Articles tagged with Sports
A cross-disciplinary study from the University of Cambridge reveals that a drought in southern California in the mid-1970s led to the explosive rise of professional skateboarding culture. The authors argue that small environmental changes can have profound effects on human behavior, stimulating cultural and technical innovation.
Researchers analyzed over 500 young skateboarders' moves, finding that flat ground, quarterpipe, and ramp tricks pose the highest risk of falls. The study suggests grading skatepark features according to popularity and expertise required to reduce fall risk.
Researchers at Waseda University used diffusion tensor imaging to reconstruct fascicles in three dimensions, finding that a gearing mechanism reduces individual fascicle elongation during stretching. This mechanism allows muscles to extend without significant fiber length changes, preventing overstretching and injury.
A recent study conducted by the University of Chichester examines the impact of high-pressure situations on esports players' performance, anxiety, and cognitive symptoms. The research found that university-level competitors performed worse under pressure, while elite players still experienced suboptimal performance and anxiety.
A team of researchers has created an audio feedback system that uses neuromorphic cameras and speaker arrays to provide real-time audio cues in three dimensions. The system enables blind players to track the ball and movements, allowing them to play table tennis with greater accuracy.
Researchers created a unique dataset from flying discs, enabling students to learn basic signal processing tools and data visualization techniques. The experiment uses Doppler shift to determine velocity, providing valuable insights into acoustics.
Researchers found high levels of a repair protein in the brains of former NFL athletes up to 12 years after they stopped playing, indicating persistent brain inflammation and long-term cognitive problems. The study suggests that repeated collision sports like football may have a direct link to long-term inflammation in the brain.
A new study links soccer heading to a measurable decline in brain function and microstructure, with high levels of heading exposure associated with changes similar to mild traumatic brain injuries. The research used diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to assess the impact of repetitive head impacts on verbal learning performance.
A UGR study found that physical activity wristbands can help change habits and overcome sedentary lifestyles among school children. The 'School-Fit' project showed improved daily physical activity parameters, including increased steps and moderate-to-vigorous activity.
A unique case of commotio cordis in a Romanian basketball player highlights the condition's rarity and importance of prompt intervention. The case, validated by ECG and video evidence, underscores the need for awareness and education about this reversible cardiac phenomenon.
The Otago Community Head Impact Detection study and Elite Extension study used smart mouthguard technology to measure head acceleration events in over 17,000 players. These findings provide greater clarity and confidence than ever before into the benefits and safety of rugby.
Researchers analyzed data from the 2020-2021 NBA season to investigate how far-right views impact immigrant workplace performance. They found that immigrant players in regions with strong Trump support were more likely to make game errors, while native players in these areas performed better.
A study of 54 former NFL players found increased levels of translocator protein (TSPO) indicating brain injury, as well as lower learning and memory abilities. Further research is needed to understand the persistence and progression of these signs over time.
A five-year study found that most sports and exercise are overwhelmingly safe, with injuries being rare. Fitness activities like running, golf, and dance classes have the lowest injury rates, while sports like football have a moderate risk of injury, with motorsports and gliding carrying significantly higher dangers.
A new study from the University of Copenhagen demonstrates that 10-20-30 interval training is effective for improving running times and overall fitness, even at 80% sprint intensity. This type of training benefits both blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
A recent study published in BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine found that playing golf, Nordic walking, or regular walking for just one session can improve immediate cognitive function in older adults. The research also showed that Nordic walking and regular walking were associated with enhanced executive functions.
A school-based cycling program improved adolescents' psychosocial well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, certain groups, such as males and students from high socio-economic status families, showed reduced improvements in mental well-being.
A study published by Vienna University of Technology analyzed the effects of extreme physical and mental stress on a rowing athlete's body. The research found that the variability in heart rate, sleep quality, and regeneration during sleep phases were closely related to the athlete's psychological condition.
Researchers used custom-designed headsets to evaluate headpulse biometrics among Australian Rules Football players and found brain abnormalities in 81% of those inflicted with concussion. These alterations lasted 14 days beyond expected recovery times.
Alcohol promotion detracted from the success of the record-breaking Women's World Cup tournament, say researchers. The 'thorny issue of alcohol' was highlighted in a broadcast of the final match between England and Spain, where a fan celebrating with beer was featured.
