ARPA 2015 Connecting Through Research Presentations

Connecting Through Research Award Winners Content courtesy of ARPA

A few weeks ago, in Lake Louise, the ARPA conference supported for the first time a research focused presentation stream. The Connecting through Research stream was developed in direct response to the Framework for Recreation in Canada - Goal 5 Recreation Capacity. This initiative was supported with funding from the University of Alberta, Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation and Mount Royal University, School of Health and Communities Studies.  The inaugural Connecting through Research stream attracted 28 presentations from researchers in seven provinces and the United States. These researchers included academics, recreation and parks practitioners and graduate students. The stream was designed to break down the barrier between researchers and practitioners and to support a more open exchange of information and ideas. In recognition of researchers who are able to link their work to practice, two awards were presented: The award for Best Overall Presentation went to Dr. Jon Doan from the University of Lethbridge. Dr. Doan's presentation on 'Recreation as Medicine' explored how regular recreational sport programming can be easily adapted to improve the biological and social health of persons with Parkinson disease.  The award for Best Student Presentation went to Mr. Augustus Hallmon from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Mr. Hallmon's presentation, 'Black Mothers, Racial Socialization and Cultural Competency' demonstrated how qualitative research methods can be used to engage with new and distinct community groups to create programs that meet the needs of changing community demographics.  Slides from both presentation will be posted on LIN. Congratulations to both winners!

Presentations

1.  STRUCTURED AND UNSTRUCTURED ACTIVITY TIME IN ALBERTA’S OUT-OF-SCHOOL PROGRAMS – DIFFERENCES BETWEEN INDOOR AND OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENTS
Author and Presenter: Dr. Elizabeth Halpenny (University of Alberta, Faculty of Physical
Education and Recreation) Documenting children’s engagement in structured and unstructured activities especially in outdoor environments and identifying the factors that shape this engagement can assist out-of-school programs and governments to advance policy and practice changes that may result in more rapid achievement of positive development and health outcomes for children

2.  PRESCHOOL PHYSICAL LITERACY – INSPIRING YOUNG ALBERTANS TO BE ACTIVE
Author and Presenter: Nancy Ogden (Mount Royal University, Psychology)
The APPLE model encompasses the motivation, confidence and competence to move. APPLE combined with Physical Literacy Observation Tool provides evidence based tools for evaluating and informing children’s PA programs.


3.  INSTRUCTOR BEHAVIOR AND YOUTH PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN RECREATION CENTER PROGRAMS
Author and Presenter: Dr. Dwayne Sheehan (Mount Royal University, Physical Education and Recreation Studies) Providing evidence-based objective data can inform management of the quality of programs and allow managers to provide support to the front line staff in the creation of better repertoire of strategies for increasing PA with children of all ages

4.  EXPLORING THE IMPACT OF COMMUNITY INVESTMENT IN RECREATION SPACES ON HEALTH EQUITY AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Presenter: Dr. Candace Nykiforuk (University of Alberta, School of Public Health)
Authors: Dr. Candace Nykiforuk, Dr. Tanya Berry, Dr. Helen Vallianatos, Laura Nieuwendyk, Dr. Ana Belon, Jennifer Ann McGetrick & Elizabeth Campbell
The findings suggest that revitalization efforts in both Strathcona County and Tri-Region were likely key contributors to increased visits to indoor facilities and outdoor spaces between 2011 and 2013.

5. UNDERSTANDING THE ROLE OF LEISURE WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF THE RARE CHRONIC ILLNESS ADIPOSIS DOLOROSA
Presenter: Urmi Mukherjee (Graduate Student, University of Regina, Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Studies)
Authors: Urmi Mukherjee & Dr. M. Rebecca Genow The findings contribute to the limited literature on rare chronic illness. The results can assist individuals with rare diseases to self-manage their conditions using leisure as an alternate coping resource

6.  COMMUNITY RECREATION AS MEDICINE – BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL BENEFITS OF ICE SKATING AMONGST CANADIANS LIVING WITH PARKINSON DISEASE
Presenter: Jon B. Doan (University of Lethbridge)
Authors: Jon B. Doan, Claudia Steinke & Brittany Mercier
Canadians living with young onset Parkinson disease lack adequate support for continuing vigorous recreation activity. Ice skating is a great option, with identified biopsychosocial benefits and broad availability in Canada.


7.  WHEN THE PARTS ARE GREATER THAN THE SUM – UNDERSTANDING THE RECREATION NEEDS OF OUR NEIGHBOURHOODS THROUGH SEGMENTATION ANALYSIS
Authors and Presenters: Ron Smith (Senior Business Strategist, The City of Calgary Recreation) & Brian Singh
Tracking demographic changes is challenging, but important to providing products and services that appeal to people of all ages, backgrounds and circumstances.


