SIRC on the Road in Charlotte, NC

Nancy Rebel, one of SIRC’s sport librarians, attended the Joint Commission on Sports Medicine & Science (JCSMS) Annual Meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina this weekend. The purpose of the Joint Commission is to provide a platform through which the leaders of sports medicine and exercise science organizations from the United States and Canada can convene to promote cooperation and collaboration on various issues facing sports medicine and science. The annual meeting brings together these leaders once a year for educational sessions and collaborative opportunities providing a concrete space for leaders to meet on a personal basis and network on these issues. SIRC is pleased to have been a member of this organization for many years and we look forward to attending these meetings to keep abreast on leading concerns and issues in the areas of sports medicine and exercise science and to provide support and networking opportunities.

The main topics of discussion of this year revolved around the following themes:

Sport trauma and overuse injury prevention in youth sport
Focus: STOP program (Sports Trauma and Overuse Prevention);
Risk factors: “too much … too fast … too soon”;
Safety first

Medical, science and health fitness of NASCAR athletes
Focus: physical and mental demands on drivers and pit crews
“metalthletes"

Opportunities for Influencing Governmental policy in the United States
Focus: Childhood obesity and promoting youth physical activity (legislation);
President Obama’s focus on health care reform;
First Lady Michelle Obama to announce on Tuesday Feb 9, 2010 her platform initiative on healthy lifestyles (including highlighting physical activity and nutrition programs for children);
CDC’s role in informing and advising associations in their policy advocacy efforts

New National Physical Activity Plan for the United States to be launched May 3, 2010
Vision: For all Americans to be physically active and live, work and play in environments that facilitate regular physical activity.
The target of the plan is policy makers in the United States

Nutrition recommendations for pre-, during, and post-exercise/sport
Focus: A position statement released in March 2009 by the American Dietetic Association and the American College of Sports Medicine on Nutrition and Athletic Performance

Miscellaneous hot topics of discussion:

• Young athletes and hypertension
• Heat injuries in youth
• Energy drinks and youth
• Concussions
• Osteoarthritis
• US to look into developing a certification program for coaches
• “Exercise is Medicine”; physical activity as a treatment for chronic disease
• Importance of evidence-based practices (applying research to practice)
• Mouthguards: relation to concussions;
• Relation to performance enhancement – do mouthguards decrease lactate buildup in athletes
• Doping and drug testing; in particular the prescription of performance enabling drugs (such as medications for ADHD) and the implications on drug testing in sport (therapeutic use exemption implications)

For more information on the Joint Commission on Sports Medicine & Science or any of the information detailed above please feel free to contact SIRC (moreinfo@sirc.ca)

Snack Time … Fueling the Young Athlete!

It's that time of the year when most kids are getting into the swing of their summer sport activities. For those with younger kids, introducing them to the joys of new sports is a rewarding experience. As parents, we see them run, jump and have a great time. At the end of the game there are smiles and excited chatter and the age old question: What's for snack?! So how do we satisfy their hunger and give them the nutrition their body needs?

Before the game, choose foods that are high in carbohydrates and low in fat, sugar and salt. Protein can be included just keep the overall amount relatively small, as protein can be slow to digest. Suggestions:

• Yogurt smoothie
• Granola bar, yogurt and banana
• Portable fruit or fruit cup
• Turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread

At half-time, kids only need small, easily-digestible snacks at most. More important is the replenishment of fluids during the game. If a snack is necessary, suggestions include:

• Bananas (cut in half for younger kids so they can peel and eat more quickly)
• Orange slices
• Clementines (be prepared to help little ones peel)
• Grapes
• Small slices or chunks of melon
• Apple wedges (sprinkled with orange juice to prevent browning)

Post-game snacks can include carbohydrates and proteins to help kids refuel and re-energize. Suggestions here include:

• Chocolate milk
• Fresh, frozen or dried fruit
• Granola bars or trail mix
• Fig or oatmeal cookies
• Crackers or bagels

Always have water on hand to keep their bodies hydrated and if you are providing snacks for your child's team please take into consideration allergy concerns for the other children on the team. Have a fun and healthy summer!