In Parkinson's disease, the cerebral cortex compensates for lost dopamine cells by taking over tasks, which determines symptom severity. Exercise can stimulate this compensation and slow down disease progression.
Researchers from the Netherlands found that traditional swimming lessons in the country often discourage children from having fun in the pool. By adopting a teaching style based on self-determination theory, instructors can nurture autonomy, competence, and relatedness, leading to improved swimming skills and increased enjoyment. The s...
Researchers found college athletes who experienced non-sports-related concussions had worse symptoms and more days in sports lost to injury. Female athletes had more severe symptoms than male athletes, highlighting the need for improved concussion recognition and monitoring outside of sports.
A study from Amsterdam UMC followed over 250 elite athletes who had contracted COVID-19 and found no severe heart issues impacting their careers. Despite some athletes showing slightly elevated resting heart rates, there were no significant differences in overall heart function or ventricular arrhythmias.
Researchers found that footballers wearing jerseys featuring small numbers were rated as more slender, while those wearing big numbers were perceived as larger. The study suggests that visual perception may be influenced by cognitive biases.
Research found that active children produce less cortisol in stressful situations and exhibit reduced physiological stress reactions. Regular exercise may also help prevent high cortisol levels during exams by creating a positive association with the hormone.
Skateboarders possess a unique sensory knowledge of cities, which can help mediate conflicts between those who enjoy and those who dislike the sport's sounds. By paying attention to sound, individuals can gain 'sonic' agency over spaces in the city.
Researchers analyzed data from 220,935 injured mountain bikers and 17,757 injured hikers to find the injury types and affected body areas. Most reported injuries were of low severity, primarily affecting upper limbs in mountain bikers and legs and ankles in hikers.
A tailored exercise program starting three to six weeks after shoulder surgery is the best approach for preventing a secondary shoulder dislocation. Patients who embark on such a program are twice as likely to avoid a recurrent injury than those using exercise alone.
A new study from the University of Kansas used motion capture technology to analyze the biomechanics of proficient free-throw shooters. Proficient shooters exhibited lower knee and center of mass peak and mean angular velocities, greater release height, and less forward trunk lean compared to nonproficient shooters.
A case series reveals that young brain donors with a history of repetitive head impacts exhibit severe symptoms, which may be caused by multiple factors. Further research is needed to clarify the association between exposure to head impacts and clinical symptoms in young athletes.
A new study published in JAMA Neurology found that over 40% of young contact and collision sport athletes have CTE, a degenerative brain disease caused by repetitive head impacts. The study also highlighted the importance of assessing symptoms and clinical presentation of CTE in living athletes.
A study by Texas A&M University found that pregaming is linked to unsafe alcohol use and other risky behaviors among college students. Pregaming was associated with a two-day increase in alcohol use frequency and was found to be around 2.5 times more likely to lead to cannabis or other drug use.
A recent study by the University of Eastern Finland found that improved overall diet quality and increased time spent in reading and organised sports enhanced reasoning skills among children over two school years. Children with healthier eating habits showed greater cognitive development than their peers.
Researchers developed a novel method using Google Trends to assess player popularity and demonstrated its improvement in predicting market value. The method involves calculating six indicators of popularity that can be compared among players, improving accuracy when incorporated with other factors.
A study of over 20,000 first-time parkrun participants in Scotland found that returning runners were more likely to be male, older, and faster. The event's proximity to freshwater and woodland also played a significant role in retention rates.
A new study analyses the financial health of 14 English Women's Super League clubs from 2011 to 2019, revealing a 'pivotal crossroad' in women's football. The study highlights critical concerns about league financial sustainability and proposes recommendations to guide the league toward a more sustainable future.
A new digital headset can detect subtle forces exerted on the skull as the heart contracts, revealing brain changes even in athletes whose symptoms have subsided. The device could help clinicians and coaches make more informed decisions about when athletes are ready to return to play after a concussion.
Research suggests football participation is associated with a higher odds of developing parkinsonism or Parkinson's disease. Longer football play duration and intensity are linked to an increased risk of diagnosis, highlighting the potential health risks for athletes involved in contact sports.
Recent studies have found no link between COVID-19 vaccination and sudden cardiac arrest in athletes. However, a small decrease in VO2 Max has been observed after vaccination, which may be temporary and have minimal clinical relevance.