8.  WE WANT TO PLAY TOO – EXPLORING ADULTS’ EXPERIENCES IN INTRODUCTORY SPORT PROGRAMS
Presenter: Simon Barrick (Graduate Student University of Waterloo, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies)
Authors: Simon Barrick, Dr. Healther L. Mair & Dr. Luke R Potwarka
Research on adult introductory sport programs increases our understanding of why and how adults engage in new sports, and physical activities more generally: thereby contributing to a healthier Canadian society

9.   SENIORS IN THE SUBURBS – REVITALIZING PERSPECTIVES OF BELONGING AND COMMUNITY CONNECTION FOR HEALTH AND WELLBEING
Presenter: Sonya Jakubec, (Mount Royal University)
Authors: Sonya Jakubec, Dr. Marg Olfert, Nicole Dawe, Cynthia Watson, Dr. Dwayne Sheehan & Nadine Van Wyk,
This study explores the relationship between senior suburban Punjabi Canadians their perceptions of community and the role of the community recreation centre. The findings have implications for community recreation centre programming, services and community planning.

10.  DO CANADIAN PARK USERS LEAVE NO TRACE? – EXAMINING PRO-ENVIRONMENTAL CAMPING
PRACTICES IN CANADIAN PROVINCIAL PARKS
Author and Presenter: C.J. Blye (Graduate Student University of Alberta, Faculty of Physical
Education and Recreation)
This study helps parks managers obtain a better understanding of the association between campers’ ecological world view and their environmental motivations as important determinants of pre-environmental behavior

11.   THE INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL WORLD VIEW ON CAMPERS’ ENVIRONMENTAL MOTIVATION A STUDY OF ALBERTA PARKS’ CAMPGROUNDS
Presenter: Farhad Moghimehfar (Graduate Student University of Alberta, Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation)
Authors: Farhad Moghimehfar, Dr. Elizabeth Halpenny & Dr. Howie Harshaw.
Research can aid park managers and staff in the development of educational programs or other methods of communication to better inform motivate and create lasting change in parks users environmental behaviours.

12.   UNDERSTANDING THE INFLUENCE OF NATURE RELATEDNESS AND INDIVIDUAL PERCEPTIONS ON NATURE EXPOSURE
Presenter: Jill M. McSweeney (Dalhousie University, Interdisciplinary PhD Programme)
Authors: Jill M. McSweeney, Rachel Shin, Daniel Rainham, Jerome Singleton, Simon Sherry, Shannon Johnson
Experiences in nature shape future engagement with, and perceptions towards, nature; and are important when considering how to increase nature engagement and attitudes towards nature.

13.   THE PRODUCTION OF PUBLIC NATURE – PARKS, RECREATION, AND SEEKING SOCIOENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
Author and Presenter: Jeff Rose (Davidson College, Department of Environmental Sciences, North Carolina)
Parks and recreation spaces are vital to the democratic inclusivity of society, and the social material spaces that are produced for these purposes are worthy of substantial inquiry.

14.   PLANTING SEEDS OF INCLUSION AND SUSTAINABILITY – FINDINGS FROM A PARTICIPATORY CAMPUS-COMMUNITY GARDENING PROJECT
Presenter: Sonya Jakubec (Mount Royal University, Faculty of Health and Community Studies)
Authors: Sonya Jakubec, Dr. J. Szabo Hart, Dr. J. Gleeson, E. Schow, G. Currie, Dr. S. Flessati, A.
Eirikson & J. Melrose Community gardens have been found to contribute to a number of health, social and ecological benefits. Revitalizing community gardens in supported and inclusive ways can revitalize individual and community health.

15.   VOLUNTEERS, COMMUNITY AND PLACE – THE CASE OF THE CANADIAN DEATH RACE IN GRANDE CACHE
Author and Presenter: Dr. Tom Hinch (University of Alberta, Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation)
This study will help event organizers and hosts increase recreation capacity which is a key goal of the Framework for Recreation in Canada 2015 and the Active Alberta policy

16.   EVALUATING LEARNING IN NON-MODERATED ON-LINE WORKSHOPS – A CASE STUDY OF MUNICIPAL PUBLIC RECREATION PROFESSIONALS LEARNING ABOUT SOCIAL EXCLUSION
Author and Presenter: Mary Joanne Morrison-Clark (Masters of Adult Education and Community Development, St. Francis Xavier University)
The participants experienced transformative learning regarding social exclusion and were able to identify steps to engage with their communities for enhanced recreation experiences through community development initiatives.

17.   BLACK MOTHERS, RACIAL SOCIALIZATION, AND CULTURAL COMPETENCY
Author and Presenter: Augustus Hallmon (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)
With the increasing change in community demographics, communities are experiencing more diversity among their constituencies. It is important that recreation professionals keep the changing demographic in mind when they are implementing new programs.

18.   THE EFFECTS OF LEISURE AND PAID WORK NEED SATISFACTION ON LIFE SATISFACTION
Author and Presenter: Dr. Gordon Walker (University of Alberta, Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation)
Understanding how leisure influence individuals’ life satisfaction is critical for educating the public, policy-makers, and politicians; developing better recreation programs; and conducting vital research.
 
19.   HOW IS THE ROLE OF LEISURE IN “MEANING-MAKING” RELEVANT TO RECREATION PRACTICES?
Author and Presenter: Dr. Iwasaki Yoshitaka (University of Alberta, Faculty of Extension)
From both conceptual and practical perspectives, a better understanding of the ways in which leisure and recreation activities contribute to “meaning-making” processes is important to “revitalize” and advance our field.