Knowledge Nuggets HIIT or SIT? Both high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and sprint interval training (SIT) have been shown to improve performance, but through different body adaptations. HIIT improves the heart’s ability to pump blood to exercising muscles, while SIT causes greater changes in how the... Health and Lifestyle High Performance Physical Health
Knowledge Nuggets Judgement-free activity spaces Many women avoid gyms and pools because they feel intimidated, judged, or uncomfortable in their swimwear. A report from Sport England presents women's suggestions for making more inclusive and judgement-free exercise spaces. Recommendations include reducing the number of full-length mirrors... Equity/Diversity/Inclusion/Accessibility Gender Equity Sport Participation
Knowledge Nuggets Coach development programming for athletes with disabilities Coaches' understandings of disability are crucial, not only to athlete development, but also to athletes' experiences of inclusion and community. When athletes perceive coaches to be unaccommodating or uninformed, they may feel excluded. Leadership programs like the Steadward Centre's Athletes2Coaches... Coaching Leadership and Governance Sport for Development
Knowledge Nuggets Athlete thoughts on high performance sport culture Listening to athletes is an important part of enacting cultural change in sport. Canadian researchers interviewed athletes to get their perspective on when the feel safe versus unsafe in high performance sport settings. Inappropriate coach behaviour, an inattentive system, lack... High Performance Mental Health Safe Sport
Knowledge Nuggets Navigating motherhood in high performance sport “As an athlete, you’re always thinking about yourself. Then my daughter, Kate, comes along and that whole perspective totally changes. I had to make every moment count, whether I was being a mom with Kate, or training at the gym,”... High Performance Mothers Olympic & Paralympic Games
Blog Move over menstrual cycle: Ovulation monitoring is the new gold standard to monitor REDs in female athletes January 23, 2023 Highlights Low energy availability (LEA) arises when there is not enough energy (calories) consumed to support critical body functions as well as extra physical activity, such as training Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) is a result of longstanding LEA... High Performance Physical Health
Blog Exercising outdoors in Canada: What the research tells us about exercising safely and effectively in extreme cold January 23, 2023 Highlights Our bodies experience cold as a physiological stressor, meaning that one's body must work hard to keep itself in thermal balance It is important for athletes and coaches to be aware of ways to mitigate the risks of cold... High Performance Physical Health
Blog Exercising outdoors in Canada: What the research tells us about exercising safely and effectively in extreme heat January 23, 2023 Highlights The average temperature in Canada is increasing at roughly twice the global average, meaning that training and competing in extreme heat is a reality that Canadian athletes of all levels must grapple with Exercise in heat increases cardiovascular, thermal... High Performance Physical Health
Knowledge Nuggets Demographics for youth sport data collection An organization’s equity, diversity, and inclusion strategy and decision-making should be informed by the people it intends to serve. Intentionally including demographics in data collection can provide meaningful and valuable insights. For example, the data collected for MLSE LaunchPad’s Change... Anti-Racism Data and Analytics Equity/Diversity/Inclusion/Accessibility
Blog Fostering the fierce inner fan: Self-compassion for women athletes January 18, 2023 Self-compassion can be a valuable internal resource for women athletes as they navigate the challenges of competitive sport. Self-compassion is related to greater goal progress and effective use of coping strategies, and it benefits the physiological response to stress (Ceccereli... Athlete Development