A new study by Florida Atlantic University found that adolescents who lack traits valued by peers are at risk for adjustment difficulties. The study revealed that low attractive youth and low athletic youth became increasingly unpopular over time, leading to subsequent increases in their loneliness and alcohol misuse.
A new study out of the University of Alberta found that high-intensity interval training poses little risk to expecting mothers and their babies. The research suggests that engaging in physical activity during pregnancy can reduce the risk of major complications by 40%.
A recent study found that young men who regularly consume sports media are more likely to accept rape myths, even after accounting for negative masculine norms. The researchers suggest that the production of sports media around athletic events contributes to this connection, portraying men as hyper-masculine aggressors and women as tro...
A WVU study found that U.S. cities with new professional sports teams saw increased influenza mortality rates, with the NHL teams causing the largest increase. The researchers analyzed data from 122 cities and controlled for factors like population and temperature to find a significant correlation between team arrival and flu deaths.
A new review recommends raising the age of body contact in hockey leagues from 13 to 15 to reduce concussion rates. Studies show injury rates are four times higher for kids and teens with body checking, while eliminating it reduces concussion rates by over 50%.
A new study from the University of South Australia reveals that golfers have a higher lifetime prevalence of skin cancer compared to the general population. The research highlights the importance of sun protection strategies for golfers, who spend extended periods in the sun.
A muscle-building supplement called beta-hydroxy beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) has been shown to reduce plaques and increase factors for neuronal growth in mice with Alzheimer's-like pathology. The study found that HMB stimulates a nuclear hormone receptor to improve memory and learning in mice with Alzheimer's disease.
A three-month mild exercise program improved executive function in middle-aged and older adults by increasing neural efficiency in the prefrontal cortex. The benefits were particularly pronounced in the older adult group, suggesting a positive impact on cognitive function and brain function with minimal physical exertion.
A novel microfluidic sweat lactate sensor has been developed to measure sweat lactate levels continuously during exercise without interruptions from air bubbles. The device uses a larger-than-usual sweat reservoir to trap air bubbles, preventing them from contacting the sensors' electrodes.
Repetitive heading in professional soccer increases cognitive impairment risk in later life, according to a new study. The study suggests that establishing an upper threshold for heading frequency could help mitigate this risk.
Researchers investigated whether people rate women's and men's soccer differently based on player gender. They found that biased perceptions of female athletes' talent and toughness exist, affecting how we perceive their performance quality. The study suggests that women's soccer hasn't yet reached its full economic potential.
Researchers create interactive web-based game 'Fantasy Sports and Mathematics Game' to improve math skills among middle school age youth. The game uses real-life sports player statistics to engage students in building math knowledge and competencies.
The European Union's Doctoral Training Network in Sport Ethics and Integrity aims to educate a new generation of experts who can detect and prevent threats to sports integrity. The program will engage research on aspects of integrity in sports at the doctoral level, with a focus on doping, match-fixing, data protection, and abuse.
A new study from Aarhus University reveals that female athletes who consume too little energy through their diet in comparison to their training volume experience negatively impacted muscles' ability to respond to training. The study shows that insufficient energy intake can lead to changes in the hormonal system, including a decrease ...
Research found that girls with foreign-sounding names are more likely to receive positive responses when trying out for football clubs in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. In contrast, boys with foreign-sounding names had less chance of participating. The study suggests that cultural distance may play a role in this disparity.
A new study examining brain tissue from 631 former football players found that the cumulative force of hits, not just the number of concussions, was the strongest predictor of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). The study suggests that reducing the force and frequency of head impacts could help prevent CTE in athletes.
A new study found that football players' cumulative repetitive head impact exposure was associated with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) status and severity. The study suggests that reducing both the number of head impacts and their force could lower CTE risk.
A new study published in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism found that ketone supplements impaired performance in well-trained endurance cyclists. The researchers recruited experienced athletes who cycled for five or more hours per week, simulating race conditions before conducting a 20-minute time trial.
Finnish older golfers experience significant increases in physical activity levels, including moderate exercise and walking. Quality of life also remains high, with over 90% reporting good well-being during the pandemic.
Research at University of South Australia finds that concussions can lead to a significant increased risk of future injury, even after recovery. The study suggests longer recovery times may be needed for youth athletes suffering from head trauma.