Concussions and helmet fit
How often do you check your helmet’s fit? Research shows that hockey players who wear improperly fitting helmets may have increased odds of experiencing a concussion. Encouraging athletes to have their helmets fit checked can help ensure that they get all of the protective benefits their helmet offers.
Assessing your hydration status
Did you know you can easily and quickly assess your hydration status? A systematic review shows that urine color is widely used to determine hydration levels in various populations, including athletes. The darker the urine, the less hydrated you are!
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…
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…
Strength and conditioning for golf
Strength and conditioning (S&C) programs for golfers show promising improvements in performance. S&C programs, including strength training and plyometrics, have been shown to increase clubhead speed, ball speed, and distance by 4 to 6.4%.
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…
Dietary fiber and health
Today, people are being diagnosed with chronic diseases at higher rates. Dietary fiber can play an important role in health as it can reduce the risk of obesity, diabetes, cancer and intestinal diseases. This important nutrient can be found in a variety of fruits, vegetables and grains and can be incorporated into your diet in…
Physical activity as a preventative measure for smartphone addiction
Smartphone addiction and its effects on academic performance have received widespread attention from researchers, teachers, parents and more in recent years. In hopes of mitigating its effects, a recent study, done on 250 undergraduate students, found that physical activity can be used as a preventative factor to mitigate smartphone addiction.
Ultra-endurance running potential health issues
Ultra-endurance running (UER) is an extreme sport that is becoming increasingly popular. UER athletes run races that are longer than marathons, sometimes exceeding 6 hours in a day. Although rare, a recent study highlights the potential adverse effects of such activity that may lead to long-term health problems.
Getting rid of muscle stiffness with stretching
Static stretching is a core part of staying injury free with its ability to increase range of motion in joints. A recent study finds that beyond just increasing range of motion, stretching seems to provide the benefits of decreased muscle stiffness after 3-12 weeks of static stretching compared to those that did not.