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Current research

Adapted equestrian vaulting

I am working with the Cowichan Therapeutic Riding Association to evaluate their vaulting program in terms of physical activity, muscle strength, and social interactions.

Recent related publications

Temple, V. A., Achtem, E., Sangret, H., Bouthillier, S., Stuart-Hill, L. (in press). A formative evaluation of an inclusive introductory equestrian vaulting camp. PALAESTRA.

Body mass index of Special Olympics International athletes

The World Health Organization has identified overweight and obesity as amongst the greatest health challenges and risk factors for disease in the 21st century (WHO, 2002). People with intellectual disability seem to be at substantially higher risk of obesity, overweight and underweight than the general community.

This series of studies involves secondary analysis of BMI derived from the Special Olympics International (SOI) Healthy Athletes database. Key research questions include: 1) what is the distribution of overweight and obesity among children, youth, and adults by SOI world region, 2) trends in overweight and obesity over time, and 3) the prevalence of underweight.

Recent related publications

Rozak, K., Foley, J. T., MacDonald, C., Bryan, R., Lloyd, M., & Temple, V. A. (2018). Physical activity frequency of Special Olympic athletes aged 8-18 across economic status. European Journal of Adapted Physical Activity, 10(2), 14-19.

Lloyd, M., Foley, J. T., Temple, V. A. (2018). Maximizing the use of Special Olympics International’s Healthy Athletes Database: A Call to Action Research in Developmental Disabilities. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 73, 58-66.

Processes of sport development among young children

This study is one of a series of studies examining the relationships between young children’s motor skill proficiency, their perceptions of physical competence, and participation in physical activity.

This study specifically focuses on enhancing our understanding of sport development processes in young children. We are examining the extent to which fundamental motor skill proficiency, perceptions of physical competence, and task value (importance, interest, and usefulness of sport) predict participation in sport, active recreation, and overall physical activity.

Recent related publications

Temple, V. A., Lefebvre, D. L., Field, S. C., Crane, J. R., Smith, B., & Naylor, P. (2019). Physical health and well-being vulnerability in kindergarten: Relationships with motor skills and physical activities.  Journal of Motor Learning and Development, 7, 49–63
httpss://doi.org/10.1123/jmld.2017-0046

Crane, J. R., Naylor, PJ., & Temple, V. A. (2018). Tracking the physical activity and sedentary behaviour of children from kindergarten to grade 2. Children, 5, 131-142, doi:10.3390/children5100131