Aligning the top and bottom of the sport development pathway
Decisions made at the national sport level influence participation at the community level. Problems occur when there is misalignment between what is needed for each level and what is decided at the top. Decision-makers should consider how they can generate alignment between all levels in a sports pathway to improve long-term player development.
Parent behaviour in sport
Parents play an important role in creating positive sports experiences for their children. Through interviews with athletes, researchers have learnt what behaviours children look for from their parents at competitions. Preferred behaviours included having parents show respect to others in sport, focus on their child’s effort rather than outcomes, and provide positive yet realistic post-competition feedback.
Safe, quality and values-based: 3 approaches to optimize sport experience
Highlights There are several evidence-informed approaches to sport delivery that researchers and sport organizations encourage, and that you can engage with, to promote positive experiences and combat harmful cultures in sport and society Quality sport, values-based sport and safe sport are 3 approaches to sport program delivery that are gaining traction and popularity at all…
Compete-Learn-Honor
Coaching philosophies play a key role in athletes’ safety. Developed by Dr. Peter Scales, “Compete-Learn-Honor” is a new, evidence-informed approach to player development that promotes emotional and physical safety, fun, and growth as a person and player.
Knowledge of REDs among female endurance athletes
Female endurance athletes have an increased risk of relative energy deficiency syndrome (REDs). Female cross-country runners have the highest incidence of stress fractures of all collegiate sports. Research regarding athlete, coach, and athletic trainer awareness of REDs showed that while athletic trainers have the most knowledge of the syndrome, athletes have the least. This suggests…
Global Assessment on Physical Activity
The Global status report on physical activity is WHO’s first global assessment of implementation of policy recommendations to reduce physical inactivity by 15% in 2030. The report shows global progress has been slow. To reach this goal, WHO provides 5 suggestions, one of which includes providing more opportunities for those such as older adults and…
Emotion as a form of communication

In game 6 of the 2021 NHL playoffs, the Toronto Maple Leafs were down 1-0 in the third period and on the penalty kill. Toronto Maple Leaf Mitch Marner shot the puck over the glass, resulting in a penalty. While in the penalty box, Marner hunched over, looking anxious and defeated. The Leafs would give…
The psychology of recovery among endurance athletes

View the summary of this research here. The development of sport performance takes a lot of hard training, and all that training also takes equal amounts of recovery. Recovery is about restoring performance capability after facing stress in various ways, mentally, physically, and socially (Kellmann et al., 2018). Sufficient recovery compensates for stress and spurs…
The prospective contribution of sport and active leisure to student academic and psycho-social success from kindergarten to high school

Introduction and context Only 8% of school age Canadian students meet the recommended daily goal of ≥ 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Youth mental health problems have doubled over the past two decades. As family life represents a primary vehicle for child growth and development, lifestyle movement habits are learned in early childhood. As such,…
How youth athletes can support their own life skill development through sport

Sports help to develop crucial skills on and off the court, field, or ice. Participating in sports can help youth athletes stay physically healthy, build positive relationships with coaches and other players and learn valuable skills. While coaches often play a critical role in supporting athletes’ development, it is also important to consider how athletes…