Knowledge Nuggets

Recent updates to exercise guidelines now include recreational athletes during pregnancy and postpartum, but guidance on safe training is limited. A study of recreational active women who followed a rehabilitation program focused on core and pelvic floor strength showed significant improvements in pain, urinary dysfunction, and pelvic floor strength, showing the benefits of physical therapy...

There is a significant gap in race and ethnicity reporting in concussion research. A recent review revealed that out of 854 articles, only 15.5% reported race, 7.6% reported ethnicity, and 84.4% did not report either. To better understand the impact of concussions across diverse populations, researchers should include diverse participants in their studies and accurately...

Many Indigenous athletes move away from home to pursue competitive sport opportunities. This can come with many challenges including culture shock and disconnection from home. Indigenous-engaged research shows that building a social support network that spans athletes’ home and host communities and maintaining a connection to culture are important ways to foster positive experiences for...

An athlete’s level of commitment and passion can be influenced by many factors. National-level athletes have been shown to exhibit more obsessive passion than non-national athletes. Additionally, a strong coach-athlete relationship is positively linked to higher levels of sport passion.

Elite athletes are competing at older ages, but advancing age can challenge peak performance. A training model for extended-career athletes should balance age-related decline with expertise, incorporating strength training, individualized load management, injury prevention, and tailored recovery protocols. Monitoring and avoiding large training load peaks are essential for sustaining performance and promoting long-term health.

Cost is a significant barrier to sport participation, and the data shows it. A recent study from the US showed that students from affluent families had 3 times higher odds of meeting physical activity recommendations (middle schoolers) and ever participating in sports (high schoolers) than students from the least affluent families. Collaboration, funding, and policy...

Stress fractures can sideline athletes, but the good news is they’re often preventable. One major culprit is low vitamin D levels, which, when addressed with vitamin D and calcium supplementation, can significantly reduce fracture risk and speed up recovery.

Recent research highlights the importance of collaboration in managing public recreational and sports infrastructure. By studying partnerships between the City of Montreal and 7 local organizations, the authors identified several key factors for success, including trust, mutual understanding, and clear agreements. Effective partnerships can foster healthier communities by encouraging physical activity through well-coordinated public spaces.

The mental health benefits of sports for children are frequently discussed, but what about the benefits for older adults? A recent review found that sport participation can significantly reduce anxiety levels in older adults, showing the importance of providing older adults with opportunities to get involved in sport.

Getting a good night’s sleep can improve health and well-being, but for many adults, a good night’s sleep can be hard to get. A recent review looked at the effects of exercise on sleep and found that regular exercise increases sleep quality and reduces insomnia in adults, highlighting the importance of a regular exercise routine.