2021 Summer
Vol.1 No.1

Greetings!

The Canadian Kinesiology Alliance (CKA) is excited to provide you with news of tailored opportunities, support and recognition of kinesiology. Kinesiologists provide services to improve human movement and deliver quality solutions through prevention, objective assessment, and evidence-based interventions. 

As the kinesiology profession continues to grow and establish itself across Canada, the CKA recognizes the foundational role that kinesiologists provide through their work, which results in the quality knowledge, skills, and professionalism as health care providers.

This Kinesiology eNewsletter is offered to you to inform all Canadians on how kinesiology services can help in prevention, performance and recovery. You have received this first issue of the eNewsletter because you are on a list of contacts for CKA projects (e.g., eMentalFitChallenge). 

The CKA is a non-profit corporation that advocates and promotes the advancement of the profession of kinesiology in Canada. It strives to be recognized as the unifying voice for the profession of kinesiology in Canada, and to have a positive impact on Canadians. On a national level, the CKA represents nine (9) provincial kinesiology associations (PKAs) that are member associations and over 4,300 affiliated Kinesiologists

We hope you enjoy
this first issue of the new 
Kinesiology eNewsletter!

Kathie Sharkey, R.Kin
CKA President

Note: Should you wish not to receive the latest news related to CKA initiatives, please unsubscribe by clicking the link at the bottom..

A CANADIAN KINESIOLOGY ALLIANCE PRODUCTION IN COLLABORATION WITH PRACTISING KINESIOLOGISTS ACROSS CANADA – JUNE 2021

Returning to an active lifestyle after either having COVID-19 or being restricted from exercising can be challenging for some.

The Canadian Kinesiology Alliance (CKA), in collaboration with practising Kinesiologists, has created guidelines to provide support for those undergoing recovery and/or resuming a regular healthy, active lifestyle. Kinesiologists are human movement experts who provide scientific advice and physical activity treatments that improve recovery, health and well-being, through all phases of life.

The CKA wishes to raise awareness of kinesiology as a solution for long-haulers, seniors and others of all ages as they recover from the impact of COVID-19 on their health and well-being.

These guidelines focus on six fields of expertise: cognitive capacities, ergonomics, cardiorespiratory health, functional abilities, weight gain and obesity, and safe return to sport. They are meant to be used as key advice to Canadians and to clients of Kinesiologists and other health professionals such as family physicians and will be produced in different forms, including infographics.

All will be launched in September to coincide with the return to normal life across Canada.

Be ready in September!

Insurance Benefit Plan Campaign
"Join the Movement"

This year, the CKA, in an initiative from the OKA, will run an Insurance Benefit Plan Campaign from August to December 2021. The campaign will be held in each province under the theme "The Kinesiology Movement!" The goal is to reach more than 1,000 insurance company claim managers and insurance advisors and corporate human resources managers across Canada.

As governing bodies and as per their respective mission statements, the CKA wishes to take on meaningful initiatives targeting insurance companies and corporations to raise awareness of kinesiology services as insured treatments (reimbursable to clients). This initiative provides the opportunity for a CKA representative to inform this primary market of the advantages of including kinesiology services in their health benefit plans. A campaign ready to go for 2021, will be a unified national campaign would help reach the target market with a bigger "buzz" or "push."

Given the often-national nature of the insurance and health benefits sector, a national campaign supported by province-specific elements should increase the impact of the program by ensuring a common message that is consistently branded.

Some activities will include snail mail mailing, targeted email mailing, webinar or in-person presentations of "How to Use Your Kinesiology Benefit," visits with insurance and corporate HR representatives, social media campaign posts and shares, and follow-up calls to insurance and corporate HR representatives.

The goal? To help Kinesiologists help their client get their services reimbursed by major insurance companies.

Can Kinesiology Services be Reimbursed by Insurance?

Kinesiologists are key members of health care teams. Insurance Companies are recognising the status of Kinesiologists in some provinces. One must request to add Kinesiology to your employer's extended benefits package.

For extended health benefit packages, Kinesiologists provide wellness, disease and injury prevention, and rehabilitation, all in one professional. As part of extended health benefits, kinesiology services can reduce disability claims, getting workers back on the job faster, avoiding expensive long-term disability claims. With the growing body of evidence of the critical importance that exercise and physical activity plays in the prevention and management of chronic disease and injury, Kinesiologists are becoming key members of health care teams.

Kinesiologists have the skills to treat many of the most common conditions workers face – keeping your team happier, healthier and more productive.

A growing body of evidence points to the direct link between physical health and workplace performance. Healthier employees come to work more often, take fewer sick days, work more effectively and file fewer WSIB claims. Promoting good physical health through preventative exercise keeps your team working hard day in and day out. By adding Kinesiology to your extended benefits package, you can help your team work healthier, happier and harder.

In some province, the following Insurance companies offer certain policies covering kinesiology expenses (to date) :

Ask your insurance company if the kinesiology fees are refunded. If they are not, request documentation and template  letter for client, letter for employer to give to your employer and / or your insurance company to apply for inclusion of kinesiology services in your insurance plan.

Does Wearing a Mask Have an Impact on Your Sports Performance ?

By Alexandre Pare, Kinesiologist

With the more widespread wearing of masks, it is topical to question the issue of wearing a mask during physical activity. In recent months, our attention has been drawn especially to two studies that have attempted to determine whether wearing the surgical mask or the N95 mask has any particular effect on performance when performing intense cardiovascular physical activities. 

