Cultural learninG eXPerienCe In addition to our experiences working with the medical team and athletes, we had the fantastic opportunity to learn about the unique culture in northern communities. We were very fortunate to ConduCtinG a Study We wanted to truly maximize our expe-rience at these Games and, so, we con-ducted a study in conjunction with our volunteer work on the medical team. As chiropractors and health providers, we AWG on northern communities. His data has been instrumental in documenting so-cial benefits of the Games to athletes and their communities, and ensuring that the Games continue to exist. We are hopeful that our research will be able to support his findings and encourage innovative strate-gies to maximize the health of these north-ern athletes and their communities. The medical team was an excellent example of multidisciplinary teamwork aimed at providing appropriate care for the athletes. We gratefully acknowledge the Cana-dian Memorial Chiropractic College for their support of this study. Without their assistance, we would not have been able to experience the AWG and complete this research. We are excited to move into the data analysis phase of our study to deter-mine the results, and look forward to future collaborations with Dr. Lankford and the AWG International Committee. Finally, the 2012 AWG provided us the opportunity to experience international cir-cumpolar and northern Canadian cultural and hospitality at its best. The generosity of everyone involved was humbling, from a welcoming smile and educational conver-sation on circumpolar cultures from a vol-unteer; to insight into training and northern sport from an athlete or coach; to a one-on-one conversation regarding chiropractic care with Rick Hansen. We feel extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to participate, and are so proud to have repre-sented the chiropractic profession and our country on the medical team. We look forward to the 2014 AWG in Fairbanks, Alaska! • Dr. Brynne Stainsby (middle) and Dr. Steven Piper (second left) with Patrick Ross, Whitehorse, Yukon, city planner (far left), Lisa Ross, Medical Chair of 2012 Arctic Winter Games (second right) and local chiropractor Dr. Melanie Lachapelle (far right). receive VIP tickets from the Chair of the Medical Committee to attend the Cultural Gala. This was a fantastic event where young performers showcase traditional songs and dances from their countries or regions. It was one of the highlights of the Games, and truly demonstrated the AWG vision of being an international celebra-tion of northern sport, culture and friend-ship. After attending the Gala, we realized that the AWG was more than just a com-petition; it was an opportunity to recog-nize and celebrate the role of sport and culture in northern communities. We felt extremely lucky to be a part of it. We were also very fortunate to live within the community during our time there and were hosted by a gracious vol-unteer and paramedic. To make sure we truly experienced the “Yukon’er life,” he was kind enough to take us ice fishing on our last day in Whitehorse – this was a truly northern experience! www.canadianchiropractor.ca were interested in examining the impact that participation in the 2012 AWG may have on the athletes’ health behaviours. Physical inactivity as well as a lack of access to, and a resulting decrease in, con-sumption of nutritious food choices have been well documented as significant bar-riers to health in northern and rural com-munities. 1,2 As we expected that athletes would be more active than the general population, our study aimed to document the activity level of athletes relative to the general population, and further determine if athleticism was reflected in other behav-ioural differences such as increased con-sumption of fruits and vegetables. We are very fortunate to be collaborat-ing with Dr. Samuel Lankford from the University of Northern Iowa for this study. Dr. Lankford has been collecting data for the AWG International Committee over the past 15 years, conducting research on the economic and social impact of the referenCeS Van der Woerd K, Swift K, Rogers B, Tsuruda S. Literature synthesis and an-notated bibliography of barriers to healthy eating, physical activity and active transpor-tation in the north. CAPTURE. 2011 Dec. 7:1–32. Kirby AM, Levesque L, Wabano V , Rob-ertson-Wilson J. Perceived community envi-ronment and physical activity involvement in a northern-rural Aboriginal community. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2007;4(1):63–63. CANADIAN CHIROPRACTOR | JUNE 2012 • 25
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