Officiating in combat sports

Judges’ decisions are an integral part of combat sports, from boxing and wrestling to mixed martial arts (MMA). However, data collected from more than 500 men’s and women’s mixed martial arts contests found the rate at which competitors fight (the number of strikes attempted per second) is more likely to result in judges awarding victory…

NBA bubble

In addition to helping protect players from COVID-19, the NBA playoff “bubble” in Orlando may be an example of a competitive equalizer by eliminating team travel. Researchers analyzing the results of nearly 500 NBA playoff games over six seasons found that a team’s direction of travel and the number of time zones crossed were associated…

Virtual Stadium

With mass gatherings prohibited, sport leagues are getting creative to engage their fans. The Canadian Premier League unveiled Canada’s first virtual stadium for a professional sporting competition at the 2020 CPL Island Games in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, which kicked off mid-August. The technology uses augmented reality to create a mix of virtual and real…

Soccer Hooliganism

Increased hooliganism and soccer-related violence are legitimate international concerns. Previous research has linked sports-related hooliganism to ‘social maladjustment’ (e.g. previous episodes of violence or dysfunctional behavior at home, work or school), however new research suggests incidents are linked to social bonding and a desire to protect and defend other fans.

Cycle Sprinting

Whether you’re racing for the finish line at the UCI World Tour event or your Sunday café ride, sprinting velocity is key to success. Research shows adopting a forward standing position during a sprint could give riders a speed boost of up to 5kph.

Match Fixing Risks for Athletes

Athletes can be victimized by match fixers who exploit their vulnerabilities and then compel them to go along with a fix for fear of being exposed for doing something wrong. Seemingly innocuous favours, such as an upgraded phone, quick access to medical services, or financial assistance, can later be used as leverage. In such situations,…

Creativity in Sport

New research is examining how creativity can influence decision-making in sport. Analysis of professional and semi-professional soccer players revealed higher-creative players made quicker tactical decisions on the field, and displayed an enhanced focus that prevented them from missing key information during the game.

Hole-in-One

Earlier this year, amateur golfer Gary Choyka sank a pair of hole-in-ones in the same round. The odds of sinking a hole in one are about 12,500-to-1. A second ace in the same round? 67 million-to-1. In professional golf, a pair of hole-in-ones has happened just three times in the entire history of the PGA…

Esport Fans

Esports (competitive professional video gaming) is a rapidly growing industry, with an estimated global audience of 335 million people in 2017, including 143 million active in-person spectators. But what attracts fans to attend live esport events? In contrast to the limitations of watching events online, live experiences provide fans with enhanced opportunities for social interaction.

Performance and Luck

Wondering about the impact of luck on performance assessments? Research discovered European football (soccer) league players who scored goals off the post were given more playing time and received higher ratings from journalists and fans, despite the role of chance (i.e. luck) in their goals. Given the existence of this bias in the highly scrutinized arena…