Knowledge Nuggets

High intensity interval training, also known as HIIT, is a widely used form of training to improve cardiac performance. Research shows that a 5-week HIIT program improved aerobic capacity and sport-specific skills for athletes.

Self-esteem plays a crucial role in both daily life and sports. This study finds that athletes in individual sports generally exhibit higher levels of self-esteem compared to those in team sports.

It was once believed that being slightly behind in a game could boost winning chances in basketball, but new research challenges this idea. Tests across other sports like football and rugby found no similar effect.

Sport isn’t just about competition, it’s also about having fun. For adolescents, engaging in physical activity can reduce the effects of stress, especially when they genuinely enjoy what they’re doing. This highlights how motivation behind physical activity influences life satisfaction and reduces stress.

Athletes’ body composition results from a mix of genetics, sport demands, diet, and training. Metrics like fat and muscle mass play a significant role in athlete health and performance, influencing factors such as injury risk and recovery.

Despite the well-known benefits of sport, participation tends to decline with age. However, many older adults continue to engage in sports for reasons such as health benefits, social connections, and a sense of achievement. To encourage greater participation among older adults, highlighting these benefits are essential.

In youth sports, coaches wield significant influence on athlete development. A recent study explores why coaches use specific leadership behaviours and their intended outcomes. Results reveal how different leadership styles correspond with distinct coaching objectives, aiding in enhancing our understanding of coaching practices for improved athlete experiences.

Competitive female athletes perceive their hormonal cycles as affecting their sport involvement, but rarely discuss these issues with their coaches. A study of Swedish cross-country skiers showed that low levels of knowledge about hormonal cycles are a barrier to communication. Strategies to increase knowledge and strengthen coach-athlete relationships can help to break down barriers for...

In aesthetic sports, athletes often perceive pressure to be thin to maximise performance. A recent study of elite-level gymnasts in Sweden showed a relationship between body dissatisfaction and symptoms of disordered eating over time, suggesting that monitoring of behaviours driven by body dissatisfaction, such as exercising for weight control, is important to identity athletes at...

Recovery strategies are key for athletes to combat fatigue from increased metabolism during physical activity. Nutrients like proteins, amino acids, and vitamins are crucial for supporting muscle recovery and reducing post-exercise damage.