Altitude Training

Training at high altitude has long been used by Olympians as a means of improving their potential. We all know that athletes always seek to get a competitive edge but what does altitude training really do for an athlete? Benefits of Altitude Training For any type of exercise that lasts longer than a few minutes the body needs to use oxygen to the produce energy required for the specific exercise...Read more

I can't sleep...

Preparation for a competition often includes such things like packing your gear the night before, scheduling travel time and getting a good breakfast. Unfortunately, most people neglect an aspect of training and recovery that is one of the most important, getting a good night's sleep . Anxiety disrupts sleep - how many times have you lain awake at night worrying about the competition ahead? A...Read more

Wed, 07/04/2012 - 12:13

SIRC Newsletter now available online: Mental Training You’ve worked hard and your body is in peak condition, it’s important to ensure your mind is also ready for the competition ahead. Studies show that the highest achieving athletes are those who train not just physically, but mentally as well. Every athlete has suffered from nervousness or anxiety and without mental training these nerves will...Read more

Running with the Pack

Running alone certainly has its perks - having quiet time to unplug is a big one. But if you want to improve as a runner, one of the best ways to do it is to run with a group. Group runners tend to run more frequently, as encouragement from friends can overcome the urge to back out of a workout. Some friendly competition along with a supportive environment encourages you not only to show up, but...Read more

Warm up to Train at Your Peak

Everyone is aware of the importance of warming up to improve performance and prevent injury . There is good reason for this practice, because scientists have shown that warm muscles are flexible, resistant to tearing and can produce force more quickly. One of the major problems facing today’s athletes is muscular injury, both recreational and professional. A well-formed warm up will prepare the...Read more

Hit the Start Line Prepared!

You’ve been preparing for your big competition and it’s finally here. Managing stress when you are about to compete is always a challenge when you’ve put so much effort in the hopes of being successful. Pre-event planning is not something to be overlooked and can be essential to your achieving your goal. Knowing that everything is in order and accounted for can help to ease your mind and help you...Read more

Making waves in the big pond!

On their pathway to higher competition, athletes find themselves adapting to different levels of competition and moving from being the "big fish in the little pond" to the "little fish in the big pond" as a recent article in the SIRC Collection says. This move from being the best at one level to being one of the many who are the best at the next can often be a psychological challenge for many...Read more

Can Deception Improve Athletic Performance?

When we're trying to climb a particularly steep hill, or run those last few kilometers in the marathon, we often try to trick our minds into ignoring any possible aches and pains or believing that those distances are shorter than they seem. If we use it in the context of making an effort seem easier, is it possible to use deception to make performance better? According to an interesting res earch...Read more

Hello from Halifax!

Thanks and Come Back Soon! by Chris Morrissey, CEO, 2011 Canada Games The 18 days of the Games have flown by, and while I'll leave it up to everyone else to judge our success, we're ending these Games with above all else - pride and confidence. The speed of our ice, the quality of our snow, the hospitality of our people. The volunteers, staff, and officials who took it upon themselves to ensure...Read more

Hello from Halifax!

Farewell to Halifax & the 2011 Canada Games by Michele Walker, SIRC The 2011 Canada Winter Games are now officially closed and Halifax has bid farewell to their guests. The Games' 90-minute Closing Ceremony featured a variety of East Coast musical performers and the traditional parade of athletes, with the Games' torch being marched in by a group of Nova Scotia medal winners and handed over...Read more