Health and Wellbeing
Health and wellbeing is an important contributor participation in sport. Our resources provide key insights on physical health, mental resilience, social wellbeing, and more.
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Top 10 resources
- SIRCuit Article: Balancing Psychological Load: New Perspectives on Recovery
- SIRCuit Article: Supporting the Psychological Wellbeing of Athletes: What Can Coaches do?
- SIRC Article: The psychology of recovery among endurance athletes
- SIRCuit Article: The Role of Nutrition in Sport Concussion Recovery
- Game Plan: Wellbeing for Olympic and Paralympic Athletes
- Canadian Centre for Mental Health in Sport
- How air pollution affects human health and sport performance
- SCRI: Men athletes’ self-compassion and masculinity
- Engaging Girls and Women in Sport Mini Series – Part 4: Connecting mind and movement
- SIRC Active Break Video Series
Featured resource
Public Health Agency Of Canada, University of Quebec in Montreal, and SIRC
Featured resource
Stuart Wilson, Joe Baker, and Nick Wattie
Featured resource
Jamie Bissett, University of Toronto
Featured resource
Jordan Sutcliffe, University of Wollongong
Featured resource
Game Plan
Quick Facts
How does sport contribute to social wellbeing?
Sport fosters social wellbeing by providing opportunities for individuals to engage with others in a team environment, which promotes communication, cooperation, and respect. Participating in sport helps build a sense of belonging, whether through a local sports club, school team, or community event. It encourages the development of leadership skills, empathy, and the ability to work with diverse groups of people. Sport also strengthens social networks and friendships, providing emotional support and a sense of connection, which are critical for mental health and overall life satisfaction.
How can sport environments help participants' mental health?
Sport environments that prioritize mental health create a foundation for athlete success and overall wellbeing. Coaches, trainers, and sport organizations play a critical role by fostering inclusive, supportive environments where athletes feel comfortable discussing mental health challenges without fear of stigma. By providing access to resources like mental health professionals, educational workshops, and peer support programs, sport organizations can help athletes manage stress, prevent burnout, and develop healthy mental habits. Emphasizing mental health as part of overall performance encourages athletes to view their wellbeing holistically, improving both their mental and physical outcomes.
What is Psychological Skills Training (PST), and how does it benefit athletes?
Psychological Skills Training (PST) is a method used to enhance an athlete’s mental capabilities, helping them manage pressure, focus better, and stay motivated during competition. PST involves techniques like goal setting, imagery (visualization), and positive self-talk, which help athletes improve their mental strength and resilience. These skills are essential in maintaining consistent performance, especially under high-pressure situations. PST not only enhances physical performance but also promotes mental wellbeing, aiding athletes in handling stress, overcoming setbacks, and improving confidence. This training benefits athletes across all levels, from recreational participants to elite competitors.
What is nutritional well-being?
Nutritional well-being refers to the state of health achieved through a balanced and adequate intake of nutrients essential for optimal physical and mental performance. It involves consuming a variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats, to meet the body’s energy and nutrient needs. Proper nutrition supports athletic performance, aids recovery, and helps maintain overall health, reducing the risk of chronic diseases.
How does the outdoor environment impact overall health, particularly in extreme heat or cold?
The outdoor environment can significantly affect overall health, especially during extreme temperatures. In extreme heat, athletes are at higher risk for heat-related illnesses, dehydration, and decreased performance. Conversely, extreme cold can lead to frostbite and hypothermia. It’s essential to adapt to these environmental factors by monitoring weather conditions, staying hydrated, dressing appropriately, and following safety guidelines. For more insights on how to manage activities in varying environmental conditions, visit our Environment page.
Video Resources
Mom’s Got Game! Getting active after childbirth
- SIRC
- 2022
Coaches – Nutrition and your Team
- Ottawa Sport Council and SIRC
- 2015
Return to play post concussion: Are your athletes psychologically ready? What you need to know
- University of Montreal and SIRC
- 2022
Sex and Gender Differences in Concussions – Reema Shafi
- SIRC and University of Toronto
- 2021
5A: Talking about stress within teammates
- Michigan State University, University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, University of Portsmouth, Carleton University, Florida State University, and SIRC
- 2022
Canadian Leadership: A sneak peek into innovative concussion research in Canada
- University of Ottawa and SIRC
- 2024
Knowledge Nuggets
knowledge nuggets
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
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.
knowledge nuggets
Optimism, mindfulness, and enhanced performance
Traits like optimism, pessimism, and mindfulness impact athletes’ performance and well-being. While no age, gender, sport type, or education differences were found in these traits
Traits like optimism, pessimism, and mindfulness impact athletes’ performance and well-being. While no age, gender, sport type, or education differences were found in these traits in a recently published study, optimism was linked to higher levels of mindfulness.
knowledge nuggets
Using AI for nutrition knowledge
New research shows that AI models, including ChatGPT-4, scored highly on a nutrition knowledge assessment, outperforming athletes in nutritional knowledge. AI could serve as a
New research shows that AI models, including ChatGPT-4, scored highly on a nutrition knowledge assessment, outperforming athletes in nutritional knowledge. AI could serve as a valuable educational tool for athletes, helping bridge knowledge gaps in nutrition, especially when combined with expert guidance for optimized performance in sports.
knowledge nuggets
Types of recovery in sport
Curious about different recovery methods? In a study with CrossFit athletes, researchers found that while electrical muscle stimulation had a slight edge in speeding up
Curious about different recovery methods? In a study with CrossFit athletes, researchers found that while electrical muscle stimulation had a slight edge in speeding up recovery, the methods tested, electrical muscle stimulation, light exercise, and total rest, were similar in their effectiveness.
knowledge nuggets
High intensity training and upper respiratory infection
While physical activity typically strengthens the immune system, high-intensity training can weaken it, leaving some high performance athletes more susceptible to upper respiratory infections. Discover
While physical activity typically strengthens the immune system, high-intensity training can weaken it, leaving some high performance athletes more susceptible to upper respiratory infections. Discover key nutritional strategies to stay healthy and perform at your best!
knowledge nuggets
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
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 hot weather.
knowledge nuggets
Testosterone and sport performance
Higher testosterone levels are linked to faster sprint times in young male athletes, offering a potential edge in performance. While female athletes showed no correlation,
Higher testosterone levels are linked to faster sprint times in young male athletes, offering a potential edge in performance. While female athletes showed no correlation, males with higher testosterone ran significantly faster in 20 m and 30 m sprints.
knowledge nuggets
Meat consumption and recovery
Physical activity is essential for maintaining health, but intense training can result in immune dysfunction and muscle damage. Recent research points to meat as a
Physical activity is essential for maintaining health, but intense training can result in immune dysfunction and muscle damage. Recent research points to meat as a potent recovery aid, rich in bioactive compounds that support muscle repair and optimize performance.
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