Knowledge Nuggets

How a coach interacts with athletes can be significant predictor of athletes’ enjoyment and intentions to stay in sport. A study of 202 elite-level artistic swimmers from 22 countries showed that athletes under the guidance of democratic-style coaches reported elevated levels of athletic enjoyment and expressed greater intent to pursue their athletic careers. This finding...

Athletes face a heightened susceptibility to disordered eating compared to non-athletes. Social and sport pressures influence disordered eating behaviours among elite athletes. Interviews with 9 male and female athletes reveal insights into the complex interplay between societal norms, athletic demands, and dietary practices.

‘Sports foods’ play a crucial role in meeting an athlete’s body’s energy needs during exercise. These nutrients serve various functions such as protecting cartilage, improving muscle quality, controlling weight, and much more.

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown how crucial sport brands can be in supporting fans’ mental health. This study, involving 770 sport fans, found that being involved with sport brands helps reduce feelings of emptiness and increases well-being.

Does mental toughness make a difference in sport performance? This review dove into research and found that athletes with higher mental toughness consistently perform better, especially in combat and individual sports.

Motor skill training doesn’t just improve performance, it rewires the brain! Athletes develop fewer but stronger brain connections through training, boosting focus and reaction time and giving them a mental edge.

Curious about your muscle type? This study suggests that the number of reps you can do at 80% of your maximum weight (1RM) reveals whether you have more fast-twitch or slow-twitch muscle fibers.

Nutritional strategies tailored to an individual’s genetic profile can significantly impact physical performance. Despite general guidelines, personalized nutrition for athletes considers genetic differences in nutrient absorption, metabolism, and utilization. Research in the fields of nutrigenomics and nutrigenetics suggest that sports professionals should increasingly focus on personalized dietary plans to optimize athletes’ health, body composition, and...

If you’ve heard the expression, “It’s not just what you say, it’s how you say it,” then you know that emotional expression plays an important role in how others perceive what you say and do. Research shows that coaches’ emotional expressions influence athletes’ experiences in different ways depending on how emotions are socially and culturally...

Sailing athletes are constantly adjusting to weather conditions, risking injuries to the knee and lower back due to the sport’s dynamic nature. Customized training addressing vulnerable areas and a tailored nutrition plan, including timely macro- and micronutrient intake and supplements, have been shown to drastically reduce injuries and enhance performance in sailing.