Knowledge Nuggets

The Winter 2021 SIRCuit is now available!  For many, the new year presents an opportunity to set new goals, refine behaviours, or let go of something that is holding them back. This edition of the SIRCuit provides takes a deep dive into self-compassion, athlete identification, relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S), engaging masters athletes, and social learning...

Welcome to 2021! The SIRC team is looking forward to an exciting year of keeping you informed with the latest news, research, and jobs from the sport community across Canada. Be sure to follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. In case you missed it, be sure to check out our Looking Back – 2020...

Did you know the worldwide esports industry revenues are expected to top $159 billion by the end of 2020, and to have engaged more than 2.7 billion gamers? Within these staggering numbers, virtual cycling has carved out a not insignificant piece of the pie. Learn more about the benefits and possibilities of virtual cycling in...

Athletes often tie their self worth to their accomplishments, improvements, and outcomes in sport. Transitioning out of sport, due to retirement or injury, can compromise their sense of self worth. Feelings of having nothing to offer, being inadequate, and feeling unsure of their value in life can negatively affect the individual’s mental health.

Canadian athletes have embraced Plato’s contention that “necessity is the mother of invention” during the COVID-19 pandemic, being creative with their training plans and tapping into the physical and mental resources needed to stay at the top of their game. In the SIRCuit, athletes, team leaders, and top medical experts explore the challenges and silver...

Do the shoes make the cyclist? New research from the University of Colorado found stiff-soled cycling shoes combined with clip-in pedals delivered a maximum sprint power during high-power, uphill sprints that was 16.6 ± 10.2% greater than flexible soles with a pedal attachment (i.e. running shoes with toe clips).

Effective teams communicate knowledge in a variety of ways, including the creation of transactive memory systems and shared mental models. Game and performance reviews, team training, and group planning sessions are three strategies that can enhance team communication skills and ultimately contribute to performance.

A new mathematical model developed by researchers at the University of Alberta reveals how figure skaters move across the ice in three dimensions. Their findings could help skaters hone their technique or avoid common injuries like spiral fractures in the lower leg.

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...

Hot summer temperatures combined with long training or competition sessions can raise athletes’ body temperature, with devastating effects on performance. Strategies to maintain optimal body temperature for performance including cooling before exercise (e.g. with cold water immersion or ice vests) or during exercise (e.g. by drinking cold water or using cold water spray); or through...