Daily News

Posted on Aug. 1: Mirrors can make women feel worse about working out

Mirrored walls are a regular feature of gym dicor, but new research suggests that the reflections may make some women feel worse after their workouts. A study published in Health Psychology found that sedentary women who exercised in front of a mirror for 20 minutes felt less energized, less relaxed and less positive and upbeat than women who performed their workout without a mirror. Women who exercised without the mirror also reported that they were less physically exhausted at the end of their workout, while those with a mirror reported no change in their exhaustion level. The findings could have implications for encouraging physical activity among sedentary women, especially since the standard guidelines for exercise promotion suggest that workout rooms have mirrors on at least two of four walls. "As such, the recommended practice of placing mirrors in exercise centers may need to be reconsidered, especially in centers that are trying to attract exercise initiates," say Kathleen Martin Ginis, associate professor of kinesiology at McMaster, and colleagues. "Certainly if a woman leaves the gym feeling even worse than when she arrived, she will not be particularly motivated to continue exercising in the future," Martin Ginis adds.

Posted on July 31: Commonwealth Games bid nears final stretch

It's the last leg of the race. The finish line is in sight and thousands are waiting anxiously to see who the winner will be. Hamilton? New Delhi? Supporters at today's 2010 Commonwealth Games news conference have their money on Hamilton. "We believe that the Hamilton bid is strong on all fronts, but especially on the technical merits that are the subject of the Commission's specific attention," said David Adames, general manager of the Hamilton 2010 Commonwealth Games Bid Corporation. "In fact, we welcome their scrutiny. We know that they have discovered our bid's unparalleled public support, the precision of our plans, the readiness of our people and venues, the technical skill of our sport communities, and perhaps most importantly, the enthusiasm our city has for the Commonwealth Games." Welcomed by about 250 cheering children taking part in McMaster's summer camp program, members of the Commonwealth Games Federation Evaluation Commission (CGF) arrived by bus at McMaster Thursday for the only news conference by the Commonwealth Games evaluation commission. Others in attendance included athletes, representatives from local, provincial and national sports organizations, sports enthusiasts and local and national media.

Posted on July 30: You’re invited

Today, support is key. When members of the Commonwealth Games Federation Evaluation Commission (CGF) attend the one and only news conference for Hamilton's 2010 Commonwealth Games bid at McMaster, it will be the city's time to shine. It's the final visit to Hamilton by the CGF commission. Next, it's off to New Delhi, India, to assess Hamilton's only competitor. A decision on a host city will be announced in November. The news conference begins at 1 p.m. in the McMaster University Student Centre lobby and is hosted by the CGF Evaluation Commission, comprised of six international members of the Commonwealth Games Federation. Delegates are in the Hamilton area for a four-day visit to assess the technical components of the corporation's bid for the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

Posted on July 29: McMaster appoints new Board of Governors’ chair

Edward Buffett has taken the seat of Board of Govenors' chair. The president and CEO of Buffett Taylor & Associates Ltd. was elected by McMaster's Board of Governors to succeed Edward Minich, who served as chair since 2001. As chair of McMaster's highest governing body, Buffett will lead the Board on matters pertaining to the administrative governance of the University. Buffett also is chairman of Wellness Councils of Canada, past chair of the Whitby General Hospital and Durham Community Foundation. Donald M. Green, who for the past 35 years has been president & CEO Tridon Ltd., was appointed vice-chair of the Board. He is currently chairman and CEO Greenfleet Ltd., a private investment company, deputy chairman CGU Group Canada Ltd. and chairman Avista Software Corporation. Minich is president and CEO of Otis Canada. He served as Board chair at McMaster University for the past two years. Minich was inducted to the McMaster Alumni Gallery in 2000 and became the Wayne C. Fox Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient in 2002. He continues to serve on the Board as an Alumni representative. The one-year appointments took effect on July 1, 2003.