Knowledge Nuggets

Blog Self-awareness is the ability to recognize, understand and manage one’s feelings, thoughts and behaviours. In today’s complex sport landscape, self-awareness is a core skill for sport leaders, supporting enhanced emotional intelligence, greater compassion for self and others, and increased confidence. Learn more about this foundational leadership skill in Part 1 of a SIRC blog...

Health Many top Olympians and athletes, including David Beckham and Paula Radcliffe, and Canadian Curt Harnett, didn’t let asthma stop them from achieving their dreams. They learned to manage their symptoms. For some people, exercise can help improve lung function and reduce asthma symptoms.

Canadian Sport History September 8th marks the historical day when Marilyn Bell became the first person to swim across Lake Ontario, crossing from Youngstown, New York to Toronto. By the time she got out of the water, more 100,000 people gathered to welcome her arrival. A year later, Marilyn became the youngest person to swim...

Did you know? The idea of “exercise as medicine” took on new “internal” meaning with a publication in the Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism. Researchers found an association between cardiovascular fitness and beneficial bacteria in the gut. Good gastrointestinal health can help prevent a range of physical and mental health issues.

Blog To be intentional in their approach to delivering a quality youth sport programs, coaches should: 1) utilize a program framework or structure, 2) foster positive relationships with and between youth, 3) integrate both sport and life skills, 4) empower youth engagement and youth voice, and 5) use the power of reflection and evaluation. Learn...

Healthy Habits Start the school year right with good physical activity habits. Regular participation can boost problem solving skills, memory, creativity, focus and attention, and the ability to cope with anxiety.

Did you know? Looking for something new to spice up your workout routine? The newest unconventional workout “flooding” the nation is mermaid swimming classes! “Mermaiding” is a combination of fantasy and fitness, providing a full body workout – while wearing a mermaid tail.

Technology Coaches and athletes often use previous race footage to assess technique and strategy.  Researchers have found a new use for old race footage – assessing climate change. Analysis of television footage from the Tour of Flanders professional bike race shows the same 46 trees blooming earlier than they did 35 years ago.

Blog The concept of marginal gains has caused many teams to chase gains relating to nutrition, physiology, psychology, technology, and strength and conditioning. But what if a marginal gains approach was directed at improving organizational systems as a way to support performance? Learn more in this week’s SIRC blog.

Mental Health Athlete burnout is a common issue, but high-performance coaches can experience burnout, too. Like with athletes, access to social support and mental health resources can help coaches make a full recovery.