Knowledge Nuggets

When it comes to common sport-related knee injuries, University of Alberta physiotherapist and researcher Christina Le advises most injuries don’t require surgery to heal and wearing braces for a long time can actually be counterproductive. From observations of patients who were neglectful in their use of a knee brace following surgery, Le offers new perspective...

The return to play brings with it some risk for the transmission of COVID-19. For sport organizations, the key to reducing legal liability is to implement the appropriate policies, procedures and guidelines. Consider the use of infection control mechanisms and precautions, insurance, express exclusion of liability, and force majeure clauses to minimize legal risks for...

Unconscious biases, based on mistaken, inaccurate or incomplete information, affect our behaviour or decisions without us realizing. The first step to interrupting bias is awareness. This Catalyst blog discusses the most common types of unconscious bias (e.g. affinity bias, confirmation bias, name bias), and provides tactics to ensure they are not negatively influencing the workplace.

The Tour de France starts August 29th, featuring 3,470km of racing over 23 days. To keep athletes and fans safe, all French bike races have adopted a policy whereby “2020” stands for keeping 2 metres away from the riders at all time; asking for 0 autographs; remembering 2 vital habits – to use hand sanitizer...

Officials require strong communication skills to diffuse high-pressure situations with athletes and coaches. “As referees, we are often in situations where we have to calm athletes down or communicate a message to someone who doesn’t want to talk to you.” Learn how empathy and respect underpin communication for one official in the SIRCuit.

Do your promotional strategies include the necessary information for athletes experiencing disability to feel safe, welcomed and confident in their participation? Don’t forget accessibility information, local transportation options, specialized equipment available, level of challenge, and coach certification.

Millions of people tune in to watch athletes from their own communities compete for Olympic and Paralympic medals. Research suggests youth perceive a special connection with elite athletes from their hometown because they share similar sport-related experiences, such as team or club affiliation, coaches, and facilities. This affiliation may support increased participation after major sport...

Understanding the cultural context of a community is critical when designing and implementing physical activity and sport programs. For example, integrating Indigenous values, beliefs, and practices (e.g. smudging, berry picking, hunting) into programs can greatly enhance their value among Indigenous groups. Engage stakeholders in the process, and ensure that their needs and priorities are taken...

New research in aerodynamics is shedding light on the key to those sneaky float serves in volleyball. Using a wind tunnel and hitting robot, researchers noted the pattern of panels on the ball presents an asymmetric surface to the flow of air, leading to unpredictable flight patterns. Switching from the standard panel arrangement to a...

Want to improve team performance? Invest in leadership! According to the research, strong leadership can improve athlete satisfaction and resilience, and build team confidence and cohesion—all outcomes that will contribute to better performance.