Events & Conferences
Conference Questions?
Phone: 519-661-1603
Toll-free: 1-888-625-0077
ccaa@uwo.ca
1201 Western Road
Elborn College, Suite 1101
London, ON N6G 1H1
Map | Parking Information
Past Research to Action Conferences
Past Speakers and Topics
2025
View event photos Friday, June 6, 2025 (Pre-conference)
| Facilitator/Speaker | Session |
| Debbie DeVries | Master Fitness Class Advanced Circuit Training 1 SFIC CEC |
| Steve Di Ciacca | SFIC Update & Refresher Senior fitness strategies for arthritis and osteoporosis 3 SFIC CECs |
| Lora Giangregorio | 2025 Rechnitzer Lecture Exercise for osteoporosis and fall prevention: evidence to action 1 SFIC CEC |
Saturday, June 7, 2025
7 learning hours = 4 SFIC CECs
| Time | Presentation | Presenter |
| Morning | ||
| 8:30 - 8:50 a.m. | Check-in (if you DID NOT check-in for June 6 events) | |
| 8:50 - 9:00 | Welcome | Dr. Kevin Shoemaker |
| 9:00 - 9:50 | Research Presentation: The SuperAging Research Initiative | Dr. Angela Roberts |
| 9:50 - 10:05 | Nutrition Break and Networking | |
| 10:10 - 10:40 | Heart Wise Exercise: Safe Fitness for Heart Health | Anita Findlay |
| 10:45 - 11:15 | Importance of proper footwear and footcare with age | Colin Dunbroski |
| 11:20 - 11:50 | Roundtable discussion with morning speakers | Steve Di Ciacca |
| Afternoon | ||
| 12:00 - 12:35 p.m. | Tai Chi Practice and Lunch 1 | Terry Clarkin |
| 12:40 - 1:10 | Tai Chi Practice and Lunch 2 | Terry Clarkin |
| 1:15 - 2:10 | Research Presentation: Physical Activity and Hearing | Dr. Susan Scollie |
| 2:15 - 2:55 | Getting the most out of one move | Sarah Langford |
| 2:55 - 3:10 | Nutrition Break and Networking | |
| 3:10 - 3:50 | Strength training strategies for seniors | Steve Di Ciacca |
| 3:50 - 4:10 | Q&A & Discussion | Steve & Sarah |
| 4:10 - 4:20 | Wrap up, closing remarks and thank you | Kevin Shoemaker |
2023
Friday, June 9 - Pre-conference
| Speaker(s) | Topics | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | |||
| Laurie Crouchman | Tiered Exercise Program | ||
| Shannon Belfry | Functional Fitness Assessment Workshop | ||
| Afternoon | |||
| Steve DiCiacca, Laurie Crouchman, Sarah Langford | SFIC Update and Refresher | ||
Saturday, June 8 - Conference
| Speaker(s) | Topics | |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | ||
| Martin Gibala | Exercise intensity and interval training | |
| Laurie Crouchman | SFIC Mini - Low | |
| Sarah Langford | SFIC Mini - High | |
| Steve DiCiacca | Panel Discussion with Martin Gibala & Christina Ziebart | |
| Afternoon | ||
| Doreen Bartlett | Tai Chi | |
| TVTA | Hike | |
| Christina Ziebart | Resistance training & osteoporosis | |
| Allison McInnis | Strategies for effective communication with an older population | |
| Steve DiCiacca | Dos and Don'ts | |
| Christina Ziebart | Safe exercises for osteoporosis | |
2019
Friday, June 7
| Speaker(s) | Topics | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | |||
| Hal Johnson & Joanne McLoed | Your Health is Truly Your Wealth | ||
| Sarah Cartwright | Kick Up Your Cardio | ||
| Donna Kosior | Physical Literacy for Older People | ||
| Afternoon | |||
| Anita Christie | Aging and Fatigue: Mind-muscle connections. | ||
| Anita Findlay | Barre for Balance | ||
| Susan Hunter | Balancing Acts: optimizing exercise to prevent falls | ||
| Ros Banks & Kathy Meyer | FULL SFIC | ||
Saturday, June 8
| Speaker(s) | Topics | |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | ||
