U of S names new laboratory after founder of ParticipACTION

Posted June 19, 2006


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 19th, 2006
2006-06-09-KIN

U of S names new laboratory after founder of ParticipACTION

Today University of Saskatchewan President, Peter MacKinnon, officially
opened a new laboratory in the College of Kinesiology focused on physical
activity and health promotion and dedicated it to the past president of
ParticipACTION - Russ Kisby.

Addressing representatives from the University, government, health region,
key players in ParticipACTION and in motion, and friends and family of Russ
and Merle Kisby, Mackinnon said: "Russ Kisby dedicated years of effort and
innovation as an advocate of physical activity for the health of all
Canadians. The purpose of this laboratory is to pursue similar goals in
research and its translation to knowledge and practice. It is thus fitting
to name this facility The Russ Kisby Physical Activity and Health Promotion
Laboratory."

Kisby said: ""It is a great honour to be associated with this prestigious
and timely research laboratory. I have no doubt that it will make an
enormous contribution to the health and quality of life of Canadians and
have an international impact."

The Laboratory will be used by U of S Canada Research Chair, Larry Brawley
and his team who will conduct research into health promotion and disease
prevention.

Brawley said: "In the next two years, this facility will be the testing site
for several funded research projects that concern older adults and physical
activity- these projects involve older adults with chronic diseases such as
osteoarthritis, multiple sclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Our work will
also involve those older adults less at risk but seeking to change their
inactive lifestyle.

"We also will continue to collaborate with the Saskatoon Health Region and
expand our partnership with their Chronic Disease Management group. These
activities and the facility provide an excellent training environment for
our graduate students and research centre for our collaborators."

The laboratory is funded by the Canada Foundation for Innovation and the
Province of Saskatchewan in conjunction with a Canada Research Chair Award
through the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.

-30-

For further information, contact:

Laurel Rossnagel
College of Kinesiology
University of Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 966-1105
Email: laurel.rossnagel@usask.ca


--------