Year in Review: 2025 at the CCAA

2025 was a year of meaningful growth, innovation, and collaboration for the Canadian Centre for Activity and Aging (CCAA). From strengthening our research and staffing capacity to expanding community outreach, clinical programs, and strategic partnerships, the CCAA continued proudly to advance evidence-based approaches that support aging well.

This year-end summary highlights key milestones across organizational development, research and grant activity, in-house programs, student engagement, and community impact. Together, these achievements reflect the CCAA’s commitment to integrating research, practice, and knowledge translation—while laying the groundwork for continued growth and impact in 2026 and beyond.

Organizational Growth & Capacity Building

Tony AdeberoKey Staffing Milestones

  • Hired Research Coordinator

Dr. Tony Adebero joined the CCAA, strengthening research coordination, partnership development, program evaluation, and grant activity across the Centre.

Community Outreach

Blood Pressure Screening Program

bp screening

Delivery of the Free CCAA’s Blood Pressure Screening Program, supporting early detection, community engagement, and applied research opportunities.

Strategic Partnerships & Collaborations

Continued Partnerships

  • The City of London
  • The City of Ottawa
  • The City of Hamilton
  • Town of Halton Hills
  • Alberta Health Services
  • Parks and Recreation Ontario
  • Ontario’s Community Health Centres
  • Alzheimer Society Canada
  • McCormick Home
  • University of Waterloo
  • Fanshawe College
  • Mohawk College
  • Lambton College

Evolving Partnerships

These partnerships enhanced training opportunities, research recruitment, and integrated knowledge translation across clinical, academic, and community settings.

  • St. Joseph’s Health Care London (Parkwood Institute)
  • BrainsCAN
  • Robarts Research Institute
  • Western University 
  • Student Engagement
    • Community-Engaged Learning (CEL) Capstone Courses (8 students)
    • Western Work-Study Program (4 students)
    • Kinesiology Sphere Course Program, FHS, Western University (120+ students)
    • Kinesiology Students, FHS, Western University (4 student placements)
    • Fanshawe College (2 student placements)

In-House Programs & Clinical Innovation

Exercise and Rehabilitation Programs

These programs advanced evidence-based exercise delivery while supporting translational research and community impact.

  • Cardiac Rehabilitation – DoseEx Program
  • Strength Training Program – Creactive
  • Bone–Brain–Heart Programs (in partnership with St. Joseph’s Health Care London)

In-House Research Initiatives

Core CCAA Research Projects

These projects support long-term data infrastructure, quality improvement, and applied aging research.

  • CCAA Operations Research Registry
  • Blood Pressure (BP) Study

Research Recruitment & Study Support

Projects Supported Through CCAA Recruitment

The CCAA continued to play a critical role in facilitating participant recruitment and community access for interdisciplinary aging research.

  • Integrating clinical and biomechanical measures to predict falls in older
  • How ageism affects older adults’ well-being
  • Effects of exercise on cognition and brain health in older adults at risk for type 2 diabetes (Healthy Controls Sub-Study)
  • BrainsCAN – MouseTRAP Collaboration

Grant Activity & Research Funding

Grants Awarded and Under Development

The CCAA continued to play a critical role in facilitating participant recruitment and community access for interdisciplinary aging research.

  • CareFit Program
  • CLSA–CIHR Catalyst Grant: Analysis of CLSA Data
  • MoveStrong Project (with University of Waterloo, Dr. Lora Giangregorio)
  • Lumbar Spine Health Project – Dr. Kayla Fewster
  • SPA: Summer Program in Aging 2027
    • Preparing the Next Generation of Researchers in Aging
    • Theme: Building care and services to support community-dwelling older Canadians
  • Balance for Life – Seaway Group Project
  • New Frontiers in Research Fund
  • CIHR IA Planning and Dissemination for Disrupting Dementia Initiative

CCAA Programs & Education

Ongoing CCAA Offerings

  • 81 new instructors certified through the SFIC, 649 currently certified instructors
  • CCAA-City of London Functional Fitness Assessments - 195 participants tested in 2025
  • City of London partnership - 12 classes in London, 6 sites, 766 registrations in 2025
  • 7 SFIC Refresher Courses - 417 trained
  • Research to Action Conference - 117 delegates
  • Restorative Care Education Training - 79 trained in 3 sessions
  • Seniors' Fitness Instructor Course - 154 trained in 9 sessions

Quality Improvement & Systems Impact

  • Continued alignment with the CCAA’s quality improvement mission, integrating evaluation, data capture, and evidence-based refinement across programs, partnerships, and research activities.

Long-Term Strategic Initiatives & Future Directions

Ongoing and Emerging Projects

  • The Western Research Hub for Physical Activity and Health
  • Centre for Family Medicine Research (Amanda Lee)
  • Donor Engagement and Stewardship
    • Exploring strategic use of donor contributions to support sustainability and innovation
  • Future Partnership Considerations
    • YMCA
    • Boys and Girls Club
    • Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP)
    • Ontario Federation of Clubs (OFC)
    • Interdisciplinary Council on Aging & Health (ICOS)
    • Parkinsons Canada
    • Alzheimers Society Southwest Partners

Looking Ahead to 2026

  • Scaling integrated exercise–research programs
  • Strengthening clinical and community partnerships
  • Expanding data infrastructure and research recruitment capacity
  • Investing in trainee development and knowledge translation