Knowledge Nuggets

March 8th is International Women’s Day. This year’s theme, #EachforEqual, highlights the importance of individual action to influence broader social change. The Government of Canada set a target to achieve gender parity in sport at every level by 2035. Consider how you can challenge stereotypes, fight bias, and improve opportunities for girls and women, as participants...

March is Nutrition Month. The benefits of proper nutrition for athlete training and performance are well established, however, the role of nutrition is often overlooked as a support for sport concussion recovery. Learn about the importance of hydration, omega 3 fatty acids, creatine, polyphenols and vitamins to concussion recovery in the SIRCuit.

Research clearly demonstrates the negative effects of sleep deprivation on athletic performance, including reduced reaction time, accuracy, submaximal strength, and endurance. Cognitive functions such as judgment and decision-making also suffer. Check out this infographic for tips on healthy sleep hygiene.

The Para Sport Jumpstart Fund is designed to support introductory and early competition Para Sport experiences for children and youth with disabilities. Through this partnership between the Canadian Paralympic Committee and Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities, organizations can access funding for registration, transportation and equipment costs. The deadline for applications is March 15, 2020.

Fewer than 1 in 5 Canadians meet Canada’s physical activity guidelines, and low-income Canadians are 33% less likely to be active than higher earners. For low-income families, it’s about more than just cost – safety concerns and lack of time also limit physical activity. Are context-specific guidelines the answer?

Research from the University of Alberta finds when it comes to drafting in hockey, character matters. Leadership and a willingness to put team goals ahead of personal ones can make youth hockey-hopefuls stand out in the eyes of top scouts.

In the SIRC blog, researchers discuss how older male adults desired to engage in sport and physical activity with peers, and be supervised by a knowledgeable instructor or coach. This finding is important considering social norms that expect men to be independent and self-reliant.

Could a voucher system turn sport event spectators into participants? Learn what researchers from the University of Waterloo, the Mattamy National Cycling Centre and Cycling Canada did to enhance legacies from the hosting of national and international sport events in the SIRC blog. Will these strategies be used at the 2020 UCI World Track Cycling...

The 2020 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games start today in Thunder Bay, Ontario. The international Healthy Athletes program includes a range of screenings that support a holistic approach to health, reducing the risk of preventable secondary health condition such as obesity, nutritional deficit, untreated or poorly treated vision, dental, hearing and podiatric problems. Learn more...

Coaches can play an important role in teaching athletes about healthy relationships in and through sport. The Coaching Association of Canada is leading a new project to build the capacity of coaches and other sport system stakeholders to help prevent and address gender-based and teen dating violence. To learn about the project and complete coach and athlete...