Celebrating 50 years of science to practice in Canada
For over 50 years, curious academic investigators, their students and those providing exercise advice to Canadians have actively led the establishment, evolution and growth of a highly-respected organization. From the beginning, members have been the strength of the organization. From 200 founding members in 1967 to 6000 members today, they are truly dedicated to their research and the opportunity for it to impact the health and well-being of Canadians. Through their efforts, the Canadian Association of Sport Sciences / Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology continues to bring science to practice, influencing evidence-based policies and practice in research, rehabilitation, population health, fitness and chronic disease.
At 50, CSEP reflects on the broad evolution of the state of exercise physiology research and practice since its inception. CSEP continues to be a trusted resource of expertise and a family to many. This timeline highlights key milestones that we hope will provide background for some and generate fond memories. Thank you, to all members who have been a part of these accomplishments and to those who will help lead us into the next 50 years!
FITNESS AND AMATEUR SPORT ACT
The Act is passed by the Government of Canada to improve the fitness of Canadians and Canada’s participation in international sports events. Act includes financial support for research.
GROUNDWORK FOR A NEW ORGANIZATION
A nucleus committee representing the Canadian Medical Association and the Canadian Association of Health, Physical Education and Recreation is set up to lay the groundwork for the future Canadian Association of Sports Sciences. The objective, to establish an association of professionals interested in the scientific aspects of sports and fitness in Canada as well as to promote and advance medical and other scientific studies that support the effect of sports and other physical activities on human’s overall health.
CANADIAN ASSOCIATION OF SPORT SCIENCES
CASS is formally inaugurated on July 24 during the fifth Pan-American Congress on Sports Medicine. A letter from HRH Prince Philip states that the establishment of CASS “shows that there is growing appreciation of the value of positive health in our modern easy going civilization.”
JOINT CASS AND ACSM CONFERENCE
CASS and ACSM host the world’s largest gathering of experts in the field of sports sciences. Over 500 sport scientists attend the Toronto conference covering topics such as: Rules and Ethics in Sports Medicine, Organization and Conduct of Fitness Programs, Rehabilitation in the Service of Medicine and Metabolic Adaption to Physical Activity.
CANADIAN HOME FITNESS TEST
Led by CASS founding member Dr. Roy J Shephard, a simple at-home tool is developed to establish the user’s level of fitness.
FIRST ISSUE OF CANADIAN JOURNAL OF APPLIED SPORT SCIENCES
Following years of dedicated effort, the dream of creating a Canadian journal of sport and exercise sciences is realized. The first issue is released in January 1976 and inaugural editor-in-chief is Dr. Albert Taylor.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY READINESS QUESTIONNAIRE
The first validated screening tool of its time, the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) is developed by the British Columbia Ministry of Health to determine those individuals potentially at risk when increasing their level of physical activity before undertaking exercise.
CASS IS A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE SPORT MEDICINE COUNCIL OF CANADA (SMCC)
Initially developed to provide physicians, therapists and medical equipment for Canadian athletes who would participate at the Major Games, the SMCC would evolve into a multi-faceted group of medical and paramedical personnel and sport scientists whose collaborative function is to support the development of amateur sport in Canada. CASS is one of the four provider groups that founded SMCC and went on to have resident status in 1982.
PUBLICATION OF THE CANADIAN STANDARDIZED TEST OF FITNESS (CSTF)
The CSTF provides a simple, safe and standardized approach to assessing major components of fitness in apparently healthy individuals and interprets these assessments based on norms and percentiles for Canada.
CANADA FITNESS SURVEY
Led by the Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute (CFLRI) and supported by CASS members, the first national survey of over 13,500 households provides both a comprehensive picture of fitness levels of Canadians and establishes a benchmark for future research.
CASS IS INCORPORATED AS A NATIONAL NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION ON AUGUST 16, 1982
NATIONAL FITNESS APPRAISAL CERTIFICATION & ACCREDITATION (FACA) PROGRAM
CASS establishes the FACA program to address the need for safe and reliable physical fitness appraisals and training in Canada. This program would go on to see many changes, both in name and concentration.
