OPENING AN EMBASSY IN SEOUL: SOME REFLECTIONS

GORDON LONGMUIR 계명대학교 한국학연구원 2005 Acta Koreana Vol.8 No.1

Though Canada established formal diplomatic relations with the Republic of Korea in 1964, there was no embassy in Seoul until 1973. That year D. Gordon Longmuir was dispatched to Seoul to help open that embassy and serve as First Secretary and Consul, as well as Chargé d’Affaires until a resident ambassador arrived early in 1974. He stayed in Seoul until 1976. Among the more pressing duties of the embassy while he was stationed there was ensuring adequate safeguards for a nuclear reactor Korea was considering buying from Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL). At first Canada, somewhat distrustful of President Park Chung Hee, was uncertain whether or not to provide Park with such a nuclear power plant. However, after the ROK agreed to ratify the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty, the deal was signed and Korea eventually went on to purchase a total of four Canadian-designed CANDU nuclear reactors. As a representative of the Canadian government, Longmuir was in the audience on August 15, 1974, when a disgruntled Korean-Japanese attempted to assassinate Park but shot and killed Park’s wife instead. He also watched as, under Park’s leadership, the Korean economy began its rapid march to modernization while the government resisted pressure for democratization. The embassy occasionally had to intervene on behalf of some activist Canadian missionaries who felt that urban workers were being asked to pay too heavy a price for Korea’s economic progress.

Identifying Criteria for a Physical Literacy Screening Task: An Expert Delphi Process

Heather L. Rotz(Heather L. Rotz ),Anastasia Alpous(Anastasia Alpous ),Charles Boyer(Charles Boyer ),Patricia E. Longmuir(Patricia E. Longmuir ) 사피엔시아 2020 Exercise Medicine Vol.4 No.-

Objectives: REACH (Recreation, Education, Allied-health, Coaching, Healthcare) leaders support children’s physical literacy journey in diverse settings. This project sought physical literacy screening tool criteria that REACH leaders could use to assess children. Methods: A 3-round expert Delphi process sought consensus (75% of participants stating agree/strongly agree) regarding physical literacy screening. Group discussions (Round 1) identified screening issues. Qualitative analyses represented the issues as statements. Experts rated each statement (5-point Likert scale) in Rounds 2 and 3. Mean Round 2 rating for each statement was provided in Round 3. Results: 53 experts were invited to participate with 37 (63% female, mean career length = 16 years) providing consent. Each round comprised at least 7 experts with primary/secondary expertise for each sector. Round 1 identified 60 criteria and 27 potential screening tasks, which were represented in 90 statements. Consensus was achieved for 44/90 statements in Round 2 and 51/90 statements in Round 3. Conclusions: Expert consensus suggests that physical literacy screening should utilize both objectively measured tasks and questionnaires. Encompassing multiple facets of physical literacy, including motor competence, motivation, strength, endurance, and daily behavior, is important. Research is required to identify potential tasks that meet these criteria and are suitable for each REACH sector.

Participation in a Community-Based Sport Program is Feasible for Children with Congenital Heart Disease and May Benefit Physical Literacy Development: A Pilot Study

Angelica Z. Blais(Angelica Z. Blais ),Jane Lougheed(Jane Lougheed ),Kristi B. Adamo(Kristi B. Adamo ),Patricia E. Longmuir(Patricia E. Longmuir ) 사피엔시아 2020 Exercise Medicine Vol.4 No.-

Objectives: Children with congenital heart disease (CHD) often lack confidence and demonstrate limited movement skills during physical activity. Community-based sport programs have been suggested to build their confidence and competence. This study examined the feasibility and physical literacy impact of an existing community-based sport program for children with moderate to complex CHD. Methods: This pilot study employed a parallel mixed method, single-case experimental design to evaluate the feasibility and impact of a weekly, community-based sport intervention (Sportball©). Intervention field notes and focus group transcripts were analysed deductively to inform feasibility. Physical literacy outcomes were measured using the Canadian Assessment of Physical Literacy. Paired t-tests examined changes in physical literacy scores, while qualitative data informed perceived changes in physical literacy tasks. Results: Participants (n=11, 45% female) were 8.2 ± 1.2 years. Nine children completed >80% of the 1-hour Sportball© sessions (10 lessons total). No adverse events occurred during or as a result of the intervention. Enabling participants to recognize the sensations of exercise and whether or not they needed to rest, designing activities and instructions to mitigate the risk of body contact, and accommodating the needs of participants with developmental/attentional limitations were important factors embedded into the design of the program, contributing to its feasibility. Participants reported perceived improvements in movement skill and torso endurance/strength, changes which were reflected in the objective physical literacy measures (movement skill: Δ mean= 2.0 ± 0.98 points, p=0.07, r=0.57; torso endurance/strength: Δ mean= 5.27 ± 7.20 seconds, p=0.44, r=0.26). Conclusions: The Sportball© intervention was feasible for children with CHD, including those with activity restrictions or developmental delays. Children enjoyed the program and wanted it to continue. Measurable improvements in movement skill and muscular endurance were recognized by participants. Future trials evaluating Sportball©’s impact with larger samples and multiple 10-week sessions are recommended.

