamim, Hala
The Syrian conflict that began in March 2011 is one of the most brutal conflicts in the post-World War II era. This recent conflict has prompted action from several high-income countries, with Canada becoming an important host country for Syrian refugees. In Canada, over 40,000 Syrian refugees arrived between November 2015 and January 2017. The challenges and stressors of immigration are exacerbated for refugees, but especially for refugee parents. My dissertation assesses the factors associated with different domains of integration of Syrian refugee parents resettling in Canada. This research investigated how the perception of being treated with respect is associated with these newcomers' sense of belonging to Canada, explored the changes in the acquisition of language proficiencies over time since their entry to Canada and evaluated the duration of enrollment and satisfaction associated with government-funded English or French language classes. Method: This study employed a cross-sectional design. A total of 540 Syrian refugee parents, with at least one child below 18 years of age, who resettled in Ontario, Canada at the time of the interview were recruited. Individual interviews were conducted separately for the mothers and the fathers using structured telephone interviews with a fluent Arabic-speaking Research Assistant in a Levantine dialect that the participants readily understood. Consent was obtained from all participants. Statistical analyses including descriptive, bivariate, and generalized linear mixed model regressions were performed to address the study objectives. Results: The results demonstrated that, when examined separately, both individuals and their spouses' perceptions of being treated with respect by Canadians were associated with a sense of belonging to Canada. Additionally, the findings revealed that participants' Canadian Language Benchmark levels significantly improved with each additional year spent in Canada. Furthermore, participants' attendance in language classes was significantly lower for those who had a higher level of the Canadian Language Benchmark upon arrival. Conclusions: The findings provide valuable insights into the integration process in a new country, emphasizing the challenges and opportunities these families face, thus supporting their successful integration into Canadian society. Keywords: Syrian refugee, spouse, being respected, sense of belonging, language benchmark level, language classes, and time in Canada.
Access status: Open Access ,
Exploring Cause-Specific Mortality, Weight Management Goals, Motivations, and Approach Selection
(2026-07-24) Yazdanparast, Amir; Kuk, Jennifer L.
Obesity is a chronic and multifactorial disease that is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Study 1 investigated differences in cause-specific mortality risks between obesity classes stratified by age and sex. Cox proportional hazard ratios were used to analyze data from NHANES Continuous (1999 to 2018) with mortality follow-up through Dec 31, 2019. Obesity class III is strongly associated with higher mortality risk than class I obesity in adults younger than 65 years of age and to a lesser degree in older men, while there were no significant associations in older women. Mortality risks were generally not different between obesity class I and II. Study 2 investigated differences in the weight loss by weight management goals, approaches employed, and the desired weight loss for adults attempting weight loss or preventing weight gain using NHANES Continuous (2007 to 2012). Generalized linear models with least squared adjusted means and Bonferroni post hoc tests were used. Both men and women tended to gain weight despite wanting to lose a significant amount of weight and employing several weight management approaches. This highlights that weight management approaches may have limited success in preventing weight gain or achieving the desired weight loss in the general population regardless of the approach used. Study 3 explored differences in weight loss and treatment time with health, mobility, and/or esthetics motivations for attempting weight loss among adults who participated in a publicly funded obesity management program at the Wharton Medical Clinic using least squared adjusted means. Despite small differences in treatment time and weight loss goals, differences in the motivations for attempting weight loss were not significantly associated with differences in the weight loss achieved. Overall, this thesis suggests that mortality rates for different specific causes are only elevated for severe obesity and disproportionately affects adults younger than 65 years of age. However, lifestyle interventions for obesity management may be limited in their effectiveness, and individual motivations, goals or approaches may not lead to a meaningful or sustained weight loss, highlighting the need for more effective obesity management approaches.
Access status: Open Access ,
Clinical and Neural Effects of Multidomain Augmented Reality Rehabilitation in Persistent Post-Concussion Syndrome
(2026-07-24) Machula, Anton; Sergio, Lauren E.
