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Sun Life Centre for Healthy Communities is committed to conducting, supporting, and disseminating inter-disciplinary research on physical activity and healthy living across the lifespan. The Sun Life Centre 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 Objective

Knowledge derived from the Sun Life Centre for Healthy Communities 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, the Sun Life Centre for Healthy Communities is fortunate to collaborate with leading experts in the fields of health, physical activity, and well-being. We also value feedback from our Sun Life community (program participants, parents/guardians, volunteers, leaders and staff) to promote healthy bodies, healthy minds, healthy communities, and healthy growth.

Research Goals

The fundamental goals of the Sun Life Centre will be realized through six integrated research objectives:

1. Explore the socio-ecological (individual, interpersonal, organizational, community, and public policy) antecedents and consequences of physical activity of participants of Sun Life Centre programs.
2. 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 Sun Life Centre programs.
3. Determine the cardiovascular, metabolic, neurophysiological, and muscular adaptions to physical activity participation in Sun Life CHC programs.
4. 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 Sun Life Centre program participants.
5. Develop and evaluate Sun Life Centre physical activity programs and wellness initiatives to foster continuous improvement and positive outcomes for Sun Life Centre members, including participants and volunteers.
6. Promote equity, diversity, and inclusion in the conduct and support of research.