Discoveries for life

The faces of health research 2026

Title

Changing the game: Building safer sports for youth in Canada

Dr. Carolyn Emery, PhD, PT
Professor, Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary

The benefits of sports are huge, but they come with risks too. In Canada, one in three youth aged 10 to 24 get hurt playing sports each year. These injuries can lead to reduced levels of physical activity, post-traumatic osteoarthritis, poor mental health, and prolonged concussion symptoms, among others.

With CIHR funding, I lead SHRed Injuries, a Canadian community-based research program tackling risk factors and evaluating prevention strategies to reduce injuries and their consequences in youth sport. My research has reduced rates of injury in youth sports.

  • The program informed best practice for neuromuscular training warm-ups that reduced injury rates by up to 40 percent.
  • We contributed to policy change disallowing body checking in under 13 and non-elite adolescent ice hockey leagues, lowering injury rates more than 50 percent.
  • Our work has contributed to a 30 percent reduction in youth sport injury rates in Alberta over 15 years, thanks to evidence-informed injury prevention solutions.

Further reading

X (Twitter): @CarolynAEmery

Beyond the beat: When movement feels out of reach

Dr. Jennifer Reed
Program Chair of Cardiac Rehabilitation, a Scientist, and the Director of the Exercise Physiology and Cardiovascular Health Laboratory in the Division of Cardiac Prevention and Rehabilitation
Ottawa Hospital Research Institute and University of Ottawa

Exercise is essential to improve heart health, but for people living with persistent and permanent atrial fibrillation, even simple movement can feel overwhelming. Fatigue, anxiety, and fear of complications often make it hard to know where to start.

Dr. Jennifer Reed conducted a clinical trial with 86 patients with atrial fibrillation, comparing the effects of two different programs: High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)–short bursts of activities followed by rest–and continuous moderate-intensity exercises.

Both training programs proved safe and improved life quality, fitness level, and heart health in patients with atrial fibrillation. Twenty-three minutes of HIIT twice a week offered similar benefits to one hour of continuous moderate-to-vigorous exercise twice a week.

The results suggest that patients don’t need to follow a one-size-fits-all plan to improve their heart health. Cardiovascular rehabilitation and center-based exercise programs can offer patients the choice between these two approaches, helping them regain confidence and take control of their health.

Further reading

Genetic breakthrough RAPID GENE brings personalized heart treatment to the bedside

Dr. Derek So
Cardiologist, University of Ottawa Heart Institute

A heart stent procedure restores blood flow with a tiny tube inserted into an artery. Patients undergoing this procedure are often prescribed clopidogrel to prevent blood clots. However, the drug does not work for everyone. Genetic lab tests can identify who will benefit, but the results can take days or weeks.

In emergencies, there's no time to wait. Giving the wrong medication can lead to serious complications.

To solve this problem, Dr. Derek So partnered with Spartan Bioscience. Their RAPID GENE study resulted in a genetic test capable of providing life-saving results quickly.

The test detects a genetic variation which prevents the body from properly metabolizing clopidogrel. This means that patients carrying this mutation will not respond to clopidogrel after a heart stent procedure, putting them at serious risk of developing blood clots. Dr. So's team found that the drug prasugrel was an effective alternative for these patients.

The test is easy to use. "All genetic testing in the clinical trial was done by clinical nurses who had only a half-hour training session," explains Dr. So.  

With genetic results available at the bedside, "we are giving the right drug to the right patient, right away."

Dr. So's team published their findings in 2012, sparking follow-up clinical trials such as RAPID STEMI and TAILOR-PCI, which influenced global adoption of genotype-guided therapy.

Further reading

Improving arthritis care in Indigenous communities

Dr. Cheryl Barnabe, MD, MSc, FRCPC
Director and Chair, McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health
Canada Research Chair, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Autoimmune Diseases
Arthur J.E. Child Chair in Rheumatology Research
Professor, Departments of Medicine and Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary
Rheumatologist, Alberta Health Services

Inflammatory arthritis, including conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, disproportionately impact Indigenous communities in Canada because of limited access to high-quality health care services. To address these disparities, we are working closely with Indigenous communities and patients to create solutions that meet their needs.

A key outcome of this joint effort is the 'Arthritis Liaison' program. This initiative embeds a trusted community member in the health care team to help patients navigate the system and achieve personal health goals. The program also builds a strong network for peer support within the community.

As part of this program, we developed patient decision aids to facilitate shared decision-making between Indigenous patients and health care providers. These tools help Indigenous patients understand their arthritis treatment options, weighing risks and benefits of these treatments, and aligning treatment choices with their preferences, expectations, and values.

Further reading
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