SIRC’s Knowledge Nuggets provide a daily source of insight, leveraging the latest in research findings, promising practices, relevant news and practical resources.
Elite athletes and coaches view sleep as essential for optimal performance and recovery, but sleep quality is often compromised by various factors. Sleep quality can affect athletic performance and recovery, with the impact varying based on sport type and individual needs.
Stress can significantly impact an athlete’s well-being and sport performance, but social support from teammates, coaches, and support staff can positively influence how athletes perceive and adapt to stress. Recent research shows that for social support to produce positive effects, having a shared social identity and the knowledge and expertise to provide sufficient support is...
Every athlete deserves a safe and welcoming environment in sport. And while athletes from equity-owed groups may be more likely to experience harm, a recent study revealed that these athletes often perceive Safe Sport as an unrealistic and unattainable ideal. These findings suggest that integrating principles of equity, diversity and inclusion are fundamental to safeguarding...
Research on sports injuries often focuses on high performance athletes, potentially overlooking the risks for recreational players. This study on recreational tennis players found that they experience different injury patterns, with most injuries being caused by falls and twists.
Athletes face a heightened susceptibility to disordered eating compared to non-athletes. Social and sport pressures influence disordered eating behaviours among elite athletes. Interviews with 9 male and female athletes reveal insights into the complex interplay between societal norms, athletic demands, and dietary practices.
Cold weather can impact sports performance, making specific guidelines for competing in cold conditions necessary. This review offers insights on how cold affects the body and provides tips for athletes and coaches to stay healthy and perform well in winter sports.
How a coach interacts with athletes can be significant predictor of athletes’ enjoyment and intentions to stay in sport. A study of 202 elite-level artistic swimmers from 22 countries showed that athletes under the guidance of democratic-style coaches reported elevated levels of athletic enjoyment and expressed greater intent to pursue their athletic careers.
Combat sport athletes often use rapid weight loss strategies, also known as weight cutting, before competitions, but these methods can cause harm. Dehydration and extreme dieting raise the risk of kidney stress and long-term damage.
Did you know you can easily and quickly assess your hydration status? A systematic review shows that urine color is widely used to determine hydration levels in various populations, including athletes. The darker the urine, the less hydrated you are!
A study of women managers in a men’s professional sports league uncovered prevalent sexism, including the objectification and diminishment of women. The results highlight the importance of implementing comprehensive anti-sexism training and supportive policies for women in the sports industry.