SIRC has compiled a few online resources for feeding the young athlete:

KidsHealth: Eating for Sports http://kidshealth.org/kid/stay_healthy/food/sports.html

Coaching Association of Canada: Snacks for Young Participants in Community Sports http://www.coach.ca/admin/pdf_admin/pdf/Snacks_YoungParticipants_March08.pdf

Sport Nutrition for Active Kids http://www.healthyalberta.com/HealthyEating/681.htm

Healthy pre-game, half-time, and post-game snacks http://familyfitness.about.com/od/nutrition/a/halftime_snacks.htm

Quick, healthy snacks before practice http://www.weplay.com/sports-parents/nutrition/4-Quick-Healthy-Snacks-for-Before-Practice

Youth Olympic Games

The first ever Youth Olympic Games got underway this week in Singapore. The Youth Olympic Games (YOG) is a sporting event for young people ages 14-18, balancing sport, culture and education. The vision of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) is to inspire young people around the world to participate in sport and to adopt and live by the Olympic values. The Games take place August 14-26, 2010 and feature:

• 26 sports and culture & education programs
• approximately 3,600 young athletes
• 205 National Olympic Committees
• 20,000 (approx) local and international volunteers
• an estimated 370,000 spectators

The next YOG will be the first Winter Youth Olympic Games and will be held in Innsbruck, Austria January 13-22, 2012.

SIRC wishes all athletes participating in the Games the best of luck!

Applause is the Parent's New Cheer!

Players play, coaches coach, referees officiate and parents cheer! They all have their role at a sporting event. It is pretty common place that parents cheer some form of encouragement from the sidelines in an effort to guide the child to experience a positive outcome. However, all too often, well intended parents become overly enthusiastic with advice and instruction. Turns out, this could be having a negative effect on the child, leading to embarrassment and affecting their self-esteem, at a time when their energy should be spent focused on the game, decision making and technique. On occasion, overzealous commentary from the stands has even escalated to the point that there is abuse of referees, and parents even getting into fights.

In an effort to curb overly enthusiastic parents during sporting events, organizations are starting to implement policies with respect to the amount and type of encouragement parents can deliver from the sidelines of youth sport. Last week, the Aurora Youth Soccer Club in Ontario, implemented a week of silence for house league matches to remind parents and spectators the game is about having fun, and to present the players with an opportunity to play soccer without constant instruction and noise from the sidelines, while parents were asked to cheer by way of applause and signs.

Hockey, no stranger to experiencing excessive parental coaching from the stands, goes so far to report that the number one reason cited for coaches, managers and officials of all ages leaving the sport is unacceptable parent behaviour. So last year, Hockey Alberta launched the “Respect in Sport Parent Program.” This one-hour online program for parents involves watching short videos on bad parental behaviour with follow up questions, in an effort to demonstrate acceptable, rewarding and respectful forms of behaviour and communication for all parties involved.

In cooperation with True Sport’s “What You Can Do: Parents,” which outlines promoting fair play and respectful behaviour, Sport Manitoba offers "The Guide to Sport Parents", providing scenarios, instructions, and reminders for parents who want to make their kids’ sports experiences as positive, constructive and inspiring as they can.

For more information on this topic, please visit SIRC.

Curling for Everyone!

While fall proclaims a new school year for parents and children, it also signals the beginning of the new curling season. Canadians have always taken their curling very seriously, and can justifiably look for medals (gold preferably) when it comes to the World Championships and the Olympic Winter Games.

As leading experts of the game, an important element of continuing high levels of participation and global domination is to ensure that the grassroots level is continuously developed.  One of the great benefits to the sport of curling is that it is a highly social sport that can be enjoyed across the lifespan.

Introducing this safe and inexpensive game to children in a way that they would not otherwise have access is key to attraction and retention, building the sport’s foundation. The Capital One Rocks & Rings program is designed to introduce the Olympic sport of curling to elementary school children, by bringing the curling rink to the school gymnasium. The unique floor curling equipment provides a realistic curling experience without the need for ice!  A highly interactive program with an emphasis on fun, the program is now entering its’ fourth year reaching over 160,000 Canadian students coast to coast, a testament to the popularity of the sport. The program also employs 40 instructors across the country this season, creating jobs for youth and providing them with opportunities to develop coaching and leadership skills.

So, while the Canadian Curling Association and clubs around the country gear up for a new curling competitive and recreational season, maybe now is the time to find out if your child will become the world’s next great curler and enjoy a generation of curling fun!

Contact SIRC for more information on curling!

