Competitive and High Performance sport
Explore training factors that contribute to podium performances and how to help athletes achieve success and excel in sport. Our resources provide insights on the training and high performance arenas where athletes find competitive success.
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Top 10 resources
- SIRCuit Article: Taking a person-first approach to high performance sport in Canada
- SIRC Article: For or Against? The Pros and Cons of Early Talent Identification in Sport
- Spring SIRCuit 2024: The Transformative Power of Sport
- SIRC Article: The art of breaking: Strength, style, and storytelling
- SIRC Article: Canadian high performance athletes’ use of retirement resources
- Transformative Power of Sport: A Gold Medal Experience with Madison Mailey
- AthletesCAN Sport Solution Clinic
- 2019 Canadian High Performance Sport Strategy
- Mental Health Strategy for High Performance Sport in Canada
- Momentum: A Team Canada Podcast
Featured resource
Government of Canada
Featured resource
Natalie Durand-Bush and Krista Van Slingerland
Featured resource
Maxwell Lattimer and Madison Mailey
Quick Facts
What is high-performance sport?
High-performance sport refers to the pursuit of excellence in competitive sports at the national and international levels. It involves athletes, coaches, and support teams striving to achieve peak performance through rigorous training, competition, and a commitment to continual improvement.
How can mental performance be enhanced in competitive sports?
Through techniques like goal setting, visualization, mindfulness, and working with sports psychologists to build resilience, focus, and confidence under pressure.
What factors are important for talent identification in sport?
Talent identification involves recognizing potential athletes based on physical abilities, psychological traits, and sport-specific skills. Factors like age, training environment, and early performance indicators are crucial in identifying future high-performance athletes.
How do varsity sports contribute to high performance sport in Canada?
Varsity sports serve as a key development pathway for high performance athletes, offering competitive opportunities, high-quality coaching, and access to sports science resources, which help athletes transition to national and international competition.
What support services are available for competitive high-performance athletes?
There are a range of support services, including sports psychologists and mental health resources available to athletes that are designed to help optimize training, manage stress, recover from injuries, achieve performance and mental wellbeing. Many sports organizations also offer mentorship and career development support. Canadian athletes may benefit from mental health and wellbeing resources provided by, for example, Game Plan created by the Canadian Olympic Committee, resources available through the Canadian Centre for Mental Health and Sport and Coaching Association of Canada, and Athlete365 offered by the International Olympic Committee.
What is COPSIN?
COPSIN stands for the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network. It is a collaborative network of seven high-performance training centres across Canada, designed to provide elite athletes with the resources, facilities, and expertise needed to excel on the world stage. These institutes are located in Victoria, Calgary, Saskatchewan, Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City, and Atlantic Canada. They offer comprehensive support including coaching, sport science, medical services, and athlete development programs.
Video Resources
Transformative Power of Sport: More than just sport
- SIRC
- 2024
Sport, Leadership and Social Change Webinar Series
- Royal Roads University
- 2024
Sport Sector Update: Freestyle BC
- Freestyle BC and SIRC
- 2022
Motivational characteristics of adolescents who are dedicated to competitive sporting practices: Differences based on the type of sport and intensity of the practice
- Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières and SIRC
- 2014
SCRI Parissa Safai The Social Determinants of Athletes’ Health Understanding the relationship between Health & High Performance Sport (Part 2)
- York University and SIRC
- 2011
Transformative Power of Sport: A Gold Medal Experience
- SIRC
- 2024
Knowledge Nuggets
knowledge nuggets
Training models for extended career athletes
Elite athletes are competing at older ages, but advancing age can challenge peak performance. A training model for extended-career athletes should balance age-related decline with
Elite athletes are competing at older ages, but advancing age can challenge peak performance. A training model for extended-career athletes should balance age-related decline with expertise, incorporating strength training, individualized load management, injury prevention, and tailored recovery protocols. Monitoring and avoiding large training load peaks are essential for sustaining performance and promoting long-term health.
knowledge nuggets
High-performance athletes and financial literacy
Elite athletes face financial challenges with limited support, often learning money management through trial and error. This study reveals their struggles, coping strategies, and the
Elite athletes face financial challenges with limited support, often learning money management through trial and error. This study reveals their struggles, coping strategies, and the urgent need for better financial guidance in high-performance sports.
knowledge nuggets
Gender pay gap in elite and semi-pro sport
Although progress has been made, a major gender pay gap still exists in elite and semi-pro sports, with male athletes earning significantly more than their
Although progress has been made, a major gender pay gap still exists in elite and semi-pro sports, with male athletes earning significantly more than their female counterparts. With public sports funding being a key driver of this gap, more attention must be paid to the inequalities in funding.
knowledge nuggets
Spotting hidden talent: How “sleeper” athletes’ traits predict ice hockey success
A study on elite junior ice hockey players found sleepers, overlooked athletes who later excel, had superior planning skills and unique eye movements. These traits
A study on elite junior ice hockey players found sleepers, overlooked athletes who later excel, had superior planning skills and unique eye movements. These traits helped scouts predict late drafted players’ success, emphasizing the value of psychological profiles in identifying hidden talent.
knowledge nuggets
Elite athletes and problem gambling
Elite athletes face unique mental health challenges, including a higher risk of problem gambling and gaming disorder, particularly among males. Tackling these behavioural addictions is
Elite athletes face unique mental health challenges, including a higher risk of problem gambling and gaming disorder, particularly among males. Tackling these behavioural addictions is crucial to safeguarding their wellbeing.
knowledge nuggets
High intensity training and upper respiratory infection
While physical activity typically strengthens the immune system, high-intensity training can weaken it, leaving some high performance athletes more susceptible to upper respiratory infections. Discover
While physical activity typically strengthens the immune system, high-intensity training can weaken it, leaving some high performance athletes more susceptible to upper respiratory infections. Discover key nutritional strategies to stay healthy and perform at your best!
knowledge nuggets
Fostering positive development in elite youth sport
A new review of the academic literature shows that positive engagement and development in elite youth sport hinge on supportive environments, strong relationships, and age-appropriate
A new review of the academic literature shows that positive engagement and development in elite youth sport hinge on supportive environments, strong relationships, and age-appropriate training. Remember, even top performers need developmentally appropriate activities that focus on overall well-being, ensuring they thrive both in and out of sport.
knowledge nuggets
Snow sport injuries
Did you know that professional skiing and snowboarding has an injury incidence rate of 3.49 injuries per 1000 days? Among these injuries, lower extremity injuries
Did you know that professional skiing and snowboarding has an injury incidence rate of 3.49 injuries per 1000 days? Among these injuries, lower extremity injuries are most prevalent, with freestyle skiing exhibiting the highest risk at an alarming 6.83 injuries per 1000 days.
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