CHASI has been a part of many projects lead by Dr. Iris Lesser, one of our Faculty Associates. Dr. Lesser's research centers around finding innovative ways for diverse populations to be physically active across the lifespan. She has specifically focused on the psychosocial benefits of physical activity on postpartum women and those affected by cancer.
Below is a collection of work by Dr. Lesser on a range of topics. Several of these projects included collaborations with CHASI's team, and others are included to share a comprehensive repository of Dr. Lesser's work.
Physical activity guidance using individualized heart rate variability in perimenopausal women
Full title: An exploration of physical activity guidance using individualized heart rate variability in perimenopausal women
By Iris A. Lesser, Breanne Hobbs, Amanda Wurz, Jillian Shillito & Karen Natho
A single-group mixed methods feasibility study was conducted to assess the feasibility, acceptability of, and experience with heart rate variability (HRV)-guided physical activity (PA) in perimenopausal women, and to explore associations between daily HRV and perimenopausal symptoms, sleep quality, and stress.
August 2026
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Use of medication in postpartum weight loss
Full title: The increasing use of medication in postpartum weight loss and its effect on physically active leisure
By Corliss Bean, Iris A. Lesser
After the birth of a child, women are often faced with disruption in their physical and mental well-being. Essential to supporting maternal care is physically active leisure (PAL) – any physical movement chosen in one’s personal time for enjoyment, health or relaxation (e.g. walking, gardening). ... Our work further reflects the challenges that postpartum women experience in knowing when and how to return to PAL after childbirth requiring gradual changes in health behaviour e.g. (Ritondo et al., Citation 2024) while recognizing the need for self-compassion and flexible thinking in how to fit movement into daily life (Lesser et al., Citation 2024).
July 2026
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The Effectiveness of a Yoga Program on Heart Rate Variability in Postpartum Women
By Iris A. Lesser, Gillian Hatfield
Chronic stress in new motherhood may result in dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system. Yoga has been found to increase heart rate variability (HRV) in healthy adults. Thirty women, mean age 31.5 (3.9) years, were randomized into one of three 12-week intervention groups: 1) in-person yoga, 2) online yoga, and 3) control and completed HRV measurements.
March 2026
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MomBod: Exploring body-related perceptions and the influence of physical activity imagery
Full title: MomBod: Exploring body-related perceptions and the influence of physical activity imagery among postpartum women
By Iris A Lesser, Megan Filiatrault, Amanda Wurz & Taniya S Nagpal
Despite the known benefits of physical activity (PA), many women do not engage in sufficient PA. This study explored postpartum women’s perceptions of their body and PA and evaluated whether “realistic” PA imagery may influence perspectives around PA. We created imagery portraying safe, appropriate postpartum exercises and conducted an explanatory sequential mixed methods study.
February 2026
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Postpartum Care and Physical Activity of South Asian Immigrant Women in Canada
Full title: Perspectives and Beliefs Surrounding Postpartum Care and Physical Activity of South Asian Immigrant Women in Canada
By Iris Lesser, Corliss Bean, Harleen Sangha, Bushra Mahmood & Scott Lear
Beginning or returning to physical activity is an important element of postpartum care due to its associated mental and physical health benefits. South Asian immigrant women often report a lack of confidence in physical activity engagement and may face cultural barriers to engagement. The purpose of this study was to explore South Asian immigrant women's perspectives and beliefs surrounding postpartum care and physical activity in Canada.
December 2025
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Exploring Physical Activity Engagement During Pregnancy and Postpartum
Full title: Exploring Physical Activity Engagement and Related Variables During Pregnancy and Postpartum and the Best Practices for Self-Report Physical Activity Postpartum
By Stephanie Turgeon, Iris Lesser & Corliss Bean
Physical activity (PA) is recommended in pregnancy and postpartum to support mental and physical well-being. However, little is known about the association between pregnancy and postpartum PA and interrelated factors in PA engagement. The objectives of this study were to (a) measure and understand PA engagement in pregnancy and postpartum and how related variables (i.e., work status, number of children, time since birth, PA during pregnancy) are associated with postpartum PA and (b) to examine two self-reported methods for assessing PA postpartum: self-reported PA volume and intensity through questionnaire vs. asking whether women met PA guidelines of 150 min of moderate-to-vigorous PA per week.
November 2025
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Understanding Canadian South Asian Immigrant Women’s Perspectives on Postpartum Physical Activity
Full title: “It wasn’t like my body wasn’t working….I had to be active to do all the housework, I didn’t have a choice”: Understanding Canadian South Asian Immigrant Women’s Perspectives on Postpartum Physical Activity
By Mandisa Lau, Iris Lesser, Harleen Sangha & Corliss Bean
The postpartum period is a time of change and challenge for women. Such challenges can be exacerbated for immigrant and minority women due to language and cultural differences, which negatively impact mental well-being. South Asian immigrant women often engage in lower levels of physical activity compared to European counterparts. Moreover, this population tends to have higher levels of postpartum depression, coupled with a knowledge gap in understanding physical activity benefits for well-being. Limited research exists surrounding postpartum physical activity beliefs and practices among immigrant South Asian women. The study purpose was to understand perspectives and beliefs surrounding physical activity and postpartum care in South Asian immigrant women in Canada.
October 2025
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Postpartum Physical Activity Workshop Feedback and Community Engagement
By Iris A Lesser and Megan Filiatrault
This report showcases the feedback from three workshops for new mothers. At the workshops, mothers were introduced to safe physical activities in a welcoming and compassionate space. Key to the workshops was a series of photos and videos, created in collaboration with CHASI, highlighting new mothers demonstrating various exercises and challenging social media trends like “#fitmom” with more typical postpartum bodies.
