uOttawa Virtual Campus Tour

Hi, how’s it going? My name is Jean-Michel. I did my bachelor’s degree in human kinetics here at the University of Ottawa and I ran with the Gee-Gees cross-country team too, so they asked me to be your guide today.

Right now I’m in Montpetit Hall where you’ll find the School of Human Kinetics, and many sports and recreation facilities. Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Health Sciences program take most of their courses here in Montpetit Hall.

In 1973, the sports and human kinetics hall was named Montpetit in honour of the Rev. Médéric Montpetit who set up the first physical education and recreation institute in Canada, right here at the University in 1949.

Follow me: I’m going to show you the DeCelles Lecture Hall. 

Impressive, eh? It’s even better when it’s full of students! Most of the first-year courses are given in a lecture hall like this one. But well, a classroom is still just a classroom, right? Look, I have something even more impressive to show you. These are the labs used by students in the undergraduate and graduate programs.

Here is one of our biomechanics labs. Here we study the biomechanics of the knee while running, and injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament.  Today, Mélanie is analysing the knee movements of a runner using the VICON system. With this system you can digitize the movements; this technology is actually used in movies.

A friend of mine is supposed to meet me in five minutes to test my physical condition. You want to come? It’s pretty cool.

We’re here in a physiology lab of the University of Ottawa. Let me introduce Émilie. She is going to give me the tests today. We will begin with a hydrostatic weighing to check my body fat percentage. Then, she’ll check my cardiovascular capacity on the treadmill. We’re off!

Last, let me show you another great lab where a friend of mine works. There he studies head injuries and concussions. The lab was recently set-up on the new campus right near the Rideau River on Lees Avenue. We have to walk a little, but it isn’t far.

At the moment, they are trying to find out how much protection football and hockey helmets really give your head.  Wait and see how they do this!

Not bad, eh? I knew you’d like that. Well, I am going to stay here because I would like to find out more about this lab. I hope you enjoyed the visit.