Health and Wellbeing
Health and wellbeing is an important contributor participation in sport. Our resources provide key insights on physical health, mental resilience, social wellbeing, and more.
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Top 10 resources
- SIRCuit Article: Balancing Psychological Load: New Perspectives on Recovery
- SIRCuit Article: Supporting the Psychological Wellbeing of Athletes: What Can Coaches do?
- SIRC Article: The psychology of recovery among endurance athletes
- SIRCuit Article: The Role of Nutrition in Sport Concussion Recovery
- Game Plan: Wellbeing for Olympic and Paralympic Athletes
- Canadian Centre for Mental Health in Sport
- How air pollution affects human health and sport performance
- SCRI: Men athletes’ self-compassion and masculinity
- Engaging Girls and Women in Sport Mini Series – Part 4: Connecting mind and movement
- SIRC Active Break Video Series
Featured resource
Jamie Bissett, University of Toronto
Featured resource
Public Health Agency Of Canada, University of Quebec in Montreal, and SIRC
Featured resource
Jordan Sutcliffe, University of Wollongong
Featured resource
Game Plan
Featured resource
Stuart Wilson, Joe Baker, and Nick Wattie
Quick Facts
How does sport contribute to social wellbeing?
Sport fosters social wellbeing by providing opportunities for individuals to engage with others in a team environment, which promotes communication, cooperation, and respect. Participating in sport helps build a sense of belonging, whether through a local sports club, school team, or community event. It encourages the development of leadership skills, empathy, and the ability to work with diverse groups of people. Sport also strengthens social networks and friendships, providing emotional support and a sense of connection, which are critical for mental health and overall life satisfaction.
How can sport environments help participants' mental health?
Sport environments that prioritize mental health create a foundation for athlete success and overall wellbeing. Coaches, trainers, and sport organizations play a critical role by fostering inclusive, supportive environments where athletes feel comfortable discussing mental health challenges without fear of stigma. By providing access to resources like mental health professionals, educational workshops, and peer support programs, sport organizations can help athletes manage stress, prevent burnout, and develop healthy mental habits. Emphasizing mental health as part of overall performance encourages athletes to view their wellbeing holistically, improving both their mental and physical outcomes.
What is Psychological Skills Training (PST), and how does it benefit athletes?
Psychological Skills Training (PST) is a method used to enhance an athlete’s mental capabilities, helping them manage pressure, focus better, and stay motivated during competition. PST involves techniques like goal setting, imagery (visualization), and positive self-talk, which help athletes improve their mental strength and resilience. These skills are essential in maintaining consistent performance, especially under high-pressure situations. PST not only enhances physical performance but also promotes mental wellbeing, aiding athletes in handling stress, overcoming setbacks, and improving confidence. This training benefits athletes across all levels, from recreational participants to elite competitors.
What is nutritional well-being?
Nutritional well-being refers to the state of health achieved through a balanced and adequate intake of nutrients essential for optimal physical and mental performance. It involves consuming a variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats, to meet the body’s energy and nutrient needs. Proper nutrition supports athletic performance, aids recovery, and helps maintain overall health, reducing the risk of chronic diseases.
How does the outdoor environment impact overall health, particularly in extreme heat or cold?
The outdoor environment can significantly affect overall health, especially during extreme temperatures. In extreme heat, athletes are at higher risk for heat-related illnesses, dehydration, and decreased performance. Conversely, extreme cold can lead to frostbite and hypothermia. It’s essential to adapt to these environmental factors by monitoring weather conditions, staying hydrated, dressing appropriately, and following safety guidelines. For more insights on how to manage activities in varying environmental conditions, visit our Environment page.
Video Resources
Examining parent-child emotion regulation in organized youth sport
- University of Toronto and SIRC
- 2022
Exploring Social Support, Sport Participation, and Rural Women’s Health Using Photovoice
- Western University, University of Manitoba, Dalhousie University, University of Waterloo, and SIRC
- 2013
Sex and Gender Differences in Concussions – Reema Shafi
- SIRC and University of Toronto
- 2021
4B – Advancing Safe Sport Through Occupational Health and Safety
- Laurentian University and SIRC
- 2022
9B: Appearance-related shame mediates the association b/w body surveillance & attentional focus
- University of Toronto and SIRC
- 2022
Mom’s Got Game! Getting active after childbirth
- SIRC
- 2022
Knowledge Nuggets
knowledge nuggets
Nutrition and muscle recovery
Recovery strategies are key for athletes to combat fatigue from increased metabolism during physical activity. Nutrients like proteins, amino acids, and vitamins are crucial for
Recovery strategies are key for athletes to combat fatigue from increased metabolism during physical activity. Nutrients like proteins, amino acids, and vitamins are crucial for supporting muscle recovery and reducing post-exercise damage.
knowledge nuggets
Perfectionism in high performance athletes
Many high-performance athletes scrutinize their own performances and often aim for perfection. A recent study delved into how perfectionistic athletes view success and failure in
Many high-performance athletes scrutinize their own performances and often aim for perfection. A recent study delved into how perfectionistic athletes view success and failure in sports. Through interviews and season-long diaries, researchers found that an athlete’s ability to deal with failure depended on the type of perfectionism they exhibited.
knowledge nuggets
Keto diets for elite endurance athletes
Ketogenic diets are gaining attention in elite endurance sports for their ability to boost fat burning, potentially transforming performance. However, concerns linger about their impact
Ketogenic diets are gaining attention in elite endurance sports for their ability to boost fat burning, potentially transforming performance. However, concerns linger about their impact on glycogen use and high-intensity exercise, with mixed results among athletes.
knowledge nuggets
Sleep quality and sport performance
Elite athletes and coaches view sleep as essential for optimal performance and recovery, but sleep quality is often compromised by various factors. Sleep quality can
Elite athletes and coaches view sleep as essential for optimal performance and recovery, but sleep quality is often compromised by various factors. Sleep quality can affect athletic performance and recovery, with the impact varying based on sport type and individual needs.
knowledge nuggets
Positive effects of social support on stress adaptation
Stress can significantly impact an athlete’s well-being and sport performance, but social support from teammates, coaches, and support staff can positively influence how athletes perceive
Stress can significantly impact an athlete’s well-being and sport performance, but social support from teammates, coaches, and support staff can positively influence how athletes perceive and adapt to stress. Recent research shows that for social support to produce positive effects, having a shared social identity and the knowledge and expertise to provide sufficient support is important.
knowledge nuggets
Disordered eating in elite athletes
Athletes face a heightened susceptibility to disordered eating compared to non-athletes. Social and sport pressures influence disordered eating behaviours among elite athletes. Interviews with 9
Athletes face a heightened susceptibility to disordered eating compared to non-athletes. Social and sport pressures influence disordered eating behaviours among elite athletes. Interviews with 9 male and female athletes reveal insights into the complex interplay between societal norms, athletic demands, and dietary practices.
knowledge nuggets
Rapid weight loss and kidney damage
Combat sport athletes often use rapid weight loss strategies, also known as weight cutting, before competitions, but these methods can cause harm. Dehydration and extreme
Combat sport athletes often use rapid weight loss strategies, also known as weight cutting, before competitions, but these methods can cause harm. Dehydration and extreme dieting raise the risk of kidney stress and long-term damage.
knowledge nuggets
Assessing your hydration status
Did you know you can easily and quickly assess your hydration status? A systematic review shows that urine color is widely used to determine hydration
Did you know you can easily and quickly assess your hydration status? A systematic review shows that urine color is widely used to determine hydration levels in various populations, including athletes. The darker the urine, the less hydrated you are!
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