Our History
In the early 1980s, two milestones were achieved by the late Dr. Oded Bar-Or at McMaster University and McMaster Children’s Hospital: the classic textbook Pediatric Sports Medicine for the Practitioner was published and the Children’s Exercise & Nutrition Centre was opened (then called the Children’s Therapeutic Exercise and Health Centre). These two events catalyzed a new generation of clinicians and scientists devoted to using exercise to improve the health of children. Indeed, Dr. Bar-Or was considered the father of pediatric exercise medicine and science.
For the next 30 years, the Children’s Exercise & Nutrition Centre was home to world-class research and the clinical care of thousands of children with a variety of health conditions. The clinical goal was to enhance the care of children and youth with a chronic disease or disability by providing exercise- and diet-related assessments, interventions, and follow-up. With an increasing prevalence of childhood obesity, clinical activity at the Children’s Exercise & Nutrition Centre focused on a multi-disciplinary weight management program, which is now led by Dr. Katherine Morrison.
The Child Health & Exercise Medicine Program was established in 2010 to build on the tradition and legacy of Dr. Bar-Or’s work and is a renaissance of his original vision. Led by Dr. Brian Timmons, the mission of the Child Health & Exercise Medicine Program is to advance child health through excellence in research, education, and clinical care dedicated to exercise as medicine.
Our Program
The Child Health & Exercise Medicine Program encompasses research, education and clinical components. Integration of these three pillars makes the program unique in the world and this diversity creates a rich training environment.
We research physical activity and fitness in children of all health statuses and abilities. Our research studies are conducted under the supervision of Dr. Brian Timmons and Dr. Joyce Obeid.
We use this research to educate the next generation of researchers in pediatric exercise medicine and science, while informing the public and healthcare providers with up-to-date information and resources on how to make the most out of physical activity.
We provide scientific and clinical support to the Exercise Medicine Clinic at McMaster Children’s Hospital.
Expandable List
We take a lab bench to park bench approach to understand the physical activity-health connection. We explore the power of play to generate knowledge that can serve as the basis for public health policies and standards of clinical care that promote exercise as medicine.
To learn what we are up to or if you are interested in participating in a study, please check out our current studies.
For information on studies we have finished, check out our completed studies.
In the Child Health & Exercise Medicine Program, the sharing of information pertinent to pediatric exercise medicine and science is critical. Our educational efforts are focused on providing resources for the public, publishing our research results, and training the next generation of health care professionals and scientists.
RESOURCES: We strive to translate the results of our studies into useful information for the public so that families can make informed choices about physical activity, regardless of disease or disability.
SCHOLARSHIP: Our research is disseminated at local, national, and international conferences, through lectures and seminars and in scientific publications. Check out our list of scientific publications.
TRAINING: We provide education on physical activity, nutrition, and the role of exercise as medicine for child health through clinical rotations (clerks), research trainees (undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral), and visiting professorships. You can review a list of our current trainees and their projects or contact us about available training opportunities.
The Child Health & Exercise Medicine Program supports the Exercise Medicine Clinic, which operates at the Children’s Exercise & Nutrition Centre in the McMaster Children’s Hospital.
Children growing up with a chronic medical condition or disability often have complicated lives. Research tells us that regular exercise can help. From managing symptoms to aiding in recovery from treatments, being physically active has multiple physical and mental health benefits. The Exercise Medicine Clinic uses exercise testing and physical activity counselling to enhance the care of children with a chronic health condition.
For more information about the Children’s Exercise & Nutrition Centre or to make a referral, please visit the Hamilton Health Sciences website .
Our People
Faculty and Staff
Post-Docs
Graduate Students
Undergraduate Students
Emilia Debski
Undergraduate Thesis Student
Biology & Pharmacology Co-op Program, 5th Year
Grace Lochner
Undergraduate Thesis Student
Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, 5th Year
Visitors and Volunteers
CHEMP Alumni
Alumni Alumni
Alumni of CHEMP have pursued careers in a variety of areas, including Medicine, Medical and Scientific Research, Industry, and Academia.
Click on the links by each name to learn more about our alumni.
Our Funders
Current studies funded by:
