Michael Kennedy, PhD

Area of Study / Keywords

Extreme Environments Exercise Performance Female Athlete Health

About

Research

The Athlete Health Lab aims to understand the influence of environment, sex, training status and injury on sport and exercise performance. 

• environmental and training related factors influencing lung function in athletes 
• exercise responses to extreme environments (cold, smoke, heat)
• relationship between training stress, health and menstrual status and performance specifically in female athletes

Our approach involves understanding prevalence, improving screening, studying mechanisms and increasing awareness. 

Teaching

HEED 120: Biological Aspects of Fitness

KIN 436: Endurance Training Methods

KSR 514: Sport Physiology

We are always looking for students who share a passion for human performance, female health in sport, and consequences of exercise in extreme environments.

If you have a passion for sport science and applied physiology please reach out via the respective link:

Expressions of Interest - Graduate Students

Expressions of Interest - Undergraduate Students

October 2023:

Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology Annual Conference 2023

• Joao Falk Neto presented a part of his PhD Thesis: Maximal aerobic power is a key determinant of performance during variable-intensity endurance exercise.
• Aidan Comeau presented a part of his MSc Thesis: Within-exercise bronchoconstriction and its association with exertional dyspnea at different aerobic exercise intensities.

September 2023:

• Bruno Viera a new MSc student and high level triathlete started in the lab. Welcome Bruno.

August 2023:

• Our annual Athlete Health Lab Summer Party was hosted at Pitch and Putt Edmonton and Rosso Pizzeria. We said goodbye to Sara Szabo (MSc) and Aidan Comeau (MSc) who both successfully defended and graduated from their Masters of Science.
• Mackenzie Buchanan the senior undergrad in the lab completed a summer internship and published his first article. See interview with Mackenzie here: Summer Studentship

HE ED 120 - Introduction to the Biological Aspects of Fitness to Health

A biological analysis of the contributions of physical activity and exercise to fitness and long term health. Emphasis is on the introduction of training principles, health related components of physical fitness, exercise and physical activity guidelines, and the application of these concepts for determination of physical fitness, individual long term health outcomes, and preventable disease. Note: Credit will be granted for only one of HE ED 120 or HE ED 220.

KSR 514 - Physiology and Performance in Sport

This course provides students with a survey of selected topics in exercise physiology with an emphasis on the application to sport and the planning practices employed by coaches. The course will normally include the study of metabolic, cardiorespiratory, neuromuscular and environmental physiology with reference to training and competition across a variety of sporting contexts. As well, possible topics may include the discussion of a variety of contemporary physiological issues related to coaching such as: sex-based differences in fitness norms for sport performance, ergogenic aids, and the place of experiential knowledge in enhancing sport performance. Note: Credit will be granted for only one of KSR 514, KIN 514, PEDS 514, or KSR 787.

KSR 787 - Physiology and Performance in Sport

This course provides students with a survey of selected topics in exercise physiology with an emphasis on the application to sport and the planning practices employed by coaches. The course will normally include the study of metabolic, cardiorespiratory, neuromuscular and environmental physiology with reference to training and competition across a variety of sporting contexts. As well, possible topics may include the discussion of a variety of contemporary physiological issues related to coaching such as: sex-based differences in fitness norms for sport performance, ergogenic aids, and the place of experiential knowledge in enhancing sport performance. Note: Credit will be granted for only one of KSR 787, KIN 514, PEDS 514, or KSR 514. Sections may be offered at an increased rate of fee assessment; refer to the Tuition and Fees page in the University Regulations sections of the Calendar

Browse more courses taught by Michael Kennedy

2023-01-23 to 2023-01-23

This lay publication provides real advice on the why exercising in the cold can be hard on the body what steps you can take to minimize cold air effects while exercising.

Started: 2023-01-23

This is the sister publication to the exercising in cold article published in the Sport Information Resource Centre quarterly publication highlighting Canadian Sport Scientists Research Advice. This article on extreme heat was written by Joao Falk Neto the senior PhD student in the Athlete Health Lab.

Started: 2023-05-03

This was a keynote presentation to the German Sport University, in Cologne Germany. The Athlete Health Lab collaborates with scientists at the German Sport University.

This talk was given to 80 of our best Nordic coaches from all over Canada. I presented on respiratory health in Nordic skiers. The talk focusses on the risk factors associated with training and competing, why Nordic skiers have acute and chronic respiratory issues and what coaches can do to treat and prevent respiratory issues in their skiers.

Started: 20170629

Spent an afternoon talking to the trainers and exercise specialists at Body By Bennett about the evidence around chronic stress. We focussed on their client base that is looking for stress reduction via exercise and physical activity. I discussed the evidence around chronic stress and risk factors for poor health and chronic disease. We explored how and what are the best techniques to improve overall health. We also discussed how they can measure and evaluate progress in their clients. 

Sara W. Szabo, Emily C. Owen, Michael D. Kennedy, Camilla J. Knight

International Sport Coaching Journal. 2023 January; 10.1123/iscj.2022-0049

Hannes Gatterer, Tobias Dünnwald, Rachel Turner, Robert Csapo, Wolfgang Schobersberger, Martin Burtscher, Martin Faulhaber, Michael D. Kennedy

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021 September; 10.3390/ijerph18189700

João Henrique Falk Neto, Eric C. Parent, Veronica Vleck, Michael D. Kennedy

Sports. 2021 June; 10.3390/sports9070094

Letícia de Souza Andrade, Isabella da Silva Almeida, Luís Mochizuki, Caio Victor Sousa, João Henrique Falk Neto, Michael David Kennedy, João Luiz Quagliotti Durigan, Yomara Lima Mota

Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. 2021 April; 10.1016/j.jbmt.2020.12.007

Michael D. Kennedy, Camilla J. Knight, Joao Henrique Falk Neto, Katie S. Uzzell, Sara W. Szabo

BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2020 December; 10.1186/s13102-019-0153-5

Michael D. Kennedy, Elisabeth Lenz, Martin Niedermeier, Martin Faulhaber

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020 September; 10.3390/ijerph17186662

Clemens Frischhut, Michael D. Kennedy, Martin Niedermeier, Martin Faulhaber

Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports. 2020 March; 10.1111/sms.13603

Michael D Kennedy, Camilla J Knight

International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching. 12 (3):303-311

Michael D Kennedy, Craig Steinback, Rachel Skow, Eric C Parent

Allergy, asthma & immunology research. 8 (3)

Kennedy, M. D., & Faulhaber, M.

Allergy, asthma & immunology research. 10 (1):43-51

Michael D Kennedy, Jessie MS Gill, Alastair MH Hodges

Journal of exercise science and fitness (JESF). 15 (1):12-17

Davies, R. D., Parent, E. C., Steinback, C. D., & Kennedy, M. D.

International Journal of Exercise Science. 11 (6):999-1018