Getting involved: How do I recruit youth volunteers for my sport program?
According to recent reports, over 40% of young Canadians will volunteer in the culture, sport & recreation sector – this is great news for sport leaders! The majority of young people who volunteer use it as a way to build skills, establish work experience and network in order to improve their job prospects in the…
Exercise Associated Muscle Cramping
Muscle cramps are a common occurrence in sports and numerous other physical activities, where even highly fit athletes can experience slight to very painful muscle spasms. Any muscle can be affected but it commonly occurs to the legs, for athletes this can be debilitating and require some time off from training and competition. Theories are…
I’ve signed up for an obstacle race – now what?
Many people have the impression that obstacle races are for elite athletes, when in fact many races accommodate all fitness levels. These types of races are great if you want to give yourself an extra challenge but have a little bit of fun and fitness mixed in as well. Obviously obstacle races are meant to…
Do fitness trackers live up to the hype?
If you want an easy and convenient way to keep track of your fitness or training goals, fitness trackers seem to be the way to do it. Availability and consistency are key factors in creating a new habit and since most fitness trackers are small and wearable, it’s virtually effortless to incorporate them into your…
What is Osgood-Schlatter Disease?
Osgood-Schlatter is a common knee pain injury experienced by active adolescents. It affects the point where the kneecap and the shinbone connect, causing pain and swelling. It is not really a disease but an overuse injury that can be particularly painful for adolescents participating in sports. Young teenagers, especially boys, who are growing and who…
Get yourself pumped up with a great playlist!
Many studies have shown that music provides a welcome distraction from discomfort and is a great mood booster. It encourages a person to move with the beat of each song and has the capacity to increase energy and improve physical performance. This is great news for anyone that may have trouble motivating themselves to exercise…
Staying Fit while Pregnant: Tips for a Safe Workout
For the majority of pregnant women (those without an underlying medical condition), regular physical activity is good for the both mother and baby, physically, mentally and socially. Women should aim to participate in some form of moderate intensity aerobic and strength-conditioning exercises in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle. If you weren’t a very active…
Active transportation: the use of human power
Active transportation (AT), can be a great way to get to and from work, school, grocery shopping or simply as a means of visiting friends in your community. It can also be a way of staying active while getting the recommended level of daily physical activity. For those who have busy schedules and feel they…
Sleep: Why is it important during the teen years?
Getting quality sleep is as important to our health and well-being as eating properly and maintaining regular exercise. It is recommended that adolescents’ ages 12 to 18 years get 9 to 10 hours daily; however, teens do not seem to get the appropriate amount due to academic pressures, part-time jobs and extra curricular activities. Add…
Is it possible to have a healthy, active holiday season?
For 11 months of the year we (mostly) watch what we eat and stick to our exercise routine, then the holidays roll around and the wheels fall off. Tempted by wonderful goodies every time you turn around and overloaded by a hectic schedule it’s easy to let your healthy habits slip, overindulge, neglect your workouts…