Dr. Longmuir leads a programme of mixed methods research in paediatric exercise medicine. Her studies examine the role of physical activity in the physical and mental health of children with medical condition and disabilities, and the use of physical activity to prevent and/or treat morbidity. Physical activity motivation, movement skill development and physical literacy are the foci. Current research interests include: i) pediatric exercise medicine, ii) role of physical activity in the physical and mental health of children with cardiac conditions, iii) physical literacy and health, iv) physical activity among children with medical conditions and disabilities, v) motivation for physical activity in paediatric clinical populations, vi) patient and family engagement, and vii) knowledge translation and mobilization.
Dr. Patricia Longmuir, PhD, RKin, CEP
Senior Scientist, CHEO Research Institute
Professor, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa
613-738-3908
Learn More about Dr. Longmuir
Biography
Dr. Longmuir is a Senior Scientist in the Healthy Active Living and Obesity Research Group at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute and a Professor in the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa. Dr. Longmuir’s research interests are the promotion of physical activity to children with medical conditions and disabilities, and the use of physical activity to prevent and/or treat morbidity. Her undergraduate, Masters and Ph.D. theses examined the impact of interventions to increase physical activity among children with heart defects or cystic fibrosis. Dr. Longmuir’s post-doctoral fellowship was a community health promotion initiative targeting parents of young children. Dr. Longmuir has published more than 70 papers and 6 book chapters in the peer-reviewed literature. She has delivered over 180 scholarly conference presentations, and more than 80 invited and keynote addresses.
Education, Credentials, Academic Appointments
- MSc (1985), Department of Community Health, University of Toronto
- PhD (2010), Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto
- Post-Doctoral Fellowship (2011), Labatt Family Heart Centre, SickKids, Toronto
- Senior Scientist, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute
- Professor, Dept. of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa
- Cross-appointed, Dept of Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa
- Cross-appointed, School of Graduate and Post-graduate Studies, University of Ottawa
- College of Kinesiology of Ontario – Registered Kinesiologist
- Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology – Certified Exercise Physiologist
Research, Clinical, Professional and Scholarly Focus and Service
- Invited member of the Technical Committee for Outdoor Spaces of Accessibility Standards Canada
- Invited member of the RESNA Standards Committee on Ground and Floor Surfaces
- Spirit/Consort Children Delphi Study and Consensus Committee member
- Member of the Global Coalition for Fitness and Congenital Heart Disease
- Member of the Participant Recruitment Expert Advisory Committee for the Canadian Collaboration for Child Health: Efficiency and Excellence in the Ethics Review of Research
- Invited member of the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology Physical Activity and Lifestyle Appraisal Strategic Planning Committee
- Member of the Writing Committee on the Promotion of Physical Activity Participation in Children and Adults with Congenital Heart Disease of the American Heart Association
- Invited member of the Ontario Trails Coordinating Committee
- Member of the City of Toronto Department of Parks, Forestry and Recreation Disability Advisory Committee
- Reviewer for many scholarly journals, including Circulation, Heart, Paediatrics and Child Health, BMC Public Health, American Journal of Cardiology, and PLOS ONE
- Faculty and course development for undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate education courses related to recreation and fitness access, inclusion of people with disabilities, accessibility of natural environments, and accessibility of public rights of way
Memberships
- North American Society for Paediatric Exercise Medicine
- Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology
- American Heart Association
- American College of Sports Medicine
- North American Federation of Adapted Physical Activity
- Active Living Alliance for Canadians
Trainee Opportunities
Dr. Longmuir has supervised graduate student research at both the Masters and PhD levels. Currently she is accepting Masters level students for the following projects:
- Impact risk during childhood physical activity for children at risk of severe bleeding.
- HELP (HEalthy Lifestyles Project) for youth experiencing mental distress.
Current Research Trainees and Volunteers, Medical and Undergraduate Students
- Lauren Backstein (University of Ottawa) – M.D. (2023-2027)Impact risk during childhood physical activity for children at risk of severe bleeding.
- Mayuran Sriharen (University of Toronto) – B.Kin. (2020-2024)Inter-rater reliability of video analysis of impact risk during childhood physical activity.
