Knowledge Nuggets

Despite still being in early stages of development, Artificial Intelligence (AI) advances in scope and capabilities every day. Through this development there are more opportunities to implement it in various avenues of life. A recent study highlights the relevance of AI applications to physical educational technology.

The relationship between sport and the environment is important to keep in mind as climate change increasingly affects all areas of life. A recent review highlights the impacts of climate change on organized competitive sport entities.

Sports participation has many social, physical and mental health benefits for children with disabilities. However, many children with disabilities and their families struggle to find relevant information about physical activity programs. To help overcome this barrier to participation, organizations may work to ensure that program information is easily accessible. Some best practices include ensuring that...

In a study which delved into the perspectives of retired Olympians regarding the factors that influence athlete well-being post-retirement, it was found that athletes can be significantly influenced by a multitude of factors. These encompass the impact of individuals within the sport environment, the dynamics of the coach-athlete relationship, the support team, and the training...

Depressive symptoms appear to be significantly more common among high-performance athletes than in the general population. A recent study investigating the mental health of athletes at the FINA World Championships 2019 revealed that nearly 25% of the participants met the criteria for depression. Additionally, a substantial 45% of the entire athlete sample expressed a desire...

University sports’ coach-athlete relationships are complex, with short seasons intensifying the challenge. Based on research findings, coaches should prioritize closeness, encourage trust through vulnerability, clarify commitment expectations, enhance communication, and ensure alignment with their coaching philosophy. Addressing the complexity and power dynamics can help create inclusivity and foster effective and stronger bonds.

Repeated concussions may disrupt the heart-brain axis, causing irregularities in heart activity and long-term health implications. This new insight emphasizes the importance of measures to reduce the occurrence of concussions in sports. Implementing and strictly enforcing safety protocols can contribute to minimizing the risk of head injuries and subsequent cardiac implications.

Mentorship in coaching is a process where experienced coaches act as role models and teachers for new coaches to support their personal and professional development. Running mentorship programs for women coaches can be very beneficial. However, it is important to purposefully recruit mentorship participants. Canadian research suggests that programs should consider using flexible recruitment strategies...

Sport can be an escape from life’s stressors. Researchers who investigated the impact of lifetime stress on male athletes’ performance and their willingness to seek mental health help found that sports-related stressors negatively affected their mental health and performance. Athletes also struggled to identify mental health symptoms. This highlights the need for proactive mental health...

Understanding the dynamics between athletes, coaches, and support personnel is important. This study was among the first to explore these relationships and how they impact wellbeing. Shared values and the ability to cope with challenges were factors that we found to boost wellbeing. The study also reveals how wellbeing can spread among team members through...