Videoconferencing
Feeling anxious? New research has shown that eye contact during interactions on video conferencing platforms has the same impact on our nervous system as in-person eye contact – helping us feel calm and connected. So turn on the video and adjust your camera to look directly at your family, friends and colleagues.
Carrot Rewards App
New research from Western University shows rewards as little as 4 cents a day can motivate physical activity-related behaviour change. Findings from a year-long evaluation of the Carrot Rewards app demonstrated use was associated with an increase in weekly step count on a population-scale, but was most evident for users who were physically inactive and…
Quarantine Backyard Ultra
Even the most solitary of sports — distance running — is not immune to the COVID-19 lockdown. Using a combination of live-streaming and the honor code, 2,400 participants from 56 countries took part in the Quarantine Backyard Ultra. For 63 consecutive hours, runners completed 4.167 miles every hour at any pace, targeting 262 miles. While…
Home Office Ergonomics
Is your at-home office literally a pain in the neck? University of Alberta ergonomics expert Linda Miller offers advice to help maintain good posture while working in less than ideal settings during COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to adding movement into your day, Miller suggests supporting your feet and back, using an external keyboard, and minimizing…
Robot Spectators
Spectators are considered by some to be an important component of homefield advantage…so what will be the impact of empty stands? From robot mannequins in China, to cardboard cut-outs of fans in Germany (with proceeds to local charities), a number of innovative ideas are emerging that could be considered by professional sport leagues as they…
Podium Performance Webinars
In partnership with CoachNB, CoachingNL and CoachingPEI, the Canadian Sport Institute Atlantic’s Podium Performance Webinars offer a virtual platform for coaches to connect and learn. The Coach Socialization Series consists of 3-4 sessions a week covering a variety of topics including mental performance, resilience, and a building a positive and competitive culture.
Building a pandemic communications strategy must start with this one-word question
Sport organizations around the world are in crisis communications mode, trying to figure out the best ways to use new technologies and compelling content to get through the COVID-19 pandemic. While many scramble to react to the latest development, and others sit paralyzed by indecision, there are well-researched and time-tested principles that can provide sport…
COVID-19 Research: Fitbit
Thought your Fitbit was only good for tracking your 10,000 steps? Researchers at Standford Medicine have launched a new project to help stop the spread of COVID-19 by harnessing the 250,000+ measurements/day made by smartwatches and other wearable devices to detect early signs of viral infection. The team will develop algorithms based of key metrics…
Friendly Competition
Research suggests competition is a stronger motivator for exercise than friendly support. To encourage active living amongst the SIRC team, supporting our physical and mental health, we’re using the Challenge Hound app. Learn more about this and other strategies used over the last month to help keep the team healthy and engaged in the SIRC…
Earth Day 2020
Today is Earth Day, part of an international movement to drive positive action for our planet. In Belgium, researchers developed a tool using broadcast archives of professional sport events to build long-term datasets of changes in seasonal foliage. Analysis of footage from the Tour of Flanders showed the same 46 trees blooming earlier than they…