- Isabella Turco (University of Ottawa) BHK 2021-2025 Impact risk during childhood physical activity for children at risk of severe bleeding
- Ria Patel (McMaster University) BHSc 2023-2027 Impact risk during childhood physical activity for children at risk of severe bleeding
- Sarah Sbeiti (University of Ottawa) BSc Nursing 2023-2027 Impact risk during childhood physical activity for children at risk of severe bleeding
- Mona Elmikaty (McMaster University) BSc 2023-2027 Impact risk during childhood physical activity for children at risk of severe bleeding
- Aishwarya Pramudi Suresh BSc 2023 Physical activity for children with medical conditions and disabilities
- Meaghan Halle Smith BSc 2022 Healthy Lifestyles Project (HELP) for youth experiencing mental distress
- Kaitlyn Laurie BSc 2022 Healthy Lifestyles Project (HELP) for youth experiencing mental distress
- Vanessa Pinto BSc 2024 CHEO Active website evaluation by patients and families
- Caleb Robinson-Ethier (University of Ottawa) MD 2022-2026 Therapeutic lifestyle change in youth treated for mental distress
- Jordyn Linders (University of Ottawa) MD 2022-2026 Therapeutic lifestyle change in youth treated for mental distress
Current Clinical Trainees, Graduate and Undergraduate Students
- Giuseppe Capuano (U. of Ottawa) – M.HK. Intervention & Counselling (2024)
- Hana Furumoto Deshaies (U. of Ottawa) – M.HK. Intervention & Counselling (2024)
- Kyle Alexander (U. of Ottawa) – M.HK. Intervention & Counselling (2024)
- Keira Wortley (U. of Ottawa) – M.HK. Intervention & Counselling (2024)
- Brooklyn Westlake (U. of Ottawa) – M.HK. Intervention & Counselling (2024)
- Elias Saba (U. of Ottawa) – M.HK. Intervention & Counselling (2024)
Past Trainees
Current Research
HELP (HEalthy Lifestyles Project) for youth experiencing mental distress
In Ontario, youth mental health is in crisis: suicide/self-harm doubled 2019-2022; 75% of youth with mental illness do not get care; 28,000 youth wait 8-12 months for care. These serious delays prevent the best outcomes. Sleep, physical activity, or screen time habits impact mental wellbeing, self-esteem, and quality of life and are addressed with 95% of youth receiving mental health care. Working with over 70 youth experiencing mental distress, parents and clinicians, we developed virtual, asynchronous HELP (HEalthy Lifestyle Project) resources that uniquely focus on enabling lifestyle behaviour change through simple, step-by-step guidance (not just information that change is needed) available 24/7. We will invite eastern Ontario youth seeking mental health support (12-17 yrs) to join our study. Readiness for behaviour change, sleep, physical activity, screen time, emotional health and quality of life questionnaires will evaluate changes over six months. Youth will be randomly assigned to use the HELP resources immediately or after the six-month study visit to understand the impact of HELP use. Lifestyle support could be a low cost, enjoyable, and stigma-free option for initial support and enhanced readiness for treatment benefits.
Momentum Study
Pilot study on a novel health survey to determine its usability and practicality from the perspectives of children with a chronic medical condition or disability and their parent/guardian. The survey includes questions about things like physical activity, screen time, sleep, and general health status.
CHEO Active
Physical activity is very important for the health and well-being of children and teens. However, medical conditions or disabilities can make it harder to be active. The CHEO Active website provides over 1,000 physical activity opportunities that are individualized to each child’s health conditions. We are seeking families who would like to try using the website and provide us with feedback.
Feasibility Study
Impact risk during childhood physical activity for children at risk of severe bleeding
Previous Research
Longmuir PE, Chubbs Payne A, Beshara N, Brandão LR, Wright FV, Pohl D, Katz SL, McCormick A, De Laat D, Klaassen RJ, Johnston DL, Lougheed J, Roth J, McMillan HJ, Venkateswaran S, Sell E, Doja A, Boafo A, Macartney G, Matheson K, Feldman BM. Quick, Effective Screening Tasks Identify Children With Medical Conditions or Disabilities Needing Physical Literacy Support, 2024, 1-11. Pediatr Exerc Sci. DOI: 10.1123/pes.2023-0130.
See an infographic summary
Longmuir PE. Importance of physical activity and exercise in paediatric Fontan patients. Canadian Journal of Cardiology Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease, 2022, 1, 105-107. Editorial. DOI: 0.1016/j.cjcpc.2022.05.001.
See an infographic summary
Saxena S, Vo J, Millage J, Wong D, Belanger P, Fournier A, Bodiam L, Allison A, Longmuir PE. Developing patient resources to enable the exchange of healthy lifestyle information between clinicians and families of children with complex heart problems. Child: Care, Health and Development, 2021, 47, 357-366. DOI: 10.1111/cch.12848.
