How sports team initiatives shape fans’ eating habits

Did you know that a sports team’s promotion of plant-based foods can influence their fans’ eating habits? Studies reveal fans with a strong identification to their team are more inclined to adopt a diet rich in vegetables and less in meat when they’re aware of the team’s pro-environmental food initiatives. By fostering a sense of…

Promoting health through physical activity and inter-organizational partnerships: the Montreal case

Introduction and context  The leading preventable causes of death worldwide (chronic diseases) are usually brought on by a lack of regular physical activity, which can lead to significant health and financial challenges for the individuals and communities. Many municipalities are dedicated to establishing and maintaining healthy environments for all, which requires collaboration and coordination with…

Ski like a girl: Researchers reveal hidden histories of women in Nordic sport

From a U of A varsity ski club to the Canadian Birkebeiner and the Olympics, women have always been part of the landscape of winter sport. When Lyndsay Conrad dove into her archival research on early 20th-century ski history in Alberta, she found women were missing in the standard narratives, yet leap out in old…

Plyometrics and sport performance

Strength and conditioning are key in all areas of sport. One method of strength training is plyometric training, which is a series of explosive body weight resistance exercises. A recent study finds that sport performance consisting of throwing capacity, jumping ability, and sprint performance significantly improved due to plyometric training interventions.

Minor soccer referees in Quebec to wear body cameras to prevent abuse

To combat escalating abuse from parents and coaches, a minor soccer association plans to equip referees with body cameras aiming to protect young referees and deter aggressive behaviour. In Ontario, a pilot project with referee-worn cameras has shown promise, acting as a visual deterrent against abuse and providing referees with a tool to record incidents.

Cost of living and women’s sport participation

Amidst the cost of living crisis, women and girls encounter barriers to sports participation. Research from Women in Sport shows a widening gender activity gap, with 35% reducing activity due to financial constraints. Urgent action is needed to address economic, societal, and facility challenges for equitable access to the lifelong benefits of sport.

Under pressure

Did you know that the effects of pressure on sports performance are more complex than commonly assumed? A new study examined various pressure conditions in golf putting and found that while some conditions impaired performance, others actually improved it! Considering individual pressure factors and tailoring conditions accordingly may optimize performance and highlights the need for…

Getting active for Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease is a serious medical condition that still does not have any known cure. Parkinson’s is a disease of the brain that causes individuals with it to slowly lose control of their muscles, often leading to tremors, or shaking. A recent study done on Parkinson’s disease patients who engaged in exercise, found that aerobic…

Judo for fall related injury

Falls and fall-related injuries pose significant threats not only to older adults but also to younger age groups, including working-age adults. A recent study, which investigated the effects of Judo exercise programs on 142 working-age adults over a period of 10 weeks, suggests that such programs may offer benefits in reducing the risk of falls…

Asthma and physical activity

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that affects more than 300 million individuals worldwide. Although various pharmacological treatments exist, recent research suggests that there could be additional benefits with lifestyle changes, particularly with increased physical activity.