Language matters in the context of athlete development

Consistency when it comes to language is important to consider in the context of athlete development. Some terms that are frequently used in sport have blurry or competing meanings, such as what it means to have “talent,” what it means to be “elite,” or what it means to have “character.” Researchers advise being specific with…

What coaches need to know about low energy availability

Low energy availability (LEA) refers to when an athlete has an insufficient energy intake compared to their energy expenditure. Yet, coaches remain relatively unaware of symptoms and causes of LEA. This review synthesizes findings on LEA from 1986-2021 so that coaches can be better prepared to support athletes.

Knowledge mobilization for sport organizations

Knowledge mobilization is the process of sharing evidence-based findings with an audience who can use those findings in practice. Knowledge mobilization helps close the gap between what is known and what is done. Closing this knowledge-to-action gap can advance the sport sector by providing sport stakeholders with information that enables them to enhance practice, policies…

Demographics of Canadian strength and conditioning coaches

New research on Canadian strength and conditioning coaches has shed light on demographics. The study found that the mean age of coaches was 34 years. 77.% of participants were male and 90.7% did not identify as a visible minority. This demographic data can inform future targeted recruitment and mentoring within the field.

Barriers and facilitators to coaching certification in Canada

Coaches report many barriers associated with certification in Canada including the time-consuming process, inaccessibility of locations and expense of courses. Many coaches do not perceive certification to be career advancing. SIRC interviewed Joseph Gurgis, Assistant Professor at Nipissing University, about what promotes versus what deters coaching certification in Canada.

Holistic ecological approach to athlete development

A holistic ecological approach (HEA) to athlete development focuses on thinking beyond solely the confines of a training session, and instead taking into account all the settings, relationships and networks of an athlete’s life. Coaches seeking to implement HEA can try taking into account other stressors in athlete lives (for example, exam schedules), manage training…

Supporting mental health

Coaches play an important role in supporting athletes’ mental health. Researchers found that providing positive reinforcement to athletes seeking mental health care can promote a team culture that supports athletes’ mental health. Additionally, coaches can foster positive mental health environments by encouraging athletes to take breaks from training as needed and by connecting athletes to…

How to harness the power of team cohesion in sport

Male High School Basketball Team Having Team Talk With Coach

In sport, we often hear athletes and coaches talking about how “united” their team is and the great “chemistry” that they have. Broadly, these terms reflect the concept of cohesion. Cohesion is frequently described as the glue that holds a team together, and as a result, produces positive outcomes for individual athletes (for example, increased…

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