Position Papers

As part of OKA’s advocacy efforts, we’ve developed a number of white papers outlining the Association’s positions on a number of health issues concerning Kinesiology and exercise.

Virtual Care
Obesity
Premiers Council Submission
Exercise and Mental Health
Pre-Budget Comments 2020
Health Professions Regulatory Reform
Primary Care
Diabetes

Virtual Care

If you are a Registered Kinesiologist considering offering or considering offering telehealth, tele-rehabilitation or other virtual services to clients within Ontario, you need to stop and consider several points regarding the service you will provide. Before offering this method of service to your clients, ensure you are able to offer it in a way which is compliant with your professional standards and ethics requirements and applicable laws, just as you would when providing in-person care.

Obesity

Primary care providers should make referrals to Registered Kinesiologists as a first line of treatment for obesity and comorbid chronic conditions. Integrate Kinesiologists into interdisciplinary care teams, particularly those with a focus on treating obesity.

Exercise and Mental Health

Exercise is known to stimulate the body to produce endorphins and enkephalins, hormones which promote good feelings and make problems feel manageable. Exercise increases the volume of certain brain regions, in part through better blood supply and in part through factors which support neuron signaling, growth and connections; specifically, studies show that exercise promotes the creation of new neurons in the hippocampus, an area of the brain involved in memory, emotional regulation and learning.

Premiers Council Submission

Approximately 63% of Ontarians are affected by one or more chronic conditions. The cost of supporting individuals with chronic disease is estimated to be 55% of total direct and indirect health costs. In Ontario alone, physical activity creates an economic burden of approximately $3.4 billion, while obesity generates a burden of $4.5 billion. Chronic conditions like cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and chronic respiratory disease are the leading cause of death in Ontario, and all can be helped with exercise.

Pre-Budget Comments 2020

The Government of Ontario has the opportunity to significantly increase the role of physical activity, exercise prescription and active therapies in the prevention and management of chronic disease and mental illness, as well as disability, injury and chronic pain, in order to prolong independence in seniors, reduce dependence on pharmacological treatments and improve quality of life for all populations.

Primary Care

Exercise and physical activity are recognized unequivocally as among the most effective means to both prevent and manage chronic disease. Managing these illnesses is critical: Chronic conditions such as cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and chronic respiratory disease are the leading cause of death in Ontario. The cost of supporting individuals with chronic disease is estimated to be 55% of total direct and indirect health costs.

Diabetes

According to the Diabetes Canada Report on Diabetes in Ontario, the number of Ontarians diagnosed with diabetes has risen by 80% over the past decade. In 2012, one million Ontarians had it; by 2016, that number had risen to 1.6 million. In fact, including undiagnosed diabetes and pre-diabetes, 30% of Ontarians – 4.6 million people – are estimated to be affected, with diagnosis rates expected to rise by another 46% by 2026.