https://medicalxpress.com/sports-medicine-news/ en-us Latest medical news and research in Sports medicine Soccer is faster and more physically demanding than ever—and injuries are one of the biggest challenges facing the modern game. Muscle strains, ligament damage and long-term rehabilitation can affect team performance, player welfare and club finances. As the FIFA World Cup 2026 gets underway, Professor Ian Varley—an expert in soccer injury surveillance at Nottingham Trent University—explains why injuries happen, which are most common and how science is reducing the risk. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-soccer-injuries-trends-science.html Mon, 15 Jun 2026 19:20:07 EDT news700747330 The volume of high-speed running in modern soccer has increased in line with greater demands placed on professional players, but this has come at a cost, with hamstring injuries on the rise, sometimes sidelining key players for months. In a world first for sprint training analysis in soccer, Abertay University and St Johnstone FC used near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and GPS trackers to study the effect of sprinting on players' leg muscles, with the aim of finding ways to lower the risk of hamstring injuries in the professional game. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-muscle-oxygenation-response-duplicate-sprints.html Mon, 15 Jun 2026 11:40:09 EDT news700738321 It's not unusual to see a few brave souls wrapped in gloves and balaclavas jogging along the Charles or through Cambridge Common in the snow. But for most of us, running outdoors is a fair-weather sport. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-rusty-doc-common-injuries.html Sun, 14 Jun 2026 09:00:02 EDT news700318431 The White House is gearing up to host a UFC event as part of celebrations marking 250 years of American independence. The fighters on the card are relying on body-conditioning techniques that have been around for centuries to try to emerge victorious. Muay thai, karate and jiujitsu all use ancient practices that condition the body for their field. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-hardening-body-science-martial-arts.html Thu, 11 Jun 2026 17:20:05 EDT news700402710 The powerful role of exercise in maintaining skeletal muscle could be the key to improving health and resilience in older age, according to new research from Monash University. The new research, published on the bioRxiv preprint server, used preclinical models to uncover the key role a protein found in skeletal muscle, NOX4, plays in this process. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-secret-healthy-aging-skeletal-muscle.html Wed, 10 Jun 2026 21:20:03 EDT news700326134 As the world's best soccer players prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup across North America this summer, teams are gearing up not only for opponents but also for the heat. In stadiums from Miami to Mexico City, soaring temperatures and humidity could affect matches, recovery times and ultimately championship outcomes. And behind one of the most storied teams in soccer history is a University of Florida scientist using the science of sweat to help athletes perform, recover and stay healthy in extreme heat. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-science-brazil-world-cup.html Wed, 10 Jun 2026 10:00:06 EDT news700304161 Researchers at University of Tsukuba examined feint dribbling in soccer to clarify how skilled players successfully penetrate defensive pressure in one-on-one situations. Their findings demonstrate that effective dribbling is not simply a matter of speed; rather, it is a complex, coordinated skill that involves the integrated regulation of interpersonal distance (spacing), relative speed between attacker and defender, and acceleration in response to defensive movement. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-skilled-soccer-players-outsmart-defenders.html Tue, 09 Jun 2026 20:20:02 EDT news700233186 On a midsummer day in Miami, temperatures can exceed 32°C (90°F) with high humidity. In a full stadium of 65,000 fans, it can be several degrees hotter, posing a potential health risk to players. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-extreme-world-cup-fifa-safeguards.html Tue, 09 Jun 2026 19:00:06 EDT news700232435 Moderate screen time in the first three days after concussion is linked to faster recovery, with an average 141 minutes of daily use speeding symptom resolution by 35%, according to a study of 80 concussed teens published online in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. Recovery above or below this level seems to be slower, the findings suggest, prompting the researchers to conclude that rather than total avoidance, a balanced level of use may be helpful. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-moderate-screen-days-concussion-linked.html Tue, 09 Jun 2026 18:30:03 EDT news700132534 Changes to the heart linked to marathon running vary by age, sex and training level, finds a synthesis of the available data, published in BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine. But it is not clear whether these changes represent normal physiological responses to endurance exercise or long-term maladaptations, the findings indicate. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-marathon-heart-soaring-alarms.html Tue, 09 Jun 2026 18:30:01 EDT news700153982 Reasons why our walking becomes slower and more tiring with age have been uncovered by new Australian research—with findings showing the body increasingly sacrifices efficiency to stay upright. The findings are published in the journal Gait & Posture. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-stability-aging.html Tue, 09 Jun 2026 08:20:01 EDT news700201921 Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping medicine, from diagnosing disease to accelerating drug discovery. Its influence is also reaching the world of sport. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-ai-revolutionize-concussion-sport.html Mon, 08 Jun 2026 14:20:05 EDT news700140781 The "Enhanced Games," which took place in Las Vegas from May 21–24, 2026, allow the use of performance-enhancing substances and technological equipment that are normally banned. They have been unanimously condemned by anti-doping authorities and have been the subject of fierce criticism, particularly in the media. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-games-issue.html Mon, 08 Jun 2026 13:20:03 EDT news700140001 There is no shortcut to improving technical skills in football. Natural talent is not enough to be among the very best. Without good technical skills, neither you nor your team will perform their best in football. But how do you actually become technically good? https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-football-technically-good.html Thu, 04 Jun 2026 13:40:03 EDT news699794822 Graduate students working in the Auburn University Biomechanical Engineering Lab recently decided to analyze—even if only vicariously—a masterpiece of anatomical misdirection engineered by the most valuable leg in the world. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-soccer-player-biomechanics-messi-body.html Thu, 04 Jun 2026 13:00:07 EDT news699793622 No one wants to hear the distinctive pop of an ACL tearing or rupturing, which typically means the player's season is at an end. The ACL, or anterior cruciate ligament, is located inside the knee and provides stability during movements such as cutting, turning, twisting, and jumping. Deanna Brinks, M.D., a physical medicine and rehabilitation and sports medicine physician at the Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato, explains prevention and treatment. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-acl-injuries-women-expert-treatment.html Thu, 04 Jun 2026 12:00:09 EDT news699792121 In high-performance sport, success is often measured in medals, rankings and results, but far less attention is paid to the human cost of achieving them. For Wayne Aquila, Master of Commerce graduate, this tension became the driving force behind his research project, which saw him investigate the influence of power on well-being in high-performance sport environments. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-price-high-sport.html Tue, 02 Jun 2026 22:40:01 EDT news699613121 Researchers have developed an enhanced wearable motion-tracking system that could improve the accuracy of fitness trackers used to monitor exercise and training. The team provides details in an article published in the International Journal of Data Mining and Bioinformatics. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-real-calibration-trackers-lab.html Tue, 02 Jun 2026 16:00:05 EDT news699621326 The most watched sporting event in the world kicks off on June 11, co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States. With 2026 already expected to be one of the hottest years on record, experts and players have warned that organizer FIFA is not doing enough to protect the players from extreme heat. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-fifa-soccer-players-world-cup.html Tue, 02 Jun 2026 13:20:11 EDT news699615721 How competition is presented to children in grassroots sport has a massive impact on how much they enjoy physical activity, according to researchers at Coventry University. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-competition-vital-enjoyment-children-sport.html Tue, 02 Jun 2026 11:00:06 EDT news699613262 Honey has been used by humans as a natural sweetener and energy source to sustain work and physical performance for thousands of years. Recently, it has re-emerged as a natural option for fueling exercise, with some social media users claiming it's the perfect thing to eat before a workout if you need an energy boost. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-honey-natural-fuel-workouts.html Mon, 01 Jun 2026 21:40:01 EDT news699539747 In Las Vegas May 2026, athletes compete in an international sporting event that explicitly allows them to use performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs). The Enhanced Games openly encourages competitors to use substances banned in virtually every mainstream sport, including anabolic steroids, erythropoietin and peptide hormones. Organizers have claimed that with proper medical supervision, this is safe. It is a bold proposition and, according to Professor Ian Boardley of the University of Birmingham, a dangerous one. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-dangers-legitimizing-doping.html Mon, 01 Jun 2026 15:40:05 EDT news699529495 Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity is more important for mental health in middle age than light physical activity, according to a new study by the University of Oulu and ODL Department of Sports and Exercise Medicine. The more time people spent each day engaged in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity relative to sedentary behavior and light activity, the fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety they experienced. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-moderate-vigorous-mental-health-middle.html Mon, 01 Jun 2026 12:20:05 EDT news699529699 You probably have at least one "super fit" friend. Maybe they're a marathon runner, a footy player or a keen hiker. To keep themselves healthy, they may stick to a strict exercise regimen and only eat certain foods. But in most cases, these people would likely struggle to play a sport or do an activity they're unaccustomed to. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-05-expert.html Sat, 30 May 2026 15:00:01 EDT news699268450 New research published in ImmunoHorizons shows that running a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workout triggers a more inflammatory immune response than cycling HIIT. These findings could help everyday athletes make informed decisions about their workout choices to achieve the known anti-inflammatory benefits of exercise while limiting excessive tissue damage. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-05-high-intensity-interval-inflammatory-responses.html Thu, 28 May 2026 14:20:09 EDT news699191674 The Enhanced Games promised a revolution. Athletes on supervised drug regimens, unshackled from the anti-doping rules of the Olympics, were going to show us what the human body was truly capable of. The event was transhumanism in practice—a glimpse at humanity's athletic future. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-05-games-sport-results-ordinary.html Thu, 28 May 2026 13:20:01 EDT news699189962 The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the biggest ever edition of the world's most watched sporting tournament. The 48 teams taking part in Canada, the US and Mexico may find their toughest opponent is the extreme heat. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-05-world-cup-games-evenings-isnt.html Thu, 28 May 2026 12:20:04 EDT news699185821 As professional baseball sees another high-profile elbow injury with Toronto Blue Jays right-hander José Berríos having undergone ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) surgery, new research from the University of Waterloo suggests many pitchers may be able to reduce stress on their elbows without sacrificing velocity. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-05-smarter-softer-baseball-pitchers-elbows.html Wed, 27 May 2026 13:20:01 EDT news699100141 Physiotherapist-led strength exercises improve hip pain in young people suffering hip joint impingements, new research shows. The La Trobe University study followed 154 participants over six months, comparing a targeted strengthening program with a standardized stretching program. Participants in the strength group were 2.3 times more likely to report perceived improvements in pain and had larger improvements in hip muscle strength compared to participants in the stretch group. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-05-strength-young-people-hip-pain.html Wed, 27 May 2026 09:20:04 EDT news699092222 The inaugural Enhanced Games are underway in Las Vegas and are set to be a unique spectacle that promotes drug-induced "enhancement." The International Olympic Committee has condemned the event as a way to "destroy any concept of fair play" and "moronic." https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-05-games-steroid-olympics-pose-athletes.html Mon, 25 May 2026 16:20:01 EDT news698921339