Persistent post-concussion symptoms (PPCS) cause debilitating impairments lasting months to years and resist conventional rehabilitation. Cognitive-motor integration (CMI) networks are particularly vulnerable following concussion yet remain an unexplored therapeutic target. We investigated whether augmented reality-based multidomain rehabilitation targeting CMI could induce clinical and neural recovery in adults with chronic PPCS. Seven participants (mean age 50.7 years, 71% female, mean 38.1 months post-injury) completed a twice-weekly, 8-week intervention combining visuospatial working memory, visuomotor transformation, and progressive vestibular challenge. Participants demonstrated large effect size improvements (r = 0.83–0.90) in energy, emotional wellbeing, perceived stress, and dizziness, though statistical power was limited by sample size, with seven measures meeting or exceeding estimated minimal clinically important difference (MCID) thresholds. A neuroimaging subset (n=3) revealed white matter recovery and limbic-striatal-thalamic functional connectivity reorganization. The concordance between behavioral engagement, white matter plasticity, and functional improvement suggests use-dependent neuroplasticity and positions CMI training as a promising approach warranting controlled trials.
Access status: Open Access ,
A Biomechanical Analysis of Rehabilitative Exercises for Subacromial Impingement Syndrome and/or Rotator Cuff Tears
(2026-07-24) Zapata, Dominic Isaac; Hurley, Jaclyn
Restrictions in range of motion (ROM) can occur due to subacromial impingement syndrome (SAIS) and rotator cuff tears (RCT). Alterations to scapular mobility reduces the subacromial space (SAS), compressing upon interposed tissues that reside within this area. This research examined muscle activity and co-activity among scapular stabilizer and rotator cuff musculature, and scapulothoracic kinematics. Thirty-two participants, sixteen male and sixteen female, completed two exercise sets; scapular stabilizer strengthening exercises (ScapSE) and body weight-bearing exercises (BWB). Exercises with low to moderate muscle activity of the rotator cuff (0-20%MVC, 20-40% MVC), higher scapular stabilizer activity, and advantageous co-activation (<80%) were recommended. ScapSE presented low to high activity in scapular stabilizer muscles, with Prone Shoulder Extension eliciting 11.9 ±10.6%MVC UT activity, and Y-Lifts eliciting 70 ±27.2%MVC. Moderate (21-40%MVC) scapular stabilizer muscle activity was expected throughout ScapSE; Serratus Anterior Strengthening, ranged from 21.4%MVC [UT] to 38.4%MVC [MT]. Lateral Flexion produced low SS activity of 3.1 ±2.2%MVC and IS activity of 14.2±8.1%MVC. Prone Shoulder Extension (UT/MT: 47%, UT/LT: 53%), Side Plank (39.0%, 39.7%, 41.1%), and Horizontal Abduction (UT/MT: 45%, UT/LT: 58%) presented advantageous co-activation. Exercises with ‘good’ to ‘excellent’ scapular muscle co-activity reduce UT hyperactivity, which may promote healthy upper limb kinematics. Exercises that presented with low to moderate muscle activity would be best suited in early-stage rehabilitation, while others with higher muscle activity may be better reserved for later-stage rehabilitation.
Access status: Open Access ,
The Influence of Post-Exercise Feeding on Bone Biomarkers Following an Acute High-Intensity Exercise Bout in Young, Healthy Adults
(2026-03-10) Cheng, Nicholas; Josse, Andrea
Exercise and nutrition, specifically dairy products, are interventions that can influence bone. There is limited evidence on the effects of wholefood dairy consumption following an acute exercise bout on bone biomarkers. The objective of this study was to determine whether the consumption of either milk, Greek yogurt (GY), carbohydrate (CHO) or water, differentially modulated bone biomarkers post-exercise. We recruited twenty participants to partake in this randomized crossover study that provided one of the four trial supplements in a randomized order following an acute multimodal exercise session. The main findings from this study were an attenuation of PTH 4h post-exercise in the MILK trial compared to GY, elevated P1NP in MILK compared to WATER at 24h post-exercise and a suppression of RANKL in MILK compared to all trials at 24h post-exercise. These data suggest that the consumption of milk post-exercise was superior to carbohydrate, GY and water in favourably modulating circulating bone biomarkers.
