research on sports biomechanics

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Cutting-Edge Research in Sports Biomechanics: From Basic Science to Applied Technology

Wei-hsun tai.

1 Graduate School, Chengdu Sport University, Chengdu 610000, China

2 School of Physical Education, Quanzhou Normal University, Quanzhou 362000, China

3 Key Laboratory of Bionic Engineering (Ministry of Education, China), Jilin University, Changchun 130022, China; nc.ude.ulj.sliam@12oahzll

Liangliang Zhao

1. introduction.

Sports biomechanics is the study of the mechanical principles of human movement and how they apply to sports performance [ 1 ]. It involves the analysis of motion, force, and energy during sports activities and aims to understand the biomechanical factors that influence performance and injury risk [ 2 ]. Sports biomechanics is an interdisciplinary field that combines elements of engineering, physics, anatomy, and physiology to help athletes optimize their performance and reduce the risk of injury [ 3 ]. Understanding the biomechanics of sports is important because it can provide athletes with insights into how to improve their technique and training methods and develop new training methods and equipment that can help them perform at their best [ 4 ]. In addition to helping athletes improve their performance, sports biomechanics can also play a critical role in reducing the risk of injury [ 5 ]. By understanding the biomechanical factors that contribute to sports injuries, such as overuse or poor technique, coaches and trainers can develop injury prevention strategies that are tailored to the specific needs of individual athletes [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ].

This Special Issue contains 11 studies that present new knowledge in the fields of sports biomechanics and bionic engineering. Our aim is to encourage the dissemination of this new knowledge and provide guidance to potential authors who are interested in submitting their manuscripts to our bioengineering journal. For this Special Issue, the editors, editorial board members, and editorial staff have sought highly valued research that advances scientific knowledge and will have a positive impact on sports biomechanics and bionic applications in sports. The authors cover a wide variety of important, innovative, and timely topics in the field. The themes include sports technology analysis [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ], the mechanics of human motion [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ], bionic applications and equipment design [ 16 ], and the mechanisms of sports injuries [ 12 , 13 ]. In this editorial, we will discuss the current state of sports biomechanics and the direction it is headed.

As mentioned above, sports biomechanics is crucial to athletes’ success as it offers insights that allow athletes to optimize their performance, reduce the risk of injury, and develop new training methods and equipment [ 17 , 18 , 19 ]. Biomechanics and bionics have transformed the field by focusing on injury prevention and rehabilitation, developing personalized equipment, and utilizing computational modeling and artificial intelligence to optimize training regimens [ 20 ]. Continued investment in research is necessary to advance sports science further, develop new technologies and methodologies, and enhance athlete performance and safety. It is essential to support research in this area to ensure that the future generations of athletes can access the latest advancements in sports science and reach their full potential.

2. Application of Scientific Principles in Sports Biomechanics

Sports biomechanics is an interdisciplinary field that combines fundamental scientific principles with advanced technological tools to study the mechanics of human movement and its application in sports performance [ 1 , 2 ]. Basic scientific research in sports biomechanics involves the analysis of human movement, muscle and joint mechanics, neuromuscular control, the kinematics and kinetics of sports movements, and biomechanical modeling and simulation [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]. By understanding these biomechanical principles, researchers can identify the most efficient and effective techniques for athletes to use in their training and competition.

Applied technology is an essential component of sports biomechanics research, allowing the development and use of tools and equipment to measure and analyze human movement during sports activities [ 5 ]. Wearable sensors, motion capture systems, force plates, 3D printing, and virtual reality are just a few examples of applied technologies used in sports biomechanics. These tools provide precise measurements and data that are used to analyze and optimize human movement [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ]. Furthermore, they enable the development of custom-fit equipment, training programs, and injury prevention strategies that are tailored to athletes’ individual needs.

The significance of sports biomechanics research lies in its ability to optimize sports performance while reducing the risk of injury [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]. Athletes and coaches can, thus, apply biomechanics to identify the most effective training methods and equipment to use with this goal in mind [ 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ]. The integration of basic science and applied technology in sports biomechanics research has led to the development of new training methods, equipment, and injury prevention strategies and has contributed to a better understanding of the biomechanical response to sports activities.

