International Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Open Access

Cheryl King-Van Vlack

Biography

Dr. Cheryl King-VanVlack is an integrative systems physiologist who graduated with a BSc in Human Kinetics from the University of Guelph in 1977. She pursued graduate studies at Queen’s University receiving an MSc in 1980 (Exercise Physiology) and a PhD in 1983 (Physiology). Dr. King-VanVlack then pursued post-doctoral training at the University of Alabama at Birmingham for 3 years, funded by the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Dr. King-VanVlack accepted a faculty position at Queen’s University in 1986 in the School of Rehabilitation Therapy. She pursued animal-based investigations regarding the regulation of oxygen supply to skeletal muscle and gut under conditions of low oxygen supply or increased oxygen demand in the tissue during the early part of her career, however, around 2000 her investigations migrated toward examining the principles of clinical exercise physiology and integrative physiology in special populations; specifically renal failure and chronic pain. Her work continues to explore the role of exercise in optimising physical function and quality of life in these two populations.

Research Interest

Current research focuses on exercise interventions in populations with chronic conditions. One line of investigation includes the examination of the effects of intra-dialytic exercise on physical function, cardiovascular function and well-being in individuals with renal failure. The other major area of investigation examines the influence of community-based self-management program (education and exercise) on physical function, pain intensity, pain catastrophising, depression and pain self-efficacy in individuals with chronic pain.