Training time and motivation

Does training time affect performance? This study found that while training at a preferred time didn’t significantly boost performance, it did enhance motivation and make workouts feel easier.

Supporting Indigenous athletes

Many Indigenous athletes move away from home to pursue competitive sport opportunities. This can come with many challenges including culture shock and disconnection from home. Indigenous-engaged research shows that building a social support network that spans athletes’ home and host communities and maintaining a connection to culture are important ways to foster positive experiences for…

Sport passion in athletes

An athlete’s level of commitment and passion can be influenced by many factors. National-level athletes have been shown to exhibit more obsessive passion than non-national athletes. Additionally, a strong coach-athlete relationship is positively linked to higher levels of sport passion.

The hidden currents of Canadian sport: A deep dive with SIRC’s new podcast 

In the world of sports, we often celebrate the visible: the gold medals, the game-winning goals, the perfect routines executed under the bright lights of competition. But beneath the surface of every athletic performance lies a complex web of forces—psychological, structural, and cultural—that shape an athlete’s journey long before they ever step into competition.  This…

Sport programs limiting crime

Can sports really help mitigate crime? This study shows that sports programs significantly reduce aggression and antisocial behaviour while boosting self-esteem and mental wellbeing, highlighting their potential as an effective tool for crime prevention.

Optimism, mindfulness, and enhanced performance

Traits like optimism, pessimism, and mindfulness impact athletes’ performance and well-being. While no age, gender, sport type, or education differences were found in these traits in a recently published study, optimism was linked to higher levels of mindfulness.

Fostering positive development in elite youth sport

A new review of the academic literature shows that positive engagement and development in elite youth sport hinge on supportive environments, strong relationships, and age-appropriate training. Remember, even top performers need developmentally appropriate activities that focus on overall well-being, ensuring they thrive both in and out of sport.

Testosterone and sport performance

Higher testosterone levels are linked to faster sprint times in young male athletes, offering a potential edge in performance. While female athletes showed no correlation, males with higher testosterone ran significantly faster in 20 m and 30 m sprints.

Vegetarian diets vs omnivorous diets for athletes

Despite dietary differences, vegetarian and omnivorous athletes perform similarly, though vegetarians consume more carbs and less protein and fat. For optimal performance, personalized nutrition is crucial, regardless of diet.

Goal setting and sport performance

Process goals, centered on specific actions and strategies such as improving technique or maintaining mental focus, have shown to boost sports performance and self-efficacy more effectively than performance and outcome-based goals.