‘Manu jumping’: The physics behind making humongous splashes in the pool

Do a manu jump and you’ll likely make the biggest splash at the pool party.

Daehyun Choi, Postdoctoral Fellow, Georgia Institute of Technology • conversation
May 16, 2025 ~6 min

From Messi to Mika Häkkinen: how top athletes can slow down time

Many top drivers report feeling like they drive in slow motion.

Steve Taylor, Senior Lecturer in Psychology, Leeds Beckett University • conversation
Feb. 26, 2025 ~7 min


I’m a sports psychologist and diehard Eagles fan - here’s the behavioral science behind a Super Bowl LIX win

Elite athletes are known to be tough-minded. Research reveals openness is also a key personality trait, one that allows them to execute creative, unscripted plays.

Eric Zillmer, Professor of Neuropsychology, Drexel University • conversation
Feb. 4, 2025 ~8 min

Strength training early in life can set up kids and adolescents for a lifetime of health and well-being

Strength training programs for young people can improve muscle tone, prevent obesity and develop good exercise habits that last into adulthood.

Zachary Gillen, Assistant Professor of Exercise Physiology, Mississippi State University • conversation
Nov. 8, 2024 ~9 min

What is mental imagery? Brain researchers explain the pictures in your mind and why they’re useful

Here’s how your brain visualizes scenarios that you’re not actually looking at with your eyes.

Jiabin Shen, Assistant Professor of Psychology, UMass Lowell • conversation
Aug. 26, 2024 ~7 min

Paris Olympics promote sustainability for good reason: Climate change is putting athletes and their sports at risk

The 2024 Summer Games are going all in on renewable energy, recycled materials and more to shrink their carbon footprint. They’re a test bed for how big events can do better for the environment.

Brian P. McCullough, Associate Professor of Sport Management, University of Michigan • conversation
July 24, 2024 ~7 min

From melting tracks to rising alcoholism – how sport is being forced to adapt to the effects of climate change

In her new book, sports ecologist Madeleine Orr shows how the world of sport is being impacted by climate change in unbelievable ways.

Mark Charlton, Net Zero Research Theme Director, De Montfort University • conversation
July 16, 2024 ~7 min

Sleep can give athletes an edge over competitors − but few recognize how fundamental sleep is to performance

Studies show college athletes sleeping less than 7 hours per night are almost twice as likely to be injured when compared with athletes sleeping more than 8 hours.

Joanna Fong-Isariyawongse, Associate Professor of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh • conversation
Jan. 31, 2024 ~10 min


Brains have a remarkable ability to rewire themselves following injury − a concussion specialist explains the science behind rehabilitation and recovery

Concussions can teach researchers a great deal about how the brain recovers after injury and offer insights into how people can promote brain health throughout their lives.

Hilary A. Diefenbach, Speech Language Pathologist and Cognitive Rehabilitation Specialist, Marcus Institute for Brain Health; Instructor, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus • conversation
Nov. 14, 2023 ~11 min

Keeping NBA players on the court is no small 'feet'

The gargantuan feet of NBA players are the stuff of legend. But nearly two-thirds of their injuries occur below the waist, and they have a 25.8% chance of incurring an ankle injury every season.

Philip Anloague, Associate Provost; Associate Professor of Physical Therapy, University of Dayton • conversation
April 21, 2023 ~7 min

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