Sport Participation for Elite Athletes with Physical Disabilities: Motivations, Barriers, and Facilitators

To increase the number of individuals with disabilities participating in adapted sport it is relevant to determine the motivations and athletic development of those who do participate in sport through to the high performance level. Despite a number of research studies examining motivations, facilitators, and barriers to sport for persons with a disability, the research on those competing at an...Read more

Key nutritional needs for athletes

Most people are aware that athletes require adequate nutrition in order to keep their bodies in their best shape for training and competition. And while every athlete is an individual and may require specific things to meet their dietary needs based on individual physical characteristics, training and competition schedules, and overall nutritional goals, there are some basic and key elements to...Read more

Getting to the Core of Athlete Performance

Core strength and stability training is performed by most if not all competitive athletes these days. In fact it is one of the few training forms that is effective for all sport disciplines. The core is central to all athletic movement, whether it is generated from the area or passes through it. It is the central part of the body that transfers power. If your core is weak or inflexible then this...Read more

Regulating Pre-performance Psychobiosocial States with Music.

SIRC Highlights from the Study Study background: For athletes at high levels, the ability to control one’s mind in the moments leading up to performance is a key element of pre-performance preparation. Music has been used by many athletes as a way of addressing pre-performance states in a variety of ways. Some use it as a way to calm their nerves, some use it to psych themselves up, some use it...Read more

Minimizing Jet Lag, Maximizing Performance

Athletes are travelling more than ever, flying across the world for competition and training. Even competing in the same country can require travelling through multiple time zones. At a time when athletes want to be in peak form, jet lag can interfere with mood and performance. Understanding of the body’s natural clock, however, can help us plan for and manage jet lag symptoms. Jet Lag vs. Travel...Read more

The Greater Incidence of ACL Injuries in Females: Risk Factors and Prevention

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the ligaments inside the knee joint. Connecting the femur (thigh bone) to the tibia (shinbone), it limits the forward translation of the tibia to prevent it from sliding too far forward, and contributes to the rotational stability of the knee. ACL sprains and tears are one of the most common knee injuries. Notably, females are 2-10 times more likely...Read more

Celebrating Canadian Coaches through National Coaches Week!

September 23-30, 2017, marks the third annual National Coaches Week! The Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) and the 13 Provincial and Territorial Coaching Representatives (P/TCRs)’s National Coaches Week is a week to celebrate the positive impact coaches have on athletes and communities across Canada. This week is an opportunity to recognize coaches for the integral role they play by saying #...Read more

HIITing the Gym: The Science of High Intensity Interval Training

Key Points: For sedentary populations, HIIT is the most time efficient – not necessarily the best – training type to increase aerobic and anaerobic capacity Elite athletes can include HIIT training to improve their lactate response and improve performance even after hitting a VO 2 max plateau There remain many questions about how HIIT works, best practices, and its real-world applicability High-...Read more

Static vs Dynamic Stretching

Warming up is essential for athletic performance, not only does it get the body ready to train or compete, it can improve performance and help prevent injury as well. And one of the essential parts of the warmup is stretching those muscles out. However, there has been a long time debate going on over the concept of stretching’s role in performance. Which is better static or dynamic stretching?...Read more

Time to do a gut check on probiotics and sport

Participation in sport and physical activity has always been associated with health and wellness. And athletes are commonly looked upon as examples of good health and fitness. However, athletes that train and compete at high intensity levels are often at greater risk for succumbing to illness due to a vulnerable immune system. Making sure to maintain a healthy nutrition, sleep and recovery plan...Read more