Knowledge Nuggets

In a study observing professional male rugby players, it was found that although players appear to meet their fuelling requirements in their pre-game and post-game meals, they do not meet the suggested daily carbohydrate fuelling needs. With athletes demonstrating relatively low carbohydrate intake compared to sports nutrition recommendations, it is important to ensure that a...

In women’s elite sports, technology is transforming the game. Deloitte predicts that wearables, data analytics, and immersive fan experiences will optimize athlete performance and recovery. Embracing these technologies not only enhances fan engagement and opens new revenue streams but also fuels the growth and sustainability of women’s elite sports. It’s a win-win for players, fans,...

The relationship between sport and the environment is important to keep in mind as climate change increasingly affects all areas of life. A recent review highlights the impacts of climate change on organized competitive sport entities.

Social support has been widely recognized as a crucial aspect of an athlete’s career. Researchers from the University of Toronto conducted a study focusing on the unique challenges faced by female Olympic athletes and the role of social support. In their research, the authors provide valuable insights into how coaches, teammates, family, friends, and sports...

Depressive symptoms appear to be significantly more common among high-performance athletes than in the general population. A recent study investigating the mental health of athletes at the FINA World Championships 2019 revealed that nearly 25% of the participants met the criteria for depression. Additionally, a substantial 45% of the entire athlete sample expressed a desire...

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.

At the Canada Summer Games 2022 in Niagara, an event for up-and-coming athletes, the power of sport to transform lives was on full display with stories that showcased the pure joy, excitement and fun sport can offer. Teenage wrestler Eekeeluak Avalak became Nunavut’s first ever gold medalist in the Games and an emotional video clip...

The aftermath of COVID has left many of us feeling lonely or isolated. Research indicates that attending live sporting events could help with these feelings. A recent study shows that there are positive associations of subjective well-being and decreased loneliness as a result of attending sporting events. 

Does hosting the Olympics result in a higher medal count for the host country? A recent study examined purported home advantage at the summer Olympics from 1996 to 2021. The findings suggest that assumptions about the “host effect” are exaggerated.

Social media has become an increasingly commercialized space within the sporting industry, with brands and sponsors seeking to reach consumers through athletes’ platforms. So is social media good, or bad, for the sport industry? For athletes? For women and athletes of marginalized communities? The answer seems to be: it’s both. Or, rather, it depends who...