Knowledge Nuggets

Research shows girls and young women’s involvement in sport and physical activity is influenced by a number of people, including parents, siblings, coaches, and physical education teachers. In recognition of International Day of the Girl Child (Sunday October 11, 2020), consider your role in enhancing the participation and quality of sport experiences for girls.

Whether it’s driving kids to games and practices, teaching them to deal with wins and losses, or being an active role model, parents play an important role in supporting the participation of children and youth in sport – especially during COVID-19. From October 5th to 11th, join Active for Life for Parents in Sport Week – a time to celebrate the...

Common barriers to physical activity in rural, remote and Indigenous communities include limited access to recreational facilities, lack of sidewalks, uneven road surfaces, wildlife, and inclement weather. Learn more about evidence-based strategies for promoting physical activity in these communities.

For many sport organizations, older adults represent an untapped cohort of potential members. Research on Masters athletes points to the importance of both a social environment and competitive opportunities in facilitating participation.

Do your promotional strategies include the necessary information for athletes experiencing disability to feel safe, welcomed and confident in their participation? Don’t forget accessibility information, local transportation options, specialized equipment available, level of challenge, and coach certification.

Millions of people tune in to watch athletes from their own communities compete for Olympic and Paralympic medals. Research suggests youth perceive a special connection with elite athletes from their hometown because they share similar sport-related experiences, such as team or club affiliation, coaches, and facilities. This affiliation may support increased participation after major sport...

Limited interest from funders, difficulty adapting evidence from urban settings, and a lack of capacity or buy-in can limit physical activity and sport programs in rural settings. To overcome these challenges, research suggests that developing broad-based partnerships, building on existing resources, and focusing on the long-term vision are key.

Creating inclusive programs and environments is a priority for many organizations, but what does this mean in practice? Inspiring programs such as the Hijabi Ballers, Free Footie and the North Preston Surf Program put the inclusion principles of respect, dignity and openness into action.

In a recent scientific paper, the American Heart Association suggests increased participation of inactive and unfit individuals in vigorous and high-intensity activities, such as marathons, is linked to higher incidence of related cardiovascular events. Experts recommend “more is not always better” – to minimize the risks and maximize the benefits of physical activity, slowly increase...

Accessing healthcare and other services (including sport, recreation, and social activities) during the pandemic may be particularly challenging for people with disabilities. Sport organizations can help to mitigate these challenges by planning virtual events (e.g., guest speakers, trivia), promoting a healthy lifestyle (e.g., video tutorials on adapted physical activity), and sharing information from public health...