SIRC articles provide evidence-based and actionable insights from sport researchers, athletes, coaches, sport organizations and thought leaders to advance sport in Canada.
The unanimous choice: How a 12-year-old girl became captain of a boys’ hockey team
There is an assumption in sports that leadership is earned through tenure, skill, and a certain kind of presence—the intangible, ineffable quality that separates the good from the great. But every once in a while, a story emerges that challenges those assumptions and more. In Sarnia, Ontario, a 12-year-old girl named Laylah Stokes did just…
When stepping onto the field of play, every athlete wants to have the perfect performance. Being a perfectionist may allow you to set high standards and be meticulous about your routine or craft until it is flawless. The pursuit of...
Patellofemoral pain is a common complaint and is one of the most prevalent knee disorders. Essentially it means at athlete has pain around and under the patella, or knee cap. Almost anyone can get it, but it particularly affects runners,...
No two athletes are the same. Most athletes have their own ways of approaching practice and competition. As a coach, to get the best out of your athlete you have to get to know them as individuals and as athletes....
Find it hard to get of your house and get exercise? Maybe you’re a new mother that finds it difficult to find time for physical activity, you think gym memberships are too pricey, or you simply have a busy lifestyle...
Athletes deal with many adverse situations ranging from injuries, to coping with pressure, to dealing with mental lapses that can derail their ability to concentrate on performing. Being able to bounce back from setbacks or situations that cannot be controlled...
Everyone knows that physical activity is essential for your health and well-being – most of us have the desire to be more active but tend to get bogged down in the busyness of everyday life. While many people cite ‘lack...
In 2005, as part of the Sport Canada Research Initiative (SCRI), Sport Canada launched a joint initiative with the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) called the Sport Participation Research Initiative (SPRI). Sport Canada is funding the...
The health benefits of physical activity and exercise keeps our bodies at a healthy weight and minimizes the risk of developing chronic diseases. Any amount of exercise is better than being sedentary, improving our chances of living longer and experiencing...
Vitamins and supplements are big business, with billions of dollars spent each year. North Americans are firm in the belief that they need to boost their intake of multivitamins for better health – but do they really work? Researchers generally...
While most coaching will occur during practice, coaching on game day is also very important. Coaching from the sidelines lets the athletes know if they are executing plays and game strategy well. A good coach knows that coaching during game...
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