Researchers found that synthetic turf football fields have a greater impact deceleration compared to natural grass, increasing the risk of injury and concussion. The study's findings suggest that considering safety in sports requires widening our view to include playing surfaces.
Researchers developed algorithms that can predict volleyball players' actions with over 80% accuracy, combining visual data with hidden variables. The algorithms also showed promise in predicting multiple actions across sequences of up to 44 frames.
A new study reveals that coaches displaying authentic leadership qualities can decrease athlete aggression and increase trust, enjoyment and commitment. Researchers found athletes training with authentic coaches are less likely to act aggressively towards competitors.
Research has found that former Scottish international rugby union players are at a significantly increased risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases, including dementia and motor neurone disease. The study's findings suggest that strategies to reduce head impact and traumatic brain injury in all sports are necessary.
SourceBMJ Group·JournalJournal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry·TypeObservational study·DateOct 4, 2022
A study of 15 transgender women found they exceeded the cardiopulmonary capacity and muscle strength of their cisgender peers even after years of hormone therapy. However, their performance was lower than that of cisgender men. The findings could inform policy on transgender women's sports participation.
Researchers found that calf muscle stiffness contributes to passive ankle joint stiffness, especially when dorsiflexed. The study suggests that exercises to relieve triceps surae stiffness can improve joint flexibility and reduce injury risk.
Research suggests that regularly exercising with weights is associated with a lower risk of death from any cause, excluding cancer. A weekly combination of weights and aerobic exercise appears to have an additive effect on mortality risk.
SourceBMJ Group·JournalBritish Journal of Sports Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 27, 2022
The Healthy-Day-App assesses time use patterns in children and predicts outcomes on body fat percentages, wellbeing, and academic performance. Shifting screen time to physical activity results in improved health outcomes, including 4.2% lower body fat and 2.5% better wellbeing.
Elite sports schools offer a balance between academic work and sports development, while regular sports-friendly schools pose more challenges. Students who attend elite sports programs have an easier schedule and better development opportunities.
A new mathematical approach to grouping theory uses math to determine the most effective way to organize individuals to maximize learning. The research found that like-skilled tiered grouping is better than cross-sectional or random grouping, when the end goal is improving learning for all individuals.
A study by PLOS analyzed Australian race yards and found no significant difference in performance between male and female jockeys. The research suggests that the sex of the jockey does not impact the physiology or performance of the racehorse.
Despite progress in women's participation and equal pay, sexist scheduling of major mixed-sex sporting fixtures perpetuates unequal opportunities for female athletes. Experts call for a rethink to enable women and girls to realize their full potential on and off the sports field.
A study by University of Kansas faculty member Daniel Thomas III founds Black male teacher-coaches in predominantly white private schools employ unique civic-oriented practices to counter historical anti-Blackness. They engage students and athletes in social activism, community service, and critical civic engagement.
Researchers found a lower concussion rate in Florida, where headgear was mandated, compared to states without. The rate was 0.39 concussions/1000 athlete exposures with mandatory headgear, vs 0.44 without. This suggests that headgear may be worth considering for high schools and other levels of play.
Research suggests that regular physical activity is linked to a lower risk of COVID-19 infection and severity, including hospital admission and death. Adults who engaged in at least 500 MET minutes per week had a significant reduction in risk, with the highest protective effect observed at this threshold.
Researchers found that NYC park users prioritized outdoor activities like walking, jogging, and biking during the pandemic. Social media data revealed concerns about social distancing, crowds, and mask-wearing, as well as specific incidents that reflected broader societal issues.
A study at University of Jyväskylä found that recreational runners who trained based on their recovery status improved their 10 km running time by twice as much as those in a traditional program. This approach reduced the risk of low training response and showed better performance outcomes.
Intravenous (IV) nutrition is being used by professional athletes as a regular routine, despite lack of scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness and potential risks. The 'food first' approach is crucial to avoid normalization of unproven treatments.
A new study from Edith Cowan University found that exercising six times a day for five days can increase muscle strength by over 10% and improve muscle thickness. The research suggests that daily exercise is more beneficial for maintaining muscle mass and strength, rather than infrequent, longer workouts.
