Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Research (PACR)

Physical Activity and Cardiovascular
Research Lab (PACR)

Faculty Members

Kenji Kenno	Cheri McGowan	Kevin Milne	Sarah Woodruff

Research Interests

The PACR lab encompasses over 1400 square feet of recently completed (2009) wet labs and clinical space with state of the art exercise and health equipment. Our multi-disciplinary research team, housed within the Department of Kinesiology, focuses on disease prevention and intervention from the cell to society. Populations of interest include children, adolescents, healthy adults, clinical populations (e.g., individuals diagnosed with obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and/or cardiovascular disease), and older adults. Additionally, the proximity of the University of Windsor’s Athletic Department allows the PACR lab to be involved in the assessment and training of some of Canada’s top ranked varsity teams and athletes.

Researchers

Dr. Kenji Kenno

Research Interests

• The effects of whole body vibration on skeletal muscle performance
• How does whole body vibration training influence the recovery and return of stroke patients to activities of daily living
• The influence of whole body vibration on heart rate, blood pressure and vascular resistance
• Does whole body vibration affect heat shock protein production

Dr. Cheri McGowan

Research Interests

• Mechanisms that alter autonomic function and/or augment sympathetic nervous system activity in persons with cardiovascular disease and related disorders using:
• Intraneural recordings of sympathetic outflow to muscle (MSNA; microneurography),
• MSNA variability and reflex modulation (power spectral transfer function),
• Heart rate in the time and frequency domains,
• Blood markers of sympathetic nervous system activity, and
• Associated stimuli (cold pressor test, handgrip test, apnea test),
• Vascular health
•  Doppler ultrasound applied for the purpose of assessing endothelium-dependent and -independent vasodilation (conduit artery and resistance vessel function),
• Reactive hyperemia ,
• Resting brachial, femoral, popliteal and carotid artery diameters
• Venous occlusion plethysmography, and
•  Blood markers of vascular function
• Blood pressure (resting and ambulatory)
• Neurovascular interactions at rest, and the response to acute and chronic exercise in both healthy and diseased populations
• Interventions that target the pathological mechanisms of autonomic and vascular dysfunction in cardiovascular disease and associated risk factors

Dr. Kevin Milne

Research Interests:

• The stress response to exercise, including:
• The expression and regulation of intra- and extracellular heat shock proteins
•  The expression and regulation of circulating hormones or hormone-like (e.g. cytokines, adipokines) factors in response to exercise
• How exercise of various intensities affects these responses
• Sexual dimorphism in human performance and health, which involves the following questions:
•  How do the sex hormones influence exercise related adaptations in untrained humans?
• How is athletic performance in competitive athletes modified by sex hormones and associated adaptations to training
• How can exercise training or increased physical activity be modified to take advantage of sex-specific adaptations?
• The influence of exercise intensity and related responses on health in diseases associated with the metabolic syndrome (e.g. diabetes, heart disease)

Dr. Sarah Woodruff

Research Interests

• Health behaviour surveillance/assessments
• Nutrition assessments (24 hour recalls and food frequency questionnaires; nutritional behaviours; diet quality)
• Physical activity/fitness assessments (self-report surveys; CPAFLA; aerobic/anaerobic power; muscular strength, endurance, and flexibility)
• Body composition and healthy weight maintenance
• Energy metabolism (resting and at various intensities)

Current Students

Masters Level

• Cassandra Stiller-Moldovan (Dr. McGowan)
• Martina Kovacevic (Dr. McGowan)
• Nadine Shaban (Dr. Milne)
• Svein Piene (Dr. Milne)
• Matt Kanters (Dr. Kenno)

Undergraduate Independent Study

• Robyn Bertram
• Kali Gawinski
• Jeff Ackersviller
• Matthew Dibartolomeo

The PACR lab also utilizes the much appreciated assistance of undergraduate volunteers and welcomes the interest of potential volunteers.