Knowledge Nuggets

Despite the critical role that rest plays in athlete performance and well-being, researchers and practitioners have paid little attention to the psychological aspects of rest. This study highlights that recovery doesn’t just involve recovering physically; it also involves recovering psychologically. Psychological recovery can be in part achieved through high-quality sleep, wakeful resting, and psychological detachment...

Did you know that volunteering at mega sporting events like the Olympics can help build social connections and enhance social capital among volunteers? A recent study found that volunteers formed ties with others through shared experiences, such as working together towards common goals and living in close quarters during the event. The research recommends event...

A recent study examined the reasons Norwegian youths provided for dropping out of organized sports and how these reasons depend on social backgrounds such as socioeconomic status, gender, and ethnicity. Overall, the most common reasons for dropout were prioritizing schoolwork, lack of skills, and friends quitting.

The fast-paced, acrobatic sport of breakdancing, or “breaking”, will make its debut at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris this summer. A recent study looked at the injury, training, biomechanical, and physiological profiles of breakers and found that they are at a higher risk of injury than other forms of dance, with knee injuries reported...

Self-compassion, defined as being supportive, accepting, and nonjudgmental to yourself, can be very beneficial for women athletes. Research shows that practicing self-compassion may help improve women’s sports performance as it reduces the self-criticism that can often bring women athletes down.

Optimal sleep plays a pivotal role in health and recovery for athletes. Throughout the night we traverse through different sleep stages including the crucial Rapid Eye Movement (REM) phase. A recent study underscores the significant functional contributions of REM sleep, shedding light on its role in human and athlete development.

Football clubs are making significant strides for the planet through innovative initiatives like Pledgeball, which harnesses the collective energy of fans to tackle climate change head-on. An examination of this campaign within a European football club revealed that by strategically aligning climate initiatives with fan identities and leveraging the sport’s distinctive culture, clubs effectively empowered...

Today, people are being diagnosed with chronic diseases at higher rates. Dietary fiber can play an important role in health as it can reduce the risk of obesity, diabetes, cancer and intestinal diseases. This important nutrient can be found in a variety of fruits, vegetables and grains and can be incorporated into your diet in...

Concussions among athletes represent a significant concern in the world of sport and medicine. Sleep disturbances are common among those who have experienced concussions, particularly among pediatric patients, and are linked to more severe symptoms within 2 weeks of the injury. With melatonin being a common sleep aid, a recent study looked into prescriptions of...

In the past decade, research on prosocial and antisocial behaviour in sports has grown. These behaviours, which can either benefit or harm the psychological or physical well-being of individuals, are prevalent in sports, and can be directed towards teammates and opponents alike. This recent study highlights the dynamics of such behaviour in sports.