PUBLICATION OF THE PHYSIOLOGICAL TESTING FOR ELITE ATHLETE MANUAL
Written to standardize testing protocols so that athletes can be assessed in any lab across Canada with approximately the same results.
ELITE ATHLETE LABORATORY ACCREDITATION
CASS is approached by Sport Canada to develop a standardized program for certifying high performance testing centres across Canada. These High Performance Testing Centres were a precursor to the current Canadian Sport Centres.
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CASS HIGH PERFORMANCE SPORT COMMITTEE
This unique national committee is created to focus on lab accreditation, sport specific research protocols, grant reviews for sport research and to assist National Governing Bodies in developing scientific committees.
OVERSTRESS STUDY
CASS initiates a research project with funding from Sport Canada to examine overtraining by studying potential factors that are indicative of the overtrained state using a multidisciplinary approach. The Overstress Study final report was presented in 1989.
CASS UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT AWARD
Recognizing the need to highlight the work of the next generation in sport science research, universities are invited to present the first CASS Undergraduate Student Award to a deserving graduating student in the sport sciences stream.
CANADIAN REGISTRY FOR SPORT BEHAVIOURAL PROFESSIONALS
A registry of sport psychologists who were able and willing to provide sport psychology and mental training services to Canadian high performance athletes.
SPORT NUTRITION FOR THE ATHLETES OF CANADA
The Sport Nutrition Advisory Committee (SNAC), led by CASS members is formed to provide sport nutrition advice to Canadian athletes and to provide leadership in nutrition education for individuals involved in sport & fitness in Canada.
COMMISSION OF INQUIRY INTO THE USE OF DRUGS AND BANNED PRACTICES INTENDED TO INCREASE ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE
Following a number of high-profile cases of banned substance abuse at the Olympic level, the Government of Canada initiates the Commission of Inquiry into the Use of Drugs and Banned Practices Intended to Increase Athletic Performance (AKA the Dubin Inquiry). CASS provides written testimony and evidence in response to the recommendations made therein.
CASS CELEBRATES 25TH ANNIVERSARY
CASS Pioneers gather in Saskatoon to recognize the organization’s first 25 years.
MEMBERS VOTE TO RENAME CASS TO ‘CANADIAN SOCIETY FOR EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY (CSEP)’
25 years after its inception, many original sport science disciplines branch out to form their own organizations which better align with their specific area of research. The remaining CASS members, primarily focused on exercise physiology and human kinetics, lead the membership to change the organization’s name and mission to better reflect their mandate and focus.
FIRST ISSUE OF CANADIAN JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSIOLGOY: PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, HEALTH AND FITNESS
With a narrowed focus to the areas of physiology, biochemistry, fitness, health and physical activity, The Canadian Journal of Applied Sport Sciences becomes the Canadian Journal of Applied Physiology: Physical Activity, Health and Fitness.
PAR Q & YOU
A CSEP Expert Advisory Committee updates the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q), a self administered pre-activity screening questionnaire.
THE CANADIAN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, FITNESS & LIFESTYLE APPRAISAL
A successor to the CSTF, The CPAFLA resource includes the assessment and health-related interpretation of both physical activity participation and lifestyle behaviours.
MEASUREMENT IN PEDIATRIC EXERCISE SCIENCE
CSEP publishes fitness assessment protocols appropriate to use with youth and children. The impetus for this publication was the Youth & Children steering committee led in partnership with Health Canada.
CSEP.CA IS LAUNCHED
The first CSEP website is launched.
CANADA’S PHYSICAL ACTIVITY GUIDE TO HEALTHY ACTIVE LIVING
In response to the 1996 Surgeon General’s Report, CSEP and Health Canada develop Canada’s Physical Activity to Healthy Active Living. The Guidelines are launched at the CSEP AGM in Fredericton, New Brunswick.
LECTURE TOUR
The first CSEP lecture tour takes place to help promote the dissemination of exercise physiology knowledge on a national scale.
