Knowledge Nuggets

Did you know that deficiencies in vitamin D, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and iron are common in female athletes? Managing athletes’ nutrition to prevent low energy availability and other diet-related disorders requires interdisciplinary cooperation among healthcare professionals including physicians, dieticians, and psychologists.

In the world of youth sports, we often hear how playing teaches important life skills. But focusing solely on practical outcomes overlooks the deeper, personal growth that happens. Looking at sports through a different lens, one that values individual growth and the journey of ‘becoming’, can uncover new ways young athletes learn and grow, offering...

It can be difficult for teenaged athletes to get enough sleep amid rigorous training schedules and competition stress, which can negatively impact health and performance. Research shows that structured sleep schedules and monitoring for signs of sleep disturbances are ways that tends can prioritize rest and maintain overall well-being.

Sport psychology, an important part of athlete well-being, focuses on how mental strategies can boost athletic performance. Specific techniques to aid athlete psychology, such as building team cohesion and boosting confidence, have been shown to have positive effects on performance, while factors like anxiety can hinder it.

Athletes often face psychological pressure from competition, which can impact their performance. Pressure training, which introduces competition stress during practice, has been shown to be an effective method for helping athletes develop coping skills and better manage stress in sports.

In competitive sports, understanding how to achieve peak performance is crucial. This study found that athletes with perfectionistic traits performed better in a 10K run and a half-marathon, indicating that a drive for perfection can enhance results in distance running.

Ketogenic diets are gaining attention in elite endurance sports for their ability to boost fat burning, potentially transforming performance. However, concerns linger about their impact on glycogen use and high-intensity exercise, with mixed results among athletes.

The relationship between mentors and mentees stands out as a pivotal factor in effective mentoring. This was highlighted in a study featuring 239 mentor head coaches and 239 mentee assistant coaches, where researchers discovered a significant link between the quality of mentorship and the improvement of mentees’ leadership skills. Such finding underscores the imperative of...

Mental fatigue is common among many athletes due to the high cognitive demands of sport. Mental fatigue in athletes has been shown to significantly impair both endurance and technical abilities, such as passing and shooting accuracy.

Training load monitoring is crucial in sports for boosting performance and managing injury risk. This study highlights that while the data from these monitors are complex, they are vital for making informed decisions and improving both player performance and overall team success.