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Boys from low income families move less

A new study from the University of Eastern Finland found that children from low-income families, especially boys, engage in less supervised physical activity and spend more screen time. The study analyzed 248 boys aged 6-8 years and discovered that nearly half had exceeded the recommended daily screen time.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalEuropean Journal of Sport Science·DateApr 3, 2017

Predicting future sports rankings from evolving performance

A team of Mexican scientists used tennis, chess, golf, poker, and football performances to identify universal features in hierarchical structure creation. They found that ranking hierarchies may be driven by the same underlying generic mechanisms as rank formation, regardless of sport characteristics.

SourceSpringer·JournalEPJ Data Science·DateDec 20, 2016

Evidence of brain injury found in young NFL players

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found evidence of brain injury and repair in young NFL players compared to a control group. PET imaging revealed higher levels of a biomarker associated with brain injury in eight of the 12 brain regions studied, suggesting a link between concussions and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJAMA Neurology·DateNov 29, 2016

Sex before sport doesn't negatively impact performance

A recent review published in Frontiers in Physiology challenges long-held views that abstinence from sexual activity can improve athletic performance. Research suggests that sex before competition may have a beneficial effect on marathon runners' performance and does not negatively impact performance.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Physiology·DateOct 4, 2016

What sports matches reveal about gender roles

Men spend more time engaged in peaceful physical contact after sports matches than women do, suggesting traditional gender roles influence conflict resolution. The study lends support to the warrior hypothesis, which proposes males prioritize cooperation over individual hard feelings.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateAug 4, 2016

Negative stereotypes affect female soccer performance

A new study found that subjecting female soccer players to negative stereotypes about their abilities reduced their dribbling speed significantly. The researchers discovered no significant relationship between reading negative stereotypes and flow or worry, but found that girls who felt more worried spent less time on the task.

SourceElsevier·JournalPsychology of Sport and Exercise·DateJul 14, 2016

Study shows attitude makes a champion

A recent study found that elite athletes possess an internal drive and commitment to their sports, which enables them to overcome obstacles. In contrast, 'almost' great athletes lack this motivation and may avoid challenging training exercises. The study's results suggest that attitude is a key factor in determining success.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateApr 25, 2016

UC Davis study says logos make a group seem real

A UC Davis study found that group symbols like logos and flags create the impression of a unified, effective, and cohesive group, even among diverse members. However, this can come at the cost of appearing less inclusive and warm. The research suggests using symbols strategically to achieve desired impressions.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateApr 15, 2016

Building a better concussion test

Researchers from San Diego State University have developed a portable balance board called BTrackS that provides fast, objective feedback on an athlete's balance disruption following a suspected concussion. The technology has been found to be about twice as effective as the most widely used balance test for concussion nationwide.

SourceSan Diego State University·JournalInternational Journal of Sports Physical Therapy·DateApr 2, 2016

Adapting training to age

A study by the University of the Basque Country found that larger pitches and more players per team increase physical and physiological demands on young footballers. The research suggests adapting competition models to match the physiological development of participants, particularly for the U12 age group.

Widespread use of meldonium among elite athletes, research shows

Research reveals widespread use of meldonium among elite athletes, with up to 490 athletes taking the substance during the Baku 2015 European Games. The study highlights that meldonium was detected in athletes competing in 15 out of 21 sports and that its use was significantly underreported.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBritish Journal of Sports Medicine·DateMar 9, 2016

Parental pressure pushes young athletes to doping

Research from the University of Kent shows that parental pressure is a key factor in young male athletes' positive attitudes towards doping. The study found that perfectionism and pressure from coaches were less influential on doping attitudes compared to parental influence.

SourceUniversity of Kent·JournalJournal of Sports Sciences·DateFeb 25, 2016

University of Kentucky researcher helps draft 'historic' position paper on nutrition and athletic performance

The University of Kentucky researcher has helped draft a comprehensive position paper on nutrition and athletic performance, synthesizing over eight years of research to provide evidence-based recommendations for athletes. The paper emphasizes the need for individualized nutrition plans that account for various factors affecting athlet...

SourceUniversity of Kentucky·JournalJournal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics·DateFeb 25, 2016

Depressive symptoms prevalent among Division I college athletes

A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that nearly a quarter of Division I college athletes reported depressive symptoms. Women were almost twice as likely to experience symptoms than their male peers. The researchers also discovered significant differences in depression rates across different sports, with fe...

SourceDrexel University·JournalBritish Journal of Sports Medicine·DateJan 27, 2016

Leadership study hints that age beats height

A study by Professor Mark Elgar at the University of Melbourne found that older athletes were more likely to be selected as team captains in elite-level sports. The research revealed a significant impact on team discipline, with teams led by older captains receiving fewer penalties per game.

SourceUniversity of Melbourne·JournalThe Leadership Quarterly·DateJan 19, 2016

Having the 'right' connections only gets you so far

A study of 1,298 NFL coaches found that junior coaches with connections to highly reputable head coaches are more likely to receive promotions. However, these connections do not lead to superior career outcomes in the long term, and instead favor those who missed out on initial advantages but excelled through merit.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalAcademy of Management Journal·DateSep 25, 2015

New sports technology provides a GPS alternative

SABEL Sense technology offers an alternative to GPS for tracking running speeds and distances, presenting a viable solution for improved athlete assessment techniques. The technology has been found to be highly accurate for running speeds, with potential benefits in monitoring training and game workloads.

SourceGriffith University·JournalSensors·DateSep 22, 2015