Knowledge Nuggets

Some athletes perform better when there is an audience and others do not. According to research, men run slower without an audience and women run faster. Women were also seen to perform better in complex tasks (e.g., shooting) when there was an audience present whereas men did not.

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Body checking is a large part of hockey, but there is a risk of concussion. The Amsterdam 2022 International Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sport suggests that body checking should be eliminated in hockey for children and most adolescents. In addition, they found that mouth guards are proven to be effective in reducing concussions and...

The Concussion Recognition Tool (CRT6), previously called the CRT5, is a guide that can be used by non-medically trained individuals to identify and manage suspected concussions in children, adolescents, and adults. It highlights red flags, visible clues of a suspected concussion, symptoms of a suspected concussion, and awareness. Everyone involved in sport whether it be...

Osteoporosis is the breakdown of bones, which can lead to an increased risk of injury. Research shows that regular exercise can promote bone strength, which can help with the prevention and management of osteoporosis. Activities that promote bone strength include moderate-intensity weight-bearing exercises such as jogging and resistance training exercises such as deadlifts and leg...

Teammates play an important role in supporting athletes’ mental health. Researchers found that many elite athletes feel most comfortable discussing topics related to mental health with their teammates, as they have often had similar experiences. Creating athlete support networks within teams or organizations may help reduce the stigma around mental health and help athletes openly...

As new research around concussions in sport is published, best practices must adjust to reflect new findings. To that end, a new Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sport has been published. The statement includes an updated return to sport strategy and new and updated tools to support the identification and management of concussions for athletes...

New research highlights the importance for sport organizations to recognize the link between athletes’ body image, mental health, and performance. Researchers piloted a new intervention called Body Confident Coaching that showed increased coaches’ ability to address body image concerns and reduced fat phobia and gendered beliefs. The study emphasizes the need for resources to support...

We know the relationship between coaches and athletes is vital in sport as athletes depend on their coaches for guidance and support. One method to cultivate successful relationships is to use The 3+1Cs model. Research shows athletes with coach relationships with high levels of closeness, commitment, complementarity, and co-orientation achieve better performance and overall outcomes.

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.