Chilliwack

Researchers are evaluating whether a 12-week exercise program can improve balance in people living with knee osteoarthritis. This pilot study focuses on adults diagnosed with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis or who meet clinical criteria for the condition. The research is conducted by the University of the Fraser Valley and aims to understand how targeted exercises might help manage balance challenges associated with this joint condition. Participants will take part in exercise classes twice a week for 12 weeks. Each session lasts 45 minutes and includes flexibility, strength, and coordination exercises. The classes offer adjustable intensity levels using options like chair assistance, body weight, or resistance with weights or tubing. Participants can choose to attend classes in person or complete them at home. Throughout the program, they will keep an exercise diary to record their participation and any changes in symptoms. The study involves two visits to the universitys School of Kinesiology, each about one hour long, where participants will complete questionnaires and perform a balance test. Researchers will measure balance using the Community Balance and Mobility Scale and assess symptoms with the Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index and Oxford Knee Score. These evaluations occur from enrollment through the 12-week program to monitor progress and safety.

Researchers are evaluating the effects of a specific breathwork program called Les Mills Breath on running performance, respiratory function, and heart rate variability in recreational runners. This study compares daily participation in a 20-minute breathwork program to a mindfulness control involving 20 minutes of guided meditation. The goal is to understand if breathwork can improve respiratory function, recovery indicated by heart rate variability, and self-selected running speeds at moderate and vigorous intensities more than mindfulness meditation. This research aims to contribute to the understanding of accessible respiratory training methods for athletes. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups a breathwork group practicing video-based breath-focused meditation including physiological sighs, cyclic breathing with breath holds, and resonant frequency breathing or a mindfulness meditation group practicing 20 minutes of video-based relaxation meditation. This intervention lasts for 4 weeks, with daily 20-minute sessions. Both groups engage in their assigned practice daily during this period. During the study, participants will be assessed at baseline and again after 4 weeks. Researchers will measure running speeds at moderate and vigorous intensities, as well as several respiratory function tests including forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume, peak expiratory flow rate, and maximum voluntary ventilation. Heart rate variability will also be monitored to assess recovery and parasympathetic nervous system activity. The total study participation lasts approximately 4 weeks with assessments before and after the intervention period.