Articles tagged with Sports
A new study found that most parents have realistic expectations of their children's future athletic achievement, but a minority believes their kids will beat the odds. Parents who think their child has a strong athletic identity are up to 80% more likely to believe they'll become a college athlete.
A study of over 27,000 collegiate athlete sleep records found that early morning team practices lead to reduced sleep time and lower sleep efficiency scores. Male athletes averaged 30 minutes less sleep, while female athletes averaged 20 minutes less, with both experiencing longer wake-up times and reduced sleep quality.
A Brazilian study established clear cutoff points for body fat measurements strongly associated with physical performance of male professional soccer players. Body fat percentage, abdominal skinfold thickness, and sum of three skinfolds were linked to aerobic endurance tests.
A new study led by Mass General Brigham researchers found that a home exercise program combined with standard or sham physical therapy improved knee pain for participants with osteoarthritis and meniscal tears. The addition of regular visits with a physical therapist resulted in slightly greater pain relief, suggesting the importance o...
Research highlights the challenges of maintaining fat bike trails due to climate disruption and volunteer burnout. The study calls for seasonal strategies to distribute workload, create binational events, and implement recognition programs.
Researchers developed a generative AI model, BIGE, to generate optimal motions for athletes to avoid injuries and aid in rehabilitation. The model can produce realistic videos of motions that athletes can mimic during training or execute while injured.
A new study by Binghamton University found that transformational leadership techniques can improve athletic performance by fostering self-determination and personal growth. Coaches can enhance mental toughness by focusing on team goals and individualized feedback, leading to stronger player-coach relationships.
Researchers found a significant link between foot/ankle injuries and osteoarthritis in retired pro soccer players. Players who received cortisosteroid injections for injuries were also more likely to develop osteoarthritis.
Mike Leach, the mastermind of the air raid offense, will be recognized posthumously for his exceptional contributions to college football. The American Heart Association's Paul “Bear” Bryant Heart of a Champion Award honors Leach's larger-than-life impact on the game and communities he touched.
A Simon Fraser University study confirms that women's running shoes are not designed for female runners, prioritizing comfort, fit, and injury prevention. Researchers found that shoe designs shift over time with age and pregnancy, and competitive runners seek performance-enhancing features without sacrificing comfort.
A significant increase in pickleball-related ocular injuries has been reported among patients presenting to emergency departments. Eye protection guidelines are not currently in place, highlighting the need for standardized measures to reduce the risk of such injuries.
The American Heart Association has released its 2025 Coach of the Year Award watch list, featuring 28 college football coaches. The award, presented annually, recognizes coaching excellence that promotes grit, integrity, and a winning approach to both on-field performance and off-field life.
Community sporting clubs must prioritize personalized onboarding, clear communication, and recognition to foster stronger family connections. The study found that parents who feel supported by clubs are more likely to keep their children engaged in sport long-term.
A study finds that women runners prioritize comfort, injury prevention, and performance when choosing running shoes, highlighting a need for sex- and gender-specific designs that accommodate female foot morphology across the lifespan. The researchers recommend moving beyond scaling down men's shoes to fit women's feet.
Phillip Fulmer, legendary University of Tennessee football coach, is the recipient of the American Heart Association’s 2026 Paul “Bear” Bryant Lifetime Achievement Award. The honor recognizes his outstanding career achievements and contributions to the sport.
Researchers found that successful coaches engage in post-season introspection, focus on creating a good team culture, and involve athletes in finding solutions. By practicing critical self-reflection and learning from failure, coaches can sustain success in the long term.
Researchers found that time-restricted feeding can improve body composition, boost immunity and prevent metabolic disorders in high-performance athletes. Combining HIIT with time-restricted eating may yield greater improvements in performance without significant adverse effects.
Fitter individuals have lower resting heart rates and use fewer total heartbeats per day compared to sedentary people. Regular exercise can improve heart function and reduce long-term cardiovascular risk, according to new Australian research.
The SCoRE method assesses key football-related skills such as game overview, creativity, and passing in game-like scenarios, finding agility to be a central role. Developed by University of Würzburg researchers, the diagnostic tool is valid, reliable, and objective, providing actionable feedback for coaches.
A recent study reveals that private club and travel teams in youth sports have surged, with kids from high-educated parents and affluent backgrounds more likely to participate. The shift towards elite sports positions has led to increased costs and commitments for families, exacerbating social inequalities.
