Research to Action Conference (R2A)

Friday, June 19, 2025 (Pre-conference)

Saturday, June 20, 2025

7 learning hours = 4 SFIC CECs

SFIC Master Fitness Class

Step up & thrive: Dynamic step training for active older adults

Presenter: Debbie DeVries
Time: 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Location: Gymnasium, Rm. 1300, Elborn College, 1201 Western Road, London, Ontario

Looking to elevate your class programming? This high energy master class is tailored for certified CCAA Instructors who want to broaden their skillset and confidently integrate step training into seniors' fitness classes. Participants will be introduced to a high intensity, safe, progressive, and fun session tailored for active older adults ready to progress to the next level of cardiovascular and coordination‑boosting challenge. Throughout the session, you’ll learn effective cueing strategies, approachable choreography, and practical modifications—all while upholding CCAA’s safety and instructional standards. Join us for a challenging, uplifting, motivational workout experience that will leave you feeling inspired and empowered to add step training to your seniors' fitness classes with confidence!

Participants should be confident in their ability to complete a higher intensity 60-minute class and they must be able to step up and down from a 4-6" platform independently without balance concerns.

Registration Fee: $30.00 + HST
1.5 learning hours = 1 SFIC CEC
25 participants max

Seniors' Fitness Instructor Course (SFIC) Refresher

From fear to freedom: The SFIC role across the osteoarthritis & joint replacement journey

Presenters: Tony Adebero, Debbie DeVries
Time: 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Mercato at Clare Hall, West Campus (formerly Brescia) 1285 Western Road, London, Ontario

This interactive workshop explores the role of the Senior Fitness Instructors in supporting older adults with hip and knee osteoarthritis across the surgical continuum. It will review common functional challenges before surgery, recovery considerations after joint replacement, and key safety principles within the SFIC scope. Evidence-informed strategies for strength, balance, and mobility will be discussed. Throughout the session, practical demonstrations will show how exercises can be modified and progressed based on stage of recovery. Instructors will leave with greater confidence to safely support participants from pre-surgery preparation to long-term functional independence.

Registration Fee: $80.00 + HST
3 learning hours = 3 SFIC CECs
50 participants max

Exercise for brain health in aging: From evidence to application

Presenter: Jennifer J. Heisz
Time: 5:00-6:00 p.m.
Location: Rm. 1576 Elborn College, 1201 Western Road, London, Ontario

As populations age, protecting cognitive health has become a global priority. In this talk, Dr. Jennifer Heisz presents research from the NeuroFit Lab examining how cognition changes across the lifespan, the biological and lifestyle pathways that contribute to dementia risk, and why some individuals remain cognitively resilient. Drawing on neuroimaging and intervention studies, this talk will highlight how vascular health, metabolic factors, and inflammation shape brain aging. Most importantly, it showcases compelling evidence that exercise acts as powerful brain medicine, enhancing neuroplasticity, supporting memory, and promoting long-term brain health. Bridging neuroscience and practical prevention, this talk delivers an evidence-based and hopeful message: while aging is inevitable, cognitive decline is not. Strategic lifestyle interventions, particularly physical activity, offer meaningful opportunities to reduce dementia risk and optimize brain health across the lifespan.

Visit the Rechnitzer lecture page to register for the in-person or Zoom lecture.

1 learning hour = 1 SFIC CEC
100 in-person participants max

Workshop/lecture descriptions will continue be posted as they are received

Morning

Protein requirements for active older adults | Jessica White

This presentation will provide an overview of the protein requirements for active older adults to support recovery and prevent sarcopenia. It will briefly review how dietary protein is digested and metabolized into amino acids to stimulate muscle protein synthesis. Additionally, a comparison of various protein sources will be provided, highlighting differences between animal and plant-based proteins. This presentation will outline strategies to optimize recovery, review current dosing guidelines and address common myths surrounding protein intake. Finally, practical examples of how older active adults can optimize their protein intake throughout the day will be provided.

Seated yoga stretch | Diana Borowiecki

In this seated session, we will explore gentle mobility for joints and spine, a safe and effective full-body stretch, and simple breathing techniques to support posture, focus, and relaxation. This class is designed to eliminate floor transitions, use the chair as a tool for enhancing participant experience, and honor all levels of mobility. Together, we will work through adaptable ranges of motion and progressions in a feel-good yoga and stretching experience that is truly designed for every body. 

