In this episode, we chat with Dr. Emily LaVoy about how exercise can bolster our immune systems to protect us from infections, including COVID-19. As an expert in this field formally known as exercise immunology, Dr. LaVoy shares where the field stands on how physical activity can prime our body’s defences against infections, when exercise might be detrimental, and how different climates may affect this response while tying this into the immune response from a vaccine. We also learn about the future of exercise immunology and the multi-faceted research approach—such as the intricate links to psychology—to get us there. Episode Hosts: Swapna Mylabathula & Mackenzie McLaughlin 

Medicine in Motion

COVID-19 Series: Exercise Immunology – building muscle and immune cells!

In this episode, we (virtually) sat down with Eric Thomson, who's a Senior Policy & Strategic Issues Advisor with Toronto Public Health, about what the decision-making process for government-mandated lockdowns looks like, including who's involved, the information they consider, and how the need for exercise fits in. Eric discusses how this process has evolved as our understanding of the virus grows, and how this has shaped programs promoting accessibility to physical activity, such as ActiveTO.

COVID-19 Series: The policy perspective on lockdowns and physical activity

This two-part episode features Craig Tschirhart, who is the owner and head coach of Royal City Community Fitness. In our first interview, Craig describes the types of workouts that were popularized by Crossfit and provides an overview of what to expect in a class. In our follow-up interview, we check in with Craig on how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted his gym and how they are making workouts accessible to their members.

Special Focus: Crossfit and Covid

In episode 2 of our special series on the importance of physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic, we talked all things exercise, brain, and infection, with Dr. Teresa Liu-Ambrose from the University of British Columbia, who is a Canada Research Chair in Physical Activity, Mobility, and Cognitive Neuroscience. We discussed the benefits of aerobic and resistance exercise for preserving brain health and how this serves as a model for the hypothesis that exercise can be beneficial in protecting the brain against some of the negative effects of a COVID-19 infection. As the Director of Aging, Mobility, and Cognitive Neuroscience lab and the recipient of CIHR funding, Dr. Liu-Ambrose will investigate the long lasting effects of a COVID-19 infection on the brain, and how lifestyle factors, including exercise, may afford protection against negative effects in her analysis of participants of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA).Follow her work via twitter: @UBC_CogMobLab. If you have any questions or comments on the episode, please post them in our forum! https://www.medicineinmotionpodcast.com/live Episode Hosts: Swapna Mylabathula & Annabel Rutherford

Boosting Brainpower for the Lockdown Blues

Medicine in Motion is back for a revamped season 2 focussing on the COVID-19 pandemic. In this episode, we talked with esteemed sports cardiologists, Drs. Tamanna Sing and Michael Emery, who are co-directors of the industry-leading Sports Cardiology Center from the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic in the United States. We chatted about the beneficial effects of exercise before, during, and after an infection, with reference to the current SARS-COV-2 virus, which is responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. We dive into the physiological effects of exercise during these stages of infection and explore the associated ameliorative and restorative mechanisms, while also highlighting some consequences exercise might pose. If you have any questions or comments on the episode, please post them in our forum! https://www.medicineinmotionpodcast.com/liveEpisode Hosts: Mackenzie McLaughlin & Swapna Mylabathula  

COVID-19 Series: Why should physical activity be a priority during the pandemic?

Check out our latest episode on Sport Medicine & Performance! And in the spirit of sport and teamwork, we are presenting our very first collaboration!! We created this episode in collaboration with the wonderful Raw Talk Podcast :) Tune in to hear from experts at U of T - Dr. Doug Richards talks about his experience with the Toronto Raptors and Dr. Gretchen Kerr shares her insights on athlete maltreatment. We also chat with Mr. Karl Subban, who shares his enlightening perspectives on motivation and his family experiences with his 5 successful children, including NHL superstars PK and Malcolm Subban!

Sport Medicine & Performance: It Takes a Team

In this episode, we share our experiences of becoming more active, and how to set yourself up for success with an active lifestyle. Medicine in Motion Podcast members studying exercise physiology and neuroscience and who have years of experience in the gym discuss their lived experiences of when they started their fitness journeys, and what keeps them on track! This includes discussion on fitness apps and wearable technology, informative media accounts from Youtube and Instagram, supplements that may help with motivation, and what to look for in a gym. We also interview Douglas Rosa, Coordinator of Fitness and Performance at the University of Toronto, on the Who, When, and Why to seek out a personal trainer.

Season 2 Episode 1 - Navigating the Fitness Industry

In this episode, we discuss the effects of exercise on diseases typically seen in the older adult population. We speak to Dr. Scott Thomas about the ageing process and how exercise can serve as a method of prevention for many diseases. We have the opportunity to speak to Nira Rittenberg, an occupational therapist who works with patients with dementia, and hear how she uses exercise in her practice. Dina Katsoulis also talks to us about her research with older adults and resistance training, an important type of exercise for fall prevention. The use of this exercise to strengthen the bone and muscle is also exemplified in the story shared by our friend, Bruce, who was able reverse his osteoporosis.

