How to participate

Things to know when participating

Before deciding to participate:

  1. Why is it important for me to participate?
  2. How long would it take?
  3. Would I be committed once I start participating in your study?
  4. What are the benefits of participating?
  5. What will happen with my data?
  6. Would my identification be known?
  7. How would my data be used?
  8. Who do I contact if I want to participate?

After deciding to participate:

  1. I'm volunteering for your fitness test. What exactly will I do for this test?
  2. What do I need to wear for the fitness test?
  3. Will there be any restrictions when doing the fitness test?
  4. How do I get to the BMED lab for the fitness test?
  5. I have an emergency and want to re-schedule or cancel. Who do I contact when I can't participate?

Before deciding to participate:

1. Why is it important for me to participate?

Your participation plays an essential part in our research.

Research shows that regular physical activity is associated with improvements in numerous disease states, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes mellitus, depression, and overall quality of life.

Recent Canadian statistics indicate that only 40% of Canadians are active enough to get these benefits. Accordingly, our aim is to find ways to help people get these benefits by researching their health behaviours. Our research cannot exist without your participation.

2. How long would it take?

It varies from project to project. Some projects ask you to stay in touch with us for 24 months, while some of them just ask you to fill in a survey.

3. Would I be committed once I start participating in your study?

No. If you don't feel comfortable with continuing, you can withdraw any time you want without explanation or consequences. All you need to do is tell the researcher that you'd like to withdraw.

4. What are the benefits of participating?

To show our appreciation for your time, we try to offer an honorarium whenever we can. However, your participation should be based on a voluntary decision, not the honorarium. This honorarium is intended to be compensation and a token of thanks for each participant’s time.

5. What will happen with my data?

All information will be kept confidential, and data will be stored in a secure and locked location.

6. Would my identification be known?

Nobody will be identified. All names will be replaced with either pseudonyms or participant identification numbers. If there is an interview, any interviews will be audiotaped and transcribed; however, all names and identifying characteristics will be removed from the transcripts.

7. How would my data be used?

After the data has been analyzed, it is anticipated that the results will be shared at scholarly conferences and in scientific journals.

8. Who do I contact if I want to participate?

Each project has a project coordinator. If you know who the project coordinator is, you can directly call or email them. If you don't know who the project coordinator is, you can find out on our on-going project page or .

After deciding to participate:

1. I'm volunteering for your fitness test. What exactly will I do for this test?

The fitness test is comprised of an aerobic test (treadmill walk test), body composition measurements (height, weight, skin folds), musculoskeletal tests (grip strength, push ups, partial curl ups, vertical jump, and back extension), and a flexibility test (sit and reach).

2. What do I need to wear for the fitness test?

You should wear shorts and a short sleeved or sleeveless top. Running shoes are the recommended footwear.

3. Would there be any restrictions when doing the fitness test?

Yes.

  • Please don't eat for at least two hours before the fitness test.
  • Refrain from drinking caffeinated beverages for two hours before the fitness test.
  • Refrain from alcoholic drinks for six hours before the fitness test.
  • Refrain from smoking two hours before the fitness test.
  • Please don't exercise for six hours before the fitness test.

Expectant mothers are not permitted to undergo a fitness test for the parenthood study. We welcome expectant mothers to do their first fitness test 6 months post-partum.

4. How do I get to the BMED lab for the fitness test?

Fitness tests are usually conducted in our lab in the MacLaurin building. Please viewour map if you're not sure about the location.

5. I have an emergency and want to re-schedule or cancel. Who do I contact when I can't participate?

You can call us at 250-472-5488 or 250-472-5288, or .