Knowledge Nuggets

In June, on Canada’s Clean Air Day, SIRC took a look at air pollution and how it can affect the healthy and performance of outdoor sport participants. Today, is the International Day of Clean Air and it bares reminding that as sport leaders we have a responsibility to understand air pollution and its impact on...

Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) can be lifesaving, but only when the public is willing and able to use them. A recent study of community sports clubs in Ireland demonstrated that only one-fifth of club members were willing to use an AED. However, after only 2 hours of training, 77.5% were willing to use the lifesaving...

Newcomers to Canada often struggle with feeling like they belong. Sport and physical activity can help foster feelings of belongingness, bringing Canadians of all backgrounds together. Providing newcomers with resources on how to become involved in sport and physical activity at all levels is essential to ensure all sport is inclusive. Sport for Life has...

Exercise is an important part of rehabilitation after heart procedures. But time, equipment and access to a gym can be a barrier to exercising. Stair-climbing is a safe, efficient, and accessible alternative that can help cardiac patients improve their heart health and build muscle. Best of all, stairs remain accessible to exercisers even amid pandemic-related...

The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport’s new publication, “Power of Sport: The True Sport Report” presents research that addresses how community sport contributes to a spectrum of societal goals, including quality education, gender equality, health and well-being, reduced inequalities, and climate action. The report identifies that “how” sport is delivered is key to achieving...

Using data can help sport organizations plan quality programs with gender equity at their centre. Data collection can encourage better decision-making, help improve resource allocation, and create buy-in among stakeholders. Online toolkits, such as Same Game, help organizations use data to turn gender equity ideas into reality.

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted girls’ participation in sport and physical activity. Findings from Canadian Women & Sport suggest that 1 in 4 girls are not committed to returning to sport. Involving girls in planning their return to play can be one way to encourage girls’ participation.

Gender-equal boards are associated with higher revenues and more financial resources. In Canadian sport, the number of board members who are women is increasing, with current estimates at 41% representation. That value is encouraging. After all, when at least 30% of board members are individuals from diverse groups, changes toward equality are experienced.

Finding the time to fit in a home workout or exercise class can be challenging for moms. But small bouts of physical activity throughout the day, or “exercise snacks,” can be just as effective to achieve the health benefits of physical activity. Research shows that when moms reframe physical activity as “moving your body” instead...

For racquet sports like pickleball, concussion awareness may not always be a top concern. But after one player’s fall, all it took was a trip to the emergency room and a previously undetected tumour for Pickleball Hamilton to realize how important concussion protocols are—in any sport. Read the story that shifted Pickleball Hamilton’s perspective, and...