Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Geolocating soccer players

A GPS device provides ten data points per second, allowing for accurate evaluation of soccer players' acceleration, speed, distance covered, and workload indicators. The study found that midfielders have the highest number of accelerations and high-intensity movements during sprints.

SourceElhuyar Fundazioa·JournalJournal of Sports Science·DateMay 16, 2012

Artificial hips find some sports wearing

Patients who engage in high-impact sports like football and skiing experience better function and quality-of-life scores than those with lower activity levels. However, this comes at the cost of reduced durability of hip implants, with a 15-year follow-up showing an 80% implant survivorship rate compared to 94% for low-activity patients.

SourceSpringer·JournalClinical Orthopaedics and Related Research·DateApr 26, 2012

Shedding light on southpaws

Researchers developed a mathematical model that shows the low percentage of lefties is due to balance between cooperation and competition. The model accurately predicts the number of elite left-handed athletes in various sports, such as baseball, boxing, and hockey.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·DateApr 25, 2012

Sport fields: Catalysts for physical activity in the neighborhood?

A University of Alberta study found that individuals who live near areas with more traffic-related incidents are more likely to engage in sufficient levels of physical activity. The research also highlights the importance of increasing awareness about available facilities to encourage physical activity.

SourceUniversity of Alberta - Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateMar 8, 2012

Spectator rage: The dark side of professional sports

A deadly Egyptian soccer riot has highlighted the need for sports teams to assess and prevent spectator rage, which can be triggered by emotional and environmental factors. Researchers suggest that screenings and monitoring of fans during events are critical in preventing incidents.

SourceBoston College·JournalJournal of Service Research·DateFeb 6, 2012

Pro athletes bolster star status through team selection, teammates and career evolution: Study

A study published in the International Journal of Research in Marketing found that a combination of personal performance, team records, market demand, and teammate quality contribute to an athlete's star status. The research also highlights the importance of playing for a winning team and leveraging popular teammates.

SourceUniversity of Toronto, Rotman School of Management·JournalInternational Journal of Research in Marketing·DateJan 17, 2012

Baseball's winning formula

A University of Delaware professor found hitting accounts for more than 45% of teams' winning records, fielding for 25%, and pitching also for 25%. The impact of stolen bases is greatly overestimated in baseball winning percentages.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalJournal of Quantitative Analysis in Sports·DateSep 29, 2011

For kids, it's more than just a game

Research by Jean Cæté found that positive youth sports experiences are associated with coaches creating inclusive team environments, assessing individual progress rather than comparison, and providing challenging practices. This fosters initiative, motivation, and citizenship qualities in young players.

SourceQueen's University·JournalThe Sport Psychologist·DateJul 20, 2011

Painful legacy of teen sports

Research reveals abnormal femur development in young athletes due to high-intensity sports, leading to osteoarthritis and hip deformity. Athletes are ten times more likely to experience impaired hip function than non-athletes.

SourceSpringer·JournalClinical Orthopaedics and Related Research·DateJul 19, 2011

Research reveals new secret weapon for Le Tour

Research by the University of Exeter reveals that drinking beetroot juice enables competitive-level cyclists to cut down the time it takes to ride a given distance. The study found that riders who consumed beetroot juice had a higher power output and were 11 seconds quicker over a 4km distance.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalMedicine & Science in Sports & Exercise·DateJul 1, 2011

Thoughts that win

A meta-analysis of 32 sport psychological studies found that self-talk improves sport performance, but different types of self-talk work better for different tasks. Instructional self-talk is more effective for fine skills, while motivational self-talk boosts confidence for endurance tasks.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPerspectives on Psychological Science·DateMay 25, 2011

Record time limit

A study analyzing data from 61 running and swimming events suggests that improvements in performance will eventually slow down and reach a maximum within the next decade. The 'time to limit' is estimated to be between 7.5 and 10.5 years, which could impact policy implications for sports associations and federations.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Applied Management Science·DateDec 22, 2010

Being a 'good sport' can be critical to maintaining lifelong physical activity

A recent study investigates the role of group dynamics in promoting lifelong physical activity among teenagers. Researchers found a strong relationship between team focus and perceptions of cohesion, suggesting that teams with a balance of competitiveness and camaraderie are more likely to keep young athletes engaged. This research aim...

Bicarbonate adds fizz to players' tennis performance

A randomized, controlled trial found that sodium bicarbonate supplementation maintained service and forehand ground stroke consistency in tennis players after a simulated match. The study showed no decline in skilled tennis performance in players who received the supplement.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalJournal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition·DateOct 25, 2010