Curling Brush Head Technology
In 2016, after a season of controversy, the World Curling Federation (WCF) and Canada’s National Research Council (NRC) investigated the effects of curling brush head technology on ice surfaces and their potential effects on where stones come to rest. During three days of testing, the NRC’s ice and materials technologies experts analyzed various manufacturers’ broom…
Snow-making Science
With unreliable weather and the holiday season approaching, Canada’s approximately 275 ski areas may be putting their snow making equipment to work. Mounted high on towers or kept mobile on wheels, snow guns are capable of spraying 100 gallons per minute of snow across the slopes. Learn more about the science behind making snow in this article about Lutsen Mountain in…
Moisture-Wicking Athletic Apparel: A Matter of Style or Performance?
Moisture-wicking clothes act to keep athletes cool and dry. Because exercising in the heat can have a severe impact on physical fatigue, companies promote their moisture-wicking products as the difference-maker in these conditions. However, there has yet to be an independent, peer-reviewed study that conclusively demonstrates that performance apparel improves our thermoregulation and performance. How…
Active Parks, Active People?
One of the top recommended strategies to increase physical activity is to increase public access to places where people can engage in physical activity. Installing free outdoor fitness equipment to create “active parks” is one way some cities have targeted increasing opportunities for adults and seniors to get fit. While there are many benefits to…
Debunking the Myth of Running Shoe Selection
The Flawed Model of Running Shoe Selection Magazines, shoe stores, and shoe manufacturers have long prescribed running shoes based on an individual’s arch type. Normal levels of supination are needed to generate force upon push off, while pronation helps to absorb the force of heel strike. Some people have foot shapes that are more at…
Kinesiology Taping – Is it worth the hype?
If you watch sports regularly, you’ve likely seen the brightly coloured tape that commonly adorns athletic bodies. Of course these colourful patterns aren’t just for show, many athletes are using kinesiology tape (KT) primarily to treat and prevent musculoskeletal injuries or increase performance. First of all, what is it and what does it do? Kinesiology…
Are compression garments effective for exercise recovery?
The use of compression garments has become increasingly popular in recent years, mostly in a post-exercise role where compression tights, arm sleeves, socks and boots are used as a means to speed up recovery. Types of compression garments vary where they can be worn via the upper, lower or full-body and are generally made from…
Winter Fitness: Preventing Frostnip, Frostbite and Hypothermia when Training in the Cold
Frostnip, frostbite, and hypothermia are the three primary cold weather injuries athletes are exposed to in winter. All three can affect athletes in different winter sports such as skiing, snowboarding, ice hockey, ice skating and a few summer sports as well, such as football, field hockey and baseball. Fortunately, frostnip, frostbite, and hypothermia are completely…
How do you choose a medicine ball?
Many variations of medicine balls have come and gone throughout history but one thing remains constant, they are an excellent training tool for athletes. Medicine balls are essential for building the explosive strength that many athletes need to perform at their best. It’s a unique tool that has the ability to force the body to…
Does Foam Rolling Work?
The primary purpose of a foam roller is to force a tight muscle to relax thus reducing pain and allow the opposing muscle to contract and stabilize the joint. When this happens, it can help increase range of motion, reduce inflammation, reduce scar tissue, and improve circulation as well as flexibility. They are used as…