Knowledge Nuggets

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?

Alignment among grassroots clubs across Canada can be challenging. The Ottawa Sport Council and Sport Manitoba are both addressing concussion awareness at the community sport level. For these mostly volunteer-run organizations, having access to evidence-informed concussion resources is helping to inform coaches and protect athletes.

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.

From player recruitment and retention, to leadership development, to effective coach education, SIRC’s Researcher/Practitioner Match Grant recipients will address a range of issues to help achieve gender equality in the Canadian sport system. Learn more about this initiative and all the sport organization/university matches that were supported. Outcomes and key learnings from all projects will...

Today is Bell Let’s Talk Day – a national initiative to build awareness, acceptance and action relating to mental health. While 84% of Canadians say they are comfortable speaking with others about mental health, athletes report a number of barriers to disclosing psychological distress. These include “tough” sport cultures, fear of stigma from coaches and teammates, and...

Research from the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport finds, when it comes to doping, 82% of Canadians disagree that it is okay to cheat if you know or believe your opponent is doing the same. Learn more about Canadian Olympic weightlifter Christine Girard’s journey and commitment to clean sport in the SIRCuit.

Endurance athletes use a number of strategies to distract themselves and manage their performance. For example, athletes can manipulate their attention, focusing either internally (e.g. on the running movement, internal body signals) or externally (e.g. on the environment, music). Research reported in the Journal of Sport & Exercise Physiology measured running economy to confirm the...

Is getting better sleep one of your New Year’s resolutions? Sleep is essential in the preparation for, and the recovery from, training and competition. However, youth athletes who obtain less than eight hours of sleep per night may be at a higher risk of injury. Find out more in this infographic.

It might be surprising to hear concussions are a serious risk in the sport of volleyball, but research revealed 1 in 10 youth athletes will sustain a concussion on the court this year. Learn how Volleyball Canada is using the evidence to inform policy and practice relating to equipment and drills in the SIRC December...