February 2025
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CHASIcast 17: Women’s Health and Physical Activity with Dr. Iris Lesser and Amber Johnston
In episode 17 of the CHASIcast, Dr. Iris Lesser joined by her Kinesiology colleague, Amber Johnston, MSc, discuss their unique course — KIN499: Women’s Health and Physical Activity. Through this course and their teaching, they aim to fill crucial gaps in understandings of women’s health, particularly around menopause and perimenopause.
Listen to the episode on CHASI's blog or find it on your favourite podcast app.
January 2025
Pictures and processes: The use of autophotography to illustrate the experience of physical activity
By Talia Ritondo, Corliss Bean & Iris A. Lesser
We discuss using the qualitative arts-based method of autophotography by sharing our experiences conducting three studies with postpartum women as they navigated the psychosocial challenges of physical activity (PA) engagement. In working with this population, we used autophotography in conjunction with feminist theory by centering participants’ voices, highlighting the presence of the gendered expectations of motherhood in PA engagement, and providing tools for transformation and empowerment.
November 2024
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Postpartum physical activity experiences and associated psychological constructs
Full Title: "Take a minute (or 60) to focus on yourself”: Using autophotography to explore postpartum physical activity experiences and associated psychological constructs
By Iris A. Lesser, Corliss Bean, and Talia Ritondo
The demands of motherhood have been shown to negatively impact physical activity (PA) engagement. Participants in a larger PA-based study in British Columbia, Canada were invited to participate in this sub study. Forty-eight photos and descriptions were provided by 9 participants with infants 3–7 months of age. Photos depicted challenges with PA, PA self-efficacy, body image and self-compassion in motherhood.
September 2024
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Exploring Feasibility, Acceptability & Potential Benefits of the Mom Movement Intervention (MOMmi)
By Iris A. Lesser, Corliss Bean, Gillian Hatfield & Amanda Wurz
A mixed-methods feasibility study to explore the feasibility, acceptability, and potential benefits associated with a mind–body intervention and varied delivery styles among women during the postpartum period. Participants were randomized to three physical activity groups. Validated questionnaires were administered before and after the 12-week intervention. Attendance and feasibility metrics and qualitative semistructured interviews were conducted to assess the intervention.
August 2024
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Increasing Health Equity for Postpartum Women Through Physical Activity
By Corliss Bean & Iris A. Lesser
Physical activity (PA) is a valuable tool to assist in coping with physical and mental challenges postpartum. However, many postpartum women are hesitant to engage in PA because of vague recommendations for what is safe to engage in, highlighting a lack of guidance in understanding how to safely engage in PA after childbirth. Moreover, self-efficacy for PA tends to be lower in the postpartum period and is associated with inactivity. Therefore, it is necessary to support mothers in increasing their self-efficacy for PA postpartum to increase PA behavior. Guided by Bronfenbrenner’s social ecological model, the aim of this commentary was to provide recommendations on how to support postpartum women’s PA engagement through a health equity lens.
March 2024
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CHASIcast 13: Dr. Iris Lesser on post-partum bodies and activity
Episode 13 of the CHASIcast examines the post-partum complications they don’t talk about. Join host Dr. Martha Dow, along with Dr. Iris Lesser, associate professor at UFV’s School of Kinesiology (and CHASI faculty associate), as they examine how pregnancy and physical activity interact, in a world that’s all about body image.
Listen to the episode on CHASI's blog or find it on your favourite podcast app.
January 2024
Postpartum women navigating the return to physically active leisure
Full title: ‘I didn’t know who to ask about how it should feel’: postpartum women navigating the return to physically active leisure
By Talia Ritondo, Corliss Bean & Iris A. Lesser
Access to physically active leisure (PAL) is critical during the postpartum period. However, this period is fraught with drastic transformations to body and mind, altering PAL. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore postpartum women’s experiences as they navigate PAL engagement. Specifically, we sought to understand supports women needed to engage in PAL within the first year postpartum. Twenty-three postpartum women participated in semi-structured interviews, which we then interpreted through narrative analysis.
June 2023
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Using digital photographs to explore postpartum women’s physical activity experiences
Full title: Women moving forward in pictures: using digital photographs to explore postpartum women’s physical activity experiences
By Corliss Bean, Iris A. Lesser & Talia Ritondo
While much research sees physical activity as an intervention for the postpartum body, there is limited literature understanding how postpartum physical activity affects women’s mental health and physical well-being. Unpacking how physical activity affects postpartum women holistically is critical because of the negative physical and mental health consequences accompanying the postpartum period. Thus, the purpose of this study was to use digital photographs to explore women’s experiences engaging in physical activity during the first-year postpartum.
March 2023
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Examining the Role of Physical Activity on Psychological Well-Being and Mental Health Postpartum
By Iris A. Lesser, Stéphanie Turgeon, Carl P. Nienhuis & Corliss Bean
Postpartum physical activity can positively impact mental and physical health. There is a need to better understand how physical activity is related to various psychological constructs to support physical activity in postpartum women. Thus, the purpose of this exploratory, quantitative, study was to examine differences between postpartum women who were physically active and those who were physically inactive on psychological (e.g., self-compassion) and mental health constructs.
February 2023
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Moms on the move
Full title: Moms on the move: A qualitative exploration of a postpartum group exercise program on physical activity behaviour at three distinct time points
By Iris A. Lesser, Carl P. Nienhuis & Gillian L. Hatfield
Physical activity (PA) after the birth of a child is associated with improved physical and mental health benefits. The aim of the study was to explore new mothers’ experiences of PA before and after participation in a group-based PA program for new mothers. The study has three research questions: how new mothers felt; 1) about PA after the birth of their child 2) about engaging in a group-based PA program and 3) after the program ended about ongoing PA engagement.
January 2023
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