Athlete Perspective: My reality as a clean athlete in a not so clean sport
SIRC’s Athlete Perspective series provides insight and recommendations on key issues from an athlete’s perspective. The collection of blogs and SIRCuit articles profiles Canada’s Olympic and Paralympic athletes and taps into their lived experience. I started weightlifting in a small, remote city in northern Quebec when I was nine years old. It was, and still…
ACL Injury Recovery
Reconstruction surgery has become a viable method for athletes to return to play after suffering an ACL injury, yet one third of patients will develop osteoarthritis within 10 years. Researchers have found that the way a patient moves after surgery has significant implications for their long-term recovery. Patients who reported lingering symptoms post-surgery were found…
Social Identity and Team Behaviour
Good team cohesion is a key factor for success, but can create pressure for team members to conform. Research conducted with NCAA athletes found that those who more closely identified with their team were more likely to adapt to their teammates’ behaviour. This held true for both risky (e.g. drinking and driving, concealing concussion) and…
Mentoring Outcomes
Successful mentoring relationships can increase motivation, productivity and self-efficacy. Learn more about the value of mentoring from an athlete perspective in the SIRC blog.
2018 Year in Review
As we ease ourselves into the year ahead, here is a round-up of the most popular SIRCuit articles and SIRC blogs from 2018! Top 5 SIRCuit articles The implications of cannabis legalization for athletes Issues in athlete identification and selection: Are we compromising talent? A year in the making – Reflections on Canada Artistic Swimming’s…
Endurance and External Focus
Endurance athletes use a number of strategies to distract themselves and manage their performance. For example, athletes can manipulate their attention, focusing either internally (e.g. on the running movement, internal body signals) or externally (e.g. on the environment, music). Research reported in the Journal of Sport & Exercise Physiology measured running economy to confirm the…
Coaches and Ethical Behaviour
Don’t underestimate the influence of coaches on ethical behaviour. Recent research with amateur athletes from Football Federation Flanders confirmed the importance of coach ethical behaviour in creating a moral bond between coaches and athletes, and supporting a positive ethical climate the club.
Benefits of Cryotherapy
With temperatures plummeting, are you wondering about the benefits of integrating cryotherapy into your recovery practice? Research published in the International Journal of Athletic Therapy & Training demonstrated that cold-water immersion was beneficial for reducing post-exercise pain perception.
Athlete Perspective: The Value of Mentorship
SIRC’s Athlete Perspective series provides insight and recommendations on key issues from an athlete’s perspective. The collection of blogs and SIRCuit articles profiles Canada’s Olympic and Paralympic athletes and taps into their lived experience. Success isn’t accomplished alone. It takes a balance of hard work, open mindedness, and most importantly, mentorship. As long ago as…
Patient Evidence
An editorial in the International Journal of Athletic Therapy & Training discusses three sources of evidence-based practice: the therapist’s experience, scientifically proven practice, and, used less frequently, patient evidence. The authors argue for closer collaboration between athletic therapists and patients to ensure that factors unique to the patient, their environment, and their social setting are…