Issue 11/November 2009
Move More!
Welcome to our latest E-Newsletter from: www.participACTION.com
Message from the President
We are all influenced by the company that we keep! Research tells us that active parents have more active kids, and we also know that getting active with a friend can motivate us to move more.
At ParticipACTION, our organization is also positively influenced by our partners and our peers. We are proud to announce the addition of five-time world and Olympic champion Donovan Bailey to our Board of Directors. Donovan is an icon in Canadian sport and we're thrilled to have him.
We also welcome 33 leading Canadians to our three new Advisory Groups, focused on Research, Marketing Communications and Policy and Capacity Building. The Advisory Groups will help connect us to people and organizations across the country so we can work together to face the inactivity crisis.
Together, we can get Canadians moving!
Kelly Murumets |
| Newsletter Reader Survey Update |
|
|
Thank you to all of you who completed our newsletter reader survey in October. Your feedback is incredibly valuable, and will help us provide relevant content to all of our partners and readers.
|
| ParticipACTION Update |
|
ParticipACTION's new TV ad celebrates two real-life Canadians who are getting active in Halifax! Coworkers Matt Whitman and Theresa Babin, from Halifax, Nova Scotia, have been selected by ParticipACTION to share their personal story about getting physically active, so they can inspire others to do the same. Their story, about making a commitment to "never take the elevator again" at work, was turned into a 30-second television commercial that will begin airing across Canada on November 2.
Matt and Theresa submitted their story by recording a video at ParticipACTION's mobile Inspiration Booth, which visited Halifax in the summer of 2009 as part of the cross-country ParticipACTION Sun Life - Inspire the nation tour. Their story was selected out of almost 2000 stories collected through the tour and posted directly to our online Wall of Inspiration.
We launched our Get Inspired. Get Moving. campaign in November, 2008, with television commercials featuring Canadian icons including Donovan Bailey, Mary Walsh, Pierre Boivin and Bruny Surin. The icons called on all Canadians to share their stories about getting more active so they could inspire fellow Canadians to do the same.
To view our new television ad featuring Matt and Theresa, visit our Media Room.
If you would like to submit your story about how you've incorporated more movement in your life, please visit the Wall of Inspiration.
ParticipACTION Annual Report 2008/2009
In October, we launched our first digital, interactive ParticipACTION Annual Report. Together with our dedicated and passionate partners, we celebrate the Canadians who have heard our call to move more, every day. The important project we've launched in the past year are helping us move forward towards addressing the physical inactivity crisis in Canada.
The report gives you all the features of a traditional annual report, with some new features:
- Audio interviews with ParticipACTION leaders
- Dynamic videos and visuals from our 2009 programs
- Plus, the report is easy to download, navigate and share
|
| Monthly Highlight |
|
Fun Family Activities for Rainy (or Snowy) Days!
Getting active with your kids isn't just a good way to get your heart pumping - it's a great way to have fun and be close as a family. Plus, when you play tag, toss a Frisbee, or join a dance-a-thon with your kids, you're teaching them healthy habits that will help them grow into healthier, more active adults. Fall weather can unpredictable, but just because you want to be indoors, doesn't mean you have to be inactive. Here are some fun tips to get the bugs out on a rainy day:
- Have a treasure hunt
- Hide clues around the house, and get your kids to actively search for treasure. Have them slither like a snake, hop on one foot or wave their arms over their head to get to the next clue!
- Put on a talent show
- Put on their favourite music and have them dance, lip synch or air-guitar away the afternoon
- Play a game of HORSE
- Find a soft foam, sponge or newspaper ball, and use a garbage can or laundry bin as the basket. Shoot from different areas of the room and see who can spell out HORSE first.
- Take a field trip
- Visit a local community centre, swimming pool, roller rink or bowling alley-or go for a big walk through the local mall.
- Play keep-away
- Blow up some balloons and play keep-away or work together as a team to tap the balloon without letting it touch the floor!
- Play active games
- Twister and musical chairs are great indoor games that incorporate movement-be sure to find an area where there aren't too many obstacles to knock over!
