Our team performs human clinical research in the area of exercise science, cardiovascular rehabilitation and prevention and women’s health. Our research program focuses on:
- Understanding the role of exercise training in preventing and managing cardiovascular disease.
- Developing practical, valid approaches to monitoring and prescribing exercise training.
- Understanding the role of menstrual status and reproductive health in cardiovascular health.
- Designing and testing workplace interventions to improve women’s cardiovascular health.
If you are interested in participating or learning more about our research projects, please contact our research coordinator at mmistura@ottawaheart.ca or call 613-696-7000 x 15944.
Active Recruiting Projects
Exercise Training in Patients with Permanent Atrial Fibrillation: A randomized controlled trial (Exercise-AF)
Exercise-AF is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluating the impact of exercise training on physical and mental health outcomes in patients with persistent and permanent atrial fibrillation (AF). This is a multi-disciplinary project involving the Atrial Fibrillation Cluster, the Division of Cardiac Prevention and Rehabilitation and Family Health Teams in the Champlain Local Health Integration Network of Ontario.
Exercise Training in Women with Heart Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial (EXCEED)
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a leading cause of premature death in Canadian women. Women who suffer an acute coronary event are more likely than men to be physically inactive and have lower fitness levels. EXCEED is a randomized controlled trial comparing the effects of two different types of exercise (high-intensity interval training [HIIT] and moderate-to-vigorous intensity continuous training [MICT]) on physical and mental health outcomes in women with CHD. This multi-disciplinary project involves investigators at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute and University of Ottawa, and patient partners
ACUTE-AF
ACUTE-AF is a prospective cross-over trial examining short-term changes in atrial fibrillation (AF) symptoms in females and males with paroxysmal and persistent AF (aged 40+ years) while engaging in a standard week of exercise when compared to a week of rest.
GLUCOSE-AF
The incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common heart rhythm disorder, is increasing. Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a risk factor for developing AF. Glucose-AF is a pilot randomized controlled trial examining the impact of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) compared to control (i.e., no structured exercise training) on glucose variability, atrial fibrillation symptoms severity and quality of life in patients with non-continuous AF and T2D.
TALK TEST Study
This is a pilot randomized controlled trial examining if the Talk Test is an effective and safe tool as compared with cardiopulmonary exercise testing for exercise prescription in patients who have undergone revascularization procedures and enrolled in a 12-week home-based cardiovascular rehabilitation program with virtual exercise training monitoring.
HIIT-NoW
HIIT-NoW is a randomized control trials examining the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of high-intensity interval training combined with the Nordic walking (HIIT-NoW)in patients with heart disease who recently underwent a coronary artery bypass graft or percutaneous coronary interventions.
See current publications list at PubMed.
See Research Gate profile.
See Google Scholar profile.
Selected publications:
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Reed JL, Terada T, Vidal-Almela S, Tulloch HE, Mistura M, Birnie DH, Wells GA, Nair GM, Hans H, Way KL, Chirico D, O’Neill CD, Pipe AL. Effect of High-Intensity Interval Training in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation: A randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Network Open. 2022: 5(10): e2239380.
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Way K, Vidal-Almela S, Keast ML, Hans H, Pipe AL, Reed JL. The Feasibility of Implementing Aerobic Interval Training in Cardiac Rehabilitation Settings: A Retrospective Analysis. BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2020. 12: 38.
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Vidal-Almela S, Czajkowski B, Prince SA, Chirico D, Way K, Pipe AL, Reed JL. Lessons learned from community physical activity programs: A review of factors influencing women’s participation in and adherence to cardiac rehabilitation. EJPC. 2020: 28(7): 761–778
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Reed JL, LM Cotie, CA Cole, Harris J, Moran B, Scott K, Terada T, Buckley JP, Pipe AL. Evaluating Submaximal Exercise Tests as Predictors of Peak Aerobic Power in Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Settings (BEST Study). Frontiers in Physiology. 2020: 10: article 1517.
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Way K, Reed JL. Meeting The Needs Of Women In Cardiac Rehabilitation: Is High-Intensity Interval Training the Answer? Circulation. 2019: 139: 1247-1248.
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Reed JL, Clarke A, Faraz M, Tulloch HE, Birnie DH, Reid RD, Pipe AL. The impact of cardiac rehabilitation on mental and physical health in patients with atrial fibrillation: A matched case-control study. Canadian Journal of Cardiology. 2018: 34(11): 1512-1521.