See an infographic summary
Sample Publications
Hanzal N, Yaraskavitch J, Longmuir PE, McCormick A, Lougheed J, Lamontagne C, Goulet K, Ward LM, Katz SL, Robinson M-E, Abbott LS, Kovesi TA, Reisman JJ, Pohl D, Alazem H. Impacting children’s physical and mental health through kinesiology support in clinical care: A randomized controlled trial protocol. Exercise Medicine, 2023, 7, 1. DOI: 10.26644/em.2023.001.
He L, Svelnis I, Ferraro A, Yap L, McCrindle BW, Moon T, Longmuir PE. Community readiness assessment of the Take TIME for your Child’s Health intervention. Healthcare, 2023, 11, 2386. DOI: 3390/healthcare11172386.
Ramanan N, Lee S, Maharaj G, Longmuir PE. Preventing sedentary lifestyles among young children born with congenital heart defects: A feasibility study protocol of physical activity rehabilitation after surgical or catheterization intervention. PlosOne, 2023, 18(8), e0284946. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0284946.
Cummings H, Merkas J, Yaraskavitch J, Longmuir PE. Impact of physical activity counselling on children with medical conditions and disabilities and their families. Children, 2023, 10, 1293. DOI: 10.3390/children10081293.
Blais A, Longmuir PE, Lougheed J. Pedometer efficacy for clinical care in pediatric cardiology. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 2023, 20(5), 418-422. DOI: 10.1123/jpah.2022-0290.
McCormick AM, Alazem H, Zaidi S, Barrowman NJ, Ward LM, McMillan HJ, Longmuir PE, Larin M, Dalton K. A randomized, cross-over trial comparing the effect of innovative robotic gait training and functional clinical therapy in children with cerebral palsy: a protocol to test feasibility. Contemporary Clinical Trials, 2023 January 17, 127, 107086. DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2023.107086.
Chubbs-Payne A, Yaraskavitch J, DesClouds P, Lai L, Graham J, Longmuir PE. Fearless in Physical Activity: The Implications of Community-Based Physical Activity Interventions on Children, Adolescents, and Adults with Congenital Heart Disease. Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease, 2022 10(1), 11. DOI: 10.3390/jcdd10010011.
Moncion K, Gardin L, Lougheed J, Adamo K, Longmuir PE. Children with cardiomyopathy have inactive lifestyles despite reporting disease-specific barriers to physical activity – a mixed-methods study. Exercise Medicine, 2022, 6, 4. DOI: 10.26644/em.2022.004.
Blanchard J, McCrindle BW, Longmuir PE. The impact of physical activity restriction on the health-related fitness of children with congenital heart disease. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2022, 19, 4426. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19084426.
Blais, A., Longmuir, P.E., Messy R., Messy R., & Lai, L. “Like Any Other Camp”: Experiences and lessons learned from an integrated day camp for children with heart disease. Journal for Specialists in Pediatric Nursing, 2022, 27(2), e12371. DOI: 10.1111/jspn.12371.
Do J, Blais A, Feldman B, Brandão LR, Lougheed J, Pohl D, KlaassenRJ, Johnston DL, De Laat D, Roth J, Katz SL, McCormick A, Wright FV, Macartney G, McMillan HJ, Venkateswaran S, Sell E, Doja A, Matheson K, Boafo A, Longmuir PE. Characterization of physical literacy in children with chronic medical conditions compared to healthy controls: a cross-sectional study. Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism. 2021, 46(9), 2073-1082, DOI: 10.1139/apnm-2020-0957.
Longmuir PE, Wang S, Timmons BW, Mondal T, Cinanni NL, Di Cristofaro NA, Dillenburg R, Adamo K, Tremblay MS, Lee S. Inactive lifestyles among young children with innocent murmurs or congenital heart disease, regardless of disease severity or treatment. Canadian Journal of Cardiology, 2022, 38(1), 59-67. E-pub 2021-09, DOI: 10.1016/j.cjca.2021.09.014.
Longmuir PE, Prikryl E, Rotz HL, Boyer C, Alpous A. Predilection for physical activity and body mass index z-score can quickly identify children needing support for a physically active lifestyle. Applied Physiology Nutrition and Metabolism, 2021, 46, 1265-1272. DOI: 10.1139/apnm-2020-1103.
Saxena S, Millage J, Wong D, Yap L, Bodiam L, Allison A, McCrindle B, Longmuir PE. Perceptions of healthy lifestyles among children with complex heart disease and their caregivers. Canadian Journal of Cardiology Online, 2021, 3, 854-863. DOI: 0.1016/j.cjco.2021.01.013.
Longmuir PE, Corey M, McCrindle BW. Interactions with Home and Health Environments Discourage Physical Activity: Reports from Children with Complex Congenital Heart Disease and Their Parents. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2021, 18, 4903. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18094903.