Children with Cardiomyopathy have Active Lifestyles Despite Reporting Disease-Specific Barriers to Physical Activity: A Mixed-Methods Study

Kevin Moncion(Kevin Moncion ),Letizia Gardin(Letizia Gardin ),Jane Lougheed(Jane Lougheed ),Kristi Adamo(Kristi Adamo ),Patricia E. Longmuir(Patricia E. Longmuir ) 사피엔시아 2022 Exercise Medicine Vol.6 No.-

Objectives: This exploratory mixed-methods study explored the barriers to physical activity, daily physical activity and submaximal exercise capacity among children with and at risk for cardiomyopathy and children with atrial septal defects. Methods: The study followed a convergent parallel mixed methodology design. Semi-structured interviews explored physical activity barriers. Seven-day accelerometry assessed moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, and an intermittent cardiopulmonary exercise test measured submaximal exercise capacity. Results: Twenty children, including 5 with cardiomyopathy (n=2 females, 14.2 ± 2.7 years old), 7 who were genotype-positive phenotype-negative for cardiomyopathy (n=5 females, 10.6 ± 3.3 years old) and 8 with atrial septal defects (n=4 females, 9.4 ± 3.8 years old) were recruited. Children with cardiomyopathy reported disease-specific physical activity barriers, while children who were genotype-positive phenotype-negative perceived barriers related to lack of time, parent support or activity motivation. The average daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was less than the recommended 60-minutes/day (n=20, mean 48.1 ± 18.0 minutes). Children with cardiomyopathy participated a median of 141.2 [interquartile range (IQR): 98.8) minutes of light-intensity physical activity and a median of 55.6 (IQR: 34.6) minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. The average submaximal exercise capacity was low (n=16, 25.2 ± 5.7 mL/kg/min). Estimated submaximal exercise capacity, including metabolic equivalent (4.5 ± 3.1 METs), respiratory exchange ratio (median = 1.0, IQR: 0.09) and ratings of perceived exertion (median = 7, IQR: 5) at peak exercise suggest that children with cardiomyopathy appear to have the exercise capacity to participate in low-to-moderate intensity activities. Conclusions: These novel data suggest that a diagnosis of cardiomyopathy may not preclude children from participating in a healthy, active lifestyle. However, they perceive disease-specific physical activity barriers and may require support to optimize their level of participation for optimal health.

Video Evaluation of Self-Regulation Skills in Preschool Aged Children with Developmental Delays: Can the impact of Tumbling TogetherTM be Measured?

Amelie Fournier(Amelie Fournier ),Cecile Loiselle(Cecile Loiselle ),Jean Chamberlain(Jean Chamberlain ),Patricia E. Longmuir(Patricia E. Longmuir ) 사피엔시아 2018 Exercise Medicine Vol.2 No.-

Objectives: This study evaluated the feasibility of video recording to evaluate an innovative, multi-disciplinary exercise medicine intervention, called Tumbling TogetherTM, on the self-regulation skills required for successful group participation. Methods: A photographer, who did not interact with participants and maintained a consistent position outside of the program area, used a digital video camera to record the program activities. Response to a stop command (attempts after the signal), ability to wait for a turn (yes/no), and ability to line up (correct/incorrect position) were the indicators of self-regulation. Video recordings were analyzed to determine each child’s baseline (first two sessions) and post-program (last two sessions) abilities. Chi-square and t-tests identified differences in performance from beginning to end of the program. Results: Video recordings were analyzed for 27 children (3 (11%) female, 3.1 to 4.8 years of age) with complex communication/developmental challenges. Response to a stop command improved by 38% (Pre: 2.1 ± 0.9; Post: 1.3 ± 0.4; p<.001). Correct response to a line up signal improved from 26% to 89% (p<.001). The ability to wait for a turn when required increased from 7% to 80% (p<.001). Conclusions: Video recordings suitable for analysis were obtained during all sessions. Children’s skills performed during the first two classes were similar. Their skills improved between the start and end of the program. Video recordings accurately reflected the improved performance subjectively reported by therapists and parents. Therefore, video recording appears to be an appropriate method of evaluating the impact of exercise medicine interventions, such as Tumbling TogetherTM, that are designed to enhance the self-regulation skills of preschool children. Research comparing Tumbling participants to children not offered the program, and examining whether the self-regulation skills improved during Tumbling participation would generalize to other settings is required.