Move over menstrual cycle: Ovulation monitoring is the new gold standard to monitor REDS in female athletes
How do we know a female athlete’s energy availability is in a good place? Until recently, menstrual cycle patterns were touted as one of the main indicators of energy availability status in female athletes. So, what has changed? Menstrual cycle patterns remain an important element in understanding energy availability status, with missed menstrual cycles ringing…
Exertional Heat Illness
Exertional heat illness (EHI) is heat illness experienced during physical activity. It first presents as symptoms that only a participant will be able to detect, like headache or nausea. It takes the organs and the skin a longer amount of time to reset after a heat episode so it is especially important that if EHI…
Exercising outdoors in Canada: What the research tells us about exercising safely and effectively in extreme heat
While Canadians are used to severe winter weather, 9 of the 10 warmest years on record in Canada have occurred in the last 25 years. This has real world implications for outdoor sport events. For example, even the best triathletes in the world struggled with the extreme heat in Edmonton in July of last year,…
The importance of remaining physically active while aging to reduce the risk of falls
As we age, our risk of falls increases, as does our risk of serious injury as a result of a fall. The good news is that people who are more physically active as they age have a decreased risk of falling. This blog outlines the importance of remaining physically active during aging and provides descriptions…
Sport science meets public health
What can public health and rehabilitation learn from elite sport? In this article, researchers identify 22 areas in which sport science research might aid public health, including: exercise prescription, monitoring of fatigue and monitoring of adaptation.
Nutrition for youth athletes
Youth is a time of rapid physical development and growth, and a time when many athletes’ participation in sport also changes. Proper nutrition is key to ensuring healthy growth and injury prevention. Research shows that nutrition advice for adolescent athletes should focus on long-term development and sustainable practices, rather than emphasizing body composition. Â
Supporting elite athletes postpartum
There are limited supports in place for elite athletes returning to sport after pregnancy. A recent Canadian study, based on interviews with elite athletes, identifies key actionable steps for sport organizations to take to support postpartum athletes. Examples of these steps include: screening athletes for psychological and physical readiness in return to training, providing lactation…
RED-S in Para sport
Relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S) can impact athletes’ sports performance and increase their risk of illness and injury. While RED-S can impact all athletes, it has been suggested that Para athletes may be at an increased risk. To better understand, detect and treat RED-S in Para athletes, there is a need to include more…
Continuing to play after a concussion
Research shows that for every 30 minutes of sport participation an athlete engages in after a concussion, their days to symptom resolution increase by over 8%. More simply, continuing to play after a concussion can lead to a longer recovery. Highlighting the importance of stopping play after a concussion in terms of long-term health and…
Promoting outdoor recreation for youth
Because natural environments have natural rules with real and immediate consequences, they offer youth maximal opportunities for mastery of new skills. Evidence demonstrates that outdoor recreation not only improves youth wellbeing but may also enhance the likelihood of participation in outdoor activities.