Two student researchers examining movement and exercise capabilities have been selected to present their research projects alongside a Lethbridge Polytechnic instructor at the European College of Sports Science (ECSS) annual conference in Lausanne, Switzerland this summer.
Hallee Pilling
Hallee Pilling, second-year Exercise Science student, and Hannah Smith, a Lethbridge Polytechnic graduate (Exercise Science 2025, Administrative Office Professional 2023) and current public health student at the University of Lethbridge, each explored a topic of interest that analyzed physical activity. These research projects are supported by a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Councill (SSHRC) Exchange grant.
Pilling's research examined the relationship between movement competency and executive function in youth aged seven to 12, using a mixed-methods approach that combined performance-based testing with exploration of children's everyday activity experiences. She and Dr. Simon Schaerz, instructor, Centre for Health and Wellness, and researcher, Centre for Applied Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, administered computerized cognitive tests alongside the Canadian Agility and Movement Skill Assessment (CAMSA), an obstacle-course-like assessment that required children to run, jump, catch, slide, throw, and skip.
Through interviews with caregivers and children, the study also explored how factors such as family routines, access to programs, social opportunities and seasonal constraints influence children's ability to participate in cognitively engaging physical activities. These findings highlight that development is shaped not only by how active children are, but by the quality and context of those experiences.
"We found a relationship between the speed of the course completion and a children's inhibitory control, the ability to suppress impulses and distractions, which was really interesting," says Pilling. "My hope is that we can develop improved guidelines for practitioners and teachers that combine motor function and the execution of cognitive tasks to better improve movement competency and executive function."
The research also points to an important gap in the existing literature, which has largely focused on controlled or structured settings, with less understanding of how these relationships play out in real-world environments.
Set to graduate from the polytechnic next month, Pilling will begin a diploma in diagnostic medical sonography at Camosun College in Victoria, B.C. this spring. Reflecting on her research journey, she explains that it's sparked a new interest.
"It was really cool to see what we base innovation off of - these findings [support] guidelines for health, exercise and more," says Pilling. "I'm glad to have been a part of something that can be used for the future of educating youth."
Smith's research examined how menstrual cycle phases relate to well-being and performance in collegiate runners. A long-distance runner herself, she began researching this topic as part of a literature review assignment in one of Schaerz' classes.
"Simon [Schaerz] had this idea about capturing the lived experiences of runners in relation to the menstrual cycle and asked me to take it on, as it's something I'm passionate about." says Smith. "I know what it's like to be affected by my cycle as a runner and I've seen methods to mitigate it on social media, so I sought to prove or debunk those in a grounded setting."
Over eight weeks, Smith recorded menstrual cycle symptoms in runners on the Kodiaks cross-country team, then followed up with interviews to capture their lived experiences. The findings showed that symptoms and impacts vary day to day and differ between athletes. Overall, the results highlighted three key takeaways: individual variability, the need for better awareness and the importance of flexibility in training.
"Rather than changing training plans broadly, creating a team environment that supports communication and adaptability may better support performance and well-being." says Smith. "Without this project, I wouldn't have learned that even simple adjustments can make a big difference.
"Going forward, I hope to do more research in this field and fill gaps in literature that people could benefit from. Plus, getting to go to Switzerland and present my work is a cherry on top of this experience!"
Schaerz says these student research opportunities demonstrate the benefit of bridging classroom learning and hands-on applications.
"Research is a self-motivating learning tool, giving students the space to discover new topics and findings they wouldn't otherwise explore in a classroom setting," says Schaerz. "The opportunity for these women to present to a room of global industry colleagues is a great chance to network, learn and broaden their horizons."
Hannah Smith
The ECSS annual conference runs July 7 to 10.