Access status: Open Access ,
Investigating the Perception of Travel Distance Using Visual and Non-Visual Self-Motion Cues
(2026-03-10) Bansal, Ambika Tara; Harris, Laurence
Having an accurate perception of travel distance is essential for navigating and moving through the world. In Chapter 2, I show that transforming visual motion into travel distance differs depending on the speed and direction of optic flow being perceived. Motion at the slower speed was associated with people feeling like they had moved further compared to motion at the faster speeds. In Chapter 3, I use a series of 4 experiments to investigate how various characteristics of a virtual environment affects your perception of travel distance through it. The specific parameters I investigated were: (1) the structure of an environment, and presence and texture of a ground surface, (2) the naturalism and scale of an environment, (3) colour, and (4) the density of a starfield. Results show no effect of the structure of an environment, and the presence of a ground surface (Experiment 1), or between the naturalism of an environment (Experiment 2), or whether the environment has colour or not (Experiment 3). However, I did find a small effect of the texture of the ground surface and the scale of an environment. In Experiment 4, I also show that there may be a ceiling effect with the starfield density needed to accurately estimate travel distance. Together these experiments will have implications for the design of real and virtual environments where perceived motion is important and enable us to further predict our perception of moving through these environments. In Chapter 4, I used a large-field edgeless display to either visually “move” participants while they were (i) physically stationary, (ii) performing a blind walking task on a treadmill, or (iii) visually “moving” while walking on a treadmill. Optic flow simulating forward self-motion was presented either full field, in the central field (central ±20°), or in the far periphery (beyond ±90°). I show that the high sensitivity to optic flow in the far periphery is a general feature of perceptual odometry even when integrating non-visual cues with visual cues.
Access status: Open Access ,
Catabolic Effects of Chemotherapy Drugs-Inflammatory Cytokines Combination on Myotubes and Endothelial Cells
(2026-03-10) Helforoush, Armita; Adegoke, Olasunkanmi A. J.
Chemotherapy-induced muscle atrophy significantly impairs quality of life in cancer patients. While tumor-related inflammation partly explains cachexia-associated wasting, the mechanisms affecting myotubes and endothelial cells remain poorly understood. This thesis examines the catabolic effects of chemotherapy drugs and inflammatory cytokines on C2C12 myotubes and primary skeletal muscle endothelial cells. Myotubes were treated with CPT-11 (20 μg/mL), 5-fluorouracil (50 μg/mL), leucovorin (10 μg/mL), IL-6 (20 ng/mL), and TNF-α (100 ng/mL). Treatment significantly reduced myofibrillar proteins, including MHC-1(−36%), tropomyosin (−65%), and troponin T (−76%), and suppressed anabolic signaling. SNAT1 and LAT1 expression increased by 78% and 127%, respectively. Endothelial cells exposed to the same agents at full and half doses (100% and 50%) for 24 and 48 hours showed heightened stress responses and upregulation of p53 and p21. Partial recovery was observed following treatment removal, though not fully restored. These findings reveal distinct chemotherapy-induced vulnerabilities in muscle and endothelial cells, offering insight into potential therapeutic strategies.
Access status: Open Access ,
ATF5 is Required for the Normal Stress Response During Skeletal Muscle Denervation
(2026-03-10) Kuthe, Jared Matthew; Hood, David A.
Muscle inactivity is associated with the development of various negative health outcomes and is often accompanied by the decline in mitochondrial health. Mitochondria reside within skeletal muscle cells and are responsible for creating energy by metabolizing dietary substrates. During muscle inactivity, these mitochondria become damaged, which leads to a reduction in energy production and whole cell metabolism. To help prevent this outcome, various stress-responsive proteins within muscle cells help repair and minimize mitochondrial damage. Specifically, the stress-responsive protein ATF5 is known to help alleviate mitochondrial damage. To help understand more about these proteins in skeletal muscle, our study employed a mouse model of muscle inactivity. Our results suggest that ATF5 plays an important role in the maintenance of mitochondria and skeletal muscle health in response to muscle inactivity. This information could help us identify potential treatments for individuals experiencing severe muscle-loss related symptoms.
