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

Debunking the Myth of Running Shoe Selection

The Flawed Model of Running Shoe Selection Magazines, shoe stores, and shoe manufacturers have long prescribed running shoes based on an individual’s arch type. Normal levels of supination are needed to generate force upon push off, while pronation helps to absorb the force of heel strike. Some people have foot shapes that are more at one of the ends of the spectrum, though: based on the...Read more

Mom and Me: Active Lifestyles Begin at Home!

A physically active lifestyle begins to develop early in childhood. Almost 31% of Canadian children and youth 5-19 years of age are overweight or obese and if the current trends continue, by 2040, 70% of 40-year-olds will be overweight or obese . The importance of physical activity at an early age does, however, give us an idea of possible strategies to target the widespread physical activity...Read more

6 Steps to the Art of Delegation

Delegating tasks and responsibilities within an organization is crucial in creating successful workplaces. While it isn’t always easy, delegation done well can not only help your own workload and shows respect for your colleagues. While it may take more time up front, in the long run enabling other staff members to take over certain responsibilities not only frees up your time and head space, but...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

THE DEVELOPMENT OF PARALYMPIC ATHLETES IN CANADA

SIRC is pleased to be working together with Sport Canada to share current research on topics informing policy and promoting quality sport programming. This week we are sharing highlights of a recent article examining THE DEVELOPMENT OF PARALYMPIC ATHLETES IN CANADA. How Countries Identify, Recruit, and Prepare Future Athletes for the Paralympics: Case Study - Canada. Higgs C and Legg D. (2016)...Read more

Resolving Conflict within a Youth Sport Team

Being part of a team can be one of the most supportive environments to learn and grow as an athlete and as an individual. Teammates aspire to work together in harmony to achieve success, sometimes reaching a higher level than an individual could on their own. However, pushing both ourselves as athletes and our teams to improve can be a challenging process. Sport by nature can be competitive and...Read more

Shouldering the burden of Injury

The shoulder is one of the most mobile joints in the human body. As such it is very vulnerable to injury especially in sport. Most injuries to the shoulder involve muscles, ligaments and tendons rather than bones. Since the shoulder connects the arm and hand to the rest of the body, injuries to the shoulder can have a greater impact to daily living than other areas. Like other injuries, shoulder...Read more

NEWCOMERS EXPERIENCES WITH PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN CANADA

SIRC is pleased to be working together with Sport Canada to share current research on topics informing policy and promoting quality sport programming. This week we are sharing highlights of a recent article reviewing a research study evaluating NEWCOMERS EXPERIENCES WITH PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN CANADA. Fitting it in: How being new to Canada influences physical activity . Curtin K, Loitz C, Spencer-...Read more