In conclusion, sports biomechanics is an interdisciplinary field that combines fundamental scientific principles with advanced technological tools to study the mechanics of human movement during sports activities. Applied technology plays a crucial role in sports science research by enabling the development and utilization of tools and equipment to measure and analyze human movement during sports activities. Via continued research and development, the field of sports biomechanics has the potential to revolutionize the way athletes train and compete, leading to optimized performance and a reduced risk of injury.

3. Application of Bionic Engineering Technology to Sports

Bionics is an interdisciplinary field that draws inspiration from nature to design and optimize artificial systems and devices [ 26 , 27 , 28 ]. It combines biology, engineering, and materials science to imitate the structure, function, and movement of living organisms [ 29 , 30 ]. This innovative and forward-looking approach produces new technologies that integrate the empirical, theoretical, and practical knowledge of biological origins [ 29 , 31 , 32 ].

Modern sports have become extremely competitive, and athletes’ performance depends not only on their personal abilities and training but also on high-quality equipment and clothing to help them succeed in competitions [ 32 ]. Bionics has a wide range of research areas in sports, including biomimetic protective/assisted sportswear, biomimetic protective/assisted sports footwear, and biomimetic/assisted sports equipment. Among them, the application and development of sports footwear is the most in-depth research area [ 26 , 33 ]. In terms of biomimetic protective/assisted sports apparel, bionics mainly studies how to design and optimize sports apparel by imitating the materials and tissue structures of living organisms in nature to better adapt to the characteristics and needs of human movement [ 32 ].

The significance of bionics research lies in its ability to improve performance and the efficiency of sports equipment, reduce sports injuries, and enhance the sports experience. By conducting research in bionics, we can better understand the principles and adaptability of biological movement and apply them to the design of sports equipment, creating sports equipment that better fits human movement characteristics and needs [ 16 , 26 , 28 , 29 , 31 ]. The application of bionics in sports can have a profound impact beyond the field of athletics. It not only enhances athletes’ performance and provides new ideas for related disciplines but also promotes the development and innovation of sports equipment, ultimately improving enterprises’ competitiveness and market share. Additionally, bionics research can deepen our understanding of the mysteries of nature and life, driving the progress of science, technology, and human civilization.

In summary, the application of bionics covers various aspects of sports equipment, from design, materials, and structure to function and control, and has extensive and in-depth research. These applications not only improve performance and the user’s experience but also offer new ideas and methods for the research and promotion of sports equipment.

4. Future Perspectives

The integration of sports biomechanics and bionics has the potential to transform sports and athletics by optimizing performance, reducing the risk of injury, and providing personalized training recommendations. For example, biomechanical analyses can help identify and correct flawed movement patterns that may lead to injury [ 12 , 13 , 25 ]. Bionic technologies can also provide support and protection to the musculoskeletal system, reducing the risk of injury during training and competition. Furthermore, the integration of advanced technologies into sports equipment and clothing can provide athletes with real-time data on their performance, allowing for more precise training and competition strategies [ 16 , 32 , 33 ]. However, as with any new technology, ethical considerations must be taken into account to ensure fairness and equality among athletes. Overall, the integration of sports biomechanics and bionics has the potential to significantly enhance human physical capabilities and transform the way we approach sports and physical activity.

5. Conclusions

Cutting-edge research in sports biomechanics is advancing our understanding of human movement and improving sports performance. The research provides insights into the fundamental principles of human movement and how they apply to sports performance. Applied technologies are developing new tools and techniques for measuring and analyzing sports movements, while bionic technologies are pushing the boundaries of what is possible for human performance. Together, these areas of research are shaping the future of sports biomechanics and opening up new possibilities for athletes to reach their full potential.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, W.-H.T.; writing—original draft preparation; L.Z. and W.-H.T.; writing—review and editing, W.-H.T. and R.Z. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Disclaimer/Publisher’s Note: The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of MDPI and/or the editor(s). MDPI and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content.