| Glen Belfry | Health, Aging and CCAA Exercise Leaders | |
| Kathy Meyer | Muscle Training for High Performance Seniors | |
| Kathy Meyer | The Importance of Music for Senior Fitness | |
| Monica Maly | Promoting Exercise in Older Adults with Arthritis-Related Pain | |
| Afternoon | ||
| Christine Dirks | The Joy of Being Active | |
| JB Orange | Person-centered approaches to caring for people living with dementia | |
| Pauline White | FULL SFIC | |
2018
Toronto
November 8, 2018
| Speaker(s) | Topics | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | |||
| Flemingdon Team | FFL project/accomplishments, celebrating successes, funder recognition | ||
| Shilpa Dogra | Facilitating movement in our communities | ||
| Ryan Wight | Interventions targeting sedentary behaviour | ||
| Leslie McAdam | Activity Burst! Ball cardio seated | ||
| Afternoon | |||
| Felicia White | Brain Health – Minds in Motion®, physical activity and social recreation program of the Alzheimer Society | ||
| Beth Munro | SFIC exercise class sample | ||
| Michael Coteau, MPP for Don Valley East: Project Recognition | Remarks | ||
| Maria Calvachi and Valerie Haboucha | Lessons learned for supporting diverse communities | ||
| Sarah Gallsworthy | HIGH FIVE Older Adult – Positive experiences never get old | ||
London
Friday, June 8
| Speaker(s) | Topics | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | |||
| Kirsten Bell | Move over body builders | ||
| Kathy Meyer | Lower Body Bands | ||
| Jenna Gibbs | Too Fit to Fall or Fracture | ||
| Afternoon | |||
| Kevin Shoemaker | Optimizing Brain Health Across the Lifespan | ||
| Clara Fitzgerald | Minds in Motion | ||
| Kevin Shoemaker | Expanding CCAA Research and Its Impact | ||
| Gabriella De Nino | Urban Poling | ||
| Elaine Fletcher | Full SFIC Class | ||
Saturday, June 9
| Speaker(s) | Topics | |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | ||
| Dr. Aric Sudicky | Healthy aging myths and tips | |
| Anne Cooke | Choreography 2.0 | |
| Diane English | Positive Experiences Never Get Old | |
| Afternoon | ||
| Kathy Meyer | Upper Body Bands | |
| Leslie McAdam | Standard Plus | |
| Silvia Pogliaghi | Determination of cardiorespiratory fitness | |
| Lara Mylly | Full SFIC Class | |
2017
Friday, June 9
| Speaker(s) | Topics | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | |||
| Dr. Stuart Phillips | Successful aging: not in a pill or under a knife | ||
| Beth Munro | Balance: Anywhere, Anytime | ||
| Narlon C Boa Sorte Silva | Exercise, Aging and Cognition: Is it possible to mitigate cognitive decline in older adults? | ||
| Afternoon | |||
| Cassandra Ellis | Active Session: Music and the Beat | ||
| Cori Hutton | A Step in the Right Direction | ||
| Colleen McGrath | Age-related vision loss: What do I need to know? | ||
| Lauren Crutchlow | Show Up and Participate | ||
| Chris Moffett | Full SFIC Class | ||
Saturday, June 10
| Speaker(s) | Topics | |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | ||
| Dr. Aric Sudicky | Applying the Science: Creating a personalized recipe for healthy aging YouTube channel |
|
| Anne Cooke | Active Session: Building Fitness Choreography | |
| Lauren Bechard | Promoting Movement as Medicine for the Mind | |
| Afternoon | ||
| Leslie McAdam | Active Session:Lower Mobility Options | |
| Shilpa Dogra | Sedentary Time in Older Men and Women | |
| Dylan Brennan | Experiences of Masters Athletes | |
| Sarah Merkel | Full SFIC Class YouTube video |
|
2016
Friday, June 3
