Knowledge domains
The School of Human Kinetics is rooted in multiple, interconnected disciplines that see sport, physical activity, health and leisure from different knowledge perspectives.
This area focuses on the neural and psychological basis of how humans adapt, control and learn skilled movement. Current research covers a wide range of topics in sensorimotor control, learning through self-modelling and observation, and posture control by examining performance in the population, including the elderly and those living with pathologies.
There are several major collaborations with local hospitals, other University departments and research institutes.
Members
Career opportunities
- Ergonomics
- Training and coaching
- Clinical psychology
- Physiotherapy
- Occupational therapy
- Motion analysis and animation
- Medicine
This field looks at the biomechanical and physical basis of human movement as well as the effect of forces on the human body. Current research includes programs seeking to better understand joint biomechanics, to optimize joint function in persons in good health, elderly persons and those living with pathologies. There is also research on head injury biomechanics, research in engineering to find more effective prevention measures against these types of injuries and research on new international standards on protective equipment to prevent impact injuries in sport.
We have many partnership agreements with regional hospitals, the Faculty of Engineering, the Faculty of Medicine and other uOttawa departments and research institutes.
Career opportunities
- Ergonomics
- Training and coaching
- Physiotherapy
- Occupational biomechanics
- Motion analysis and animation
- Medicine
- Sports equipment testing
- Project engineering
- Gait assessment
Members
- Allison Clouthier
- Janie Cournoyer
- Ryan Graham
- T. Blaine Hoshizaki
- Julie Nantel
Teaching and research grants and funding
- R. Graham, University Research Chair, Ontario Early Research Award (ERA), Canadian Society for Biomechanics Promising Young Investigator, NSERC, CIHR, Government of Canada, industry funding
- T. Blaine Hoshizaki, industry funding
- Jing Xian Li, CIHR, SSHRC and industry funding
- Julie Nantel, Ontario ERA, NSERC, Parkinson Canada, Weston Brain Institute, CIHR
Socio-cultural studies in sport
Sociocultural analysis of physical activity and sport (PAS) is a fundamental aspect of human kinetics. Indeed, a good number of specialists in sociology, anthropology, history and political science consider social issues, debates and problems related to PAS. These specialists are frequently invited to comment on current events and advise political leaders on various social problems, such as social inequality in health care, growing physical inactivity in the population, violence and sport ethics.
Research areas
- The role of physical activity and sport in international development and co-operation
- PAS and Indigenous peoples
- Sports competitions, festivals and identity
- Globalization and commercialization of sport
- Sports policy and citizenship
- PAS and the culture of risk
- Youth, adult and seniors participation in physical activity and sport
- Women, physical activity and health
- The body, body image, obesity and health
- Critical study of industries, systems and health-care policy
Career opportunities
- Research (universities, research centres, public health agencies, PAS promotion organizations)
- Local, provincial and national sport policy development
- PAS promotion and injury prevention
- Communication (journalism, research, public relations)
- Social and community development
Members
Leisure studies
Leisure studies courses, which integrate knowledge from many disciplines, examine leisure as a social and cultural phenomenon, people’s behaviour regarding leisure, delivery and management of leisure services, health and other benefits of leisure, and the environmental impact of leisure.
Career opportunities
- Leisure program planning and evaluation
- Tourism, culture, arts, the environment or conservation work
- Government policy consultation or management
- Specialized leisure work with at-risk populations
Members
- Alexandra Arellano Indigenous studies, tourism, community development
- Audrey Giles Indigenous health, community-based research
- François Gravelle Educational and psychosocial aspects of leisure
- Paul Heintzman Outdoor recreation, parks, leisure and spirituality
- George Karlis Leisure, multiculturalism and society, volunteerism
- Eileen O’Connor History of sport and medicine, experiential learning
Research areas
- Governance of sports organizations and systems, and of sports-related events
- Promotion, branding and ambush marketing of sports organizations and events
- Social and economic impact, legacy and leveraging of sports events
- Athlete development and experience in major sports events
- Sports analytics and advanced statistics assessing athletes’ performance, and coaches’ and facilitators’ work
- Violence and sports ethics in organizations
- Leadership and organizational culture in sport organizations
Career opportunities
- Education or research
- Local, provincial or national sports or leisure organizations
- Municipal, provincial or national recreation or sports departments
- Fitness centres
- University athletics departments
- Professional sports organizations (e.g., sports teams or golf courses)
- Sport apparel companies (e.g., Nike, the North Face)
- Sports marketing
- Sports management or marketing consultancy
Members
- Eric MacIntosh
- Kevin Mongeon
- Ben Noé
- Marijke Taks
- Lucie Thibault
Research projects and opportunities
National Sport Organization Landscape Study on Governance, Branding and Social Media
The study’s purpose is to understand the relationships between governance, brand and social media in Canadian national sports organizations (NSOs). We are using a mixed methods approach, starting with a landscape study (online survey) of Sport Canada-funded NSOs, followed by in-depth interviews with a sample of NSOs. We will then assist NSOs to align and maximize their governance, brand and social media practices through a knowledge translation/transfer workshop and webinar. The study findings will provide NSO directors and managers with recommendations on how to govern their brand and social media activities to maximize benefits for their clients and stakeholders.