Advancing healthy aging: New insights in exercise and older adult health | Various

This engaging session will highlight current research focused on improving the health and well-being of older adults. Presentations will share emerging insights across areas such as cardiovascular health, balance and mobility, assessment methods, and the role of physical activity in supporting brain, bone, and overall function. Designed for Senior Fitness Instructors, the session will emphasize how research informs community practice and strengthens evidence-based programming. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of the types of research underway and the valuable role community professionals play in advancing healthy aging initiatives. Join us to connect with new ideas

Afternoon

Aerobic exercise training after a cardiac event: Considerations for the optimal exercise dose. | Daniel Keir

This presentation will introduce attendees to the concept of exercise intensity domains and how Dr. Keir and his research team are using this framework to determine the optimal aerobic exercise training intensity in individuals with coronary artery disease.>

Scaling smart: Adapting advanced routines for every older adult | Anne Cooke

How do you take an intermediate or advanced routine designed for fit older adults and make it safe, effective, and engaging for participants with lower fitness or mobility levels? In this practical, hands-on session, we will break down a higher-level routine and strategically adapt it for an older, less mobile group. We will explore how to adjust speed, manage quick directional changes, modify range of motion (ROM), and reduce the number of moves and repetitions while maintaining program integrity. Participants will also learn where to build in transition options and how to refine cueing to match ability and confidence levels.

Ask anything: An open forum

Have a question you’ve been wanting to ask? This interactive open forum gives delegates direct access to respected leaders in the field. Designed as an unscripted, audience-driven session, this workshop invites you to bring your most pressing questions about advancing safe and effective programming for older adults, leadership in community fitness, and navigating real-world challenges in active aging. Whether you're looking for practical strategies, clarity on emerging evidence, or candid insights from decades of combined experience, this is your opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue and leave with actionable takeaways. Come curious—and ready to participate.

Rechnitzer Lecturer

Jennifer Heisz

Jennifer J. Heisz, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Department of Kinesiology at McMaster University, where she directs the NeuroFit Lab. Her research examines the mechanisms through which physical activity and other lifestyle interventions influence brain function, cognition, and mental health. She studies diverse lived experiences, including young and older adults, neurodivergent individuals, and people living with Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Heisz earned her Ph.D. in Cognitive Neuroscience from McMaster University and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Brain Health at the Rotman Research Institute. She has received numerous honours, including the Ontario Early Researcher Award and a Canada Research Chair in Brain Health and Aging. She also serves as Director of the McMaster Physical Activity Centre of Excellence and Editor-in-Chief of Exercise, Sport, and Movement, an international peer-reviewed journal of the American College of Sports Medicine. Dr. Heisz is the author of Move the Body, Heal the Mind, a widely translated book on exercise and mental health.

Keynote Speaker

Angela Schneider

Dr. Angela “Angie” Schneider is a Professor in the School of Kinesiology at Western University and one of Canada’s leading scholars in sport ethics, Olympic studies, and the sociocultural dimensions of sport. Her research spans genetic doping, women in sport, embodiment, and the philosophy of sport. She also currently serves as Director of the International Centre for Olympic Studies and was the first Director of Ethics and Education for the World Anti Doping Agency. A former national team rower, she won a silver medal for Canada in the Women’s Coxed Four at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, building on earlier success at the 1983 World Championships as well as bronze at the 1986 Commonwealth Games. Today, she continues her lifelong passion for sport and physical activity as a fierce, competitive master's rower. Through her ongoing dedication to staying active and a full racing schedule at national and international events, Angie demonstrates that pursuing physical challenge is not only possible but empowering at any age.

Learn more about Angela Schneider.

Knowledge Experts

Tony Adebero

Tony is the CCAA's new Research Coordinator. He holds a PhD in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (Physical Therapy). His doctoral research focused on functional recovery, balance, and falls risk following total joint arthroplasty, with particular attention to how prehabilitation and rehabilitation exercise influence functional outcomes in older adults. He has led national research examining rehabilitation practices among Canadian physical therapists following hip replacement and has published work on exercise, balance, and functional performance. His broader research also examines recovery trajectories across different surgical approaches to hip replacement. At the CCAA, he collaborates with community organizations and hospital partners to support evidence-based exercise programming for older adults in diverse settings, helping to translate research into practical application. Tony is passionate about equipping Senior Fitness Instructors with practical, evidence-informed strategies to confidently support older adults before and after joint replacement.

