Breathwork and stress reduction
Deliberate control of breathing, commonly referred to as breathwork, has recently garnered increased public interest due to its potential to improve mental health. A recent study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of breathwork found it may be effective in reducing stress and improving mental health.
Effects of pregnancy on elite runners’ performance
There is limited research on pregnancy and postpartum impacts on elite athletes’ training loads and performances. A recent study followed 42 elite runners during and after pregnancy and found that study participants returned to 80% of pre-pregnancy training volumes by 3-months postpartum, and close to half improved performance post-pregnancy. The authors encourage individualized, cautious, and…
Parental involvement in kid’s sports
Parents play an important role in their children’s sport experiences. A recent study highlights 4 things that parents can do to make their children’s sport experiences more enjoyable: 1) show that you care about your child’s sport by facilitating and prioritising participation, 2) listen and learn from your child to ensure you can engage in…
Sport climbing as cross training
Sport climbing is a new Olympic sport set to debut in Paris and is demanding on its own. However, it can also act as a complement to other athletic activities: a Romanian study found it can be a an effective cross training tool for youth soccer players. Over a 14-week trial, junior soccer players increased…
Gender equity in sport research
Did you know that within the sport performance literature examining female athletes and women’s sport, only 32-37% of research participants are female? Research on female athletes’ physiology and performance lags behind, with limited understanding of how hormonal variations during the menstrual cycle impact performance. Standardizing research practices and considering menstrual cycle phases can offer insights…
Skateboarding as active transportation
Skateboarding is often seen as a fun way to pass the time, and it will soon be known as an Olympic pursuit when it debuts at the Paris 2024 Olympics. It can also be a way to commute with important benefits. For example, one study found that teens who skateboard for transportation report higher levels…
No apparent Relative Age Effect in surfing
Relative Age Effect (RAE) suggests that there may be performance advantages to athletes who are born earlier in the calendar year as they may be physically, cognitively, and emotionally more mature than younger peers in the same age grouping. However, early research on the new Olympic sport of surfing reveals it may be one of…
The social benefits of sport event volunteering
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…
Young people’s reasons for leaving organized sports
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.
Injuries in the new Olympic sport of breakdancing
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…