Outdoor swimming and overall health
It is crucial to maintain both mental and physical health for optimal living and sport performance. A recent study has discovered that engaging in physical activity, particularly through outdoor swimming, is perceived to yield positive health impacts. This practice is linked to reductions in symptoms related to mental health, musculoskeletal issues, injuries, as well as…
Sexuality and maltreatment in sport
With nearly 40% of LGBTQ+ athletes reporting experiencing sports-related mistreatment, it is important to look into ways to increase acceptance and diversity in the sporting world. A recent study examines the relationships between adults’ sexuality, sports-related mistreatment, and sports involvement. The study’s findings suggest that more action is necessary to reduce prejudice and to provide…
Challenges and solutions in parental support for young para-athletes
Parents supporting young para-athletes report challenges including limited local sports options and funding difficulties. Recognizing these hurdles, and understanding their impact, can inform improved support mechanisms for the sports sector like addressing cultural barriers, engaging parents in program development, enhancing access to sports for disabled youth, and refining talent identification pathways for aspiring para-athletes.
Art therapy in youth concussion recovery
Up and coming research from a PhD student at the university of Alberta combines art therapy with concussion recovery science. The research explores communication challenges faced by youth post-concussion and showcases the power of art as a tool for self-expression, calling for a reimagining of rehabilitation in concussion management.
KidsAction Coaching
KidsAction Coaching is an evidence-based coaching approach developed by researchers at the University of British Columbia (UBC) to support the development of children with neurodevelopmental or intellectual disability (NDD). KidsAction offers free resources and tools to community-based coaches, organizations and families to make physical activity more accessible and enjoyable for all children, of all abilities….
Rest and injury
Rest and sleep are key parts of maintaining physical health and recovering from potential injuries. This is true even outside of competition season, a recent study done on preseason rugby athletes found that longer sleep duration during the preseason may assist in enhancing physical qualities including aerobic capacity and body composition.
Boxing and mental health benefits
Physical activity has been shown to have a multitude of mental health benefits. A recent study found that non-contact boxing appears to improve mood, self-esteem, happiness, confidence, self-agency, concentration, metabolic burden, strength and coordination. On top of this, there is evidence showing that it can provide a cathartic release of anger, aggression, stress, and the…
Diversifying sport participation: a winning approachÂ
It turns out that what we thought was evidence-based… was not. You heard it loud and clear many times before; we should encourage children to engage in a large variety of sports and avoid falling into the trap of early sport specialization. It is a widespread and generally accepted idea that youth should engage in…
Attachment styles in athlete psychology
A relatively unexplored area of athlete psychology is the relationship between attachment styles and its relationship to mental health. A recent study dives into the role of attachment relationships to significant others (for example, parents or sports coaches) in influencing psychological needs.
AI for sport development
Despite still being in early stages of development, Artificial Intelligence (AI) advances in scope and capabilities every day. Through this development there are more opportunities to implement it in various avenues of life. A recent study highlights the relevance of AI applications to physical educational technology.