Knowledge Nuggets

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.

For years, youth sports have relied on positive youth development (PYD) and life skills approaches. With social justice movements gaining momentum, it’s time to look at youth sports through a new lens. This study explores how we can reshape PYD and life skills to address social justice issues like racism and gender inequality.

Smartphone addiction and its effects on academic performance have received widespread attention from researchers, teachers, parents and more in recent years. In hopes of mitigating its effects, a recent study, done on 250 undergraduate students, found that physical activity can be used as a preventative factor to mitigate smartphone addiction.

Ultra-endurance running (UER) is an extreme sport that is becoming increasingly popular. UER athletes run races that are longer than marathons, sometimes exceeding 6 hours in a day. Although rare, a recent study highlights the potential adverse effects of such activity that may lead to long-term health problems.