ACTIVE LIVING DURING PREGNANCY: PHYSICAL ACTIVITY GUIDELINES FOR MOTHER AND BABY
CSEP publishes a comprehensive resource for pregnant women who want to maintain activity, or undertake physical activity as a component of making positive lifestyle changes to promote a healthy pregnancy.
CANADA’S PHYSICAL ACTIVITY GUIDE TO HEALTHY ACTIVE LIVING FOR OLDER ADULTS
In conjunction with the International Year of the Older Adult, guidelines for Older Adults are launched to address the distinct needs and capacities of adults over 55 years of age.
CANADA’S PHYSICAL ACTIVITY GUIDE FOR CHILDREN (6-9 YEARS OF AGE) AND CANADA’S PHYSICAL ACTIVITY GUIDE FOR YOUTH (10-14 YEARS OF AGE)
CSEP HEALTH AND FITNESS PROGRAM
The FACA Program changes its name to CSEP Health & Fitness Program (HFP) to reflect the greater range of certifications offered.
INCLUSIVE FITNESS AND LIFESTYLE SERVICES FOR ALL disABILITIES
CSEP publishes a manual to enhance the expertise of qualified fitness professionals with specific resources to provide fitness assessment and active living counselling services to apparently healthy Canadians with a disability.
APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY, NUTRITION, AND METABOLISM (APNM)
The journal gets a new name and is turned over to the National Research Council (NRC) Press to continue publishing. Moving forward, APNM would see an increase to over 1300 pages annually.
CANADIAN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY GUIDELINES FOR CHILDREN (5-11 YEARS OF AGE), YOUTH (12-17 YEARS OF AGE), ADULTS (18-64 YEARS OF AGE) AND OLDER ADULTS (65+ YEARS OF AGE)
CANADIAN SEDENTARY BEHAVIOUR GUIDELINES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH
The first, systematic evidence-based sedentary behaviour guidelines in the world are released. The guidelines provide recommendations to Canadian children (5 to 11 years of age) and youth (12 to 17 years of age) on limiting sedentary behaviour and screen time during discretionary time to reduce health risks.
EXERCISE IS MEDICINE CANADA
CSEP hosts the first Task Force Meeting of Exercise is Medicine Canada (EIMC). With an objective of facilitating the collaboration between health care professionals and qualified exercise professionals in the prevention and treatment of chronic disease. CSEP becomes the official host of EIM in Canada in April 2012.
CANADIAN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY GUIDELINES & CANADIAN SEDENTARY BEHAVIOUR GUIDELINES FOR THE EARLY YEARS (0-4 YEARS OF AGE)
CSEP PHYSICAL ACTIVITY TRAINING FOR HEALTH
The CSEP-PATH manual offers comprehensive evidence-based support for the training and work of CSEP certified members and other qualified exercise professionals.
CANADIAN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY GUIDELINES FOR ADULTS WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
The Guidelines outline how a person with MS can incorporate safe, appropriate and effective physical activity into their daily routine. They also provide a reference to what are appropriate physical activity levels.
CSEP PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS PROGRAM
The CSEP Health & Fitness Program is renamed to reflect program advances and reinforce CSEP’s commitment to raising the bar on the certification of health and fitness professionals and establishing nation-wide standards.
CANADIAN 24-HOUR MOVEMENT GUIDELINES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH: AN INTEGRATION OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, SEDNETARY BEHAVIOUR AND SLEEP
The world’s first evidence-based guidelines to address the whole day. These guidelines encourage children & youth to Sweat, Step, Sleep and Sit the right amounts for a healthy 24-hours representing the new paradigm that emphasizes the integration of all movement behaviours occurring over a whole day.
GET ACTIVE QUESTIONNAIRE
CSEP releases a new two-page self-administered, pre-participation screening tool to help move individuals along the path to becoming more physically active.
CANADIAN 24-HOUR MOVEMENT GUIDELINES FOR THE EARLY YEARS (AGES 0-4): AN INTEGRATION OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, SEDENTARY BEHAVIOUR, AND SLEEP
Co-launch with the Commonwealth of Australia November 20, 2017