Knowledge Nuggets

Social support has been widely recognized as a crucial aspect of an athlete’s career. Researchers from the University of Toronto conducted a study focusing on the unique challenges faced by female Olympic athletes and the role of social support. In their research, the authors provide valuable insights into how coaches, teammates, family, friends, and sports...

Parents of athletes with disabilities face challenges like limited local sport options and funding, but they also experience benefits like social inclusion and support. Scholars suggest that sport programs should tackle these cultural and environmental barriers and actively involve parents in creating support systems. Additionally, there is a need to enhance talent identification pathways for...

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...

Research on racialized young women athletes in Canada reveals that they encounter hurdles due to their intersecting identities and discrimination. Embracing diversity and acknowledging their various identities are essential to enhance their sports experiences. It is imperative that sports organizations revamp their approaches to better support these athletes by combating discrimination and stereotypes while advocating...

Positive experiences, such as belonging and mastery in sports and exercise, have a greater impact on the well-being of adults with physical disabilities than their time spent in sport. This study highlighted the importance of creating inclusive, engaging environments and considering social and environmental factors for holistic well-being enhancement in this population

Ever heard of, or felt, “runner’s high”– that short but relaxing moment of joy some people feel after exercising? Wondering why this phenomenon happens? Dive into the exciting world of endorphins and learn natural ways to boost them. Read ParticipACTION’s blog, Endorphins and exercise 101: Exposing the mysterious link between them.

As we learn more about the environment and look for ways to keep the Earth clean, we look to reduce the waste that we create. No matter who you are in the sport sector, whether it be an athlete, parent, coach, or administrator, changes can be made to reduce environmental footprint. This blog provides information...

High performance athletes confront a myriad of mental health challenges throughout their career. According to a multi-societal consensus statement, these challenges vary across distinct phases of the Olympic/Paralympics journey, encompassing the pre-, during-, and post-Games. This underscores the need for heightened mental health awareness as well as tailored support within each phase of the quadrennium...

Rest and sleep are key parts of maintaining physical health and recovering from potential injuries. This is true even outside of competition season. A recent study, done on preseason rugby athletes, found that longer sleep duration during the preseason may assist in enhancing physical qualities including aerobic capacity and body composition.

To better understand belonging through sport in individuals with intellectual disabilities, the Sport and Belonging team interviewed twenty Special Olympics athletes and identified three themes that the athletes spoke to: (1) support from allies, (2) being part of the team, and (3) opportunities to discover and develop interests.