Compression Garments

Check out the latest SIRC Newsletter on - Compression Garments ! Compression garments were originally designed for therapeutic medical use, especially for those suffering from circulatory conditions. However, over the years researchers have come to observe that there could be benefits to wearing compression garments while exercising and participating in sports. Benefits range from muscle fatigue...Read more

Paddling, but not in the pool

May 30, 2010 saw Canada get 7 medals at the World Cup Paddling competition in Szeged,Hungary – does this mean that paddling is in our blood?!! As Canadians we have an abundance of beautiful and breathtaking places to paddle, both competitively and recreationally and more and more Canadians are getting into the sport every year. According to Canadian government statistics, as many as nine million...Read more

After all is said and done … Post-race recovery

Much of Ottawa was focused on the Ottawa Race Weekend this past weekend with Marathon, ½ Marathon, 10K, 5K, and 2K races being run. Many cities across the county are also hosting their marathons during this spring season. As racers, we have put in kilometers worth of training and hours of planning strategies so that we are as prepared as possible to race our best race. So what happens after the...Read more

Are You a Corporate Athlete?

Sport and the athlete can be seen throughout the business world. From marketing campaigns to studies on the number of CEOs that competed in sport in high school and/or university there is an interest in the connection between sport and business. A recent article in Canadian Business looked at “The Corporate Athlete.” It is a workshop designed by a sport psychologist and physiologist to provide...Read more

Group Exercise vs Going Solo

Think of your favourite form of exercise. Do you like to do it with a group or alone? Team sports are pretty obvious however most sports from cycling and running to kite surfing and downhill skiing can be considered group activities. Check out the following list of benefits to working out with others. If you thrive in groups this list is for you; if you are a solo artist maybe it will tweak your...Read more

Nutrition

Check out the latest SIRC Newsletter - Nutrition ! Every athlete, coach and parent should know that what you fuel your body with, and when, has a direct impact on athletic performance. Whether you are competing on the road or training at home, nutrition is crucially important for conditioning, recovery from fatigue after exertion, as well as for injury prevention. http://sirc.ca/newsletters/may10...Read more

Pole Dancing – not just for exotic dancers anymore!

The “fireman spin”, the “falling angel” and the “hair flip” – not the usual names for work out moves, but there is nothing usual about pole dancing. As a form of aerobic exercise , pole dancing can burn up to 250 calories per hour. It also increases flexibility, improves body awareness and posture, builds confidence, and strengthens muscles. Pole Dancing classes have been compared to Pilates with...Read more

Summer’s Here – an ounce of protection is needed!

It is a well known fact that excessive exposure to ultra-violet radiation (UVR, also known as the sun!) significantly increases an individual’s risk for developing both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. So why do people still insist on sun worshipping and participating in outdoor activity without proper sun protection? Despite piles of data tying UV exposure to skin cancer, premature aging...Read more

Old Wives Tale?

I can never remember, is it ‘Starve a cold and feed a fever’ or ‘Feed a cold and starve a fever’? Ask and you will probably be told the saying goes ‘Starve a fever, feed a cold’. But to be honest we all should recognize that not eating is a detriment in either of these cases. As recommended by registered dieticians the best scenario when you are sick is to eat enough nutritious food to satisfy...Read more

Beat the Heat … Cramps!

When the weather heats up and humidity sores we are all on the lookout to prevent dehydration. We’ve been taught to drink up and replace lost fluids and electrolytes. But how do we prevent the muscle cramping that can also occur during this weather? Recently it has been suggested that diluted pickle juice , mustard or vinegar can help fight off exercise-related cramping . Cramps can be caused by...Read more