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Reed JL, Terada T, Chirico D, Prince SA, Pipe AL. The Effects of Cardiac Rehabilitation in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Review. Canadian Journal of Cardiology. 2018 Oct: 34(10): S284–S295.
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Reed JL, Prince SA, Pipe AL, Attallah S, Adamo KB, Tulloch HE, Manuel D, Mullen KA, Fodor JG, Reid RD. Influence of the Workplace on Physical Activity and Cardiometabolic Health: Results of the Multi-Centre Cross-Sectional Champlain Nurses’ Study. International Journal of Nursing Studies. 2018 Feb: 81: 49-60.
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Reed JL, Pipe AL. Practical Approaches to Prescribing Physical Activity and Monitoring Exercise Intensity. Invited review for special issue entitled Physical Activity and the Heart. Canadian Journal of Cardiology. 2016 Apr: 32(4): 514-522.
Current Team Members
Matheus Mistura, MSc, Clinical Research Manager
Matheus received his MSc. in Kinesiology from the University of Victoria. His research focused on examining nudge-based approaches to increase the purchase of vegetables among young adults in British Columbia. Matheus was also involved in Eat, Play, Live: a population intervention to promote nutrition guideline implementation in recreational facilities across three Canadian provinces.
Matheus enjoys working in a research environment and learning. Prior to starting grad school, Matheus worked as a registered nutritionist in Brazil for three years, working with athletes of different modalities. When not at work, he enjoys going to the gym, spending time with family and friends, and hiking.
Tasuku Terada, PhD, Senior Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Dr. Terada completed his PhD in Exercise Physiology at the University of Alberta. The primary focus of his doctoral dissertation was to investigate the efficacy of different exercise protocols on improving cardiovascular fitness, body composition, and glucose metabolism of individuals living with type 2 diabetes. He studied a variety of approaches to optimize the use of exercise for improving these conditions, including high-intensity interval exercise and fasted-state exercise. After completing his doctoral program, as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, he worked closely with the Bariatric Care and Rehabilitation Research Group led by a multidisciplinary research team. Through this experience, his research interest expanded to better understand the impact of obesity in patients undergoing coronary artery treatment. He has become interested in a unique phenotype of age and/or inactivity-dependent obesity characterized by the coexistence of low muscle mass and high fat mass (i.e., sarcopenic obesity). His future research interests lies in exploring the role of exercise in counteracting the development or progression of chronic health conditions including, but not limited to, obesity, diabetes and the risks associated with these conditions.
Sol Vidal Almela, MSc, PhD Candidate
Sol Vidal Almela is a PhD candidate in the School of Human Kinetics at the University of Ottawa, and an integral member of the Exercise Physiology and Cardiovascular Health Lab led by Dr. Jennifer Reed.
Sol completed her Bachelor of Science degree in physical activity and sports science at the University of Valencia. She then earned her Master of Science degree in clinical exercise physiology from Liverpool John Moores University. She is interested in improving sex-specific research in the cardiovascular rehabilitation and exercise science fields. Her PhD projects focus on sex differences in the acute and chronic responses to exercise training in patients with atrial fibrillation. While completing her PhD, Sol received an International Peace Scholarship by the Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO), and a University of Ottawa Heart Institute Research Scholarship, each for two academic years.
She is dedicated to communicating science in an engaging way. Outside of school, she enjoys running, cycling and skating.
Indyanara Ribeiro, MSc, PhD candidate
Indyanara received her MSc in Pulmonary Physiology from the Federal University of São Paulo. She is currently a PhD student in Cardiovascular Physiology in the Applied & Nutrition Research Group at the University of São Paulo and is the newest International Virtual Intern with the Exercise Physiology and Cardiovascular Health Lab (EPCHL) at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.
Indyanara’s research focuses on the modulation of cardiovascular and cardiorespiratory responses during exercise in chronic diseases. During the previous 6 years, she has worked closely with laboratory/hospital staff and has been actively engaged in a number of clinical activities in a multi-disciplinary laboratory. She enjoys working in a research environment which offers continuous learning opportunities. In her spare time, Indyanara enjoys spending time with friends and family, and she loves to engage in exercise which involves adventure and challenges such as climbing, hiking, and swimming.
Takumi Noda, PhD candidate
Takumi Noda is a doctoral student in Japan specializing in cardiac rehabilitation. He recently joined the Exercise Physiology and Cardiovascular Health Lab (EPCHL) at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute as a visiting research student to study the effects and treatment of cardiac rehabilitation. Dr. Jennifer Reed and Dr. Tasuku Terada are his co-supervisors.
