Articles tagged with Sports
A new MIT study suggests that most fantasy sports, including football, baseball, basketball, and hockey, are contests that reward skill over chance. The researchers analyzed thousands of fantasy players' win/loss records over multiple seasons, finding a clear signal for skill in the data.
Four UTA disability programs received the Martha Arbuckle Award for their innovative local committee projects. These initiatives focus on recruiting and retaining students with disabilities, training the general workforce about disabilities, driving disability-related research, and helping UTA reach full compliance with disability righ...
A study asked top German cyclists and field athletes to rate the effectiveness of various anti-doping methods. The athletes identified improved detection and diagnostics, increased bans for offenders, as key strategies. Increased fines and leniency programs were ranked lower in effectiveness.
Playing golf regularly is associated with increased longevity and reduced risk of heart disease, as well as improved mental health for those with disabilities. To maximize these benefits, golfers should aim to play for 150 minutes a week and prioritize sun protection and injury prevention.
Young footballers would benefit from more time learning to read the field and less on ball skills. Research suggests scanning should be taught alongside technical and tactical skills to improve awareness, decision-making, and technical actions. Coaches with higher qualifications and experience tend to prioritize scanning.
A new study from Linköping University in Sweden has found a significant association between lifetime sexual and physical abuse and the risk of sports-related injury in female athletes. The research highlights the importance of addressing emotional scars left by abuse to prevent overuse injuries.
A new study found unpredictable and potentially harmful levels of higenamine in US weight-loss and sports/energy supplements, urging consumers to use caution. The researchers call for independent testing and certification of dietary supplements to minimize adverse health effects.
The study found that global levels of physical activity have remained stagnant since 2001, with over a quarter of the world's adult population not meeting recommended levels of activity to stay healthy. In 2016, around 32% of women and 23% of men worldwide were insufficiently active.
A study found that athletes who feel more closely connected to their teammates are more likely to conform to their behaviors, including both positive and risky actions. The researchers suggest that teams should find ways to encourage bonding without pressuring members to engage in negative behavior.
Mentorship plays a crucial role in helping female athletes overcome sexism, bullying, and discrimination in sports. The study found that mentors provide emotional support, reduce delinquency, and instill positive work ethics. However, the researchers also identified mixed results, including gendered aspects of sport socialization.
A study of 1.2 million people in the USA found that regular exercise reduces poor mental health days by 43.2%. Exercise types and duration played a significant role in this association, with team sports, cycling, and aerobics having the biggest reductions.
A three-part study of 22 retired pro football and hockey players found no increase in the rate of early-onset dementia or cognitive decline. Standard neuropsychological tests and brain imaging scans showed minimal differences between groups, contradicting previous concerns about CTE.
Researchers assessed 21 professional athletes on neuropsychological measures, executive function, and advanced brain imaging. The study found mild cognitive impairment but no statistically significant impairment compared to non-contact sport controls.
A new study finds contact sports associated with an increased risk of Lewy Body Disease (LBD), which can cause Parkinson's disease and dementia. LBD was linked to problems with movement, cognition, depression, sleep, and visual hallucinations, independent of CTE pathology.
A new study found that following a Mediterranean diet was positively associated with academic grades and verbal ability in adolescents. The diet's effect on sleep quality may be an underlying factor contributing to these improvements.
A new study published in Heliyon found that elite snatch style weightlifters have stronger knee joints and more elastic energy, allowing for faster and more efficient lifting. Coaches can use this knowledge to improve training methods and help sub-elite lifters reach their full potential.
A recent study suggests that young athletes with shoulder instability can benefit from arthroscopic stabilization when properly selected. The procedure resulted in low revision surgery rates (6%) and high return to sport rates (82%) at a minimum follow-up of 2 years.
Current ACL return to sport criteria may not accurately assess young patients at risk of future injury, according to a new study. The study found that only 26% of athletes met standard return to play criteria after ACL reconstruction, with no difference in second injury rates between those who met and failed to meet the criteria.
Research by Penn State's Clio Andris found that universities attract athletes from afar, increasing diversity on campuses. The study analyzed data from over 160,000 student-athletes and found that Ivy League schools and less centrally located schools have strong pull rankings.
