Graduate Student Research Profiles
Kari Ann Parsons, Master of Science in Exercise Sport Science
The rates of childhood inactivity in New Brunswick are among the highest in the nation. While schools alone are unable to resolve this crisis, physical education classes provide children with the opportunity to learn fundamental movement skills and engage in activity. To accrue health benefits, Canada’s Physical Activity Guide for children suggests that children engage in activity of moderate-to-vigorous intensity.
Previous research indicates that the intensity of activities pursued during physical education classes is generally low. My research involves using tag-like games to create a low-dose physical education intervention for grade four and five students. Intensity will be monitored through accelerometry.
By participating in this intervention it is expected that children will experience improvements in aerobic endurance and/or decreases in resting heart rate, blood pressure and waist circumference. Knowledge gleaned from this study may impact the design and implementation of future physical education programs.
Sarah Wagner, Master of Arts in Sport and Recreation Studies
Sarah Wagner is completing her studies under the direction of Dr. Charlene Shannon. Sarah’s research interests include
- leisure facilitation
- leisure education
- special populations.
Her thesis is directed at understanding mothers’ experiences with facilitating leisure for their autistic children.
While working with Dr. Shannon, Sarah has had the opportunity to become involved with the Paediatric Lifestyle Management Program, and delivers leisure education to families who have a child who is overweight. She has also become involved with Dr. Shannon’s research study focused on youth victimization in sport and recreation settings in New Brunswick. In the fall of 2009 Sarah was given the opportunity to present this research with Dr. Shannon at the annual Recreation Nova Scotia Conference .
Brian Beaudette, Masters of Science in Exercise and Sport Science
I am working towards my degree in Exercise and Sport Sciences, specializing in Biomechanics under Dr. Victoria Chester.
While earning my degree, I will be undertaking a project to create a normative database for upper extremity movement in the early adult age range of 18 to 24 years old. In doing so, we will hope to find a normative pattern for arm movements in healthy adults and to use this information in future clinical scenarios.
The research may benefit those who are diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, and those in need of upper extremity prosthesis, as well as patients who may have had upper extremity injury or are recovering from arm surgery.