Access status: Open Access ,
The Role of Somatostatin in the Deficient Glucagon Response to Acute and Recurrent Hypoglycemia in Type 2 Diabetes
(2026-03-10) Hoffman, Emily Gail; Riddell, Michael C.
Treatment-induced hypoglycemia results from impaired glucagon counterregulation in a setting of intensive glucose-lowering therapies and remains the major clinical barrier to achieving optimal glycemic control in type 1 diabetes (T1D) and advanced type 2 diabetes (T2D). This dissertation establishes a role for paracrine somatostatin (SST) signaling in the pathogenesis of glucagon counterregulatory failure in diabetes based on data collected from rodent models in vivo and human donor islets in vitro. First, building on existing evidence from pre-clinical models of T1D, this work demonstrates that pharmacologic SSTR2 antagonism can restore physiologic glucagon counterregulation and resist hypoglycemia onset when administered before insulin overdose in rat models of recurrent hypoglycemia (Chapter 4) and pre-diabetes (Chapter 5). Second, when administered as a rescue agent after the onset of severe hypoglycemia in recurrently hypoglycemic rats, SSTR2 antagonism was shown to provide more gradual but sustained glycemic recovery compared to the relatively transient effect of high-dose exogenous glucagon (Chapter 6). Third, functional analysis of isolated human islets in vitro showed that deficient glucagon secretion from pancreatic α-cells under low glucose conditions corresponded with a marked hypersecretion of SST, as in T1D. Excess paracrine inhibition by SST may underscore the α-cell defect in T2D islets as evidenced by the restorative effect of SSTR2a antagonism on counterregulatory glucagon secretion (Chapter 7.1). These, and other findings from this thesis, suggest that inhibitory SST tone is typically alleviated under low glucose concentration in non-diabetic islets, providing a permissive paracrine signal for counterregulatory glucagon release that is compromised in T2D. Collectively, this work proposes that targeting SST secretion or action may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for improving glycemic control and reducing the risk of acute and recurrent hypoglycemia in advanced T2D.
Access status: Open Access ,
Indigenous Health Counts: Advancing Meta-Analysis Methods for Respondent-Driven Sampling and First Nations, Inuit, and Metis Peoples Living in Urban Areas in Ontario
(2025-11-17) Octavia Chi Yan Wong; Rotondi, Michael
Introduction: There is a lack of accurate and valid health information for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis (FNIM) peoples living in urban areas in Canada. Respondent-driven sampling (RDS) is a statistical and sampling technique that allows the health of Indigenous peoples living in urban areas to be examined through the use of their social networks. There are currently no techniques available to pool the results of RDS studies to obtain overall summary-level information across RDS samples. The objective of this dissertation was to develop a meta-analysis technique for RDS data and examine the combined, overall prevalence of key outcomes identified by local Indigenous health service organizations. Data were obtained from the community-led Our Health Counts (OHC) projects – five Indigenous health studies which successfully applied RDS in the cities of Hamilton, Toronto, London, Kenora, and Thunder Bay. Primary outcomes include diabetes mellitus (DM), prescription opioid (PO) use without a prescription or in unprescribed ways, experiences of discrimination in the healthcare system, and use of traditional medicines. Methods: Four manuscripts were completed, including one simulation study and three applications of the results of the simulation study. The first study developed and validated preliminary meta-analysis methods for random effects (RE) and fixed effects (FE) models for RDS data. The subsequent three manuscripts examine the prevalence of (1) DM, (2) PO use without a prescription or out of keeping with the prescription, and (3) experiences of anti-Indigenous discrimination in the healthcare system and use of traditional medicines in FNIM peoples living in urban areas through RE meta-analysis. Results: Using the average variance calculated from RDS-II bootstrap confidence intervals as the estimate of within-study variance for RE and FE models was the only valid meta-analysis method for RDS data. For younger adults, the prevalence of DM was higher among FNIM peoples living in Ontario cities compared to the general population. FNIM peoples living in cities also had a higher prevalence of PO use without a prescription or in unintended ways than the general population. Age differences were found in the prevalence of experiences of anti-Indigenous discrimination in the healthcare system by FNIM peoples living in cities, with younger people reporting more discrimination. Conclusion: RDS is a valuable sampling and statistical technique for examining the health of FNIM peoples living in urban areas in Ontario. Pooling data across OHC sites allows us to obtain a more precise, overall understanding of priority outcomes identified by the Indigenous community partners. Improved understanding allows community partners and decision makers actionable information to tailor programs and interventions to support the needs of Indigenous peoples and to be more effective in improving equity in the healthcare system.
