Knowledge Nuggets

Blog Cycle commuters experience physical and mental health benefits, however only 1.4% of commuters travel to work on their bikes. This week’s blog discusses some of the actions, from the individual to policy levels, to encourage more Canadians to get on their bikes.

Knowledge Translation Creating new tools to promote physical activity? A US study reported readers found physical activity promotion materials too difficult to understand. Skip the jargon and use clear, simple language to help keep people fit and active.

Media Does the reporting of injury by sports media minimize the risks? A review of National Football League coverage by ESPN revealed concussions were framed as a “normal” part of sport, were reported with injuries of less severity, and that narratives focused on the impact of the player’s absence on the field rather than concern...

NUTRITION Peak performance depends on proper fueling and hydration. However, research from Ireland found that across many sports, athletes at the club and university level have inadequate nutritional knowledge and misunderstand the effects of dehydration. Bringing the classroom into the locker room may support performance and safeguard the health of your athletes.    

VIDEO The Traditional Games and Physical Literacy Teacher Mentorship Project was designed by the Aboriginal Sport Circle and Sport for Life to build capacity to deliver quality physical education experiences in First Nations schools. This video shares experiences from ȽÁU,WELṈEW̱ on Vancouver Island, highlighting student outcomes . The project was funded by Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada through a funding program that has inspired many...

Blog June 21st is National Indigenous Peoples Day. This week’s blog reviews the sport-related Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and provides practical tips for sport organizations committed to engaging Indigenous communities.  

Nutrition Do you have what it takes to eat like a professional Soccer player? Research suggests to compete at a professional level you would need 3,200 calories and 200 grams of protein per day. Throw some more chicken and steak on the BBQ for your next World Cup 2018 game!

Mental Training When athletes experience failures and setbacks, not only are they often harsh and self-critical, but there is a risk of other consequences, such as loss of funding and support systems. Skills to help navigate difficult emotional experiences can be critical to success. Nurturing self-compassion in athletes enables them to treat themselves kindly, balance...

Training Take the polar plunge! Recent peer reviewed research suggests that cold water immersion before running and cycling in a hot and humid environment can improve your endurance and performance. Lowered heart rate and decreased time to exhaustion were identified as some of the possible benefits.

Recovery Sleep affects more than just how much coffee you need in the morning. A recent study found that adolescents and young adults that regularly exercised performed better on working memory tasks compared to non-exercisers. However, the advantage disappeared if the regular exerciser had less than 6.5 hours of sleep. The findings suggest both healthy...