Olympic Legacy: Inspiration for 2012

The 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London have made a promise to reach out the world’s youth in an effort to connect them to the inspirational power of the Olympics, hence they have developed the “International Inspiration” program. This legacy programme, a promise made by the 2012 Olympic Games bid team, is already changing the lives of less fortunate kids in underdeveloped countries. Inspiring them to choose sport gives them the chance to see that they have a right to play and fulfil their potential by participating in local sporting events with their peers, and in turn they will become leaders, positive role models and offer much inspiration.  With a plan to steer youth away from risky behaviours and towards healthy choices and inclusion, this popular program has already produced significant achievements with 19 countries (and counting) to date:

• 12 million young people have actively participated in physical education, play and sport - many for the first time in their lives
• Approximately 79,000 teachers, coaches and young leaders have been trained to lead sport, physical education and play in their schools and communities, learning new skills
• 21 policies, strategies or legislative changes have been implemented or influenced

International Inspiration, with their unique approach, works with policy makers, sporting practitioners as well as with the youth themselves. By doing so, there are changes being made in the way that countries are promoting the role of sport in the community and the school curriculum. Some of the countries already benefitting from this program are Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Brazil, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Malaysia, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palau, South Africa, Trinidad & Tobago, Turkey and Zambia.

This important project, in cooperation with the London Olympic Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) is supported by a unique partnership of organizations including UK Sport, UNICEF and the British Council. It will continue to focus on ensuring the program is sustainable and will leave a lasting legacy in these countries after its final year in 2014.

Contact SIRC for more information on sport for development.

Early Sport Specialization

Popular culture pushes the idea that to succeed at sports, children need to know at a very early age what sport they want to commit themselves to for the rest of their lives in order to get that future scholarship or to reach the professional ranks.

While there are a few athletes that have benefited from early specialization, there are more studies coming out that show that it doesn't necessarily give your child an edge and can often be bad for their physical and mental health.

Many pediatricians agree that children should be participating in a variety of activities in order to develop a wider range of skills and to help them become a well-rounded athlete.  Playing a variety of different sports throughout the year is a form of cross-training that is extremely beneficial to a young body's physical development.

Common issues with early specialization:

Overuse Injuries - Using the body the same way over and over again can lead to stress fractures, tendonitis and growth plate injuries that occur when the body uses repetitive motion and is not allowed to rest. 

Burnout - occurs when athletes push their bodies too hard with little or no recovery period.

Early retirement from training and competition - Sometimes young athletes can get so discouraged by injuries, burnout and competition that they lose all interest because they no longer find the sport enjoyable. 

The recommended age for sport specialization is around 12 or 13 years of age and until then children should be encouraged to participate in a variety of sports and overall, have some fun.

References from the SIRC Collection

1. Callender S. The Early Specialization of Youth in Sports. Athletic Training & Sports Health Care: The Journal For The Practicing Clinician. November 2010;2(6):255-257. 
2. Capranica L, Millard-Stafford M. Youth Sport Specialization: How to Manage Competition and Training?. International Journal Of Sports Physiology & Performance. December 2011;6(4):572-579. 3. DiFiori J. Evaluation of Overuse Injuries in Children and Adolescents. Current Sports Medicine Reports (American College Of Sports Medicine). November 2010;9(6):372-378 
4. Jones L, Petlichkoff L. Early Sport Specialization Versus Quality Physical Education. Chronicle Of Kinesiology & Physical Education In Higher Education. May 2008;19(2):5-7. 
5. Malina R. Early Sport Specialization: Roots, Effectiveness, Risks. Current Sports Medicine Reports (American College Of Sports Medicine. November 2010;9(6):364-371. 
6. Wiersma L. Risks and benefits of youth sport specialization: perspectives and recommendations. / Benefices et risques de la specialisation sportive des jeunes: perspectives et recommandations. Pediatric Exercise Science. February 2000;12(1):13-22.

Motivational coaching, is it a matter of carrot or stick?

Whether you are coaching athletes in elementary, high school or any age, one of the biggest challenges a coach can face is how to motivate their players.

To start, you need to establish your expectations, this will determine your role within the team and let your players know what kind of coach you are going to be. 

What's a coach to do?

