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.

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.

Beyond the game: The power of positive psychology in sport

In the world of elite sports, the focus has traditionally been on performance metrics, rigorous training regimens, and strategies for winning. But what if the secret to sustained success lies not just in physical prowess, but in the mind? Enter positive psychology, a field that seeks to unlock human potential by fostering mental resilience, well-being,…

Exercising safely in a warming climate

As climate change increases exposure to hot weather, we need to think more about how to exercise safely in warm conditions. A recent study suggests reducing exercise intensity, exercising during cooler times of day, seeking shade, wearing light-colored clothing, increasing airflow, and wetting the skin can reduce the risk of cardiac strain when exercising in…