Knowledge Nuggets

How involved are you in your child’s sport? Researchers found that when parents attend practices and games, their children are less likely to drop out and attribute more value to sport. A key factor however is that encouragement needs to be positive and supportive rather than feeling like a source of pressure for the child.

Joining new groups whether it be in school, work, or sport can cause individuals to feel uncreative or nervous. These feelings can arise in athletes when switching to new sports or just to new teams. In this SIRC blog we discuss the importance of athlete onboarding and provide effective strategies for bringing athletes into your...

Growing up many youth athletes goals and aspirations are to be professional or high performance athletes later in life. This fixation on wanting to be high performance often leads them to want to specialize in sport as early as possible. However, a recent study suggests that to maximize athletic development youth under 12 should avoid...

Motor learning is the process of acquiring and refining new skills like movements and strategy through practice. By understanding the principles of motor learning, coaches can create an environment where athletes can learn and develop their skills more effectively. This SIRC blog gives a brief explanation of 2 motor learning concepts and provides examples on...

As we grow older our daily routines and activities change to meet how we feel both physically and mentally. A common activity that is engaged in less with age is sport and overall physical activity, as it can be hard to move in ways that we used to be able to. However, a recent study...

In trying to strive to create more inclusive spaces for everyone, one piece that is still missing is equality in sport media representation. With over 90 percent of Canadian sports media coverage being focused on men’s sport the Government of Canada has committed to reaching gender equity in sport. This SIRC article has a collection...

Injury is an unfortunate part of sport that many athletes will have to deal with during their time participating and competing. Often when assisting athletes recover from injury it is common for the focus to solely be on the injured athlete instead of the larger team. This SIRC blog dives into how injury recovery using...

In modern times it is easy to get overwhelmed by stress from day to day life. Constant pressure from school, work, or relationships can lead to a dip in both mental and physical health. With all of these stressors it can be difficult to find time and strategies to slow down and recenter your thoughts....

Research shows that taking workday physical activity breaks helps employees feel happier, more focused and less tired. In fact, three in four workers in Canada feel some benefit from doing so – almost half (44%) feel enhanced mood, and 38% feel better able to focus and increased energy. To experience these benefits, ParticipACTION encourages you...

Creating a positive social environment that intentionally fosters a sense of belonging is integral to the retention of girls in sport and physical activity. This resource is designed for coaches who are ready to intentionally support equitable sport.  She Belongs offers practical recommendations to create social connection and better engage girls in the Learn to...