Self-compassion in sport

Body image concerns are one of the reasons that many girls decide to drop out of sport. Research shows that improving self-compassion, or self-kindness, can improve girls’ body image. Encouraging girls to engage in activities to build their self-compassion, for example, through writing exercises or self-compassion podcasts, may help more girls stay in sport. 

Coaching Wellbeing

Coaches face unpredictability and stress that can impact their well-being. A sport culture that emphasizes masculinity often leads coaches to keep their thoughts to themselves, causing isolation. A study used soccer documentaries to uncover how top European league coaches experience well-being, revealing that identity struggles and intense work involvement can affect both coaches and their…

Effective Cheering

Did you know that cheering for runners is more than just words? Research reveals that providing instructional and motivational support is appreciated by runners, but its effectiveness depends on factors like the runner’s condition and course feedback accuracy. While support is usually uplifting, it can also create pressure. Experts suggest using the “IMPACT” approach (Instructional,…

How youth athletes can support their own life skills development

While coaches often play a critical role in supporting athletes’ development, it is also important to consider how athletes can support their own development. This blog provides 3 strategies to help athletes take ownership of their own life skills development through sport participation.

Supporting positive parental decision-making in sport

Parents and guardians have significant influence on their children’s sporting experiences, as well as broader sport culture. As such, their decisions can have long-lasting impacts on their children’s sport enjoyment, performance and long-term participation. Parents must decide when to start or end a child’s participation in a sport program, how many sports to do at…

Protecting the accessibility of school sport

The financial cost of sport participation is frequently cited as a barrier to access for low-income families in Canada. School sport is often the most accessible form of sport programming, however schools are increasingly adopting pay-to-play models that restrict access. Canadian researchers conducted a study to understand the extent to which school sport supports low-income…

Building mental health

Canadian research found that building mental health in the off-season can help varsity athletes maintain their well-being during their sports season. Some strategies athletes can use to help build and maintain their mental health include making time for friends and family, building social networks outside of sport and taking a break from training for their…

Sport improves coping

On top of having many physical benefits, sports participation can improve athletes’ abilities to cope with difficult situations. Research from the University of Alberta found that sports can provide athletes with higher confidence, positive distractions, and social support, all of which can help them handle adversity in their everyday lives. Highlighting the benefits of sports…

Exercise-Related Transient Abdominal Pain

Have you ever been on a run and suddenly started experiencing pain in the side of your abdomen? Many people refer to this as a side stich, but the proper name is exercise-related transient abdominal pain (ETAP). To help decrease the chances of ETAP, don’t eat a large meal an hour before your run, avoid…

Key considerations for Para athlete recovery

Para sport has grown substantially in the past decades with increases in athlete participation as well as training intensities and sport performance (Patricios & Webborn, 2021; Fagher et coll., 2016). Yet, there is still limited research to help inform practice, especially concerning sport physiology and health in Para athletes (Gee et coll., 2021). This blog…