Knowledge Nuggets

Children acting out on the field or in the pool may lack the skills to regulate their thoughts, emotions, and behaviours; rather than the will to respond in prosocial ways. Trauma-sensitive play can help build children’s skills and resilience.

One way to evaluate social learning spaces is the use of the Values Creation Framework, which focuses on the different types of “value” experienced by participants. This ranges from “immediate value” experienced directly through engagement, such having fun being around like-minded people; to “transformative value,” as insight and learning is used to influence deep changes...

Ultramarathons – 50 miles, 100 miles, or longer – test an athlete’s body and mind. These races offer extreme challenges, from pain in muscles and joints, to gastrointestinal distress, to blisters, chafing, mental fatigue and dehydration. Learn how an athlete must learn to navigate these challenges in this video.

New research about sport organization resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic suggests adaptability, a clear sense of purpose or identity, strong networks, and good timing have contributed to success during this turbulent time.

Today is World Health Day, a global initiative to create awareness around important health issues. Social isolation and loneliness have been linked to increased risk of heart disease, stroke, depression, and other health conditions. While physical distancing measures are necessary to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, finding strategies to maintain and improve health –...

Research about the community sport experiences of second-generation African Canadian girls identifies several challenges to participation. Tips to support participation include all-female spaces, providing concurrent programming for younger siblings, and engaging multicultural health navigators to build trusting relationships with families. 

An investigation by CBC Sports of key positions in Canadian university athletics departments revealed only 10% were held by BIPOC individuals. Other research has demonstrated the underrepresentation of BIPOC student-athletes in every sport and team. Learn about anti-racism efforts at the University of Toronto.

Children of families with low socio-economic status face often barriers to developing the motor skills needed to enjoy and engage in physical activity and sport throughout life (e.g., limited access to sport equipment at home, reduced parental support, and fewer financial resources). To address motor skill inequalities, targeted interventions should consider developmentally appropriate activities to...

Verbal feedback from a coach during practice can direct an athlete’s focus internally (on body movements) or externally (on the intended movement effect). Research participants instructed to focus externally (e.g. “accelerate the dart” or “hit the target”) outperformed peers who were instructed to focus internally (e.g. “accelerate the forearm” or “hand to target”).

Can standardized drills designed to measure strength, speed and explosiveness predict success in complex sports such as football? Analysis from sport scientists at the University of Rhode Island found the NFL Scouting Combine can predict only 20-25 percent of a player’s future success, and fails to capture intangible traits such as leadership, drive and “mental...