A large-scale study of over 17,000 pupils and 2,300 teachers found dramatic differences in physical activity levels across England, with some schools achieving double or triple the levels of others. The research highlights growing evidence that children in deprived areas face bigger barriers to physical activity, even during school hours.
A study published in Neurology found that amateur soccer players who frequently head the ball experience changes within the folds of their brain, including disruptions in a specific layer of white matter. This association was linked to poorer performance on thinking and memory tests.
A groundbreaking study challenges conventional wisdom on NIL policies in college football, demonstrating they enhance competitive balance and broaden opportunities for athletes. The research shows that NIL has led to a wider distribution of talent across college programs, directly benefiting athletes seeking to maximize their brands an...
Researchers developed novel biomisic fiber/sodium alginate aerogels for flexible pressure sensors, mimicking cat vibrissae and FSCs to achieve excellent sensitivity, durability, and rapid response. The sensors demonstrated promising applications in human physiological monitoring, motion analysis, and sports analytics.
Researchers developed a novel method to precisely measure tissue deformation, providing highly accurate measurements to enhance compression-based apparel. The approach minimizes motion artifacts, offering actionable insights on material properties and garment design.
Researchers from Tokyo University of Science found that sucrose monolaurate preserves enzyme activity in sweat by forming a protective barrier. This study paves the way for more durable and reliable lactic acid sweat sensors, enabling real-time health monitoring.
A study by Waseda University researchers found that cultural cognitive biases impact the explicit aspects of visuomotor adaptations, influencing motor learning outcomes. The findings suggest that verbal reports used in rehabilitation and sports training may be misinterpreted due to cultural prejudices.
Research reveals Major League Baseball teams prioritize player health differently depending on contract status, with temporary players missing fewer games due to injury. This suggests teams may invest less in the long-term health of non-permanent players.
The Journal of Applied Sports Sciences has transitioned to the ARPHA platform, enhancing accessibility and visibility of research in sports sciences. The journal operates under a Diamond Open Access model, allowing for free access to all research outputs without article processing charges.
Using 3D computational fluid dynamics simulations, researchers explored the impact of pre-spin on shuttlecock trajectories during spin serves. They found that pre-spin can prolong the oscillation phase and affect the stability of the serve, offering insights for players to refine their serving skills.
Participation in Finnish youth sports clubs has significantly increased since the 1980s, particularly among girls. However, rural areas and low-income families continue to face significant barriers to accessing sports opportunities due to rising costs and limited accessibility.
New research by the University of South Australia highlights the positive impacts of women's sporting events on host communities, including tourism growth and economic benefits. The study found that residents support these events for promoting women's sports, improving gender equality, and boosting national image.
The award is part of EA SPORTS College Football 26's Dynasty Mode and allows players to compete for the honor. The partnership with American Heart Association aims to promote heart health in college football.
Research by sports scientists reveals that high-performance athletes face unique mental health challenges despite the well-established benefits of physical activity for depression prevention and treatment. The study highlights specific pressures faced by elite athletes, including performance nerves, injury concerns, and identity crises.
A study by the University of Jyväskylä reveals an intergenerational link between parents' and their children's school commuting habits. Parents' own experiences and attitudes towards walking or cycling to school influence how they support and enable their children's physically active commuting.
The University of Bath conducted the largest growth and maturation study in world football, evaluating over 1,000 academy players in Scotland. The study found a strong bias toward early-developing players, raising questions about current selection and development practices.
Researchers analyzed 180-degree directional changes in soccer ball-trapping to identify key factors influencing performance. Advanced players executed trapping actions with greater accuracy, absorbing momentum more effectively and rotating their bodies towards intended movement directions.
A new study from the University of Florida found that college athletes are increasingly recognizing themselves as influencers with distinct voices and causes. Athletes are leveraging NIL opportunities to promote causes, build connections with communities, and explore career pathways after college.
A comprehensive analysis shows that sports fandom stems from evolutionarily ingrained tendencies which enhance social unity and therefore survival. The study highlights the role of cognitive biases, emotional connections, and heuristics in sustaining fans' beliefs.
Junk food brands have over 90 partnerships with top UK sports, including football and Formula 1, despite growing concerns over their impact on public health. Experts call for a ban on junk food sponsorship of sports to protect children's health.