| Speaker(s) | Topics | |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | ||
| Introduction and Welcome | ||
| Gillian Mandich | Keynote: Getting Fitter with Age Download Gillian's E-Book Get a Reebok Discount |
|
| Harry Prapavessis | Sedentary Behaviour | |
| Debbie Devries, Kim Kamerman | High/Low SFIC Class 1 | |
| Afternoon | ||
| Kathy Meyer, Leslie McAdam, Clara Fitzgerald | Speed Learning 1 [Interval Training, Mat Core Training (YouTube), Evaluation] | |
| Leslie McAdam | Activity Burst: Balance | |
| Katelyn Norton | Brain Health - Exercise Your Heart! | |
| Gillian Mandich | Health and Social Media | |
| Anne Cooke | Choreography and Transitions | |
| Clara Fitzgerald | End of Day Remarks and Thank You | |
Saturday, June 4
| Speaker(s) | Topics |
|---|---|
| Morning | |
| Clara Fitzgerald | Welcome |
| Al Salmoni | The Benefits of Green Space Physical Activity |
| Leslie McAdam, Sally Radisic | Exercise Risk Management and Air Health Check |
| Toni Johnston, Chris Moffet | High/Low SFIC Class 2 |
| Afternoon | |
| Kathy Meyer, Leslie McAdam, Clara Fitzgerald | Speed Learning 2 [Playlists, Exercise Contraindications (YouTube), Chair Core Training] |
| Ros Banks | Activity Burst: Minds in Motion |
| Anne Van Durmen, Elizabeth Dejaegher, Pat Ecclestone, Susan Haughton | Instructor's Guide to Safe and Effective Exercise for Older Adults Pat, Susan, Anne and Elizabeth |
| Cassie Ellis | Music, Physical Activity and Enjoyment |
| Clara Fitzgerald | Closing Remarks & Thank you |
2015
Calgary
Friday, April 10
| Speaker(s) | Topics |
|---|---|
| Morning | |
| Introduction and Welcome | |
| Kaitlin McLay, Western University | Practical Applications of Top Evidence-Based Research Articles |
| Clara Fitzgerald, CCAA Master Trainer | Small Balls Workshop (active) |
| Joseph Levy, MRU | Motivation and Engaging Older Adult Participation in Exercise |
| Activity Burst: Chair Exercises | |
| Afternoon | |
| Clara Fitzgerald, CCAA Master Trainer | Benefits of Muscular Strength, Endurance and Power Training |
| Activity Burst: Balance Exercises | |
| Tracy Rand, Fit 2 Age | Contraindications and Exercising with Chronic Conditions |
| Sandra Gordon, MRU | Collaborating with Community Partners and Stakeholders |
| Wrap-up and Thank you | |
London
Friday, June 5
| Speaker(s) | Topics |
|---|---|
| Morning | |
| Registration | |
| Clara Fitzgerald | Introduction and Welcome |
| Melanie Stuckey | Top Research Articles – Practical Applications of Recent Research for Seniors’ Fitness Instructors |
| Denise Connelly | Exercising for Chronic Conditions |
| Kathy Meyer | Muscular Training – Strength, Resistance, and Power |
| Pat Ecclestone | Thinking Outside the Exercise Class Format - SAGES |
| Afternoon | |
| Erin Shellington | Cognition and Exercise |
| Gillian Gorfine | Activity Burst |
| Tobias Morat | Sarcopenia, Mobility, and Exercise |
| Debbie Devries | Exercise Class |
Saturday, June 6
| Speaker(s) | Topics |
|---|---|
| Morning | |
| Clara Fitzgerald | Welcome |
| Clara Fitzgerald, Daphne Stevens | Home-Based Exercising and Spotlight on CCAA Participant |
| Gillian Gorfine | Activity Burst |
| Dr. Charles Rice | The Aging Neuromuscular System and Physical Activity |
| Sarah Merkel | Choreography and Cardio |
| Afternoon | |
| Dr. Alan Salmoni | Why is Physical Activity Such Good Medicine? |
| Jocelyn King | Poling Demonstration and Workshop |
| Susan Hunter | Balance, Gait, and Injury Prevention |
| Gillian Gorfine | Closing Remarks & Thank you |
