Sports – Science & research news

‘Golden needle in the haystack’: Potential Paralympians face more challenges in being talent spotted

April 16, 2021

By Colm Gorey, Frontiers science writer/Dr Nima Dehghansai, York University and Paralympic Innovation Dr Nima Dehghansai. Image: Dr Nima Dehghansai Potential Paralympian [...]

The mind-muscle connection: for aesthetes, not athletes?

August 9, 2019

Focusing on movement instead of muscle can enhance weightlifting performance, suggests research; Frontiers in Sports and Active Living [...]

Top athletes weigh in on perceived effectiveness of anti-doping measures

November 20, 2018

Image of sports track with "doping free" in writing: First-of-its-kind study asked top cyclists and field athletes to rank effectiveness of different sport anti-doping strategies: Frontiers in Psychology

First-of-its-kind study asked top cyclists and field athletes to rank effectiveness of different anti-doping strategies: Frontiers in Psychology [...]

Four World Championship gold medals — and a baby

September 27, 2018

Picture of gold medal in snow. The training secrets of the world's most successful cross-country skier, Marit Bjørgen, could help women wanting to return to sports after pregnancy: Frontiers in Physiology

The training secrets of the world's most successful cross-country skier, Marit Bjørgen, could help women wanting to return to sports after pregnancy: Frontiers in Physiology [...]

Wearable devices: Useful medical insights or just more data?

September 9, 2018

Image of a wearable device showing health data. A new review says we know little about how well wearable devices work or if they deliver useful information: Frontiers in Physiology

A new review looks at devices used by everyday people and athletes to track physical and psychological health, and to achieve certain performance levels: Frontiers in Physiology [...]

Frequent football ‘headers’ do more harm than occasional head impact accidents

June 14, 2018

The first study to compare the cognitive effects of ball heading and unintentional head impacts suggests that football (soccer) players should consider reducing heading during practice and games: Frontiers in Neurology

The study is the first to compare the cognitive effects of ball heading and unintentional head impacts in soccer players: Frontiers in Neurology [...]

New agility tests can discriminate between football players at different performance levels

June 13, 2018

New agility tests for young football (soccer) players could more accurate than conventional measurements like sprinting and jumping ability: Frontiers in Physiology

The tests could be more accurate than conventional measurements like sprinting and jumping ability: Frontiers in Physiology [...]

Sports teams playing for survival in critical games are more likely to lose

June 12, 2018

Frontiers in Psychology: Teams playing for survival in critical games are more likely to lose

The first study using data from real games shows teams are more likely to lose when losing means elimination: Frontiers in Psychology [...]

Football coaches: an untapped resource in assessing and developing player psychology

June 11, 2018

Researchers give practical tips to help football coaches reliably assess player characteristics important for performance: Frontiers in Psychology [...]

Children are as fit as endurance athletes

April 25, 2018

Study shows how young children can run around all day: their muscles resist fatigue and recover in the same way as elite endurance athletes: Frontiers in Physiology [...]

Award for article on understanding and promoting mental health in athletes

April 17, 2018

Research on the application of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy to sport, published by Dr Martin Turner in Frontiers in Psychology, has won the 2018 Albert Ellis Award for Research [...]

Color of judo uniform has no effect on winning

March 1, 2018

Psychology: judo uniform color winning bias

Study finds significant win bias for first called judo athlete, regardless of the color of their outfit: Frontiers in Psychology [...]

Motivational music increases risk-taking but does not improve sports performance

February 7, 2018

The effect was more noticeable among men and participants who selected their own playlist: Frontiers in Psychology [...]

The human race has peaked

December 12, 2017

A review in Frontiers in Physiology suggests humans have biological limitations, and that our impacts on the environment - including climate change - could have a deleterious effect on these limits. [...]

Review finds poor compliance with helmet use in baseball and softball

November 7, 2017

Serious brain injuries occur once in about every 2,000 baseball and softball games reports a study in Frontiers in Neurology. [...]

How a girl is raised can influence her adult sporting success

June 13, 2017

Study shows girls who grow up exposed to traditionally more masculine interests and role models are more likely to have the aggressive desire to succeed at sport. — By [...]

Sex before sport doesn’t negatively impact performance

September 22, 2016

Contrary to popular belief, sex before sport doesn’t have a negative effect on the athlete and could even benefit performance. — By Tania [...]

Eating your greens could enhance sport performance

September 12, 2016

By Fabienne Eckert, Frontiers Science Writer Nitrate supplementation in conjunction with Sprint Interval Training in low oxygen conditions could enhance sport performance a [...]