Physical Activity Guidelines
Fewer than 1 in 5 Canadians meet Canada’s physical activity guidelines, and low-income Canadians are 33% less likely to be active than higher earners. For low-income families, it’s about more than just cost – safety concerns and lack of time also limit physical activity. Are context-specific guidelines the answer?
Active Aging & Men’s Health
In the SIRC blog, researchers discuss how older male adults desired to engage in sport and physical activity with peers, and be supervised by a knowledgeable instructor or coach. This finding is important considering social norms that expect men to be independent and self-reliant.
Special Olympics Healthy Athletes Program
The 2020 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games start today in Thunder Bay, Ontario. The international Healthy Athletes program includes a range of screenings that support a holistic approach to health, reducing the risk of preventable secondary health condition such as obesity, nutritional deficit, untreated or poorly treated vision, dental, hearing and podiatric problems. Learn more…
9 Nutrition Staples
Information on optimal nutrition for athlete development and performance can be tricky to navigate. However, research suggests there are nine “staple” foods proven for performance gains, a sharper competitive edge, and improved general health. Do you agree?
PHE’s Move Think Learn
PHE Canada’s Move Think Learn series is designed to support the development of physical literacy amongst children and youth. Sport-specific resources based on a Teaching Games for Understanding approach were developed with the national sport organizations for basketball, football, hockey, ringette, soccer, team handball, badminton, squash, canoe-kayak, cycling, cricket, softball, archery and curling!
Motivational Language
Research shows the type of language used by instructors during group training sessions is important. Cues that focused on function (e.g. “this exercise will help you prevent injuries and build strength”) rather than appearance (e.g. “earn your dream body”) resulted in greater mood and body satisfaction amongst female participants.
Student-Athlete Health
Alcohol misuse represents an important mental health issue for student-athletes – even moderate consumption can have negatively impact athletic and academic performance. Research has shown an athlete’s perception of their coach’s approval of alcohol use was strongly associated with drinking behaviour.
Physical Literacy & TGfU
Physical literacy has become an important outcome across many educational, sport, and recreation settings in Canada. Research from Brock University finds pedagogical strategies that incorporate a Teaching Games for Understanding approach can support the development of physical literacy among elementary-school-aged youth.
Cold-Weather Exercise Intensity
Research from the University of Alberta finds intense cold-weather exercise makes it harder for the lungs to warm and humidify the air, causing airway lining to dry and, in some cases, become irreparably damaged. When temperatures plunge below –15 C, researchers recommend athletes decrease the intensity of outdoor exercise to protect their lungs.
Intermittent Fasting
Intermittent fasting, or eating during a certain time period, has become increasingly popular. Research suggests intermittent fasting may be beneficial for weight loss and cardiometabolic health in sedentary populations, but the effects on training and performance have not been well-studied.