Knowledge Nuggets

Eating just one cup of leafy green vegetables each day could reduce the risk of falls and help maintain muscle strength and mobility into old age. In one study, older women who consumed a nitrate-rich diet from vegetables such as lettuce, spinach, kale, and beetroot had significantly better muscle function of their lower limbs.

Trend reports can be a valuable source of insight for sport organization boards of directors who are working to develop their strategic foresight skills. Reflecting on emerging developments in consumer behaviour and attitudes, government priorities, and industry innovation can help ensure your organization stays relevant into the future.

Regular physical activity, as little as 30 minutes of activity, five days a week, can boost the effectiveness of vaccines. A person who is active is 50% more likely to have a higher antibody count after receiving a vaccine than somebody who is not active.

Having too many late-night snacks may be affecting your behaviour at work. Employees who reported eating too many late-night snacks were less likely to go the extra mile for colleagues or complete work-related tasks the next day.

Improving mental health is a great motivator to being physically active, but stress and anxiety can stand in the way—a paradox that has been exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers at McMaster University have created an evidence-based exercise toolkit for mental health that is freely available to all.

In recent years, extreme weather conditions have affected a range of sport events, including tennis’s 2020 Australian Open (heat and smoke), the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan (Typhoon Hagibis), and the 2019 IAAF World Track and Field championships in Qatar (extreme heat). Intentional discussions with board members and staff about potential climate hazards is...

Using gender-neutral language throughout policies, procedures, and communications is one way for sport organizations to be more inclusive of LGBTQI2S people and communities. Phrases like, “he or she” or “both genders,” can easily be updated to “they/them/their” and “all genders” to become more inclusive.

Research with elite women’s wheelchair basketball athletes has shown playing time can negatively impact body temperature regulation, increasing the risk of heat exhaustion, heat cramps, and heat stroke. Coaches are encouraged to monitor the cooling strategies of athletes with high playing time and encourage all athletes to hydrate during time outs, substitutions, intermissions, and half...

The 2021 Canadian Anti-Doping Program (CADP) incorporates the World Anti-Doping Agency’s new Athletes’ Anti-Doping Rights Act. Developed by athletes, for athletes, the Act outlines various athlete rights with respect to the fight against doping and to further support athletes worldwide in their right to compete in clean, fair and ethical sport. Learn how the CADP...

The Operationalizing Intersectionality (OI) Framework provides guidance for putting intersectional approaches into practice. Visualized as a wheel, the OI Framework identifies four points of traction: (1) Learning, (2) Harm Reduction, (3) Accountability & Transparency, and (4) Transformation. Learn about how you can apply these concepts to improve programs, policies, and spaces in the SIRC blog.