Knowledge Nuggets

Data collected from 77 million bike share trips revealed that women are less likely to use bike-sharing programs for active transportation if the stations are located in busy city centers instead of quieter, residential neighbourhoods.

The impacts of coronavirus COVID-19 are being felt around the world. For the most up-to-date information about COVID-19, sport organizations should refer to the World Health Organization and Health Canada for daily reports, travel advice and protection strategies. Resources from Health Canada include guidance for risk-informed decision-making for mass gatherings.

Physical fitness could be the key to enhancing brain health, according to a recent study published in Nature. Among healthy young adults, better physical fitness was associated with preserved brain structure and enhanced cognition.

Fewer than 1 in 5 Canadians meet Canada’s physical activity guidelines, and low-income Canadians are 33% less likely to be active than higher earners. For low-income families, it’s about more than just cost – safety concerns and lack of time also limit physical activity. Are context-specific guidelines the answer?

In the SIRC blog, researchers discuss how older male adults desired to engage in sport and physical activity with peers, and be supervised by a knowledgeable instructor or coach. This finding is important considering social norms that expect men to be independent and self-reliant.

The 2020 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games start today in Thunder Bay, Ontario. The international Healthy Athletes program includes a range of screenings that support a holistic approach to health, reducing the risk of preventable secondary health condition such as obesity, nutritional deficit, untreated or poorly treated vision, dental, hearing and podiatric problems. Learn more...

Information on optimal nutrition for athlete development and performance can be tricky to navigate. However, research suggests there are nine “staple” foods proven for performance gains, a sharper competitive edge, and improved general health. Do you agree?

PHE Canada’s Move Think Learn series is designed to support the development of physical literacy amongst children and youth. Sport-specific resources based on a Teaching Games for Understanding approach were developed with the national sport organizations for basketball, football, hockey, ringette, soccer, team handball, badminton, squash, canoe-kayak, cycling, cricket, softball, archery and curling!

Research shows the type of language used by instructors during group training sessions is important. Cues that focused on function (e.g. “this exercise will help you prevent injuries and build strength”) rather than appearance (e.g. “earn your dream body”) resulted in greater mood and body satisfaction amongst female participants.

Alcohol misuse represents an important mental health issue for student-athletes – even moderate consumption can have negatively impact athletic and academic performance. Research has shown an athlete’s perception of their coach’s approval of alcohol use was strongly associated with drinking behaviour.