SIRC’s Knowledge Nuggets provide a daily source of insight, leveraging the latest in research findings, promising practices, relevant news and practical resources.
Being an elite athlete comes with many stressors throughout training and competition. A study done on various Swedish national teams found that lifetime prevalence of mental health problems was reported by more than half of the athletes, with 19.5% of athletes meeting the diagnostic criteria for anxiety and/or depression.
Women bring vital skills to coaching but are often underrepresented in disability sport. Attracting qualified women coaches in disability sport enhances inclusivity and athlete success. Flexible coach training opportunities, mentorship programs, and communities of practice for women are all ways to increase the number of women in coaching roles.
Stretching is a common practice among athletes across sports. Long-term daily stretching has been shown to have a significant impact on gains in muscle strength, size, and flexibility, with research suggesting it may offer similar benefits to other forms of strength training.
Despite more women participating in sports worldwide, few are stepping into community-level officiating roles. Key issues such as barriers to entry and retention challenges contribute to this lack of participation.
Parental involvement is crucial for youth athlete participation and enjoyment. Education programs for parents can enhance support for youth athletes by equipping them with a range of skills and knowledge, enabling them to better support their children.
A new review of the academic literature shows that positive engagement and development in elite youth sport hinge on supportive environments, strong relationships, and age-appropriate training. Remember, even top performers need developmentally appropriate activities that focus on overall well-being, ensuring they thrive both in and out of sport.
Cold water immersion is a newer recovery method used by many athletes. In a survey of 111 respondents, many reported perceived benefits of cold water immersion despite solid evidence supporting its scientific benefits.
Nutrition knowledge among athletes is vital for promoting healthy eating habits and optimizing performance. However, many athletes have limited knowledge about nutrition and its specific impacts on sport performance. Involving nutritionists and other experts in athlete training may enhance athlete knowledge and encourage better dietary choices.
An alarming number of elite athletes rely on pain relief medication to compete through injuries or enhance performance. Despite some caution about side effects, self-administration is common and can be influenced by coaches and medical staff.
Higher testosterone levels are linked to faster sprint times in young male athletes, offering a potential edge in performance. While female athletes showed no correlation, males with higher testosterone ran significantly faster in 20 m and 30 m sprints.
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