Knowledge Nuggets

In the newest SIRCTalks episode, Dr. Nicole LaVoi, Director of The Tucker Center for Research on Girls and Women in Sport, discusses the importance of using data and evidence to facilitate social change. Watch the episode here.

A two-decade study of 200,000 long-distance skiers found they were 50% less likely to develop depression than the general population, highlighting the long-lasting positive impact of physical activity on mental health.

SIRC and the Aboriginal Sport Circle have teamed up to walk to Tuk . . . virtually! Walk to Tuk is an annual community walking challenge the distance of Big River, from Fort Providence to Tuktoyaktuk, in the Northwest Territories – a total of 1,658 kilometers. This initiative aims to help community members, schools, and...

It’s cold season! According to research from the University of Arizona, commonly touched surfaces, like doorknobs, copy machine buttons and the office refrigerator, quickly become contaminated by sick people in the office. Simple interventions, such as hand washing and the use of hand sanitizer or wipes, can drastically reduce employees’ risk of infection.

The Youth Olympic Games are an international Olympic sporting event aimed to encourage youth to adopt and represent the positive values of sport, such as respect for others, for themselves and for the environment. Approximately 1,880 athletes aged 15-18 will represent more than 80 countries in Lausanne, Switzerland from January 9-22, 2020.

Endurance athletes use a number of strategies to distract themselves and manage their performance. For example, athletes can manipulate their attention, focusing either internally (e.g. on the running movement, internal body signals) or externally (e.g. on the environment, music). Research reported in the Journal of Sport & Exercise Physiology measured running economy to confirm the...

What’s one of the most significant barriers to tennis participation in Canada? Winter! Read the SIRCuit to learn how Tennis Canada is supporting municipalities to develop covered courts and increase access to the game.

Gratitude is not only good for health but may also boost performance. Researchers found that giving thanks was associated with improvements in mood, overall well-being, and an enhanced ability to adapt to the physical stress of training.

January is National Mentoring Month. Mentorship – a relationship in which advice, information, guidance, support or opportunity are offered – has emerged as a promising practice to recruit, retain and advance women in coaching. Learn more in the SIRCuit.

Is getting better sleep one of your New Year’s resolutions? Sleep is essential in the preparation for, and the recovery from, training and competition. However, youth athletes who obtain less than eight hours of sleep per night may be at a higher risk of injury. Find out more in this infographic.