Course subject: Kinesiology (KIN)

This course will examine cellular and molecular mechanisms that play a major role in causing dysfunction of a variety of relevant tissues under a number of chronic conditions including aging, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, autoimmune disorders, neurodegenerative conditions, and muscular diseases. Topics to be covered include satellite cells/stem cells, apoptosis and necrosis, mitochondrial dysfunction, mitochondrial DNA, oxidative stress, autophagy and protein degradation, and inflammation.

Genetic variation helps determine "innate" individual characteristics of health and disease, ranging from eye colour to preferences for food flavours, to ability to metabolize specific amino acids. Genetic variation also modulates how we respond to our environments. Minor variants in genetic code can affect physiological outcomes such as changes in body mass with caloric restriction, changes in endurance capacity with exercise training, and changes in circulating cholesterol levels with high protein intakes. Understanding how genetic variability affects health outcomes will be key to providing early diagnosis and prevention measures to optimize performance, prevent disease, and maximize longevity for individuals. It will also be key to prescribing optimal personalized lifestyle interventions, ranging from diet to exercise to stress reduction and sleep modulation to promote maximal well-being. In addition, recent advances in gene editing technology will be covered, including discussion of ethical issues surrounding application to human embryos and potential for misuse bioterrorism.

An assessment of research in the biomechanics of human motion including electromyography, muscle modelling, link segment modelling and analysis, energy and power analysis. The above concepts will be utilized in the assessment of athletes and both the normal and atypical population in sport and rehabilitation contexts.

Biomechanics research typically requires the integration of experimental data collection and theoretical modeling approaches to answer complex questions. The purpose of Kin 613 is to sensitize incoming graduate students to the range, biological basis, and practicality of using or developing mathematical models for biomechanical investigations. This contrasts with KIN 612, which focuses on promoting rigorous experimental data collection and biological signal interpretation, or Kin 611, which seeks to develop the historical foundations of biomechanical research and promote critical reading of the scientific literature.

This course examines the relationships between physical and organizational aspects of the work environment and occupational musculoskeletal fatigue and injuries. Emphasis will be placed on back and upper limb injuries. Major topics covered include injury mechanisms, assessment of injury risk, reporting of injury and use of injury statistics, work site interventions and evaluation of their effectiveness and relevant legislation (including Human Rights considerations). A laboratory project using the methodologies studied in the course is an important component of the course. A project within a local industry, instead of the laboratory project is preferred but optional.

A course focused on the core principles of research design (populations, sampling, experimental designs) and statistical applications (descriptive and inferential) specific to Kinesiology and its sub-disciplines.

Selected nutrients will be examined in detail in regards to dietary intake, metabolism, metabolism and mechanistic effects on human health. Comprehensive coverage of nutrients is not intended, but the specific nutrients examined will include at least one example each from lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, water soluble vitamins, lipid soluble vitamins and minerals.

This course deals with the learning and control of goal-directed eye, head, arm and hand movements. Topics include: Hick's and Fitt's Laws; goals, task plans and motor equivalence; the actor/environment interface; movement planning and organization; use of schemas, motor programs, feedforward and sensory feedback; motorsensory integration; and knowledge representation.

Human neuroscience research techniques are discussed in class and used in laboratory sessions. Students will learn the theory and gain practical experience with electroencephalography, event-related potentials, functional magnetic resonance imaging, transcranial magnetic stimulation, electromyography, digitized optical tacking of movement, psychophysics and survey methodologies.

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to basic aspects of functionally-oriented anatomy of the human central nervous including the brain, spinal cord, cranial nerves and the tissues they innervate using pre-dissected cadavers. After completing this course, students should expect to have mastered the location of major neuroanatomic landmarks, be able to identify these landmarks on both postmortem brains and neuroimages (i.e., CT scan, MRI scan), understand the cellular components of the nervous system, and should be able to propose neuroanatomical explanations for normal and abnormal sensory experiences and motor, cognitive and emotional behaviours.

The assessment of strength, endurance, power and movement mechanics is fundamental to athletic and human performance. This module will develop the student's ability to administer tests and interpret the results. This information will be used to prescribe modes, intensities and volumes of exercise that are indicated; design, implement, modify and progress exercise programs for these clients.

Lipids are intimately linked to all cellular functions based not only on their structural role as membrane components, but also their use as fuel, interactions with proteins, as important second messengers in cell signalling and potent regulators of gene expression. The present course will examine the properties and how they impact various biological functions and human conditions including inflammation and cardiovascular disease. The course will also examine dominant lip analytical techniques that are specific to this field of study and examine the emerging field of lipidomics.

An advanced graduate course that synthesizes the multidisciplinary issues (psychosicial, behavioural, physiological, biomechanical and legislative) related to low back disorders. A solid scientific foundation is developed from the study of anatomy, normal function and injury mechanics. This foundation is used to substantiate the best strategies for injury prevention, rehabilitation and performance training. Heldwith KIN 427.

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to different ways of designing and implementing research within the topic area of work and health as well as some of the practical, political and ethical challenges. The course content will include an examination of the epistemological positions associated with different types of research questions, analysis of case studies of research in work and health, and discussions of proposed research questions and proposals that examine problems from a variety of disciplinary perspectives. The course will also include presentations by researchers and practitioners from the work and health domain, who will facilitate discussions on the challenges and opportunities of conducting and applying research in this area.

This seminar is a forum for student presentations about results of or proposals for research. Invited speakers will also present results of research from time to time. Attendance at the seminar is required for two terms (i.e., during the candidates' first two years in the program). Attendance beyond that is encouraged. The range of topics that will be addressed in the seminar crosses all areas of investigation in the collaborative program. Grading will be on a credit/no credit basis.

An analysis of specific topics of interest. The form of study may involve a review of literature or the planning and execution of an independent study resulting in a paper for possible publication.