Knowledge Nuggets

It’s not only winter sports that are at risk from climate change. Extreme weather conditions affected a range of sport events, including the 2020 Australian Open tennis (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). Event organizers need...

“Skills learned slowly are forgotten slowly” is an aphorism that should be used to coaches to inform practice structure. While a blocked practice structure may improve short-term practice performance, a randomized practice structure poses a greater challenge to learners resulting in enhanced motor learning and thus better long-term performance.

New research led by David Hardisty, professor at the UBC Sauder School of Business, investigates the science behind why we procrastinate and how excitement, anticipation, and dread factor into decision-making. To break the cycle of procrastination, Hardisty recommends changing the language of how you think about negative tasks. Instead of “having to” go for a...

As Canadians retreated to their homes to limit the spread of COVID-19, researchers from the University of the Fraser Valley launched a study to examine how life in lockdown would affect physical activity and wellbeing. Research results show those who became more active during the pandemic reported lower anxiety than those who spent less time in outdoor physical activity;...

Prior to 1857, baseball games were an indeterminate number of innings. After a 16-inning tie in 1856, Knickerbocker club committee representatives voted to introduce two rules still in use today – nine innings and nine team members. Visit Baseball Canada’s website to learn how and when baseball will be returning to your community.  

The Ottawa Sport Council’s (OSC) Concussion Education Initiative offers free education sessions for Ottawa-based sport organizations. Aligned with the SIRC Headstrong campaign, this initiative is just one way the OSC is increasing awareness about concussion management and prevention at the community sport level.

The COVID-19 pandemic is increasing the risk of experiences of psychological distress and poor mental health. Researchers at McMaster University have shown that 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise three times weekly can boost mood, reduce psychological distress and decrease symptoms of depression and anxiety. Like strengthening a muscle, exercise “tones” the stress system making...

“In the midst of all the ‘noise’ generated by countless individuals and organizations, cut through the clutter by keeping communications concise and straightforward.” Derek Johnston advises to “keep it simple” during times of crisis communication.

Earlier this year, amateur golfer Gary Choyka sank a pair of hole-in-ones in the same round. The odds of sinking a hole in one are about 12,500-to-1. A second ace in the same round? 67 million-to-1. In professional golf, a pair of hole-in-ones has happened just three times in the entire history of the PGA...

Did you know eating more fish could help protect you from brain injury? The SIRCuit explores the promise of omega-3 fatty acids, creatine, vitamin D, curcumin, high quality fats and carbohydrates, and good hydration in protecting athletes from sub-concussive injury.