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Can Canada’s health systems handle increased demand during FIFA World Cup?

A recent editorial cautions that Canada's health systems may struggle to cope with the influx of patients during the upcoming FIFA World Cup. The article highlights concerns about overburdened hospitals and emergency departments, as well as the need for a national plan to bolster capacity and train personnel.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJan 19, 2026

Female athlete health, well-being focus of updated report

A new consensus statement provides evidence-based guidance for screening, diagnosis, treatment, and return-to-play protocols for female athletes. The updated report includes a first-of-its-kind adolescent model of the Female Athlete Triad, addressing energy deficiency in growing adolescents.

SourcePenn State·JournalSports Medicine·TypeLiterature review·DateJan 13, 2026

Does losing weight make an athlete better?

A study found that reducing body fat percentage improves long-distance running and cross-country skiing performance, but converting body fat into muscle tissue is a more effective way for female athletes to optimize their body composition. Training and dietary habits that promote muscle growth outweigh the benefits of weight loss.

SourceUniversity of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto·JournalInternational Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance·DateDec 9, 2025

Turning team spirit into wildlife action

A new international study reveals that nearly 25% of professional sports teams worldwide feature a wild animal in its name, logo, or fan identity, with over half of these teams using threatened species. The researchers argue that sport organisations could actively support conservation through awareness campaigns and partnerships.

SourceFlinders University·JournalBioScience·TypeSystematic review·DateDec 4, 2025

Will my kid be a pro athlete? Study finds what parents think

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.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Sport and Social Issues·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 20, 2025

How early morning practices affect college athletes’ sleep

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.

SourceOhio State University·JournalThe Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research·TypeObservational study·DateNov 17, 2025

Key body fat thresholds linked to performance in professional soccer players: According to a Brazilian study

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.

SourceShanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center·JournalTranslational Exercise Biomedicine·TypeNews article·DateNov 5, 2025

Study finds improvement in knee pain with exercise and physical therapy

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...

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 29, 2025

Coaches can boost athletes’ mental toughness with this leadership style

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.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalInternational Journal of Sports Science & Coaching·TypeSurvey·DateOct 24, 2025

Ditch ‘shrink it and pink it’ approach to women’s running shoes, manufacturers urged

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.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateOct 14, 2025

What makes a great coach?

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.

SourceMcGill University·JournalJournal of Applied Sport Psychology·TypeSurvey·DateOct 8, 2025

Football: Innovative performance diagnostics for girls

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.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalGerman Journal of Exercise and Sport Research·TypeNews article·DateSep 26, 2025

Major study reveals stark inequalities in children’s in-school physical activity across English Primary Schools

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.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalJournal of Physical Activity and Health·DateSep 25, 2025

A rapid rise of private club and travel teams in youth sports

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.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Sport and Social Issues·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 25, 2025

How NIL boosts college football’s competitive balance

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...

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalManagement Science·DateSep 15, 2025

Highly sensitive, next-generation wearable pressure sensors inspired by cat whiskers

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.

SourceShinshu University·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 10, 2025

PolyU research boosts garment fit and performance for sports and medical apparel with groundbreaking anthropometric method to precisely measure tissue deformation

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.

SourceThe Hong Kong Polytechnic University·JournalFrontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology·DateSep 4, 2025

A serve with serious swerve

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.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateAug 19, 2025

Did you walk or cycle to school as a child? Your children are likely to follow in your footsteps

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.

SourceUniversity of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto·JournalEuropean Journal of Public Health·DateAug 8, 2025

Footy umpires blow the whistle on abuse

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.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalThe International Journal of Sport and Society·TypeSurvey·DateJun 26, 2025

Pointing to success: Marathon potential is in your hands – literally

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.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Biology·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJun 10, 2025

Let’s all club together for better mental health

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.

SourceFlinders University·JournalQualitative Research in Sport Exercise and Health·TypeSurvey·DateJun 10, 2025