Chubbs-Payne A, Lee J, Isserlin L, Norris M, Spettigue W, Spence K, Longmuir PE. Physical activity as a treatment component for adolescents with anorexia nervosa: An exploratory qualitative study of patient perceptions. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 2021, 54(3), 336-345. DOI: 10.1002/eat.23411.
Lee J, Blais A, Jackson J, Patel BJ, Lai L, Goldfield G, Sananes R, Longmuir PE. Higher Child-Reported Internalizing and Parent-Reported Externalizing Behaviors were Associated with Decreased Quality of Life among Pediatric Cardiac Patients Independent of Diagnosis: A Mixed-Methods Assessment. Congenital Heart Disease, 2021, 16(3), 255-267. DOI: 10.32604/CHD.2021.014628.
Do J, Webster RJ, Longmuir PE, Reddy D, Pohl D. Poor adherence to sleep and physical activity guidelines among children with epilepsy. Epilepsy and Behaviour, 2021, 115, 107722. DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2020.107722.
Blais AZ, Lougheed J, Adamo KB, Longmuir PE. Participation in a community-based sport program is feasible for children with congenital heart disease and may benefit physical literacy development: A pilot study. Exercise Medicine, 2020, 4, 8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26644/em.2020.008.
Rotz HLL, Alpous A, Boyer C, Longmuir PE. Identifying Criteria for a Physical Literacy Screening Task: An Expert Delphi Process. Exercise Medicine, 2020, 4, 7. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26644/em.2020.007.
Longmuir PE, Downs P, Standal OF, Goodwin D. Promoting physical activity in children with impairments. Lancet: Child and Adolescent Health, 2020 Sep, 4(9), 647-648. DOI: 10.1016/S2352-4642(20)30236-4.
Blanchard J, Van Wyk N, Ertel E, Alpous A, Longmuir PE.(2019). Canadian Assessment of Physical Literacy in Grades 7-9 (12-16 years): Preliminary validity and descriptive results. Journal of Sports Sciences, 2020 Jan, 38(2), 177-186. DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2019.1689076.
Blais AZ, Lougheed J, Yaraskavitch J, Adamo KA, Longmuir PE. “I really like playing games together”: Understanding what influences children with congenital heart disease to participate in physical activity. Child: Care, Health and Development, 2020, 46(4), 457-67. DOI: 10.1111/cch.12754.
Lee J, Cinanni N, Di Cristofaro N, Lee S, Dillenburg R, Adamo KB, Mondal T, Barrowman N, Shanmugam G, Tremblay MS, Timmons BW, Longmuir PE. Parents of very young children with congenital heart defects report good quality of life for their children and families regardless of defect severity. Pediatric Cardiology, 2019, 41, 46-53. DOI: 10.1007/s00246-019-02220-1.
Lee JS, Boafo A, Greenham S, Longmuir PE. The effect of high-intensity interval training on inhibitory control in adolescents hospitalized for a mental illness. Mental Health and Physical Activity, 2019, 16, 152-168. DOI: 10.1016/j.mhpa.2018.10.006.
Longmuir PE, Sampson M, Ham J, Weekes M, Patel BJ, Gow RM. The mental health of adolescents and pre-adolescents living with inherited arrhythmia syndromes: A systematic review of the literature. Cardiology in the Young, 2018 Jan 18, 1-11, DOI: 10.1017/S104795111700289X. E-pub ahead of print.
Patel BJ, Lai L, Goldfield G, Sananes R, Longmuir PE. (2017). Psychosocial health and quality of life among children with cardiac diagnoses: Agreement and discrepancies between parent and child reports. Cardiology in the Young, 27(4), 713-721. DOI: 10.1017/S1047951116001141. E-pub: 2016 Sep 20.
Longmuir PE, Boyer C, Lloyd M, Borghese MM, Knight E, Saunders TJ, Boiarskaia E, Zhu W and Tremblay MS. (2017). Canadian Agility and Movement Skill Assessment: Validity, objectivity and reliability evidence for children 8 to 12 years of age. Journal of Sport and Health Science, 6, 231-240. DOI: 10.1016/j.jshs.2015.11.004.
Francis CE, Longmuir PE, Boyer C, Belanger P, Anderson LB, Barnes JD, Boiarskaia E, Cairney J, Faigenbaum A, Faulkner G, Hands BP, Hay HA, Janssen I, Katzmarzyk PT, Kemper HCG, Knudson D, Lloyd M, McKenzie TL, Olds TS, Sacheck JM, Shephard RJ, Stodden DF, Zhu W, Tremblay MS. (2016). Developing a physical literacy model and relative factor importance within the Canadian Assessment of Physical Literacy: Results of a Delphi process. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 13(2), 214-222. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2014-0597.
