Knowledge Nuggets

Elite athletes face unique mental health challenges, including a higher risk of problem gambling and gaming disorder, particularly among males. Tackling these behavioural addictions is crucial to safeguarding their wellbeing.

Traits like optimism, pessimism, and mindfulness impact athletes’ performance and well-being. While no age, gender, sport type, or education differences were found in these traits in a recently published study, optimism was linked to higher levels of mindfulness.

New research shows that AI models, including ChatGPT-4, scored highly on a nutrition knowledge assessment, outperforming athletes in nutritional knowledge. AI could serve as a valuable educational tool for athletes, helping bridge knowledge gaps in nutrition, especially when combined with expert guidance for optimized performance in sports.

Participating in organized sport during early childhood can boost Canadian students’ mental well-being and academic success. A study of nearly 2,000 children in Quebec found that regular physical activity from ages 6 to 10 led to better emotional health, school performance, and healthier lifestyle choices by adolescence. Early involvement in sport fosters long-term development and...

Sport events often focus on adult audiences, potentially overlooking opportunities to engage youth. Participant driven events and smaller community competitions have shown greater promise in fostering long-term involvement in physical activities for youth.

Curious about different recovery methods? In a study with CrossFit athletes, researchers found that while electrical muscle stimulation had a slight edge in speeding up recovery, the methods tested, electrical muscle stimulation, light exercise, and total rest, were similar in their effectiveness.

While physical activity typically strengthens the immune system, high-intensity training can weaken it, leaving some high performance athletes more susceptible to upper respiratory infections. Discover key nutritional strategies to stay healthy and perform at your best!

In a study exploring the experiences of 40 Masters athletes (ages 50 to 79) across various sports, researchers found that all participants benefited socially and psychologically from sport. However, those training 5+ times per week reported some social downsides, including time away from family. This may explain why some Masters athletes decrease or limit their...

A new review of the academic literature shows that positive engagement and development in elite youth sport hinge on supportive environments, strong relationships, and age-appropriate training. Remember, even top performers need developmentally appropriate activities that focus on overall well-being, ensuring they thrive both in and out of sport.

As climate change increases exposure to hot weather, we need to think more about how to exercise safely in warm conditions. A recent study suggests reducing exercise intensity, exercising during cooler times of day, seeking shade, wearing light-colored clothing, increasing airflow, and wetting the skin can reduce the risk of cardiac strain when exercising in...