Knowledge Nuggets

Virtual volunteering can reduce some of the barriers to volunteering with more schedule flexibility, micro assignments requiring shorter time investment, and allowing people to contribute from home. Learn more in the SIRCuit.

Are the bloggers you follow certified exercise professionals? A study from the University of Alberta examined 194 popular fitness and exercise blogs, with a focus on blog authors. Results found only 16.4% of bloggers report have fitness and exercise certifications, although 57% report being a fitness or exercise professional.

A team that consistently emphasizes a “win at all cost” attitude could be a team that has developed a tendency to turn a blind eye to injury, reinforcing under-reporting of concussion by members. Recent studies suggest an alarming trend in youth sport for athletes to “power through” symptoms, jeopardizing their own heath for the perceived...

Not feeling like you usual positive self? Perhaps you didn’t sleep well last night. Research shows sleep loss reduces our positive feelings in the face of both stressors and positive events.

Following a reduction of public health restrictions, some athletes may be excited about being with friends, returning to training, and looking forward to competition; others will experience fear and anxiety relating to the risk of infection, the effects of detraining, or being behind competitors and teammates. Coaches can learn more to prepare for this range...

One in five individuals experience public speaking anxiety. In the current context of Zoom calls and online webinars, this can be particularly challenging. To create safe, supportive and productive sessions, consider providing an agenda and using linking statements and signposts to help anxious participants feel more comfortable.

At MLSE LaunchPad, evaluation activities have gone courtside! Coaches and program leaders distribute tablets for survey completion and conduct mini interviews on the sidelines or in the bleachers, ensuring youth feel they’re still part of the action and not missing out on program time.

Wondering whether to use a positive or negative approach to your half-time speech to your athletes? Analysis of hundreds of high school and college games suggests in the short term, negative emotion (e.g. anger, disappointment) might actually push athletes to greater effort…to a certain point. Extremely negative expressions of emotion impeded the player’ performance.

Being the most skilled athlete or possessing the most experience in a group does not make us good at leadership – we need to learn it. In the latest SIRCuit, Cari Din, leadership learning facilitator and teaching faculty member at the University of Calgary, shares her top four leadership learning strategies.

November 11th is Remembrance Day. Today, and every day, we remember Canada’s veterans, and their service and sacrifice for our country. Sport and physical activity programs can have a positive impact on the wellbeing of veterans experiencing physical disability or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Beyond providing enjoyable experiences, research finds participation can support personal growth...