Access status: Open Access ,
Cellular Stress and Effects on Mitochondrial DNA: An Assessment of Stress Reduction & Protective Effects
(2025-11-11) Tiwana, Jasmin Kaur; Ritvo, Paul G.
Introduction: Psychological stress results in energy demands and changes in the mitochondria that produce 90% of bodily energy as adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Cell-free mitochondrial DNA (cf-mtDNA) is released into the bloodstream under stress which was induced with the International Affective Picture System (IAPS). We hypothesized that participants exposed to mindfulness meditation (MM) instruction would demonstrate lesser increases in cf-mtDNA levels and negative mood states compared to controls. Methods: Thirty-five females (18-30 years) were randomized to an experimental group (MM) or a control group (educational podcast). Both groups viewed IAPS images, completed questionnaires and two blood draws. Results: A paired samples t-test revealed no significant differences in cf-mtDNA levels from pre- to post- IAPS stress exposure between groups. Conclusion: This randomized controlled trial is the first study to explore the potentially protective effects of MM on cf-mtDNA levels and mood after an acute lab stressor. No statistically significant results were found.
Access status: Open Access ,
Anti-Obesity Pharmacotherapy-Induced Loss of Muscle Mass and Function is Rescued by Modulating Dietary Protein Consumption in a Model of Childhood Obesity
(2025-11-11) Morris, Brooke Ally; Perry, Christopher G, R.
Pharmacological treatment options for obesity management, such as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), yield significant weight loss. Lean mass accounts for a substantial proportion of weight loss, which is contraindicated owing to the reduced muscular mass and quality that presents in obesity, and may have particular implications in an adolescent model. This study determined the effect of semaglutide on body composition, skeletal muscle function, and bone deposition; and whether a protein-enriched dietary intervention could prevent negative effects of semaglutide on musculoskeletal health. Semaglutide treatment led to lower bodyweight, muscle mass, and maximal contractile function in adolescence, but did not affect submaximal contractile or mitochondrial function. Semaglutide improved load-bearing bone volume. Protein supplementation was able to restore bodyweight, muscle mass, and contractile function when used with semaglutide. This study reveals the effects of semaglutide on muscle health in an adolescent obesity model and presents protein supplementation as a viable solution.
Access status: Open Access ,
Twenty-Year Trends in the Prevalence and Predictors of Healthcare Provider Advice to Lose Weight: U.S. NHANES, 1999-2018
(2025-11-11) Gao-Kang, Jenny; Ardern, Chris
Healthcare providers (HCP) play a critical role in screening for obesity and supports for obesity management. We examined 1999–2018 trends in the prevalence and predictors of U.S. adults being told to lose weight using ten nationally representative NHANES cycles (n=16,424). Survey-weighted descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression identified sociodemographic, anthropometric (BMI, WC), clinical (MetS, EOSS), and behavioral predictors stratified by age, sex, and ethnicity. Overall, 34.4% reported ever receiving weight-loss advice; the prevalence rose from 11.1% to 19.2% among overweight and from 20.9% to 33.4% among obese individuals. Adjusted models showed older age, female sex, higher BMI (OR overweight = 6.15; obese = 41.86), elevated WC (OR = 8.37), and EOSS stages 2 (OR = 3.90) and 3 (OR = 5.07) were strong independent predictors, while socioeconomic and behavioral factors were modest. HCP weight-loss advice increased over two decades but remains predominantly driven by simple anthropometric measures; integrating comprehensive clinical risk tools like EOSS may improve equitable obesity care.
