Knowledge Nuggets

Combat sport athletes often use rapid weight loss strategies, also known as weight cutting, before competitions, but these methods can cause harm. Dehydration and extreme dieting raise the risk of kidney stress and long-term damage.

Masters athletes are often seen as examples of healthy aging, but research from the Australian Masters Games, drawing over 5000 participants, highlights class and gender inequalities that are leaving some people out. While celebrating the accomplishments of masters athletes, acknowledging varied aging experiences and providing equitable opportunities for everyone to participate are crucial.

A recent review shows that research on elite youth athletes often focuses on disordered eating, anxiety and depression and that risk factors for mental health issues include gender, athlete status, and social relationships with coaches, parents and guardians, and peers. These findings highlight the pressing need for effective prevention measures to safeguard the mental health...

Regular stretching is common among athletes as an injury prevention and warm up method. A recent study finds that regularly stretching before exercising and sticking to a routine can lower the chances of muscular or tendon injuries, especially in sports like running. Additionally, regular stretching may even improve balance and lower the risk of falling.

Training and lifting at gyms are a common part of athlete development, with many athletes listening to music for motivation. A study found that although preferred warm-up music does increase the volume of lifts and motivation, it does not speed up or change how the lifts feel.

Despite female sex hormones being known to influence thirst and fluid balance, research shows they don’t significantly affect overall water retention during rest or exercise. Although progesterone can alter internal body temperature, it does not appear to impact heat dissipation during exercise in women.

Injuries are a significant concern in sports, impacting athletes both physically and financially. With the rise of technologies such as AI, various machine learning methods are showing promise in predicting and identifying sports injuries, enhancing athlete safety and performance in sport.

While sports are known for promoting physical health, their mental health benefits are often overlooked. This study examines ‘Tackling the Blues’, a school program based in the UK that uses sports and activities to address mental health among students. Findings reveal the program positively impacted students’ comprehension of relationships, emotions, and stress, showing its potential...

Swimming skills and water safety are crucial for all water-based activities and sports, particularly for children and youth. Research on extracurricular swimming programs in underserved communities demonstrates significant improvements in participants’ swimming abilities and safety knowledge, leading to increased confidence in their skills.

Creatine, a popular supplement among athletes, enhances the body’s natural ATP production, improving performance during high-intensity exercises. It also promotes post-exercise recovery and may aid in rehabilitation after injury.