A study by the University of Kent found that mindfulness meditation can increase pain tolerance and mindful awareness in injured athletes. The research used Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) as an intervention for recovery, showing promising results. The study has major implications for treating sporting injuries at all levels.
A study by the UC Davis Violence Prevention Research Program found that televised sporting events in Chicago reduced violent, property and drug crime reports by as much as 25 percent. Winning games had a significant impact, with crime rates being approximately 15 percent lower during Bears Monday Night Football games.
A new study in Frontiers in Psychology found that basketball teams playing for survival in critical NBA playoff games are more likely to lose. The researchers analyzed 1,930 playoff games and discovered that the threat of elimination actually made teams more likely to lose, suggesting they 'choke' under pressure.
Researchers found that inactive individuals who tried HIIT for the first time enjoyed it just as much as traditional exercise, and 79% of participants completed HIIT outside of the lab. This study suggests that short bursts of intense exercise may be a viable time-efficient option for those with busy lives.
A study found differences in the brains of athletes playing contact sports versus noncontact sports, particularly in regions responsible for visual processing. The findings suggest that a history of minor blows to the head may lead to compensatory changes in brain function related to eye movement.
A new study reveals that poor motor skills are associated with poorer reading skills in obese children, suggesting that motor skill training may improve reading abilities. The study found that daily physical activity should include opportunities for practicing and rehearsing motor skills to enhance academic achievement.
Research finds that 54.7% of parents encourage their children to specialize in a single sport, increasing injury risk and burnout. Sports specialization can decrease enjoyment due to excessive training and limit cross-training benefits.
The study found that top-performing soccer teams exhibit greater total sprint distance, possession in the opponent's half, and entry passes in the final third of the field. This suggests that ball possession is a key determinant of success in soccer.
Researchers found that positive sponsorship agreements can increase employee identification with the organization, while negative ones can lead to turnover. Deals that resonate with employees' values can strengthen their bond with the company.
A new research from the University of Sydney suggests that athletes who delay specialising until later years may be more successful. The study found that younger swimmers were over-represented at lower age categories but relatively older swimmers excelled at higher levels.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found players with higher scores on vision and motor tasks completed on large touch-screen machines had better on-base percentages, more walks, and fewer strikeouts. High scores in perception-span task were associated with an increased ability to get on base.
Experts argue that the European Athletics Council's proposal to disregard pre-2005 world records is overly simplistic and unfair to clean athletes. The plan aims to address past doping violations but risks removing inspirational performances from history.
A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons found that female athletes experience a higher concussion injury rate than male athletes. Athletes with a prior concussion injury were three times more likely to suffer another contact sport-related concussion.
A study by UTSA researcher Seok Kang found that instrumental motives, such as purchasing tickets or buying merchandise, predict behavioral loyalty among fans. Ritualistic motives, like relaxation and social interaction, are associated with attitudes toward teams or players.
A new study published in Heliyon found that the cultural identity of rugby players affects their playing style, with players from diverse teams showing more serious and goal-oriented personalities. In contrast, players from homogeneous teams like the Māori All Blacks were more playful and spontaneous.
Researchers at St. Michael's Hospital found that more than 80% of sudden cardiac arrests in competitive sports couldn't be predicted by screening programs. Only three out of 16 cases were caused by identifiable conditions, and these were not common enough to warrant widespread screening.
Studies show that head impacts can cause lasting damage even without concussions, affecting brain connections and memory. Better helmet rules and concussion education are needed to ensure athlete safety.
A high percentage of adolescents in developed countries use dietary supplements for sports performance and immune system benefits. The study found that boys and girls cite similar reasons, with enhancing sport performance as the top reason among athletes and nonathletes alike.
A study characterises the clinical, physical, physiological and dietary patterns of the overweight/obese population with primary hypertension. The researchers found that a profile of high cardiovascular risk includes hypertension diagnosis, excess weight/obesity, poor cardiovascular fitness, and unhealthy dietary habits.
A study published in JAMA found that about 20 percent of adolescents reported having had a concussion during their lifetime. The prevalence was higher among males, whites, and those who participated in contact sports, with 11.1% reporting multiple concussions.
