SIRC articles provide evidence-based and actionable insights from sport researchers, athletes, coaches, sport organizations and thought leaders to advance sport in Canada.
Introduction Adolescence is a pivotal stage marked by increased vulnerability to the development of body image concerns, disordered eating, and eating disorders. For adolescents involved in sport, where they may face pressure to conform to a certain body type to progress and achieve success, the risk may be even more pronounced. Consider some of the…
Introduction Adolescence is a pivotal stage marked by increased vulnerability to the development of body image concerns, disordered eating, and eating disorders. For adolescents involved in sport, where they may face pressure to conform to a certain body type to...
For athletes, sport is about pushing limits of skill, strength, and endurance. But what happens when the greatest challenge isn’t physical at all? For many, especially young athletes, the most persistent struggle exists in their own minds: body image. Dr....
A coach’s influence In recent years, the mental health of athletes has garnered significant attention, both on and off the global stage. With young athletes and parents talking more openly about mental health, coaches are now finding themselves at the...
Veronica Allan, Jodi Hawley, Marie-Pier Charest, and Tyler Laing
Many different factors need to be considered to provide optimal development experiences for athletes. The supports and skills needed to promote lifelong sport engagement and the potential to achieve high performance go beyond the physical and sport-specific. In fact, the...
A leading sport administrator, with over 3 decades of experience working with some of the biggest sport bodies in the country, says the kind of abuse faced by referees at all levels of sport in Canada has reached a “crisis”...
Sports are often celebrated for their physical benefits, but they also play a crucial role in mental health. Participation in sports can improve mood, stress relief, and foster a sense of belonging (Bruner et al., 2018; Panza et al., 2020)....
Imagine you’re on the field, adrenaline pumping, and ready to give your all. Suddenly, a collision occurs, and everything changes in an instant. This is the reality of a sport-related concussion, which many athletes know all too well. A sport-related...
Introduction and background The mental health of athletes has become a priority issue, both on the field and in the scientific literature. However, most studies have focused primarily on the mental health of Olympic and student athletes. This means that...
Gabrielle Cadotte, Sophie Brassard, and Veronica Allan
In the competitive world of sports, athletes continually push their limits in pursuit of excellence. High performance athletes who are training for events like the Olympic and Paralympic Games face unique stressors throughout the 4-year cycle, from the pressures of...
Mental health challenges among Canadian youth are a growing concern. It is estimated that up to 20% of children and youth in Canada, which is more than 1.2 million young individuals, are affected by a mental health disorder. Addressing the...
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