• Know your athletes as more than just "players" who are put through drills.  Showing them you care will improve the chances that they will give more of themselves because you are.
• Discover their teaching preferences, get their feedback and their motives for participating.  Research shows that if these needs do not get met, the chances of players dropping out increase.
• Involve them in the teaching process.  Communicate to them the purpose behind those exercises and drills and how it relates to the game.  If they know why they are performing certain activities it's more likely that they will be less resistant when asked to run through them.
• Keep practices interesting.  Repeating the same drills every week is boring for you and the team, and does not help growth.
• One of the biggest motivators for players is positive reinforcement.  Praise can go a long way, so give verbal rewards for improvement and working hard.

Don't knock routines.

Coaches can be a great help in in motivating athletes by setting up a pre-practice routine.  Warm-up exercises are common, but coaches can do more by recommending proper eating habits, rest, and hydration which can go a long way to ensure quality practices and games.  Encourage all team members (including yourself) to let go of outside stressors and distractions to increase the ability to work together as a team.

Motivating players needs to be worked on by coaches in a consistent manner to keep getting the most out of their team.  This doesn't need to be an arduous task, so remember to go out and have some fun!

References from the SIRC Collection: 

1. Adams M. Problem-focused coaching in a mainstream primary school: Reflections on PRACTICE. Coaching Psychologist. June 2012;8(1):27-37.
2. Grant A. An integrated model of goal-focused coaching: An evidence-based framework for teaching and practice. International Coaching Psychology Review. September 2012;7(2):146-165.
3. Maitland A, Gervis M. Goal-setting in youth football. Are coaches missing an opportunity?. Physical Education & Sport Pedagogy. October 2010;15(4):323-343.
4. Palmer S. Revisiting the 'P' in the PRACTICE coaching model. Coaching Psychologist. December 2011;7(2):156-158.
5. Schupak M. Practice Makes PERFECT. Parks & Recreation. February 2008;43(2):64-67.

Talent Identification

SIRC Newsletter now available online: Talent Identification

The process of detecting, identifying, and selecting talent is an enormous and difficult challenge that has long been discussed by National Sport Organizations, coaches and sport science experts, among others. Currently, the majority of organizations have talent identification or talent emergence programs in place, with all of them having similar fundamental characteristics varying by sport. The challenges are that skills and aptitudes shown at a young age do not automatically translate into performance, talent is not always apparent by observation alone and that 'chance' can be a big factor in identifying athletes with the best potential for success.

Read More: http://www.sirc.ca/newsletters/mid-oct12/index.html

Coaching: How to deal with life’s littlest challenges!

Children are encouraged to participate in sport because physical activity and play can be a great outlet to help the body get out excess energy and release endorphins.  Children will test, explore their environment, and act impulsively sometimes but as a coach it's important to be able to recognize when there is a problem more significant than normal development.

If you have a challenging child on your team, there are few methods a coach can implement.

1. If you see the child do something well, reinforce the behaviour with praise.  Remember that children will want attention regardless if it is positive or negative.  It may not be easy to ignore troublesome behaviour, especially if it affects others on the team, so use that time as an opportunity to address the child calmly and help them to work through the problem.  It's important to recognize what caused the behaviour so you can be aware of what the child is experiencing.  On the other hand, if the child is too upset it's sometimes best to have them sit and watch the practice for a while until you and they feel like they can join in again.

2. Watch for potential warning signs.  Certain behaviours or actions can be indicators for depression, anxiety, bullying, or problems at home.  Children want to be heard, so take the time to listen and understand where they are coming from.  If a child's behaviour concerns you, don't hesitate to talk to the child or the parents about what you've observed. 

3. Provide structure, consistent limits and set firm guidelines of what you expect.  Children need repetition and consistency, so ensure your practices are planned ahead of time to avoid surprises.  Unstructured practices have a likelihood of increased disruptions and negative behaviour since children like push the limits of what they can get away with.  Keep clear and calm communication between you and your team, keeping in mind that shouting is not always an effective method.  For example, shouting at a child who may suffer from anxiety could have harmful effects on their self-esteem and their ability to play well.

4.  Focus on a child's strengths.  This is a great way to build up self-confidence and promote positive interactions within your team.

5. Encourage your team to have fun.  Many children put pressure on themselves or get pressure from parents to succeed in sports and this stress can push a child to act out.  Incorporate some games into the practice to get your kids engaged and happy to be out on the field.

