CAPILANO UNIVERSITY
University awarded federal grant to advance research on repeated head impact in sport

As National Concussion Awareness Month puts a spotlight on brain health in sport, Capilano University (CapU) is stepping up with new research aimed at protecting young athletes.

Kinesiology instructor Donna Perry and research assistants Chelsea Watson and Jeenat Virk use the NeuroCatch Platform to measure athletes' cognitive function for the RESILIENCE Project. A recent $151,200 NSERC-ARTI grant enabled the purchase of the cutting-edge EEG device.

Backed by its first-ever Applied Research Tools and Instruments (ARTI) grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), and in collaboration with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, CapU has been awarded $151,200 to purchase advanced brain technology equipment to study repeated head impact in competitive hockey.

Driven by a deep commitment to advancing athlete well-being, kinesiology instructor Donna Perry whose work explores the connection between cognitive science, mental health, and sport performance and recovery is leading the initiative.

The funding supports the RESILIENCE Project Research Effects for Sport and Life in Electroencephalography Neurological measurements at Capilano University EEG testing which will use EEG technology to study how repeated head impacts affect brain function in a high-contact sport. The project is especially timely: according to Health Infobase, sports account for 44% of traumatic brain injuries among Canadian youth aged 5-19, with ice hockey contributing to approximately one-quarter of those cases in males and one-third in females.

"The university is grateful for this pivotal federal research funding," said Dawn Whitworth, PhD, associate vice-president, CARS & Graduate Studies. "In partnership with local industry, CapU students and faculty will work towards influencing health outcomes through their innovative applied research."

The project will measure athletes' cognitive function over time from pre-season through post-season and into recovery using the NeuroCatch Platform, a cutting-edge EEG device developed by B.C.-based medical technology company HealthTech Connex. Baseline EEG testing begins on male and female hockey players ages 16-20 this fall.

The project also deepens collaboration with industry and community partners.

By combining community partnerships with hands-on student research opportunities, CapU is contributing not only to the safety of today's athletes but also to the next generation of researchers in brain health.