On March 26, the University of Toronto's Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education hosted the 21st annual Bertha Rosenstadt National Undergraduate Research Conference (NURC). Cancelled last year due to COVID-19, the conference was held virtually this year.
The multidisciplinary conference has been hosted by the Faculty since 1999, giving kinesiology students across the country an opportunity to present literature reviews, critiques, term papers and findings from research projects on a variety of topics, including exercise physiology, biomechanics, sports medicine, motor learning and control, exercise and sport psychology, philosophy, history and sociology of sport.
The keynote speaker, Assistant Professor Brenda Wastasecoot from the Centre for Indigenous Studies at U of T, spoke of ways in which health practitioners can work together with Indigenous communities to address their needs. A member of the York Factory Cree Nation, Wastasecoot’s life was deeply affected by her sibling’s experience of residential schooling and her own experiences with assimilation growing up in Churchill, Manitoba. She advised that in addition to understanding that they are entering an already established landscape of Indigenous health and healing practices, health practitioners need to know the history of settler - Indigenous relations to be effective allies.
The keynote address was followed by student presentations that carried on throughout the day. A total of 64 kinesiology students from all over the country presented, with 73 more peers and faculty tuning in to watch. The presentations were divided into blocks centred around common themes.
Awards for outstanding research were given to students with best presentations in their area of research:
- Garima Saini from KPE for her presentation on the effect of non-dual knowing on the anxious self;
- Christina Pizzola from McMaster University for her presentation on the effect of four weeks of local lower limb heating therapy on cardiorespiratory fitness in young, healthy, recreationally active males and females; and
- Nicholas Goulet from the University of Ottawa for his presentation on the effects of acute intermittent hypoxia on postprandial triglyceride levels in individuals with or without obstructive sleep apnea.
Congratulations to all participants. We look forward to seeing you again next year.