What is the study about?

Many women experience urine leakage while exercising and this can become a significant barrier to physical activity. With this research we aim to investigate the variances in pelvic floor structure and function between female runners who experience running-induced urinary incontinence and runners who do not. We will draw comparisons with sedentary females experiencing stress-induced urinary incontinence and those who do not.  

What does participation involve?

• Telephone eligibility screening (<40 minutes);
• Online questionnaires (<1 hour);
• In-lab assessment (1.5 to 3 hours): includes a pelvic floor exam, ultrasound imaging, and a a measurement of pelvic floor strength and flexibility with a custom device. Runners only: complete a 38-minute treadmill run and repeat the pelvic floor measurements. 

Who can participate?

• Female 18 years of age and older;
• Body Mass Index lower than 30 due to the limitations of our measurement tools;
• No major urogenital surgery, pelvic organ prolapse (above grade 2), or pain with vaginal penetration (tampons, gynaecological exams);
• No pregnant / have not birthed in the past year;
• Runners: run at least twice a week for a minimum total distance of 10km; consistently for more than a year.
  • Those with urinary incontinence: regularly while running (at least once per week) and only occasionally with non-exercise activities (once or less per month).
• Sedentary: only low-impact activities of daily living
  • Those with urinary incontinence: at least once per week with daily activities (cough, sneeze, laugh, etc.)

Additional eligibility criteria will be evaluated via the telephone screening and questionnaires.

Contact information

Please reach out to our study team for more information or visit our website.

What is the study about?

Many women experience urine leakage while exercising and this can become a substantial barrier to physical activity. With this research we aim to determine whether 2 conservative approaches can be used to reduce or eliminate urine leakage experienced during running.

What does participation involve?

• Pre-Intervention:
  Telephone eligibility screening (<40 minutes);
  Online questionnaires (<1 hour);
  Baseline in-lab assessment* (2.5 hours);
  Random assignment to one study group: pessary, tampon, or no intervention.
• 12-Week Intervention: Run with your assigned intervention as per your regular running routine. Periodically record urinary symptoms via an online survey.
• Post-Intervention:
  Online questionnaires (<40 minutes);
  Post-intervention in-lab assessment* (2.5 hours).
• Follow-Up: Online questionnaires at 4, 12, and 24 weeks post-intervention (<40 minutes).

*Laboratory visits include pelvic floor assessments and a 38-minute treadmill running task.

Who can participate?

• Female 18 years of age and older (assigned female at birth with no medical transition);
• You run at least twice a week for a minimum total distance of 10 km, consistently for one year;
• You can run at least 5 km in under 50 minutes (6km/h minimum);
• You experience urine leakage regularly while running (at least once per week) and only occasionally with non-exercise activities (maximum once per month);
• Body Mass Index under 30 due to the limitations of our measurement tools;
• No major urogenital surgery, pelvic organ prolapse, or pain with vaginal penetration;
• Not pregnant/ have not birthed in the past year.

First come, first served.

Contact information

Please reach out to our study team for more information or visit our website.

What is the study about?

This research seeks to investigate the advance preparation of movements involving a distributed network of cortical and subcortical brain structures, and how brain processes related to response preparation and initiation are impacted by the characteristics of the to-be-performed task.

What does participation involve?

Performance of rapid limb movements while muscle activity is recorded. A time commitment of approximately 1.5 hours is needed, and electrical and/or acoustic stimulation techniques may be administered (depending on the specific trial group).

Who can participate?

Participants must be between 18 and 60 years old, have no history of neurological and/or motor dysfunction, and have normal or corrected to normal vision and normal hearing.

Contact information

Please contact Dr. Anthony Carlsen or visit the visit the website. Selection of participants will be done on a first-come, first-served basis.

What is the study about?

The purpose of this study is to assess strategies devised to optimize objective and subjective sleep quality with the use of cold exposure.

What does participation involve?

Participation in this study will include: a maximal progressive exercise test for evaluating your aerobic capacity (VO2 max), a cold-water immersion (1 preliminary session (90 minutes) and 2 experimental sessions (3 to 4 hours each)), followed by body measurements and blood samples.

Who can participate?

Participants who are:

• Between the ages of 18 and 35;
• Healthy and active;
• Male or female;
• Not suffering from sleep disorders.

More eligibility criteria will be screened through a questionnaire. 

Contact information

Please reach out to the study team for more information or call Renée Morin: 613-562-5800 ext 2655

What is the study about?

Researchers at the Human Environmental Physiology Research Unit (HEPRU) at the University of Ottawa are currently seeking volunteers to participate in studies assessing how the body responds during rest and exercise in the heat. We wish to examine how heat exposure affects vulnerable populations such as the elderly, those who suffer from chronic conditions, and those who work in extreme heat conditions. Our main objective is to establish exposure limits to protect vulnerable populations from heat related complications.

What does participation involve?

Several studies are being conducted. Please contact the research team for more details.

Who can participate?

• Males & females (18-85 years );
• Non-smokers;
• Sedentary or physically active individuals;
• Healthy adults and adults suffering from chronic conditions (type II diabetes, hypertension).

Contact information

For more information or to express interest please contact the research team or call 613-562-5800 ext 4270 or visit the website.

What is the study about?

Visual exploration of the environment while standing or walking is often required in daily life. The coordination of the head, the torso and the stepping movements is important to maintain balance during this visual search. This coordination may be impacted in older adults and adults with Parkinson’s disease, increasing their risk for falls.

What does participation involve?

We will examine head and torso coordination, as well as balance and stepping parameters during a visual search task using motion capture. Tasks involve identifying words as they appear at a random location on a monitor. Participants will be tested standing, stepping in place, and walking on a treadmill.

Who can participate?

We are recruiting healthy adults or adults with Parkinson’s disease, with normal or corrected to normal vision. Additional eligibility criteria will be assessed in the lab.

Contact information

For more information, please contact Mary Elise Lorraine MacDonald or Dr. Julie Nantel.

What is the study about?

Do you have Parkinson’s Disease and experience Freezing of Gait? Help us test a wearable device for real-time prediction and prevention of freezing.

What does participation involve?

The session will be conducted during a single visit to the University of Ottawa (200 Lees Avenue). Participants will be reimbursed for parking expenses.

Who can participate?

We are looking for participants who:

• Have Parkinson’s Disease;
• Experience freezing of gait at least once a day;
• Are able to walk unassisted for 25 meters; and
• Do not use any wearable or implanted electronic device (e.g. pacemaker, deep brain stimulator).

Contact information

For more information, please contact Ayham Al-Akhras or Dr. Julie Nantel.