Knowledge Nuggets

Climate change poses complex risks to the environment, society, and health, but its impact on sports has been underexplored. Take a look at this new model that outlines the health risks climate change poses to athletes, including direct threats from extreme weather and indirect effects like increased air pollution and infection risks.

Athletes often face psychological pressure from competition, which can impact their performance. Pressure training, which introduces competition stress during practice, has been shown to be an effective method for helping athletes develop coping skills and better manage stress in sports.

Athletes in combat sports have a high risk of injury, with common issues affecting the head, neck, and limbs. Proper nutrition, including proteins and omega-3s, can help prevent injuries and speed up recovery, making it a key part of staying healthy and returning to training.

In competitive sports, understanding how to achieve peak performance is crucial. This study found that athletes with perfectionistic traits performed better in a 10K run and a half-marathon, indicating that a drive for perfection can enhance results in distance running.

Despite progress, gender imbalances remain prevalent in many areas of sport, including research. This study shows that 66% of participants were male and only 34% female, highlighting the need for more gender equitable research going forward.

Ketogenic diets are gaining attention in elite endurance sports for their ability to boost fat burning, potentially transforming performance. However, concerns linger about their impact on glycogen use and high-intensity exercise, with mixed results among athletes.

Listening to music while exercising is a popular habit among athletes, offering benefits for both performance and motivation. Its effectiveness can vary based on individual music preferences, with some evidence suggesting a significant impact on performance.

The relationship between mentors and mentees stands out as a pivotal factor in effective mentoring. This was highlighted in a study featuring 239 mentor head coaches and 239 mentee assistant coaches, where researchers discovered a significant link between the quality of mentorship and the improvement of mentees’ leadership skills. Such finding underscores the imperative of...

A multitude of physical and mental health benefits for people who run recreationally span various age groups. Participation in running activities has been associated with enhanced well-being, mood improvement, and reduced levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, showcasing its positive impact on overall health.

Mental fatigue is common among many athletes due to the high cognitive demands of sport. Mental fatigue in athletes has been shown to significantly impair both endurance and technical abilities, such as passing and shooting accuracy.