Knowledge Nuggets

Rethinking youth sport dropout: Researchers are challenging the idea that leaving organized sport is always negative. Youth may disengage for many reasons from exploring new activities to protecting their well-being, which highlights the need for a more nuanced understanding of sport participation.

Who sport reaches: Sport participation doesn’t unfold evenly. Large-scale evidence reveals consistent patterns in who sport reaches, and who it doesn’t.

Looking beyond the punch: Research reviewing combat sports injuries suggests that rotational head acceleration, not just direct blows, may be a critical factor in traumatic brain injury risk.

Eligibility, Ethics, and Women’s Competition: World Athletics’ decision to reintroduce genetic testing for the women’s category is drawing criticism from researchers and sport ethicists who question both the science and the potential harm to athletes.

Why girls walk away: If you could go back in time, what would you tell your younger self about staying in sport? Young women who left swimming, gymnastics, and ballet would participate for fun instead of striving for the ‘ideal’ body, stay involved after competing, push back against the pressure to excel, and be kinder...

Health Info That Works for Everyone: From menstrual health to menopause basics, these free easy-read booklets break down health topics in clear language to support independence and confidence for women Special Olympics athletes.

Menstrual Health, Missing Support: For women with intellectual disabilities, gaps in menstrual health knowledge can affect independence, wellbeing and sport participation. This brief report highlights where education is falling short, and why targeted resources matter.

When Recovery Means Moving: Early, light physical activity after concussion is linked to faster recovery. A major review explains what helps and what doesn’t.

Prescribing Movement: New curricula aim to make exercise a core clinical skill, not an optional add-on in medical training.

The Return to Sport After Baby: Canadian elite athletes report that lack of childcare and breastfeeding challenges make returning to training postpartum tougher than expected, highlighting gaps in support for new mom athletes.