One in five teens reported having suffered a concussion, with 5.5% experiencing multiple concussions over their lifetime according to a University of Michigan study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
A study published in the Journal of Sports Sciences found that experienced male cyclists performed better when they didn't have to pace their efforts. The researchers used open-ended Time-To-Exhaustion trials and compared them with race-like Time-Trials, discovering that pacing restrictions hindered performance.
Men who are physically active in mid-life are nearly three times as likely to be active 20 years later. Sport participation in midlife is key to maintaining physical function and self-efficacy into older age.
A new study found that female youth soccer players who participate in only one sport, such as soccer, experience worse mood, stress levels, fatigue, and soreness compared to those who play multiple sports. Despite getting similar sleep hours, specialized athletes reported lower sleep quality.
A study by USC researchers found that women's sports receive nearly the same level of coverage as men's sports, with subtle sexism still present in mainstream broadcast coverage. Women's stories averaged only 77 seconds on SportsCenter, compared to men's stories, and are often framed in a 'gender-bland' way.
A study spanning 25 years found that sexist coverage of women's sports is often subtle, with women's athletes receiving less air time, fast-paced language, and game footage compared to men's sports. The study attributes this to 'gender bland sexism' in the industry.
A study found that brain structure and function changes persist even after athletes receive medical clearance to return to play. The researchers used advanced MRI to measure brain changes in athletes with concussions compared to uninjured varsity athletes.
Researchers found progressive differences between the brains of athletes in non-contact, contact, and collision sports, including reduced communication between brain areas. The study suggests that participation in contact sports may affect the brain, but does not reflect significantly impaired day-to-day functioning.
Researchers at Disney Research developed an algorithm that can automatically recognize soccer formations and defensive strategies from player tracking data. The algorithm outperformed conventional methods in identifying dynamic player roles and coordinated team behavior, with applications beyond sports.
A new study reveals that thriving in elite sports requires a combination of internal and external factors, including optimism, focus, and high motivation. The research found that athletes who are highly motivated, develop holistically, and have a sense of belonging tend to thrive at the highest level.
A new mindfulness program can help coaches and athletes at all levels develop a mental edge and improve their performance. The six-session program, developed by psychologists, combines education, discussion, and experiential components to increase mental readiness.
Scientists at James Cook University warn that concurrent training can impair endurance development if recovery is not accounted for. They propose a new approach to mitigate resistance training-induced fatigue, which can affect athletes' performance several days after a single session.
A study by Carnegie Mellon University researchers found that gift givers tend to choose superficial gifts over sentimental ones, even when recipients prefer sentimentally valuable gifts. The study suggests that givers view sentimental gifts as uncertain in their impact, but view preference-matching gifts as a sure single.
A recent study by the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine found that specializing in one sport at a young age does not increase the likelihood of achieving elite status. In fact, current high school and college athletes reported a higher incidence of sports-related injuries compared to professional athletes.
Researchers found that athletes who specialized in a single sport were more likely to suffer from lower extremity injuries. Specifically, those with moderate or high levels of specialization had a 50% and 85% higher incidence of such injuries, respectively.
A new arthroscopic technique allows patients with irreparable rotator cuff tears to regain shoulder function and return to sports or jobs requiring heavy physical activity. The study showed significant improvement in shoulder range of motion after surgery.
A UTA professor's study found that many parents have a limited understanding of concussions and their impact on children's futures. The research highlights the importance of educating caregivers to recognize symptoms and protect youth athletes.
A new report from the University of Kent shows how anti-gravity treadmills help knee surgery patients return to running, reducing fears and increasing self-belief. The devices use adjustable air pressure to reduce joint load and facilitate a safe transition back to sports.
Three common conditions affecting varsity and professional athletes include symptomatic lumbar disk degeneration, lumbar disk herniation, and spondylolysis. Nonsurgical therapy is recommended as the first-line treatment for lower back conditions in elite athletes, with successful recovery rates reported.
Research reveals that naturally produced testosterone in some elite female athletes gives them a competitive advantage in athletics events that depend on stamina and visuospatial abilities. Women with high levels of free testosterone performed significantly better in certain events, such as the 400m sprint and hammer throw.
A recent study by University of Freiburg researchers found that an individual's expectations and self-perception play a significant role in determining the level of strenuousness experienced during physical exercise. The study, which involved 78 test subjects, showed that those who believed they were more athletic or had faith in sport...