Researchers discovered that people with certain personality traits may benefit from specific workouts, with those high in neuroticism showing a strong reduction in stress after exercise. The study highlights the importance of finding enjoyable physical activities to improve commitment and engagement.
A Danish study of 5,205 runners reveals that injury risk increases exponentially with distance increase in a single training session. The study challenges the current algorithm used by sports watches to prevent running injuries, which is based on thin scientific grounds.
A study by Surrey researchers found that body image worries and pressure from parents, coaches, and schools are major reasons why many young women quit sports. The study suggests that making sports feel safe and supportive can help retain girls in the game.
A new study suggests current return-to-play protocols for community sport athletes may not be enough to ensure player safety following a concussion. Researchers recommend symptom-based assessments and personalized rehabilitation plans to support recovery and reduce the risk of reinjury.
A recent study by the University of South Australia found that almost half of Australian Rules Football umpires have experienced verbal abuse, while one in five reported physical abuse. The survey also highlighted the need for support and communication between umpires, clubs, and authorities to prevent such incidents.
A new study by Flinders University highlights the importance of a 'whole-club' approach to youth mental health promotion in sporting clubs. The research found that initiatives often focus on coaches alone, but must be embedded in club culture and routines to create lasting change.
A world-first study suggests that a person's marathon potential may be identified through a simple check of their hands. Lower digit ratio is linked to cardiorespiratory fitness and exercise tolerance. This biomarker could help coaches identify talent or recreational athletes understand their endurance potential.
A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals that sports fans' emotional arousal peaks during pre-game rituals, not during the game itself. Physiological data from a Brazilian soccer fan club shows sustained arousal levels comparable to the game.
Researchers found that passionate fans show more activity in the dorsal medial prefrontal cortex during offensive faceoff opportunities, indicating emotional involvement and evaluative thinking. The study used functional near-infrared spectroscopy to track brain activity in 20 participants watching a professional European ice hockey game.
Researchers evaluated 56 studies on Apple Watch accuracy, finding that heart rate and step counts are generally accurate, but energy expenditure is less reliable. The study suggests that wearable devices can be a helpful guide for tracking habits but should not replace clinical tools or medical judgment.
Research led by Amsterdam UMC reveals the hearts of female elite athletes have different characteristics compared to their male counterparts. Female athletes exhibit dilation of the heart chambers, whereas males show thickening in combination with a dilation of the heart muscle. This finding can aid doctors in identifying possible hear...
Research by sociologist Sara Wiertsema found that young adults tend to exercise less after starting their first job. However, an activating social and work environment can help them maintain physical activity levels. Young people are more likely to continue exercising if they receive social support from colleagues or friends.
A new study from the University of Surrey and Université du Québec à Montréal found that controlling coaching styles disrupt athletes' physical and psychological strain. Autonomy-supportive coaches boost mental resilience, while controlling tactics lead to acute stress and burnout.
A space-saving version of boccia, called Boccia XR, has been developed as a rehabilitation program for older adults. Participants showed improved moods, vitality, and energy after experiencing both Boccia XR and traditional boccia, with increased muscle activity in the rectus femoris during both types of boccia.
A randomized clinical trial with 30 female participants found that neither hot nor cold water immersion improved muscle recovery from exercise-induced damage. Despite physiological differences between groups, none showed significant improvements in muscle soreness or swelling.
Researchers found that NFL players are 3.7 times more likely to suffer a tear of the extensor mechanism during a short rest week than a long rest week or resting less than seven days.
A recent study by Penn State researchers found that chronic energy deficiency in collegiate female endurance runners negatively impacts their performance and training benefits. Runners with insufficient energy intake had slower race times and reduced training benefits, but these effects can be reversed by increasing calories.
A new study surveyed 147 elite female athletes from various sports and countries, finding that more believed it was fair (43%) than unfair (36%) for athletes with DSD to compete in the female category. The majority also deemed it unethical to require such athletes to medicate for eligibility.
A study found that genetic predisposition to higher muscle strength is associated with lower all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in aging men. The association remained significant even after adjusting for lifestyle factors such as smoking and body mass index.
A recent study found that women are more metabolically efficient under extreme conditions, closing the performance gap with men. Women's greater fat mass may contribute to this advantage, enabling them to complete longer distances without burning out.