Napping and increased performance
Sleep plays a crucial role in all aspects of activity, particularly in sports. A recent study on 291 adult male participants revealed that combining a regular night of sleep with a nap resulted in enhanced cognitive and physical performance, as well as reduced perception of fatigue.
Rest and injury
Rest and sleep are key parts of maintaining physical health and recovering from potential injuries. This is true even outside of competition season, a recent study done on preseason rugby athletes found that longer sleep duration during the preseason may assist in enhancing physical qualities including aerobic capacity and body composition.
Machine learning and injury
Injuries are common in sports and can have significant physical, psychological and financial consequences. A recent study found that current machine learning methods can be used to identify athletes at high risk of injury and be helpful to detect the most important injury risk factors.
Foam rolling for recovery
Stretching and getting warmed up plays a key part in athlete recovery and injury prevention. A recent study found favourable effects of foam rolling on performance compared to static stretching, when applied to some muscles such as quadriceps.
Whole body cryotherapy for recovery
Cold therapy is a widely adopted practice for alleviating pain symptoms, mitigating inflammation in chronic diseases, and addressing musculoskeletal injuries. While partial body cryotherapy has proven effective, a recent study underscores the potential advantages of whole-body cryotherapy, indicating its recovery properties as a valuable tool in sports medicine.
Rest and injury
Rest and sleep are key parts of maintaining physical health and recovering from potential injuries. This is true even outside of competition season. A recent study, done on preseason rugby athletes, found that longer sleep duration during the preseason may assist in enhancing physical qualities including aerobic capacity and body composition.
Exercise and Sleep
Exercise is a key factor in maintenance of good sleep quality. A recent study highlights that a sufficient amount of moderate – to high-intensity exercise can improve the quality of sleep and prevent insomnia. However, physical activity in the late evening may lower melatonin levels and negatively impact sleep.
Remedies for chronic pain
Chronic neck pain is an incredibly common experience among people around the world. There are many different remedies that people often use to relieve symptoms. A study found that dry needling, a process in which thin needles are administered to cause muscle contractions, could be an effective way to treat chronic neck pain in the…
Impact of sleep on mental health
When life gets busy it is common for many people to end up sacrificing sleep in order to get all of their tasks done. Sleep difficulties are prevalent among Canadians, and poor sleep quality and duration have been associated with worsened overall well-being. A new study found that there are strong associations between good sleep…
Efficacy of napping on sport performance
A systematic review and meta-analysis of available research determined that a 30-60 minute afternoon nap has a beneficial impact on physical performance. An afternoon nap also promotes improved cognitive performance and reduces perceived fatigue after sport activity.