Takumi is a Ph.D. candidate in Rehabilitation Science (Sensory and Motor Control) at Kitasato University in Japan. He previously completed his master's degree in Functional restoration science at Kitasato University. His research in Japan focuses on the relationship between liver function and motor functions such as muscle strength and walking speed in patients with heart failure and ischemic heart disease undergoing cardiac rehabilitation.
He is interested in how exercise in cardiac rehabilitation can be related to liver and metabolic function, and how these mechanisms may play a role in the prevention and management of cardiovascular events.
Outside of research, he enjoys playing baseball on the weekends, studying English, and spending time with friends.
Isabela Marçal, MSc, PhD Candidate
Isabela is the successful recipient of the inaugural Virtual Student Research Internship with the Exercise Physiology and Cardiovascular Health Lab (EPCHL) at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute under the supervision of Dr. Jennifer Reed. She obtained her BSc in physical education at São Paulo State University (UNESP) in Bauru, Brazil, and subsequently earned a specialization in cardiac rehabilitation at Institute Dante Pazzanese of Cardiology in São Paulo.
Isabela is an MSc candidate at UNESP working on high-intensity interval aquatic exercise in patients with hypertension. As a part of her master's, she completed a research internship in the department of rehabilitation sciences at KU Leuven in Belgium.
She is planning to become a Ph.D. candidate soon and hopes to continue studying and learning about exercise in cardiac rehabilitation, how it can prevent and manage primary and secondary cardiovascular events, improve health and well-being, and be accessible for all individuals.
When she is not working, Isabela enjoys going to the gym, watching sports and movies, practicing languages, and visiting her family and friends.
Katelyn Comeau, BSc, MSc Candidate
Katelyn is currently enrolled in the MSc in Human Kinetics program at the University of Ottawa. She will be specializing in clinical exercise physiology and is co-supervised by Dr. Jennifer Reed and Dr. Lara Pilutti.
Katelyn obtained her BSc at Liberty University, during which she completed a summer internship at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute supervised by Dr. Jennifer Reed. After two summers working with the Exercise Physiology and Cardiovascular Health Lab (EPCHL) she decided to undertake her MSc as she gained substantial interest in the fields of exercise physiology and women’s heart health research.
She is a certified ACSM Exercise Physiologist, NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and NASM Personal Trainer. She plans to deepen her knowledge in cardiac rehabilitation by working with patients with atrial fibrillation and exploring sex and gender difference research. Katelyn loves finding ways to use exercise to treat various chronic diseases.
Alan Fok, BSc, Research Assistant
Alan graduated from the University of Ottawa with a BSc in human kinetics. He is an avid badminton player and coach. He has coached many players who have represented Ottawa provincially and nationally. Badminton is the reason Alan pursued an undergraduate degree in human kinetics and why he fell in love with exercise physiology. He is currently pursuing his CSEP certification. Alan is very excited to be part of the team.
Alan is motivated to encourage his community to pursue exercise. He loves to bike and run. He believes daily aerobic exercise is critical in preventing many cardiovascular diseases. Alan wants his work with the Exercise Physiology and Cardiovascular Health Laboratory to promote this message. Alan believes research will continue to promote the immense benefits of exercise.
Jennie Wong, BSc, MSc candidate
Jennie is currently a candidate student working toward her MSc in human kinetics at the University of Ottawa. Dr. Jennifer Reed and Dr. Kristi Adamo are co-supervisors. Jennie is a graduate of Carleton University where she completed her BSc in biology with a concentration in health science.
Jennie’s time as a varsity athlete sparked her interest in exercise physiology. She is interested in exercise training, cardiovascular health and how different training strategies can benefit patients in cardiac rehabilitation. Apart from research, Jennie is an avid soccer player and coach. She enjoys spending time with friends and family.
Robert Pap, BSc, MSc Candidate
Robert is an MSc candidate in the Epidemiology program at the University of Ottawa, supervised by Dr. Jennifer Reed and Dr. George Wells. He completed his bachelor’s degree in health science with a minor in Biology from Carleton University.
Robert’s passion for health and fitness began at an early age from his involvement in competitive sports. During his time at Carleton, Robert was a member of the Ravens powerlifting team, a hobby that he continues to this day. Robert is interested in how exercise and cardiac rehabilitation programs affect outcomes in patients with cardiovascular disease and improve patients’ overall quality of life. Outside of academics, Robert enjoys travelling, hiking, and painting miniatures.