SIRC articles provide evidence-based and actionable insights from sport researchers, athletes, coaches, sport organizations and thought leaders to advance sport in Canada.
Superstars or a super-team? Building capacity to play like a championship team
What makes a winning team? Is it raw talent, star power, or an overflowing budget? Think again. The most successful teams—on the field or in the office—don’t just rely on superstars. They thrive on balance, leadership, and a collective drive that turns a group of individuals into an unstoppable force. Take the 1972 Miami Dolphins,…
It is well known that if we don’t get enough sleep we have difficulty thinking and focusing clearly, we are irritable and may have trouble finishing tasks. It can be easy to think that a few hours of sleep loss...
Having confidence is the key to achieving many great things – whether it’s on the field or off of it. Highly confident athletes have the ability to focus on the task at hand and execute it, all while under intense...
Young athletes need plenty of energy. They need it to grow, to play and to compete. When it comes to active children or teenagers, it can be easy to skimp on nutrition – we all lead busy lives and snacks,...
The coaching profession is constantly changing and coaches at every level need to know more than just the basics to ensure success in the field. This is why education and further professional development such as conferences, workshops, and mentoring are...
It is well known that regular exercise is excellent for your heart, health and well-being. There is also plenty of evidence that proves that regular exercise is essential in warding off various health-related issues; what’s not as well known is...
Cross training, whether it’s done as whole other sport or alternate activity can be a fantastic mental and physical break from your regular training. Splitting up your daily routine with weight-lifting, spinning or swimming for example, gives you a whole...
In recent years, Athletes should be able to get the required amount of protein for their needs by talking to a registered dietitian and altering their diets to match their training. Some good examples of protein to add to your...
This time of year life gets tends to get a little busier and with all the events during the holiday season it’s easy to let Omega 3’s – For those Canadians that suffer from Seasonal Affected Disorder (SAD), nutrition experts...
Nerves that get stuck and irritated by swollen muscles or ligaments can be a torment to athletes. The ultimate goal for any athlete experiencing the pain of a pinched nerve is to alleviate any pain or discomfort you are feeling,...
Any periodization training plan requires at least some measurement of work – daily, weekly or monthly. The challenge occurs when we try to balance work and recovery in the short, medium, and long term. One way to determine how hard...
