Research Labs
The Department of Recreation Sciences’ Center for Biofeedback provides professional development and collaboration opportunities for aspiring and current practitioners to become advanced clinicians and researchers in the areas of biofeedback, health games, and virtual reality.
Sailing Simulation Lab
The purpose of the Sailing Simulation Lab is to use virtual reality sailing simulation (VRSS) as an intervention for individuals with disabilities to increase quality of life and to produce evidence through research in the field of recreational therapy (also known as therapeutic recreation). The lab is a member of the VRSS International Research Consortium comprising of 8 countries and includes 25 members and 7 universities/research institutes.
Sensory & Observation Lab
The Sensory & Observation Lab (SOL) focuses on recreational therapy research and recreational therapy interventions involving aromatherapy, virtual reality, multi-sensory environments (Snoezelen), and wheelchair push biomechanics.
Sport and Community Development Lab
Researchers in the Sport and Community Development lab focus on the use of sport as a platform for achieving positive outcomes. Although sport is an activity that most people have experienced at some point in their life and feel knowledgeable about it, there is limited meaningful, well-informed research regarding the role sport can play in improving life quality and building community. Given its popularity, the use of sport as a tool for positive community level impact remains high. The SCD has specialized in research that will guide sport managers to better leverage sport in a manner that promotes community building, economic development, and health outcomes.