Longmuir PE, Tremblay MS. (2016). Top 10 research questions related to physical literacy. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 87(1), 1-8. DOI: 10.1080/02701367.2016.1124671.
Stephens S, Takken T, Esliger D, Pullenayegum E, Beyene J, Tremblay MS, Schneiderman JE, Biggar D, Longmuir PE, McCrindle BW, Abad A, Ignas DM, Van Der Net J, Feldman BM. (2016). Validation of accelerometer prediction equations in children with chronic disease. Pediatric Exercise Science, 28(1), 117-132. http://dx.doi.org/10.1123/pes.2014-0185.
Longmuir PE, Yap L, Bravo C, Lee SL, Brandão L. (2016). Body contact risk during childhood physical activity: Feasibility of a novel method for objective measurements to inform the care of children at risk for bleeding injuries. Haemophilia, 22(1): 126-33. DOI: 10.1111/hae.12850. Epub 2015 Dec 3.
Longmuir PE, Boyer C, Lloyd M, Yang Y, Boiarskaia E, Zhu W, Tremblay MS. (2015). The Canadian Assessment of Physical Literacy: Methods for Children in Grades 4 to 6 (8 to 12 years). BMC Public Health, 15, 767. DOI: 10.1186/s12889-015-2106-6.
Longmuir PE, Corey M, Faulkner G, Russell JL, McCrindle BW. (2015). Children after Fontan have strength and body composition similar to healthy peers and can successfully participate in daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Pediatric Cardiology, 36(4): 759-767. e-pub 2014-12-12.
Longmuir PE, Colley RC, Wherley VA, Tremblay MS. (2014). Risks and benefits of promoting childhood physical activity. Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology, 2(11), 861-862.
Longmuir PE, Colley RC, Wherley VA, Tremblay MS. (2014). Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology Position Stand: Benefit and risk for promoting childhood physical activity. Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism, 39(11), 1271-1279. DOI: 10.1139/apnm-2014-0074.
Longmuir PE, Brothers JA, de Ferranti SD, Hayman LL, Van Hare GF, Matherne GP, Davis CK, Joy EA, McCrindle BW. (2013). Promotion of physical activity for children and adults with congenital heart disease: A scientific statement from the Atherosclerosis, Hypertension and Obesity in Youth Committee, Council on Cardiovascular Disease in the Young, American Heart Association. Circulation, 127(21), 2147-2159. DOI: 10.1161/CIR.0b013e318293688f.
Longmuir PE, Tyrrell PN, Corey M, Faulkner G, Russell JL, McCrindle BW. (2013). Home-based rehabilitation enhances daily physical activity and motor skill in children who have undergone the Fontan procedure. Pediatric Cardiology, 34(5), 1130-1151. DOI 10.1007/s00246-012-0618-8.
Banks L, McCrindle BW, Russell JL, Longmuir PE. (April 2013). Optimal physiological response to sub-maximal exercise in children after the Fontan procedure. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 45(4), 615-621. DOI: 10.1249/MSS.0b013e31827b0b20.
Takken T, Giardini A, Reybrouck T, Gewillig M, Hovels-Gurich HH, Longmuir PE, McCrindle BW, Paridon SM, Hager A. (2012). Recommendations for physical activity, recreation sport and exercise training in pediatric patients with congenital heart disease: A report from the Exercise, Basic & Translational Research Section of the European Association of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation, the European Congenital Heart and Lung Exercise Group, and the Association for European Paediatric Cardiology. European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, 19(5), 1034-1065. [On-line]. DOI: 10.1177/1741826711420000. 22 August 2011.
Stieber N, Gilmour S, Morra A, Rainbow J, Robitaille S, Van Arsdell G, McCrindle BW, Gibson BE, and Longmuir PE. (2012). Feasibility of improving motor development of toddlers with congenital heart defects using a home-based intervention. Pediatric Cardiology, 33(4), 521-532.
Pemberton VL, McCrindle BW, Barkin S, Daniels SR, Barlow SE, Binns HJ, Cohen MS, Economos C, Faith MS, Gidding SS, Goldberg CS, Kavey R-E, Longmuir PE, Rocchini AP Van Horn, L and Kaltman JR. (2010). Report of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s Working Group on Obesity and Other Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Congenital Heart Disease. Circulation, 121, 1153-1159
Longmuir PE, McCrindle BW. (2009). Physical activity restrictions for children after the Fontan operation: Disagreement between parent, cardiologist and medical record reports. American Heart Journal, 157(5), 853-859.