Many student research project opportunities are available for this project.
Athlete Experience at the Youth Olympic Games
In collaboration with the International Olympic Committee, this study examines the longitudinal impact of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) on its participants. The project includes three parts:
- Part 1: To determine the impact of YOG participation on key stakeholders (young athletes, reporters, ambassadors and athlete role models)
- Part 2: To understand the athlete experience in terms of the learning environment
- Part 3: To determine the young athletes’ intentions regarding continuing high-performance careers. This is intended to capture the athletes’ desires to take part in future events or determine if they are no longer interested in pursuing high-performance sport, and why.
Building Capacity for Sport Participation Through Events
The overall aim of the research project is to help local sports organizations (LSOs) build capacity to increase sport participation opportunities during events. Our previous research has shown that capacity building must take place well in advance of an event so that the necessary skills and resources are in place. To that end, phase one of the project consists of:
- Benchmarking LSOs’ capacities (e.g., funding, human resources) to deliver their sport programs
- Investigating LSOs’ willingness and readiness to build capacity and implement change to recruit and retain new participants.
LSOs are invited to participate in the study either with, or without an event.
Many student research project opportunities are available for this project.
Commonwealth Sport University Network: Games Related Research Portfolio
Through a partnership with the Commonwealth Games Federation, students have the opportunity to research a number of different aspects related to the Games, the impact the Games have on the athletes and community, and other outcomes of the Commonwealth Sport movement. The research will focus on coach and athlete development, sports and reconciliation, inclusion and diversity in sports, and leadership development.
Many student research project opportunities are available for this project.
Socio-economic Impact of Sports Events
This research examines the economic, tourism, social and sporting participation impact of different types of sports events (e.g., large/small, spectator/competitor, uni-sport/multi-sport, national/international) to maximize positive and minimize negative outcomes from hosting events.
Many student research project opportunities are available for this project.
This field studies the physiological basis of a variety of disorders in humans. The two primary research areas are energy balance and human thermoregulation. Current research programs examine the following:
- The contribution of physiological and endocrine factors to obesity
- The effects of different factors, such as nutrition, eating behaviour, environmental pollutants, energy supplements and physical activity, on energy balance and adipose tissue-derived proteins involved in body weight control and insulin sensitivity
- How humans orchestrate metabolic fuel selection to improve chances of survival and increase performance in adverse environmental conditions such as changing climates and major changes to dietary behaviour
- The impact of physical activity on weight loss and glycemic control in Type 2 diabetics
- Thermal and non-thermal factors influencing the control of perspiration and skin blood flow and core temperature regulation during and following exercise or work in heat
- Modelling to predict human thermoregulatory response, fatigue and stress tolerance caused by heat and cold
- Cellular and molecular networks responsible for adaptations to exercise
- Impact of maternal behaviour and intrauterine exposure on the promotion of optimum health as seen through the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) paradigm
Members
Through our theoretical and applied research and applied consulting in the field, we aim to understand, promote and enhance physical activity, to improve quality of life, learning and performance, and the factors that influence them. Our work is conducted with various populations, including persons living with disease, older individuals, disadvantaged youth, elite performers, and physical education teachers and coaches.
Members
Psychology of physical activity
Sports and performance psychology and consultation
- Natalie Durand-Bush
- Sommer Christie
- Diane Culver
- Tiago Duarte
- Brad Young
Pedagogy in sports and physical education
Career and study opportunities
Teaching
Our students can take teacher education programs and focus on physical and health education.
Graduate studies
Students interested in conducting research on the psychology or pedagogy of physical activity or sport can complete a master’s with thesis or a PhD.
Students more interested in consultation or counselling can complete an applied master’s without thesis.
Career opportunities
Studies in the psychology and pedagogy of physical activity and sport can prepare you for jobs within sports organizations, public health systems and
private fitness facilities.
Our advantage
- With 11 professors, we have the largest concentration in North America of psychology and pedagogy of physical activity and sport educators.
- Most of our professors are or have been SSHRC funded.
- Our consultants work with Olympic athletes and other high level performers.
- We have a cutting edge facility, the Training Centre for Intervention and Consultation in Sport, Physical Activity and Health, which offers students ample opportunities to develop the requisite skills for consultation and intervention in various settings.