Exercise in Ageing and Disease: Preventing Disease with Exercise

In this episode, we discuss how exercise can promote longevity in the aging population. We speak to Dr. Joe Baker about his work with Masters athletes and some negative stereotypes surrounding exercise in older adults. We have the opportunity to speak to Cathy Scharge, a Masters athlete who happens to be the second woman to run a marathon in Canada. Finally, we discuss a unique method of exercise called Nordic walking with Gabriella De Nino from Urban Poling. The experience and expertise of our guests show us that age is just a number!

Exercise and Longevity: Age is Just a Number

In this episode we continue on the topic of why physical literacy is so important for children. We focus on exercise and physical literacy in children with physical disabilities (such as cerebral palsy), chronic conditions (such as cystic fibrosis), and from diverse socio-cultural backgrounds. We also hear from biomechanists about why movement matters for children of all abilities and backgrounds!

Physical Literacy and Pediatrics: Why movement matters for children of all abilities and backgrounds

Only 35% of 5-17 year old children and youth are reaching their recommended physical activity levels. On top of that, research shows that children are also engaging in 51% more screen time than is recommended by the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Children and Youth (Participaction, 2018). In Episode 6 of Medicine in Motion Podcast, we chat with Dr. John Cairney, a researcher and professor at the University of Toronto, Dr. Leigh Vanderloo, a Knowledge Translation Manager at ParticipACTION, and Raf, a high school teacher in the Greater Toronto Area. Tune in as we discuss with experts across the healthcare and education sectors why physical literacy is so important for children of all ages. ParticipACTION (2018). ParticipACTION report card on physical activity for children and youth. Retrieved from: https://participaction.cdn.prismic.io/participaction%2F5e923384-b01a-4680-a353-60b45c271811_2018_participaction_report_card_-_highlight_report_0.pdf

Physical Literacy and Paedatrics: Moving with Confidence and Competence

Part 2 of our conversation about Exercise and Mental Health sheds light on clinician perspectives on the role of exercise and physical activity in maintaining mental health. We speak with an interdisciplinary group, including physician, Dr. Darren Ezer, and occupational therapist, Michelle Scott. You'll also hear more personal stories from students and young professionals who incorporate physical activity into their regular routines and find that it improves their mental health and wellbeing. They talk about how it helps them build confidence, increase social engagement, and augment their ability to focus and destress. How does exercise help you maintain your mental health?

Exercise and Mental Health: Is it all in our minds? - Part 2

Did you know exercise is not only good for your body but good for your brain, too? In Part 1 of this episode we explore the connection between exercise and mental health. We speak to Dr. Franco Taverna about the effects of exercise on cognition and learning, and Dr. Catherine Sabiston returns to chat about her research in the field of exercise and mental health and shares her thoughts on how to incorporate physical activity into our daily routines. We also get to speak with Shauna, Kevin and Raja to hear how exercise and sport have affected their own mental health. How will you include movement in your day-to-day life?

Exercise and Mental Health: Is it all in our minds? - Part 1

This week, we celebrated Family Day in Ontario, Canada, and we're excited to introduce you to the Medicine in Motion Podcast family, which is made up of student members from Exercise is Medicine at the University of Toronto. In this episode, we introduce you to our podcast advisors, and catch with some 'family friends' who are incredible professionals that have contributed their time, expertise, and support over the years. These include Brittany McEachern, Dr. Doug Richards, Sunita Mathur, Dr. Daniel Santa Mina, Susan Yungblut, and Dr. Jonathon Fowles. This episode is nostalgic for us, and we hope you enjoy the stories and insights shared by our guests as much as we did!

Meet the Medicine in Motion Team!

How are those New Year's resolutions going? In Episode 2, we follow up with a student who had shared his resolution in Episode 1. We then check in with folks around Toronto to learn what keeps them motivated in pursuit of their fitness goals! We also sit down with author, scientist, broadcaster, coach, and athlete, Dr. Greg Wells, about what makes a good fitness goal, why we fail, and how to set ourselves up for success. He also talks about how to implement 'microchanges' to build our exercise habits, and how the skills we develop translate to all other aspects of our lives - and Medicine in Motion advisor Richie Jeremian shares how he used microchanges and applied his skills learned in his fitness journey. He shares his concept of 'yesterday's weight' in describing how we can use what we learn in the gym to help us persevere in our everyday lives.

New Year, New You!: Maintaining Momentum in Pursuit of Your Exercise Goals - Part 2

Movement is medicine: From prevention to management in health and disease, physical activity plays a significant role. Tune in for engaging stories on physical activity and exercise, including interviews with experts and perspectives from the public.

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Medicine in Motion

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