For other ways to incorporate more movement during the Fall months visit www.participACTION.com |
| Research Update |
|
Injury Prevention in Children's Outdoor Activities
No one wants to see children get hurt. Unfortunately, some people may restrict their child's physical activity because they think their child might get injured-but regular activity is important to keep children healthy. The good news is that recent research offers a number of effective ways to reduce the likelihood of injury in four common children's outdoor activities: bicycling, snowboarding/skiing, walking and playground activity. Ways to protect our children include helmet use, engineering approaches and modified legislation:
- Helmets protect against head, brain and facial injuries while bicycling, skiing and snowboarding.
- Engineering solutions, such as traffic calming and certain playground structural designs, have been shown to reduce injuries.
- Legislation mandating bicycle helmets has increased helmet use and has been associated with decreases in head injuries and bicycle-related mortality.
Using a variety approaches will help keep our children active-and safe!
|
| Q&A |
|
|
Q - Is it safe to be physically active while I'm pregnant? Kristal
A - Yes, physical activity during pregnancy is safe - and even beneficial - to you and your baby. If you weren't regularly physically active before becoming pregnant, it's important to see your doctor before starting an exercise program. If you were already physically active, you will need to adapt your usual exercise routine to reduce the risk of harm to you and your baby. For safety, expecting mothers should watch their temperature levels and body positions while getting active.
During pregnancy, your body temperature increases more than usual when exercising. Take care not to exercise in the heat or a hot environment, drink plenty of water and wear suitable clothing.
When you lie on your back during pregnancy, your baby presses on your main blood vessels. This can lower your blood pressure, so it's important not to exercise on your back after the sixteenth week of pregnancy.
Take care and have a safe and active pregnancy. |
| Professional Development |
|
|
CAAWS Workshops
November (various dates)
National
The Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport (CAAWS) will be co-hosting English and French regional workshops for professionals and/or physical activity promoters working with low socioeconomic status (LSES) mothers across Canada.
The workshops will focus on findings and key learnings from 2008 cross-Canada focus groups with LSES mothers and physical activity promoters. They will also present physical activity tools that were developed to assist practitioners in addressing specific community issues, and barriers related to accessibility, availability and affordability of physical activity opportunities for LSES mothers.
Workshops are approximately two hours in duration. Complimentary resources will be provided to each participant.
- French workshop in Fredericton, NB (Gibson Health Clinic)
RSVP: Gabriela Tymowski (tel: 506-447-3231 / email: tymowski@unb.ca) OR Donna Clark (tel: 506-458-8422 / email: diabetes@nbapc.org)
November 9 - English workshop in Kelowna, BC
RSVP: Louise Roberts-Taylor (tel: 250-469-8784 / email: lroberts-taylor@kelowna.ca)
November 12 - English workshop in Vancouver, BC (Burnaby Family Life Metrotown)
RSVP: Kaitlin (tel: 604-659-2205 / email: kburnett@burnabyfamilylife.org)
For more information visit www.caaws.ca or contact Natacha Ducharme (tel: 613-304-8225 / email: natachaducharme@sympatico.ca)
CSEP-SCPE - Ideas Crossing Boundaries: From Elite Athletes to Patients with Chronic Disease Conference
Nov. 11-14
Vancouver, BC
Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology's CSEP 2009 event is the premier pre-Olympic Games exercise science, sports medicine and physical activity conference. It will take place in scenic Vancouver, host city for the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, 93 days prior to the Opening Ceremonies.
Delegates will be able to experience the Olympic atmosphere first-hand, and be exposed to leading research in the fields of high performance physiology, clinical exercise physiology and rehabilitation, exercise science, sports medicine and physical activity promotion. Researchers from around the world are scheduled to attend.
Call for Abstracts - 3rd International Congress on Physical Activity and Public Health
Nov. 15 (Submission Date Deadline)
Toronto, ON
The goal of the 3rd International Congress on Physical Activity and Public Health (ICPAPH) is to provide a scientific forum in which delegates from around the world can come together to discuss and debate the latest scientific evidence supporting the contribution of regular physical activity to public health. The anticipated outcome of the 2010 Congress is to assimilate, interpret and share scientific evidence with key stakeholders who are in a position to develop recommendations concerning effective physical activity policies and programs within their own jurisdictions.
Delegates are encouraged to make oral or poster presentations at the congress. Oral presentations will include original basic or applied research, whereas poster formats could include either: 1) original basic or applied research, or 2) policy and/or program development and evaluation. There is a limit of two first-authored submissions per delegate; first authors are required to be the presenting author. All abstracts must be submitted in English.
