Knowledge Nuggets

In addition to helping protect players from COVID-19, the NBA playoff “bubble” in Orlando may be an example of a competitive equalizer by eliminating team travel. Researchers analyzing the results of nearly 500 NBA playoff games over six seasons found that a team’s direction of travel and the number of time zones crossed were associated...

February is Black History Month, a national initiative to honour the legacy of Black Canadians. Despite facing systematic discrimination, Black Canadians have persevered and triumphed in sport. Ryerson University’s Nicole Forrester talks about the impact of George Dixon, Barbara Howard, Harry Jerome, and other trailblazing athletes on Canadian sport in the Conversation.

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 outline 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...

Giving athletes control over certain practice elements is one way that coaches can increase motor learning, even when that choice is unrelated to a motor task. During a retention test, research participants given a choice of golf ball colour during putting practice outperformed participants not given a choice of colour.

Today is Bell Let’s Talk Day, national initiative to build awareness, acceptance and action relating to mental health. Small actions can help support mental health and strengthen our communities during this difficult time – from recognizing the signs of stress, to taking care of yourself, to being there for a loved one. For additional support,...

The RBC Training Ground and Paralympic Search programs are designed to build the capacity of the Canadian sport system. This includes addressing gaps and roadblocks on athlete development pathways by creating new on-ramps for those not already engaged, and supporting transfer opportunities for existing exceptional athletes. It also involves building the skills of sport organizations...

In American football, measurements revealed youth and college-level athletes experienced anywhere from 100-1,000 head impacts during the season. That trauma can add up, risking long-term impacts on brain health, including cognitive, emotional and behaviour difficulties and dysfunction. Consider the role of nutrition in protecting against repetitive sub-concussive injury.

Nurturing a community of practice or other social learning space requires participants to interact in a non-judgmental, ego-free environment. Support this type of positive environment by encouraging one-on-one or small group interactions; seeking opportunities to meet face-to-face (e.g., in conjunction with competitions or AGMs, when permitted by public health authorities); and taking advantage of breakout...

“Youth are notoriously difficult to engage in pre- and post-program evaluation. Collecting survey responses can be like catching fish with your hands.” In the SIRCuit, MLSE LaunchPad’s Marika Warner and Bryan Heal share the organization’s innovative approach to engaging youth in program evaluation.

Tri-level mentoring is a model in which coaches mentor youth leaders who then mentor their peers or younger youth. In this way, the benefits of effective mentorship cascade to influence positive developmental outcomes for all youth involved in programming. Learn more about tri-level mentoring and effective strategies to support youth leadership development in the SIRCuit.