Access status: Open Access ,
The Acute Effects of Greek Yogurt Consumption on Circulating Bone Metabolic Markers Following High-Intensity Cycling in Premenopausal Females with Overweight and Obesity
(2025-11-11) Gagnon, Sara; Josse, Andrea
This thesis compared the bone turnover and metabolism responses of post-exercise Greek yogurt (GY) consumption and an isoenergetic carbohydrate pudding (CP) following high-intensity interval cycling (HIIC) in young- to middle-aged inactive premenopausal females with overweight and obesity. We hypothesized that GY would attenuate post-exercise bone resorption and/or amplify formation compared to CP. Using a randomized crossover design, participants completed an acute HIIC bout followed by the consumption of either GY or CP. Blood samples were collected at pre-exercise, post-exercise, 1hr and 3hr postprandially, and 24hr post-exercise. Bone turnover and metabolism markers RANKL, OPG, PTH, OPN, CTX, SOST, OC, and IGF-1 were measured from serum. Interactions were observed whereby OPG and OC were higher at 1hr and 3hr postprandially, respectively, and PTH was lower throughout the postprandial period in GY versus CP. Thus, GY consumption favourably modulated the acute post-exercise bone turnover and metabolism response in these females.
Access status: Open Access ,
Sport Leadership in the Greater Toronto Area Tamil Diaspora: Exploring the Lived Experience of Sport Leaders in Tamil Grassroots Sports Organizations
(2025-11-11) Sriranganathan, Gobika; Nakamura, Yuka
Civil war in Sri Lanka precipitated the mass emigration of Tamils from Sri Lanka in the 1980s, many of whom settled in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). This community has since established significant social support networks and cultural infrastructure including, and of interest to this study, a growing number of Tamil grassroots sports organizations. Specifically, this study investigates the experience of leaders in the GTA Tamil diasporic sport community. The research objectives are to: 1) document the experiences of Tamil sport leaders in the GTA that led to their involvement with Tamil sport leagues; 2) understand what sport leadership means within the Tamil sporting community; 3) understand the gendered and gendering nature of sport leadership; and, 4) identify potential barriers that Tamils, in particular Tamil women, experience in sport leadership and strategies to negotiate them. Postcolonial feminism and intersectionality theory inform this study to allow for deeper understanding of the impact colonialism has had on the Tamil diaspora and exploration of the meaning and consequences of multiple interacting social identities, such as class, race, gender and other systems of unequal power on sport leadership within the community. An exploratory multiple case study approach is used in this study to allow for intensive study of sport leaders through interviews and social media analysis. By exploring the lived experiences of second and 1.5 generation Tamil sport leaders in the GTA, the importance of diasporic identity, gender norms, and postcolonial dynamics in shaping Tamil grassroots sports leadership is revealed. A hybrid leadership model emerges that has roots in both Tamil and Western ideologies as sport leaders navigate a ‘third space’ in the sporting sphere. Tamil women must also navigate intersecting barriers and supports at individual, interpersonal, organizational and cultural levels, adopting strategies such as collective leadership, which underscores the complex, gendered nature of leadership in diasporic sporting spaces.
Access status: Open Access ,
'We Can All Make Our Own Choices’: Using a Feminist Participatory Action Research Approach to Explore and Mobilize the Experiences of Athletes in a Girls-Only Community Sport Program
(2025-11-11) Li, Winnie Yung-Yu; Erickson, Karl
To belong is different from being included. Belonging involves feeling like you not only have a voice, but that your voice is being heard and appreciated. This study explored this idea in the realm of youth sport through partnering with a community-based organization that provides sport programming for girls from equity-deserving groups. Utilizing a feminist participatory action research (FPAR) approach and the qualitative method of photovoice, the lived experiences of 4 athletes participating in the organization’s recreational soccer program were captured. Aligning with the action component of FPAR and tenets of knowledge mobilization, their voices were amplified through various mobilization strategies to create actionable social impact and better ensure the participants felt heard by people who play a role in shaping their sporting experiences. Overall, the findings demonstrate the value of listening and learning from a diverse set of voices in the development, delivery, and evaluation of youth sport programming.

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