Laura K. Fitzgibbon-Collins

Dr. Laura Fitzgibbon-Collins is an Assistant Professor in the School of Kinesiology, Western University. Her research focuses on how blood flow to the brain impacts mobility and falls as well as thinking and memory ability in older adults. Using innovative wearable technologies and real-world assessments, her work identifies early vascular contributors to cognitive and motor decline. A central focus of her program is female health and sex differences in vascular aging, addressing long-standing gaps in brain and heart research. Her lab is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, decolonization, and accessibility, ensuring research is representative, community-engaged, and broadly accessible.

Learn more about Laura K. Fitzgibbon-Collins.

Daniel Keir

Daniel Keir is Associate Professor in the School of Kinesiology at Western University where his director of Cardiorespiratory Exercise Physiology Laboratory. Dr. Keir uses breathing-based techniques to study how the heart, blood vessels, lungs, and muscle work during stressors such as exercise and disease, study reasons for of exercise (in)tolerance, and to develop and test innovative ways to assess, prescribe, and train exercise capacity. He holds an exercise physiologist certification from the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology and the position of Affiliate Scientist at the Lawson Health Research (London). He has published 94 peer-reviewed papers (29 as first and 15 as senior author) in top-tier physiology, exercise science, and cardiology journals and has received $1,445,000 in competitive grants for research operating and infrastructure costs from agencies including NSERC, the Canadian Foundation for Innovation, and the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada (HSFC). He is also a recipient of the prestigious New Investigator Award from the HSFC (2023-24).

Learn more about Dan Keir.

Kevin Shoemaker

Kevin Shoemaker is a Distinguished University Professor at Western University and a national leader in research on aging, cardiovascular health, and exercise physiology. Educated at Wilfrid Laurier University and University of Waterloo, with postdoctoral training at Penn State College of Medicine, his work explores how the brain, heart, and blood vessels interact to regulate blood pressure and adapt to stress across the lifespan. Inducted into the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, he collaborates with clinical partners including the London Regional Cardiac Rehabilitation Program and the Clinical Neurological Sciences group. As the Scientific Director at the CCAA, he advances evidence-based education and partnerships that promote healthy aging, reduce cardiovascular risk, and expand access to programs that support physical, cognitive, and social vitality for adults across the lifespan.

Learn more about Kevin Shoemaker.

Jessica White

Jess White is a sports dietitian, who competed on Western's cross country and track teams while pursuing both a BSc and MSc in food and nutrition at Brescia University College. After University, Jess started her own sports nutrition private practice, called NutriVice ® and previously taught within the School of Food and Nutritional Sciences at Brescia. Additionally, she has completed the IOC Diploma in Sport Nutrition and is actively completing a PhD in Integrative Biosciences at Western.

Activity Experts

Diana Borowiecki

Diana Borowiecki has been a committed leader in the fitness industry for more than 20 years, bringing extensive experience as a Group Fitness Instructor, Fitness Manager, Assessor, and, currently, Fitness Instructor and Fitness Coordinator with the City of London. She also serves as a Group Fitness Instructor with the University of Western Ontario. She holds multiple professional certifications, including Fitness Instructor Specialist (CanFitPro), Senior Fitness Instructor (CCAA), Inclusive Fitness Specialist (ACSM), and 200-hour Yoga Teacher (YogaFit). Diana earned her Master of Arts in Communication from the University of Ottawa and is passionate about integrating her academic background with her industry expertise to deliver fitness experiences that are inclusive, accessible, functional, and fun.

Anne Cooke

Anne Cooke began her fitness career in the early 1980s, teaching aerobics to support herself through school. She quickly found her passion in the growing fitness industry and built a career spanning more than 30 years. In Toronto, she coordinated corporate fitness facilities and delivered programs for organizations including Shell Oil, Imperial Oil, and CIBC, overseeing services for more than 2,500 employees over a decade. She also provided private training to senior executives and politicians. Now based in Niagara, Anne continues to teach and mentor in the areas of fitness and movement. She holds numerous certifications and industry awards. Highlights of her career include 18 years coordinating the Blue Mountain Women’s Fitness Weekend and later leading Fitness in the Falls in Niagara. She also volunteers with Osteoporosis Canada.

