Tag: sport

Which sports incur the most spinal injuries?

The most at-risk sports for traumatic spinal injury are cycling, skiing and snowboarding, according to a study published in Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine. Harvard researchers, led by Blake Hauser, analysed 12,031 cases of sports-related traumatic spinal injuries in the US, consisting of bone fractures or spinal cord damage, and found that cycling accounted for 81% … Continue reading Which sports incur the most spinal injuries?

Sports injury forecast in a blood test… coming soon to a footy team near you?

This article first appeared in Cosmos Weekly on 11 June 2021. For more stories like this, subscribe to Cosmos Weekly. Port Adelaide footy players are rightly feeling pretty good. They are sitting in fifth position on the AFL ladder, have had a few decent wins (including a nail-biter against Collingwood), rested up through a bye … Continue reading Sports injury forecast in a blood test… coming soon to a footy team near you?

Olympic genes to go higher, faster, stronger?

In preparation for the postponed Tokyo Olympics, athletes all around the world are lining up to be injected with genetic material. This genetic material will provide the instructions to produce specific proteins, which will prime the immune system to build the antibodies and T-cells needed to fight off a COVID-19 infection. However, the modulation of … Continue reading Olympic genes to go higher, faster, stronger?

The psychology of missing a penalty

The moments before a penalty kick are incredibly tense, and new research shows that brain activity might be the reason a golden opportunity can turn into a nightmare. The study team, led by Max Slutter of the University of Twente in the Netherlands, measured the brain activity of soccer players on the pitch and found … Continue reading The psychology of missing a penalty

Rise in self-reported concussions in US adolescents

Approximately a quarter of adolescents in the US have experienced concussions, according to a new report. A team from the University of Michigan, US, led by Phil Veliz, reported that the incident of at least one lifetime concussion in US adolescents between grades 8 and 12 had increased from 19.5% in 2016 to 24.6% in … Continue reading Rise in self-reported concussions in US adolescents

Curly’s a competitor

Like most Australians, I know next to nothing about curling, the sport in which competitors slide a polished stone across ice towards a target. But that doesn’t stop me from watching it religiously during every Winter Olympics broadcast. It’s fascinating, like lawn bowls on ice, but with completely changing conditions throughout the game. The best … Continue reading Curly’s a competitor

Sport’s back. How do players reduce risks?

As we emerge from lockdown, so does our sport. And many sporting bodies are grappling with the best way to do this while protecting their players, staff and fans from the coronavirus. For instance, earlier this week, the International Cricket Council said using sweat to shine a cricket ball was OK, but not saliva. The … Continue reading Sport’s back. How do players reduce risks?

To build muscle don’t chill out after training

Cold water immersion is a popular post-workout ritual for many athletes. However, if your goal is to build muscle mass and strength, you might want to hold off on the ice. A new review of research from Queensland University of Technology reveals that cold water immersion might actually diminish muscle growth. QUT exercise physiologist Jonathan … Continue reading To build muscle don’t chill out after training