Abstract submissions must be formatted according to guidelines and submitted as an attachment by e-mail to: 2010congress@pbrc.edu by 5:00 p.m. EST, November 15, 2009
For more information visit http://www.cflri.ca/icpaph/en/index.php INDCP 2009 Colloquium: Urban communities, municipal policies and people with disabilities
Nov. 20
Quebec, QC
The International Network on the Disability Creation Process (INDCP) will hold its annual colloquium under the theme "Urban communities, municipal policies and people with disabilities" on November 20, 2009, at the Auditorium of the Institut de réadaptation en déficience physique de Québec (525, Boulevard Wilfrid Hamel-Est).
Speakers will be invited to discuss the current observed changes in metropolitan and municipal governance, their impact on the development of accessible policies, environments and services, as well as on the evolution of the quality of citizen participation. They will also debate the best practices for planning, designing and developing accessible municipal services.
For other events/workshops taking place in November visit our events calendar.
If you would like to feature your event/workshop/conference or program in our newsletter or on our events calendar please contact info@participACTION.com |
| Partner Highlights and Events |
|
|
Santa Claus Parade
November (various dates)
National
Bundle up your children because the Santa Claus parade is coming! Every year, the Santa Claus Parade makes its way through several major Canadian cities during the month of November. The parade features floats, entertainment, community organizations and other fun activities.
Jingle Bell Run
November (various dates)
National
The Jingle Bell Walk and Run for Arthritis is a fun-filled, family oriented community event. Participants raise pledges and take part in a non-competitive walk/run with jingle bells on their shoes. Distances are 1km or 5 km. Lunch, snacks and prizes will be awarded after the walk/run. Participants can register as individuals or as teams.
Scottish Country Dancing
November (various dates)
Toronto, ON
Scottish country dancing is sure way to get your heart rate going. Dancing to lively jigs and reels will not only provide you with an excellent physical workout, but remembering sequences of steps will provide you with a mental workout as well. Throughout the evening, you will be dancing with several partners, so it's isn't mandatory to bring a partner, but you are welcome to bring a friend!
For class information and event dates visit http://www.rscdstoronto.org/Default.htm ActNow BC
November (various dates)
British Columbia Leading up to the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, ActNow BC's series of events will give all British Columbians the chance to embrace the spirit of the Games and experience a piece of the Games right in their own community. Some events will feature some of BC's Olympic and Paralympic athletes, the 2010 mascots and the Olympic Torch prototype.
Put Cancer on Ice
Nov. 13-15
Oakville, ON
The Canadian Cancer Society proudly presents the Put Cancer on Ice hockey tournament at Canlan Ice Sports in North York, from November 13-15, 2009, in association with the Toronto Maple Leafs Alumni.
This year, more than 250 amateur players on 18 teams will be participating. The top 15 individual fundraisers will have the opportunity to play with and against some of the Toronto Maple Leafs Alumni legends.
Show your support by sponsoring the event, donating to the Canadian Cancer Society, volunteering or bringing your family out to watch the games.
|
| Success Story |
|
 Hello, my name is Vicky Lopez. I am 48 years old and I teach grade one at a public school. In order to keep active during my work day, I have been walking during my lunch hour. When the lunch bell rings, I lace up my running shoes and head out my classroom door. While most of the teaching staff head to the staff room to eat their lunches, I head down the hall and start my rounds. I walk all around the school and up and down the stairs for about 25-30 minutes. Sometimes I am joined by my very fit 62-yr-old good friend Geni. Believe it or not, I have to run to keep up with her! She is an amazing walker. I recently bought myself a pedometer to count my steps, and by the end of my work day I have usually taken 10,000 steps. I have been walking during my lunch hour for over six years and I love it. It gives me the energy to return to the classroom and take care of my students! I also attend a gym a few times a week. I think that exercise has definitely improved my physical health, as well as my mental health. I just love it! Story submitted through the ParticipACTION Wall of Inspiration - Quebec
If you would liek to submit articles, events/programs or news to our e-newsletter or for more information on ParticipACTION, please feel free to contact us by email at info@participACTION.com or visit our website at www.participACTION.com | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
