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Most forms of exercise are overwhelmingly safe – but don’t ignore the dangers

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.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalInjury Prevention·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 26, 2023

Extreme sports: How body and mind interact

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.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalFrontiers in Physiology·TypeCase study·DateOct 10, 2023

Alcohol 'promotion' detracted from success of Women's World Cup

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.

SourceSAGE·JournalJournal of the Royal Society of Medicine·DateSep 28, 2023

Swimming lessons often discourage kids from just having fun in the pool

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...

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Sports and Active Living·TypeObservational study·DateSep 27, 2023

College athletes experience worse post-injury outcomes for concussions suffered outside of sports

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.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalJournal of Athletic Training·TypeObservational study·DateSep 20, 2023

Amsterdam UMC study finds elite athletes safely return to top-level sports after COVID-19: no issues found in more than 2 years of follow-up

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.

SourceAmsterdam University Medical Center·JournalHeart·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 7, 2023

Active children are more resilient

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.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalJournal of Science and Medicine in Sport·DateSep 5, 2023

Study uses motion capture to determine what makes the best free-throw shooters

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.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalFrontiers in Sports and Active Living·TypeImaging analysis·DateAug 29, 2023

BU CTE Center publishes largest CTE case series ever in youth, high school and college athletes who died young

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.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalJAMA Neurology·TypeCase study·DateAug 28, 2023

A healthy diet, reading, and doing sports promote reasoning skills in children

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.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalScandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports·DateAug 17, 2023

People are more likely to return to parkrun if they are male, older, and faster runners, and if their event is smaller and near to freshwater and woodland, according to data from over 20,000 first time participants in Scotland

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.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Global Public Health·DateAug 16, 2023

A crossroad for women’s football – new study reveals critical concern for leagues finances

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.

SourceUniversity of Portsmouth·JournalSport Business and Management An International Journal·TypeObservational study·DateAug 15, 2023

Football participation and Parkinson disease among men

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.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateAug 11, 2023

Research details perils of not being attractive or athletic in middle school

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.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalJournal of Youth and Adolescence·TypeSurvey·DateAug 10, 2023

Sports media use linked to belief in rape myths

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...

SourceWashington State University·JournalJournal of Health Communication·DateAug 7, 2023

Sick of sports? WVU study shows flu deaths rise when pro sports teams move into cities

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.

SourceWest Virginia University·JournalSports Economics Review·DateAug 4, 2023

Hole in one, not hole from sun

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.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalBMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine·TypeSurvey·DateJul 31, 2023

Women’s soccer rated as highly as men’s

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.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalSport Management Review·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 13, 2023

Inadequate energy intake affects female athletes

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 ...

SourceAarhus University·JournalThe Journal of Physiology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 3, 2023

Ketone supplements worsen performance in trained endurance athletes, researchers find

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.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalInternational Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 21, 2023

International expert panel revises management of concussion in sport for optimal care of athletes at all levels of participation

A group of international experts developed a consensus statement on concussion management, including new tools and strategies for identification, prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation. The statement includes evidence-based recommendations for return to active sport, education, and light intensity exercise to aid recovery.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBritish Journal of Sports Medicine·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJun 14, 2023

International expert panel revises management of concussion in sport for optimal care of athletes at all levels of participation

An international expert panel has revised concussion management guidelines to optimize athlete care at all levels of participation. The updated recommendations include new age-appropriate assessment tools and strategies for prevention, early intervention, rehabilitation, and return to sport and education.

SourceUniversity of the Witwatersrand·JournalBritish Journal of Sports Medicine·DateJun 14, 2023

New high-tech helmets may protect American football players from debilitating concussions

Researchers have designed a helmet with liquid shock absorbers that could significantly reduce the impact of blows to the head, potentially cutting injuries. The helmet performed better than existing models, producing the lowest 'Helmet Performance Score' in key areas, including the side upper portion of the helmet.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 9, 2023

New in the Hastings Center Report, May-June 2023 Issue

The US has implemented laws banning transgender youth from competing in sports according to their gender identity. However, existing evidence does not support these restrictions, as they would deprive vulnerable trans youth of physical, mental, and social benefits. The article proposes changes to promote a more inclusive and fair athle...

SourceThe Hastings Center·JournalThe Hastings Center Report·TypeContent analysis·DateJun 8, 2023

New tool may help spot “invisible” brain damage in college athletes

A new study published in The Neuroradiology Journal introduces an artificial intelligence computer program that can accurately identify changes in brain structure resulting from repeated head injury. This AI tool uses machine learning to process magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and distinguish between the brains of male athletes ...

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalThe Neuroradiology Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 30, 2023

Ready, set, go: New study shows how marathon running affects different foot muscles

A new study found that marathon running causes significant damage to extrinsic foot muscles, while intrinsic muscles are less affected. The research suggests that marathon runners can take steps to prevent injuries by prioritizing recovery and muscle fatigue management.

SourceShibaura Institute of Technology·JournalScandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports·TypeObservational study·DateMay 23, 2023

Concussion in women’s rugby going unreported

A new study by sports experts at Staffordshire University explores how social identity influences concussion disclosure in elite women's rugby. The research found that brain injury is often underreported or not disclosed due to a strong sense of teamwork and obligation to play while injured.

SourceStaffordshire University·JournalFrontiers in Sports and Active Living·TypeSurvey·DateMay 9, 2023

Boxing can take the fight to Parkinson’s Disease

A new study published by Edith Cowan University found that boxing programs can improve symptoms of Parkinson's Disease, including fatigue and sleep, in early-stage patients. The program combined elements of exercise, computerized cognitive training, and socialization into a single activity.

SourceEdith Cowan University·JournalPhysical Medicine and Rehabilitation·TypeObservational study·DateMay 2, 2023

Pickleball helps older adults stay physically active

A pilot study by North Carolina State University researchers found that playing pickleball helped older adults aged 65 years and older reach their weekly recommended dose of moderate to vigorous physical activity. Participants averaged over 68 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity per session, meeting CDC guidelines.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalRecreational Sports Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 26, 2023