A new study revisits a deadly 2021 ultramarathon event in China, highlighting the need for ultra-high-resolution forecasts in mountainous terrain. The model accurately recreated the storm conditions and offered greater insight into what may have happened that day.
Children are at risk of heat-related health problems due to obesity and physical inactivity. Fitter adults can better tolerate high temperatures, but research suggests children need daily physical activity to build fitness.
A recent study investigated the relationship between passive muscle mechanical properties and dynamic performance in athletes. The research found a positive correlation between the shear modulus of the vastus lateralis muscle and performance outcomes during high-speed activities, suggesting that passive muscle properties are essential ...
Adults who played sports in youth scored higher on grit scale than those who didn't; even brief sports participation in adulthood showed improvement. Grit is key to achieving long-term goals and persevering through obstacles.
Research found professional athletes show better individual attacking performance in matches against their former clubs. Emotions, rather than knowledge of opponents' tactics, contribute significantly to their success. Coaches and sports managers can benefit from this understanding, while bookmakers may adjust betting odds.
A University of Essex study found that three-quarters of professional footballers experienced general fatigue for 37 days and muscle fatigue for 38 days after recovering from COVID-19. Despite no drop in lung capacity, GPS data showed a four per cent decline in match performance.
A major public health concern, consumer product-related traumatic brain injuries have increased significantly in school-aged children, peaking in 2012 and declining in boys but increasing substantially among girls. The study highlights the need for awareness and training on screening and treatment of TBI in children.
SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 14, 2022
A study analyzing FIFA voting data from 2010-2016 suggests cultural similarity biases results. Captains were found to be more biased than coaches, while media people were the least biased.
The England Men's Cricket Team has become leaner and fitter over the past seven years, with a significant drop in body fat and substantial improvements in fitness levels. The study found players have 18% less body fat and increased cardiovascular capability.
A study of 11,500 athletes found that about 8% experienced persistent symptoms after contracting COVID-19, which can affect training and competing. The study highlights the need for personalized assessment before resuming training and competition in athletes.
A study by University of Otago's Department of Tourism found that the reduced number of event-related personnel attending the Olympics due to Covid-19 resulted in lower CO2 emissions. The study estimates a reduction of 129,686 tCO2 from expected levels.
A new wearable technology project aims to empower older women to continue participating in sports and exercise without fear of pain or injuries. The project, MISFIT, will develop smart textiles and footwear insoles to monitor injury risk and provide personalized advice to health professionals.
A study found that individual factors such as education level and health status are more influential on leisure-time physical activity than municipal resources. Commuting physical activity is also lower in rural municipalities due to longer distances and limited public transport.
A study by Stephen T. Casper examines how sports slang, such as 'punch-drunk,' influenced the conceptualization and treatment of brain injuries. The research reveals a culture that stigmatized sufferers and normalized male violence, making it difficult for medical professionals to diagnose and treat neurodegenerative disease.
A newly developed wearable sensor patch worn on the neck may predict concussion risk in high-impact sports like American football or judo. The device detects sudden neck strain, such as whiplash, and has shown a strong positive correlation with results from sensors inside a test dummy.
A new study by Ohio State University researcher Michael Betz found that fighting in the NHL does not reduce violent penalties, but rather increases them. Fights lead to more penalties, not less, contradicting league officials' arguments for keeping fighting in the game.
A decade-long analysis of hockey penalties reveals no evidence that in-game fighting reduces undesirable violence. The study challenges claims suggesting fighting serves as a deterrent, instead indicating it may contribute to more aggressive behavior.
Researchers found that COVID-19 policies significantly affected the mental health and well-being of people with disabilities. The study identified four groups: heavily impacted, resilient, adapted, and radically changed.
A new study found that children who participate in extra-curricular activities experience heightened wellbeing, while those glued to screens show lower levels of happiness and health. The research highlights the importance of encouraging children to engage in physical activities beyond screens.
A new study published in CMAJ found that youth hockey players with more years of bodychecking experience had a significantly higher risk of concussion than those with less experience. The researchers collected data on 941 players aged 15-17 and found that concussion was the most common injury, making up over one-third of all injuries.
Researchers at NJIT are developing a mixed-reality system that can provide coaches with real-time statistics, facial interpretation data, and remote access to trainers. The system aims to enhance training and decision-making in team sports.
