Strength and conditioning are key in all areas of sport. One method of strength training is plyometric training, which is a series of explosive body weight resistance exercises. A recent study finds that sport performance consisting of throwing capacity, jumping ability, and sprint performance significantly improved due to plyometric training interventions.
Use double quotes to find documents that include the exact phrase: "aerodynamic AND testing"
Use double quotes to find documents that include the exact phrase: "aerodynamic AND testing"
Mental health is an integral and essential component of human health, and an unhealthy lifestyle can be associated with poor mental health. A recent study encourages the integration of micro- and macronutrients in a well-balanced and varied diet, accompanied by a healthy lifestyle, for preservation of normal brain function and well-being.
Parkinson’s disease is a serious medical condition that still does not have any known cure. Parkinson’s is a disease of the brain that causes individuals with it to slowly lose control of their muscles, often leading to tremors, or shaking. A recent study done on Parkinson’s disease patients who engaged in exercise, found that aerobic exercise has the ability to stabilize disease progression and enhance cognitive performance.
Falls and fall-related injuries pose significant threats not only to older adults but also to younger age groups, including working-age adults. A recent study, which investigated the effects of Judo exercise programs on 142 working-age adults over a period of 10 weeks, suggests that such programs may offer benefits in reducing the risk of falls and fall-related injuries.
It is crucial to maintain both mental and physical health for optimal living and sport performance. A recent study has discovered that engaging in physical activity, particularly through outdoor swimming, is perceived to yield positive health impacts. This practice is linked to reductions in symptoms related to mental health, musculoskeletal issues, injuries, as well as cardiovascular and blood conditions.
In women’s elite sports, technology is transforming the game. Deloitte predicts that wearables, data analytics, and immersive fan experiences will optimize athlete performance and recovery. Embracing these technologies not only enhances fan engagement and opens new revenue streams but also fuels the growth and sustainability of women’s elite sports. It’s a win-win for players, fans, and the industry at large.
Memory in late adulthood often tends to deteriorate with age. Aerobic exercise remains one of the most promising approaches for enhancing cognitive function in late adulthood. Recent research highlights the benefits of aerobic exercise on episodic memory among adults older than 55 years of age.
Up and coming research from a PhD student at the university of Alberta combines art therapy with concussion recovery science. The research explores communication challenges faced by youth post-concussion and showcases the power of art as a tool for self-expression, calling for a reimagining of rehabilitation in concussion management.
A Canadian flag draped around her shoulders, a beaming, then-18-year-old Marina Stakusic is flanked by captain Heidi El Tabakh and Gabriela Dabrowski on the hard courts of Estadio de la Cartuja. Just minutes earlier, Leylah Annie Fernandez flung her racquet into the air and was embraced by her jubilant teammates having hit a flawless cross-court backhand beyond the reach of an outstretched Jasmine Paolini of Italy on match point.
“It obviously means so much for Canadian tennis,” Stakusic says, as a bank of vocal, red and white clad fans serenade the new world champions while the team hits pause on its adrenaline-fueled celebrations long enough to compose themselves and complete their post-match media commitments.
That was the scene in Seville, Spain last November as Team Canada presented by Sobeys clinched the country’s first-ever Billie Jean King Cup title. For a week or two, the silverware sat proudly on the Canadian tennis mantlepiece alongside the Davis Cup trophy that Frank Dancevic, Félix Auger-Aliassime, Denis Shapovalov, Vasek Pospisil and co. had brought home just shy of 12 months prior.
If it hadn’t already, as world champions of women’s and men’s tennis, Canada confirmed its seat at the top table of elite tennis nations. But the ripple effect of hoisting the Billie Jean King and Davis Cup goes far beyond the act itself. In parallel with its fortunes on the international stage, tennis in Canada has experienced a movement on its own shores.
Recently, Tennis Canada announced the results of an interest and participation study, conducted by YouGov Canada, which showed tennis on the rise and that youth are leading the charge. In fact, nearly 5 million Canadians picked up a racquet in the past year. That marks the first time the sport has seen such a significant rise in both categories since COVID-19, signaling a potential return to pre-pandemic levels in the near future.
“The growth we have seen in interest and participation in 2023 is highly encouraging, especially among the younger demographic,” newly appointed Tennis Canada CEO Gavin Ziv affirmed. “Tennis Canada’s strategy for many years has been to invest in high performance to ensure we have more players competing on the biggest stage and inspirating the nation to pick up a racquet. As we can see, this strategy is paying off and helping Tennis Canada and our Provincial and Territorial Association partners to grow the sport across the country.”
Beyond the Billie Jean King Cup triumph, Canadian tennis enjoyed some monumental moments in 2023. Dabrowski and her partner Erin Routliffe captured the nation’s first Grand Slam women’s doubles title at the US Open in September. Meanwhile, the National Bank Open presented by Rogers (NBO) broke attendance records in 2023 as fans flocked to Canada’s premier, world-class tennis tournaments to watch the globe’s best players compete in-person at Sobeys Stadium and IGA Stadium respectively.
All these major milestones serve to motivate wave after wave of potential new participants. The same was true in 2019, when Bianca Andreescu broke onto the global scene with iconic victories at the NBO, becoming the first Canadian champion on home soil in 50 years (Faye Urban, 1969), and US Open as she sealed Canada’s maiden Grand Slam title, beating tennis legend Serena Williams on both occasions.
At her homecoming press conference in the days following that triumph at New York’s Arthur Ashe Stadium, Andreescu was unequivocal in her ambition to influence others to play tennis. “One of my goals was to be an inspiration to many people and I think I’m starting to do that, which means a lot,” she said to a packed room of reporters and photographers. “If I step on the court and I show a good example, I think it can drive a lot of people to maybe even pick up a racquet.”
So, who inspired Bianca, Marina, Félix and Denis? Well, there’s no looking past 2014 and 2016 Wimbledon finalists Eugenie Bouchard and Milos Raonic, who were also the first Canadians to break into the world’s top 5 on the WTA and ATP Tour respectively. “Tennis and the appreciation for tennis in Canada has considerably grown,” Raonic said close to eight years ago, following his finals defeat to Andy Murray on the All England Lawn Tennis Club’s hallowed Centre Court.
Before Eugenie and Milos, there was 12-time Grand Slam doubles champion Daniel Nestor, and before him, Helen Kelesi, then Robert Bedard.
But, who’s coming next? The answer to that question is more exciting with every Canadian that picks up a racquet.
Click here to read more about Canada’s increasing tennis interest and participation rates.
Cold therapy is a widely adopted practice for alleviating pain symptoms, mitigating inflammation in chronic diseases, and addressing musculoskeletal injuries. While partial body cryotherapy has proven effective, a recent study underscores the potential advantages of whole-body cryotherapy, indicating its recovery properties as a valuable tool in sports medicine.