Research at Sun Life Centre for Healthy Communities
Overview
Sun Life Centre for Healthy Communities (CHC) is committed to conducting, supporting, and disseminating holistic, inter-disciplinary research on physical activity and healthy living across the lifespan. CHC fully supports the exchange and transfer of knowledge within academic and community settings to better understand and implement information related to active, healthy living and personal wellness.
Research Objectives
Knowledge derived from CHC affiliated research is used to inform the development and implementation of programs, resources, and initiatives, and support positive policy changes. As part of the Laurier community, CHC is fortunate to collaborate with leading experts in the fields of health, physical activity, and well-being. We also value feedback from our CHC community (program participants, parents/guardians, volunteers, leaders and staff) to promote healthy bodies, healthy minds, healthy communities, and healthy growth.​​
The fundamental goal of CHC will be realized through six integrated research objectives:
01.
Explore the socio-ecological (individual, interpersonal, organizational, community, and public policy) antecedents and consequences of physical activity of participants of CHC programs.
02.
Develop a coherent understanding of the effects of physical activity on the development of motor abilities, cognitive abilities, and psychological and social behaviours in children, youth, and adults of CHC programs.
03.
Determine the cardiovascular, metabolic, neurophysiological, and muscular adaptations to physical activity participation in CHC programs.
04.
Explore the health and well-being of individuals from a variety of perspectives, such as sleep, nutrition, cognitive, motor, social, and parental or caregiver influences of CHC participants.
05.
Develop and evaluate CHC physical activity programs and wellness initiatives to foster continuous improvement and positive outcomes for CHC community members, including program participants and volunteers.
06.
Promote equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in the conduct and support of research.
Logic Model
CHC strives to be a change-maker in developing and providing inclusive evidence-based wellness programs, resources, and educational initiatives that positively impact the health and well-being of the communities in which Laurier resides.
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The planning, development, and evaluation of CHC wellness initiatives, leadership opportunities, and healthy living programs is guided by a logic model. CHC’s logic model provides a conceptual overview of key influencing factors that link CHC activities to positive outcomes in the communities CHC serves.
Research In Action
Knowledge Mobilization
CHC aims to bridge the research to practice gap by engaging in knowledge mobilization activities with researchers, practitioners, educators, and community members to promote greater understanding and application of research that supports sport for development, physical activity involvement, wellness, and healthy living.
Speaker Series
Coming soon! CHC will present a series of webinars that feature conversations with experts on healthy living, physical activity, and well-being. Learn more about special topics related to holistic health and wellness.
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Conferences
CHC has hosted a cost-free conference to highlight research conducted by the membership. The conference offers attendees opportunities to share research and connect with others interested in holistic health and well-being.
CHC Research and Knowledge Mobilization in the News
CHC Research Contact
Dr. Amy Gayman
Research Coordinator
Dr. Amy Gayman, CHC Research Coordinator, is the primary contact for all CHC related research activities. Researchers are encouraged to contact Dr. Gayman at agayman@wlu.ca if they have questions or concerns about conducting research with CHC or are interested in accessing CHC secondary data. Participants in CHC studies are also welcome to connect with Amy about any questions they may have.