A study found that intense training schedules are associated with a heightened risk of non-allergic asthma in competitive cross-country skiers. Skiers with high-performance levels and intense training hours were more likely to develop non-allergic asthma, which was linked to airway damage caused by cold air.
A large-scale study found that team sport participation is associated with lower mental health difficulties in children and adolescents. In contrast, exclusive individual sport participation may lead to greater mental health issues. The study analyzed data from over 11,000 US kids and adolescents.
A new study from the University of South Australia found that dispositional mindfulness can significantly reduce and protect elite athletes from stress. Athletes who demonstrated greater mindfulness had lower levels of stress, both immediately after a COVID-19-related shutdown and at the end of their competitive season.
Researchers found that the effectiveness of exercise depends on the time of day, with morning exercise reducing belly fat and blood pressure in women, while evening exercise increasing muscular performance. For men, evening exercise lowers blood pressure, burns more fat, and improves heart disease risk.
Researchers found that care coordinators identifying illnesses early and providing timely care allowed most residents to 'age in place,' reducing need for nursing home care. Exercise and socialization opportunities also improved physical and mental health outcomes.
A recent study reveals that 91% of athletes display dysfunctional breathing patterns, which can lead to increased risk of musculoskeletal injuries. The study emphasizes the importance of screening and addressing these patterns through targeted interventions and breathing training protocols.
A new method measures individually measurable aerosol values during exercise, revealing moderate aerosol emissions at medium exertion and exponential increases above that point. The study suggests special protective measures are needed for high-intensity training to reduce infection risk.
Researchers found obese and thin individuals misreport food intake by the same amount, contrary to official guidelines. The study suggests a reevaluation of public health recommendations, focusing on dietary risk factors rather than energy expenditure.
A new analysis reveals a decline in physical violence and a rise in symbolic violence among NBA players. Symbolic violence is framed as harmless by commentators, contributing to its increasing prevalence.
A new study from Finland found that adolescent athletes' motivation for school and sports are strongly related, with female students generally showing higher motivation for both. Male students tend to be less interested in school, but not in sports, suggesting a need for targeted support to develop their academic motivation.
Exercise strengthens bones, reduces fracture risk, and improves posture in people with osteoporosis. A consensus statement recommends a balanced routine of muscle strengthening exercises on 2-3 days and moderate impact activities on most days.
A recent study published in PeerJ found that excessive sports training can lead to lower mood states and reduced heart rate variability. The research, conducted on amateur road cyclists, suggests that monitoring training intensity and recovery is essential for athletes' well-being.
Major sporting events frequently result in cost overruns, as organizers underestimate visitor numbers and hospitality demand. The 2017 World Cycling Championships in Bergen, for example, incurred a €5.8 million deficit due to incorrect visitor projections and hotel bookings.
Artificial Intelligence can now identify legendary batting techniques used by Sir Donald Bradman and modern players. Researchers developed a deep learning computer vision AI model to detect lateral backlift batters from straight ones.
New research from the University of Georgia suggests that high school students who focus on one sport are more likely to get injured or suffer from burnout. The study found that over 42% of athletes reported a small level of specialization in one sport, while nearly one in five reported a high level of specialization.
Children's physical fitness and health-related quality of life decreased significantly after the 2020 COVID-19 lockdowns. Regular physical activity is crucial for maintaining healthy weight and overall well-being.
Scientists at the University of Oxford have developed an 'optomemristor' device that facilitates three-factor learning and emulation of biological computations, making it possible to perform complex machine learning tasks. The device uses both light and electrical signals to interact and consume very little energy.
Researchers at Norwegian University of Science and Technology found that passion is a crucial factor in determining success among top football players. The study, which compared elite and regional players, revealed that burning passion for the sport was the key differentiator.
A University of Essex-led study found that athletes who fixate on their mistakes and strive for perfection are at risk of psychological difficulty. The research suggests that perfectionistic concerns can lead to athlete burnout, causing them to view achievements as inadequate and create a self-fulfilling performance prophecy.
A study of 447 former college football players found an association between playing football and increased rates of cognitive and neurological disorders, as well as higher mortality rates. The findings suggest that football players may face unique health challenges beyond their playing careers.