   Read More   

Choose Green Exercises for Better Mind and Body

By Charmi Lad, Registered Kinesiologist 

Spring is just around the corner, which means more sunshine, warm weather and outdoor activities and exercise. With the COVID-19 pandemic still going on, having to isolate ourselves from friends and family is having a negative impact on our health and wellness. Many of us are suffering from anxiety and depression, which can lead to other health issues like high blood pressure, fatigue, muscle aches and pain, breathing problems, headaches, panic attacks, etc.  

   Read More   

Exercise Outdoor with a Friend

By Kerri Blackburn and Anna Petrie

Exercising during the COVID-19 lockdown has been a challenge for many Canadians as accessibility to workout spaces is limited. One way to keep active while gyms are closed is to exercise outside with a friend. A study reports the perceived benefits of working out with a friend are safety, similar goal-setting habits and reduced feelings of self-consciousness.

In addition, exercising outdoors can help with decreasing stress, social isolation and mental illness. People of all ages, genders, ethnicities and social classes respond positively to exercising outdoors. Physical activity does not discriminate!

   Read More   

Move More, Sleep Better

By Kerri Blackburn, Practising Kinesiologist

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, 36% of Canadians already reported experiencing sleep difficulties such as issues with falling asleep, staying asleep and early morning awakenings. Is the solution as simple as adding more movement into our day?

   Read More   

How to Safely "Socialize" while Getting Active

By Scott Printz, Affiliated Kinesiologist 

Along with the well-documented benefits of an active lifestyle, it is important to consider the impact of combining socialization with activity.

Physical activity can positively impact multiple health domains, not just physical. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), regular physical activity can have a positive impact on one's psychological health in terms of reducing anxiety and depression.

   Read More   

Surviving a Pandemic; with a Kin You Can

By Adam Yeske, Kinesiologist

There has never been a time in our lives where taking responsibility for our own health could be of greater significance. We have taken unprecedented measures in an attempt to deter the impact of this invisible enemy; however, Sars-Cov-2 continues to endanger the human race with its rapid exponential spread across the country. This virus although indiscriminate of colour or creed has shown a decisive focus on the most vulnerable amongst us. Those already suffering from chronic disease have been shown to have a much greater risk upon contracting COVID-19 with a likelihood of increasing severity for every diagnosed comorbid condition (Sanayaolu et al. 2020). With these stats in mind it brings us to ask the question, "How can we reduce the incidence of comorbid conditions amongst the general population to help combat the severity of COVID-19 on the human race?"

How can a Kinesiologist help?

   Read More   

Statement

The CKA is committed to encouraging equity, diversity and inclusion in its administration of policies, programs and activities. It has taken a stand by adding a statement on its webpage and creating a policy to ensure the CKA provides equity-deserving groups with a full and inclusive range of opportunities to participate in and lead CKA programs and activities. With this purpose in mind, this policy is intended to articulate a core set of principles that have led to the development and implementation of directives for how CKA promotes equity, diversity and inclusion for all participants in all CKA activities.

The CKA holds the duty, the right, and the legal and moral responsibility to ensure that all participants affiliated with the organization are treated fairly, equitably and respectfully, and to provide a learning, working and living environment that is free from discrimination on the basis of characteristics of identity, including, but not limited to, sex, age, gender, race, sexuality, disability, religion, ethnicity and creed.

This initiative has been added to the R&D Action Plan and included in the Policy & Procedure Manual under Code of Conduct of a Director and Code of Ethics of a Kin; it was presented to the PKAs for their support, and we invite them to do the same. The CKA working group is developing a survey to gather information from Kinesiologists on how they have been affected by discrimination, whether their training in this area was adequate, and how they have adapted their practice to respect equity and inclusion. This may lead to educational webinars, videos or other material to support Kinesiologists in their practice.

   Read More   

The CKA is currently working on establishing a charitable foundation to provide support for kinesiology research and initiatives across Canada. This exciting development will see greater opportunities for kinesiology researchers and Kinesiologists across the country to access resources in order to develop and/or implement initiatives.

Kinesiology initiatives that meet the value and principles of the CKA foundation and contribute to advancement of the health and well-being of Canadians will be ideally supported.

Researchers can apply to access resources from the CKA foundation to support their needs for studies that impact the practice and advancement of kinesiology.

Linked to accomplishing its mandate, the CKA is taking steps to create the Canadian Kinesiology Foundation on a charitable basis for which funds collected would be dispersed to kinesiology-related projects such as research, student scholarships and kinesiology initiatives (e.g., videos, educational modules).

The Kinesiology Foundation will be a national charitable organization dedicated to advancing and supporting values-based and principle-driven kinesiology initiatives and research throughout Canada. It will leverage the knowledge of the kinesiology community to foster and support action towards enhancing the understanding, development and implementation of kinesiology initiatives, as well as all forms of physical activity that contribute to improving quality of life, physical fitness, mental well-being and social interactions of Canadians through movement.

Stay tuned!

Kinesiologists Recognized

Level 2 Professionals by EIMC

The Canadian Kinesiology Alliance is proud to announce that Kinesiologists are now recognized as level 2 professionals by Exercise is Medicine Canada (EIMC). Exercise is Medicine is a global health initiative that promotes physical activity as a chronic disease prevention and management strategy.

The EIMC recognition program helps health care professionals identify highly qualified exercise professionals in their communities. These professionals, now including Kinesiologists, are critical allies in helping patients reach their physical activity goals to prevent and manage chronic disease. 

The highest level, EIMC level 2 is made up of professionals who have an undergraduate or higher-level exercise science degree. Kinesiologists are recognized as having advanced knowledge and expertise in exercise management for those with chronic disease. 

   Read more here