Exercise snacks for busy days
Finding time for a full workout each day can be challenging, but meeting daily exercise guidelines is important for maintaining good health and overall well-being. To help people stay active during busy times, researchers have been exploring the use of “exercise snacks” or short bursts of movement or structured activities like walking that are spread…
2025 Canadian Guideline for Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour and Sleep throughout the First Year Postpartum
Menstruation and athletes
Conversations around menstruation are becoming more common in sport. According to the Empow’Her program led by France’s National Institute of Sport, Expertise, and Performance, female athletes may experience menstrual soreness, cramps, digestive disorders, bloating and increased tiredness during their periods. Since symptoms are different for each person, the impact on training will vary and require…
Physical activity for cognitive function
Want to supercharge your focus? Take a quick run! A recent study shows that short activity breaks can sharply boost attention, making them a game changer for staying sharp and engaged.
Promoting mental health help-seeking in athletes
Seeking help for mental health can be difficult for athletes, and researchers are trying to understand why. According to one study, challenges that many athletes face include limited access to mental health support and fear of judgement from others when seeking help. Having role models and teams that promote mental health can play an important…
Riley VanDeHogen (vand6030@mylaurier.ca) @ 06/09/2025
Sports-related concussions (SRCs) represent a significant concern in football due to their complexity, long-term impacts, and high incidence rates. An injured athlete’s return to sport primarily focuses on the physical recovery, with psychosocial influences (e.g., fear of re-injury) often being overlooked. Factors such as social pressures, sports culture, and adherence to the sport ethic can…
Promoting wellbeing through organized sport
Engaging in physical activity supports wellbeing in youth by improving mental and physical health and promoting social connectedness. Recent research suggests that organized sports may be more beneficial than other forms of recreational physical activities for supporting wellbeing, highlighting the unique benefits of organized sport for youth athletes.
Physical activity in adulthood
Engaging in exercise throughout adulthood is essential for supporting health and wellbeing. Research shows that young, middle-aged and older adults who participate in physical activity report increased happiness and life satisfaction compared to those with more sedentary lifestyles. This emphasizes the importance of staying active regardless of your age.
Exercising to sleep
Getting a good night’s sleep can improve health and well-being, but for many adults, a good night’s sleep can be hard to get. A recent review looked at the effects of exercise on sleep and found that regular exercise increases sleep quality and reduces insomnia in adults, highlighting the importance of a regular exercise routine.
Youth athlete identity
Young athletes’ connection to their sport shapes their identity, mental health, and resilience. Athletic identity peaks in adolescence, offering protection against burnout but may also increase risks like depression after injury.