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Health & Wellness Lab

The Health and Wellness Lab conducts research and develops movement-based programs, including exercise and yoga, to help those with cancer move from surviving to thriving.

Information for Participants

Follow the link below for information on current research projects, past research projects, and patient resources.

Information for Health Care Providers

Follow the link below for information designed for healthcare professionals to support the integration of exercise into your practice in cancer care.

Trio EXCEL

EXCEL Research Project

Exercise for Cancer to Enhance Living Well (EXCEL) is a 5-year, Canada-wide research project for those living in rural and remote communities. The EXCEL program offers FREE, 12-week exercise classes designed specifically for individuals undergoing or recovering from cancer treatment.

ACE

Alberta Cancer Exercise Program

Alberta Cancer Exercise Program (ACE) is a FREE, 12-week community-based exercise program designed specifically for individuals undergoing or recovering from cancer treatment, with circuit-style classes twice per week at various locations in Calgary and across Alberta.

Ped Oncology

Pediatric Oncology

We are conducting several projects examining the role of exercise in pediatric oncology patients. These projects range from guideline development to community-based organization engagement to the implementation of in-hospital exercise programs.

EXCEL Participant Advisory Board: What the EXCEL Program & Exercise Oncology Mean to Us

At our 8th Drive for Thrive fundraiser, this video was shown to emphasize the impacts of our exercise oncology programs on individuals living with and beyond cancer, as well as their caregivers.

Members of the EXCEL Participant Advisory Board speak to their experiences within the EXCEL program and why they believe exercise should be a part of standard cancer care.

Kate Fougere

HWL logo and icons for Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube

Research has consistently shown the numerous physical and psychological benefits of an active and healthy lifestyle. Using exercise as an evidence-based tool, the Health and Wellness Lab's goal is to help those with cancer to move from surviving to thriving.

Our website introduces you to our behaviour change research in exercise oncology. You will learn more about who we are, what we believe in, and what we are building to help those impacted by cancer to move more, enhancing both their physical and psychosocial well-being.

Exercise for Cancer to Enhance Living Well (EXCEL): What EXCEL Means to Me

The Exercise for Cancer to Enhance Living Well (EXCEL) study provides an exercise program to those living with cancer in rural and remote regions across Canada. In this video you will hear from our EXCEL participants, as they describe their experiences with the program and discuss the positive impacts of adding more movement into their lives.

Exercise for Cancer to Enhance Living Well (EXCEL): What EXCEL Means to Me



Our Latest Work

Publications

Dr. Nicole Culos-Reed and Dr. Chad Wagoner recently led analyses for the Alberta Moving Beyond Breast Cancer (AMBER) project, identifying key factors associated with physical activity and sedentary behaviour in newly diagnosed women with breast cancer. Check out Social-cognitive, demographic, clinical, and health-related correlates of physical activity and sedentary behaviour in newly diagnosed women with breast cancer.

Read the article here

National Award

Kinesiology researcher receives national award for cancer and exercise research.

Read the article

In the News!

Exercise has physical and mental health benefits for cancer survivorship, but it "hasn’t moved into practice in the health-care system,” says Dr. Nicole Culos-Reed.

Read the article


Donations

If you are interested in supporting our work in exercise oncology research and programs, please click the link below. This donation link, through the University of Calgary, will provide a tax-receipt. Please indicate “Thrive Centre, Faculty of Kinesiology” as the designation. Thank you for your support!

Donate Now


Message to our website visitors

Material on this website has been designed for information purposes only. It should not be used in place of medical advice, instruction, and/or treatment. If you have specific questions, please consult your doctor or an appropriate health care professional.