PARC (Physical Activity Research Centre), Canada

Empowering Movement, Advancing Research

Yuel Family Physical Activity Research Centre (PARC) is affiliated with the University of British Columbia (UBC). It is housed within the Blusson Spinal Cord Centre in Vancouver and is led by researchers from ICORD (International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries), which is a UBC-based interdisciplinary research centre focused on spinal cord injury (SCI).

Key Features of PARC:

Virtual Exercise Options: In response to varying needs, PARC offers virtual exercise options, including remote personal training sessions and daily online classes, ensuring participants can maintain physical activity regardless of their location.

Accessible Exercise Equipment: The facility is equipped with exercise machines designed for easy use directly from a wheelchair or with minimal transfer, ensuring inclusivity for participants with varying levels of mobility.

Community Engagement: PARC fosters a collaborative environment where individuals living with SCI can interact with researchers, healthcare practitioners, and students. This interaction promotes an active exchange of ideas and experiences, enhancing the quality of research and community support.

Research and Training: The centre conducts studies to identify effective strategies for promoting physical activity among people with SCI. Additionally, PARC collaborates with organizations like the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation and the City of Surrey to train fitness leaders in working with individuals with disabilities, thereby extending its impact beyond the facility.

Exercise After Spinal Cord Injury: How to Adapt Equipment, by SCIRE (Spinal Cord Injury Research Evidence)