Debbie DeVries

Debbie DeVries has been a dedicated member of the CCAA team since 1998. With more than two decades of experience as a CCAA Fitness Instructor, she has played a vital role in advancing safe, evidence-based physical activity programming for older adults. Debbie brings over 30 years of experience in the fitness industry, including teaching with Movati Athletic and GoodLife Fitness. Her diverse teaching background spans Step, Cardio, Boot Camp, Spin, and Muscle Conditioning. A dynamic presenter, Debbie has led active sessions and workshops at numerous Research to Action Conferences and VON Conferences. She also teaches the SFIC and delivers Ball Strength Exercise Workshops for community-based and research organizations. As the CCAA's Education Assistant, Debbie supports instructor development, manages certifications and renewals, and serves as a trusted resource for instructors year-round.

Ontario Hall Rooms at Western University

LEED ® Silver Certified
230 Sarnia Road, London ON

Take advantage of the comfortable overnight rooms at Ontario Hall at Western. Three options to choose from:

Deluxe Private Accommodation (1 person) $127.00+tax per night

• Room is equipped with a double bed, living room/sitting room area, kitchenette, and a private bathroom. Duvet blanket, bed linen, pillows, towels, face cloth and bathroom amenities are included. Enjoy an in-room coffee maker and a fully-equipped kitchen.

Private Accommodation (1 person) $98.00+tax per night

• Room is equipped with 1 lockable bedroom and a private washroom. Bedroom is furnished with a single bed, dresser, desk, chair and closet. Bed linen, pillow, blanket, towels, face cloth and washing soap are included.

Semi-Private Shared Accommodation (2 people) $78.00+tax per person, per night

• Room is equipped with 2 lockable bedrooms and a shared washroom. Rooms are furnished with a single bed, dresser, desk, chair and closet. Bed linen, pillow, blanket, towels, face cloth and washing soap are included.
• (choose this option if you would prefer to share a suite with another conference delegate/friend)

All accommodations include a either a  hot breakfast or a $15 food voucher, booking # dependent* , complimentary parking and wifi.

Building Amenities

• Free parking - walking distance to West Campus (formerly Brescia) and Elborn College
• Front desk customer service - 24/7 reception and overnight security
• Laundry facilities - accepts debit and credit cards
• Free hot breakfast or a $15 food voucher, booking dependent*
• Exercise room - includes a basic selection of fitness equipment

*A complimentary hot breakfast will be provided if more than 30 guest rooms are booked the previous night. If fewer than 30 rooms are reserved, participants will receive a food voucher instead. For reference, in 2025 fewer than 30 rooms were booked on Thursday and Saturday evenings, while more than 30 rooms were booked on Friday evening. Hot breakfast and vouchers WILL NOT be provided on the same morning. ONE OR THE OTHER will be offered.

Learn more about the Ontario Hall Suites.

Register for this event using your MyCCAA login credentials. If you have forgotten these details use the recover username or password functions in MyCCAA to access your account.

Payment will be processed through Western's Purple Pay. Please checkout as a guest, you cannot use your MyCCAA credentials to checkout of Purple Pay.

Conference

Early-bird rate effective until April 15, 2026. Regular rate is $225+tax.

Master Class

Pre-Conference Workshop

Pre-Order Your CCAA Exercise Balls

Purple, small CCAA exercise balls can be pre-ordered through Western’s Purple Pay system between March 4 and June 12. Pre-paid orders will be available for pickup during lunch on Friday or Saturday at the Bottega in the Mercato at Clare Hall.

To order multiple balls:

• Add a ball to your cart
• Go to the cart, use the dropdown menu to change the number of balls
• Proceed to checkout

Remember to check out of PurplePay as a guest, unless you are a member of the Western community (faculty, staff, or student).

Please Note:

Our current supply of exercise balls is from a new manufacturer. While the quality is improved, the design differs slightly from previous versions:

• The plug is a new style and requires a different adaptor for inflation.
• Each ball comes with a straw for inflating by mouth.
• We do not sell pumps, but a suitable one can be purchased at Canadian Tire or most dollar stores and party supply stores (a standard balloon pump will work well).

Be sure to place your order early to guarantee availability!