A well-rounded coach will be the one who is in tune with the needs of the individuals within the team and can create a structured, positive environment for children to play and learn.

References from the SIRC Collection: 

1. Beyer R, Flores M, Vargas-Tonsing T. Coaches' Attitudes Towards Youth Sport Participants with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. International Journal Of Sports Science & Coaching. December 2008;3(4):555-563.
2. Curley J. Coaching a Swimmer with Attention Deficit Disorder and/or Auditory Processing Disorder. World Clinic Series. January 2008;40:465-477.
3. Flores M, Beyer R, Vargas T. Attitudes Toward Preparing Youth Sport Coaches to Work With Athletes with Hidden Disabilities. Palaestra. January 2012;26(1):5-6.
4. Grzegorek W. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in athletes?. Coaching Volleyball. December 1997;:18-19.
5. Hardy C. More than just burning energy. Journal Of Sport & Exercise Psychology. December 1993;15(4):470.
6. Heil J, Hartman D, Robinson G, Teegarden L. Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in athletes. Olympic Coach. Spring 2002;12(2):5-7.

Parental support in youth sports

Youth sport is a social system that involves children, peers, coaches, and parents, all of whom influence the development of a child's values, attitudes, social relationships and motivation to participate. When parents sign up their child for a sport, they want to support their child but also want to see them succeed.  So, as a parent how do you walk the fine line between being involved and being over-involved in your child’s life? 

Support

• Goal-setting - Create goals that are specific, measurable, realistic and challenging. Many coaches may already set short and long-term goals for individuals and/or the team - work on these goals with your child so they are more likely to do well and thrive.  
• Focus on skill development - Have fun practicing at home with your kids! Not only does it help them improve, it will create great family memories.
• Emotional support - Help your child deal with winning and losing, provide verbal encouragement and reinforce the positive lessons that sport can teach.

Pressure

• Expectations - Everybody has expectations, keep in mind that if an athlete cannot meet the expectations set out for them, they can lose confidence, feel anxiety/stress or dropout altogether. Discover what your child wishes to get out of their involvement in sports, ensure it is realistic and then help them achieve those desires.
• Winning at all costs - Without a doubt, we want our children to succeed, but problems can occur when the focus becomes that of gaining trophies, recognition, social status or 'going pro'. Try focusing on moral development and social skills like cooperation, conflict resolution, self-control, teamwork, fairness and a good work ethic.
• Getting caught up in the heat of the moment - Sports are exciting to watch, especially at high stakes tournaments, and sometimes we may shout out encouragement or instruction during a game. Done in the right way, offering support to players is obviously not a negative behaviour. It's when things get out of control - aggression, name-calling directed at officials or opposing team members, heckling, or even being over-protective - these can cause distractions or embarrassment for players.

Parents have their children's best interests at heart. Place emphasis on setting realistic goals, skill development and providing emotional support. Remember that most young players, even at the high school level, play sports to hang out with friends and overall, to have some fun. 

References from the SIRC Collection:

1. Kanters M, Bocarro J, Casper J. Supported or Pressured? An Examination of Agreement Among Parent's and Children on Parent's Role in Youth Sports. Journal Of Sport Behavior. March 2008;31(1):64-80.
2. Keegan R, Spray C, Harwood C, Lavallee D. The Motivational Atmosphere in Youth Sport: Coach, Parent, and Peer Influences on Motivation in Specializing Sport Participants. Journal Of Applied Sport Psychology. January 2010;22(1):87-105.
3. Lauer L, Gould D, Roman N, Pierce M. How Parents Influence Junior Tennis Players' Development: Qualitative Narratives. Journal Of Clinical Sport Psychology. March 2010;4(1):69-92.
4. O’Rourke D, Smith R, Smoll F, Cumming S. Trait Anxiety in Young Athletes as a Function of Parental Pressure and Motivational Climate: Is Parental Pressure Always Harmful?. Journal Of Applied Sport Psychology. October 2011;23(4):398-412.
5. Weiss M, Fretwell S. The Parent-Coach/Child-Athlete Relationship in Youth Sport: Cordial, Contentious, or Conundrum?. Research Quarterly For Exercise & Sport. September 2005;76(3):286-305.
6. Young C. The Importance of Putting the Fun Back In to Youth Sports. ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal. November 2012;16(6):39-40.