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Early Burnout and Short Careers
Parents want the best for their kids. Many are told that choosing one sport early and committing fully is the key to future success. But growing research shows the opposite: early sports specialization often does more harm than good — physically, mentally, and emotionally. Physical Risks of Early Sports Specialization Specializing in one sport too…
Navigating Identity Loss
Growing up in an environment that was highly sports-focused, it was no wonder my identity was dependent on the sport I played. Throughout my long journey as a high-level soccer player, every situation, conversation, and emotional response shaped how I viewed myself – not just as an athlete, but as a person learning resilience, identity,…
Understanding Athletic Identity
Understanding athletic identity—as both a coach and a player—is crucial to developing a comprehensive understanding of the athlete. Athletic identity, as described by Edison et al. (2021), refers to the degree of personal connection an individual has to sport. While this relationship can evolve over time and with age, the core values and lessons learned…
The Power of Athlete Autonomy
In sports, motivation is often chalked up to sheer willpower. But behind high-performing teams and resilient athletes is something more sustainable: autonomy-supportive coaching. Rooted in Self-Determination Theory (Deci & Ryan, 1985), autonomy support isn’t about letting athletes do whatever they want—it’s about creating an environment where athletes want to do what they’re doing. It’s coaching…
All our research is curated and peer-reviewed giving you access to an unmatched library of information all in one place.
Latest Research
The Role of Muscle Mass in Endurance Performance and Neuromuscular Fatigue
Introduction This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the impact of active muscle mass — specifically, single-limb versus double-limb exercise — on endurance performance and neuromuscular fatigue. Data from 19 studies (17 included in the meta-analysis) revealed a key distinction: Endurance performance — measured as time-to-task failure — was not significantly affected by the size of…
Re-thinking head injury prevention in football: The role of tactics and technique
Introduction Head injuries in football remain a growing concern, yet traditional prevention methods primarily focus on neuromuscular training and strength conditioning. While these approaches play an important role, they often overlook the specific match scenarios where most head injuries occur. This research review challenges the traditional injury prevention model by proposing that tactical decision-making and…
Exercise Therapy for Low Back Pain: Evidence, Benefits, and Clinical Recommendations
Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common and costly musculoskeletal conditions globally. This umbrella review brings together findings from 70 systematic reviews—43 of which include meta-analyses—to evaluate the benefits and risks of exercise therapy and physical activity (PA) for both managing and preventing LBP. The findings point to consistent, small short-term improvements…
New insights on mind-muscle connection: motor imagery concomitant to actual resistance training enhances force performance
Motor imagery (MI), the mental simulation of a movement without physical execution, has long been used to improve performance. While most studies focus on isometric contractions in lab settings, this study tested a novel approach: combining MI with the actual execution of resistance training movements in elite athletes. Specifically, researchers examined whether imagining the concentric…
What Is “Zone 2 Training”?: Experts’ Viewpoint on Definition, Training Methods, and Expected Adaptations
Endurance athletes and coaches have long debated the most effective training intensities for maximizing performance. Recently, Zone 2 training has gained attention as a foundational component of endurance programs, yet definitions and implementation strategies vary. While many propose that Zone 2 training should comprise a significant portion of an athlete’s total training volume, there is…
Athlete Mental Health and Well-being During the Transition into Elite Sport: Strategies to Prepare the System
The transition into elite-level sport can expose young athletes to risk factors for mental ill-health, including increased performance expectations, stressors associated with becoming increasingly public figures, and changes in lifestyle demands, such as diet, training loads and sleep. Successful integration into elite-level sport requires athletes to quickly adapt to these newfound challenges and the norms…
All our research is curated and peer-reviewed giving you access to an unmatched library of information all in one place.