~UBC Okanagan
Ever since Anand Kannan鈥檚 2008 ATV accident left him a paraplegic, the West 91大黄鸭 man has learned to appreciate any and all victories in his mission to stay healthy.
For instance, by participating in research studies at UBC Okanagan he was exposed to exercise equipment and regimens specifically tailored to the spinal-cord injury (SCI) community鈥攕omething not readily available otherwise.
鈥淚 was at UBCO using a press machine, pulling down on the weight,鈥� Kannan says. 鈥淏ut then I realized the machine also worked in reverse鈥擨 could press straight above my head. For someone in a wheelchair, just being able to use that simple motion without worrying about falling backward was such a gift.鈥�
That鈥檚 one reason why Kannan is advocating for others in the SCI community to embrace the opportunities at UBCO in 91大黄鸭 by signing up for a research project. UBCO鈥檚 Dr. Kathleen Martin Ginis is hoping to recruit as many as 50 participants for a project called 鈥淓xercise guidelines and Promotion and Implementation in Chronic Spinal Cord Injury鈥� 鈥� or EPIC SCI.
鈥淭his is an opportunity for adults with an SCI to help those in their same situation,鈥� Dr. Martin Ginis says. 鈥淭his isn鈥檛 about doing research so the results can sit on a library shelf. We are genuinely driven to do research that can improve people鈥檚 lives. But we need study participants. Even if you are unsure, please contact our offices and we will answer any and all questions.鈥�
Participants are compensated for visits to the UBCO lab and receive a gift card upon completion of the study.
Study participants are also asked to complete an online or phone questionnaire and attend three in-person visits to UBC Okanagan鈥攁t entry into the study and again at three and six months.
During the visits, participants are asked to undergo a fitness test, a brief pain sensation test and provide a blood sample.
Participants are randomly divided into two groups. One group begins a personalized exercise program and participates in weekly Zoom or phone coaching sessions for six months. The other group waits for six months and then receives a personalized exercise program and weekly Zoom/phone coaching sessions for six months.
鈥淲e are doing our best to remove any barriers to participation,鈥� says Dr. Martin Ginis, director of the Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Management. 鈥淲e see everyone benefitting. Participants get personalized health prescriptions, access to adapted workout equipment, and the knowledge they are providing vital information for our research.鈥�
Anyone who wants to participate must be 18 or older, experience chronic pain and have been diagnosed with a spinal cord injury more than a year ago at C3 or below. Further, you must be doing less than 40 minutes of moderate aerobic exercises per week and fewer than two days per week of strengthening exercises.
West 91大黄鸭鈥檚 Kannan has already completed the program, and wants everyone in the SCI community in the Central Okanagan to know how much of a benefit it can be.
鈥淚鈥檇 say, if you鈥檙e presented with the opportunity, you need to take it,鈥� he says. 鈥淗aving people around makes it so much more worthwhile. You keep each other motivated, and it makes you feel connected to those who understand you. It鈥檚 just so much better working out with friends.鈥�
If you, or someone you know, wants to volunteer, email kenedy.olsen@ubc.ca or call 236-970-6226 with any questions.
Suggested headline: UBCO meeting EPIC challenge for people living with spinal-cord injury
Photo caption: West 91大黄鸭鈥檚 Anand Kannan works out with UBC Okanagan staff during a research project.
Ever since Anand Kannan鈥檚 2008 ATV accident left him a paraplegic, the West 91大黄鸭 man has learned to appreciate any and all victories in his mission to stay healthy.
For instance, by participating in research studies at UBC Okanagan he was exposed to exercise equipment and regimens specifically tailored to the spinal-cord injury (SCI) community鈥攕omething not readily available otherwise.
鈥淚 was at UBCO using a press machine, pulling down on the weight,鈥� Kannan says. 鈥淏ut then I realized the machine also worked in reverse鈥擨 could press straight above my head. For someone in a wheelchair, just being able to use that simple motion without worrying about falling backward was such a gift.鈥�
That鈥檚 one reason why Kannan is advocating for others in the SCI community to embrace the opportunities at UBCO in 91大黄鸭 by signing up for a research project. UBCO鈥檚 Dr. Kathleen Martin Ginis is hoping to recruit as many as 50 participants for a project called 鈥淓xercise guidelines and Promotion and Implementation in Chronic Spinal Cord Injury鈥� 鈥� or EPIC SCI.
鈥淭his is an opportunity for adults with an SCI to help those in their same situation,鈥� Dr. Martin Ginis says. 鈥淭his isn鈥檛 about doing research so the results can sit on a library shelf. We are genuinely driven to do research that can improve people鈥檚 lives. But we need study participants. Even if you are unsure, please contact our offices and we will answer any and all questions.鈥�
Participants are compensated for visits to the UBCO lab and receive a gift card upon completion of the study.
Study participants are also asked to complete an online or phone questionnaire and attend three in-person visits to UBC Okanagan鈥攁t entry into the study and again at three and six months.
During the visits, participants are asked to undergo a fitness test, a brief pain sensation test and provide a blood sample.
Participants are randomly divided into two groups. One group begins a personalized exercise program and participates in weekly Zoom or phone coaching sessions for six months. The other group waits for six months and then receives a personalized exercise program and weekly Zoom/phone coaching sessions for six months.
鈥淲e are doing our best to remove any barriers to participation,鈥� says Dr. Martin Ginis, director of the Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Management. 鈥淲e see everyone benefitting. Participants get personalized health prescriptions, access to adapted workout equipment, and the knowledge they are providing vital information for our research.鈥�
Anyone who wants to participate must be 18 or older, experience chronic pain and have been diagnosed with a spinal cord injury more than a year ago at C3 or below. Further, you must be doing less than 40 minutes of moderate aerobic exercises per week and fewer than two days per week of strengthening exercises.
West 91大黄鸭鈥檚 Kannan has already completed the program, and wants everyone in the SCI community in the Central Okanagan to know how much of a benefit it can be.
鈥淚鈥檇 say, if you鈥檙e presented with the opportunity, you need to take it,鈥� he says. 鈥淗aving people around makes it so much more worthwhile. You keep each other motivated, and it makes you feel connected to those who understand you. It鈥檚 just so much better working out with friends.鈥�
If you, or someone you know, wants to volunteer, email kenedy.olsen@ubc.ca or call 236-970-6226 with any questions.
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