Sports Biomechanics is unique in its emphasis on sports techniques and sports injuries. As well as maintaining scientific rigor, there is a strong editorial emphasis on 'reader friendliness.' By emphasizing the practical implications and applications of research in sports biomechanics, the journal seeks to benefit sports practitioners directly.

Sports Biomechanics publishes papers in four sections: Original Research, Reviews, Teaching, and New Methods and Theoretical Perspectives.

Brief History

• In 2002, the first issue of Sports Biomechanics was published by the Edinburgh University Press. Dr. Ross Sanders was the founding editor. Two issues were published a year.
• In 2004, Dr. Roger Bartlett became the editor of the journal.
• In 2006, Taylor & Francis acquired the journal and Thomson Reuter started covering Sports Biomechanics in their citation products such as Scientific Citation Index Expanded, Journal Citation Reports, and Web of Knowledge.
• In 2007, Taylor & Francis started publishing the journal three times a year. Dr. Young-Hoo Kwon joined as a co-editor of the journal.
• In 2008, Dr. Young-Hoo Kwon became the editor of the journal.
• In 2009, Taylor & Francis started publishing the journal four time a year. The first impact factor was reported: 0.451 (2008). Sports Biomechanics was ranked 58/71 in Sport Sciences and 45/51 in Biomedical Engineering.
• In 2010, Sports Biomechanics was in its ninth year of circulation. The impact factor has increased to 0.762 (2009) which ranked 50/72 in Sports Sciences and 50/59 in Biomedical Engineering.
• In 2011, the impact factor has increased to 0.763 (2010) which ranked 55/79 in Sports Sciences and 53/69 in Biomedical Engineering.
• In 2012, the impact factor has increased to 0.926 (2011) which ranked 56/85 in Sports Sciences and 56/72 in Biomedical Engineering.
• In 2013, the impact factor has dropped to 0.737 (2012) which ranked 60/84 in Sports Sciences and 64/78 in Biomedical Engineering.
• In 2014, Dr. Daniel Fong became the editor of the journal.
• In 2014, the impact factor has increased to 0.867 (2013) which ranked 57/81 in Sports Sciences and 60/77 in Biomedical Engineering.
• In 2015, the impact factor has increased to 1.154 (2014) which ranked 53/81 in Sports Sciences.

Manuscript Central for paper submission .

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Collection  10 May 2022

Sports engineering and biomechanics

As for other aspects of life, technology and innovation play a pivotal role in sport. From optimizing the material and design of swimwear in order to reduce water resistance, to developing immersive virtual reality experiences capable of simulating the competitive environment, technology has changed how sports are coached, played, and experienced. As sports systems become more complex and technology-driven, a relatively new but rapidly expanding, multidisciplinary field – one that aims to identify and solve problems associated with sport, health, and exercise – is emerging: sports engineering.

This Collection is dedicated to research in sports engineering and biomechanics with a focus on the design of human-centred solutions to improve the performance, health, and safety of players and athletes. We will consider advances in equipment design, sports surface design, wearable technologies, athlete performance analysis, sports injury prevention solutions, and novel coaching tools.

Simon Choppin

Sheffield Hallam University, UK

Steph Forrester

Loughborough University, UK

Andrew Post

University of Ottawa, Canada

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Sports Medicine Research

Biomechanics.

The Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine Research team is making new discoveries in biomechanics to prevent and treat common sports injuries, especially injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Some current areas of research interest include:

• Clinical, functional and biomechanical screening of high school, collegiate, and Olympic and professional-level athletes
• Identification of athletes at high risk of primary and secondary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury
• Neuromuscular intervention targeted to mechanisms of ACL load in female athletes
• Prevention of secondary ACL injuries
• Neural mechanisms of ACL injury and rehabilitation
• Protective effect of ACL reconstruction in preventing symptomatic arthritis and symptomatic meniscal tears
• Models of ACL injuries in deceased donor specimens
• Shear wave elastography of muscular and ligamentous structures in deceased donor specimens
• Lower extremity proprioception

Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine uses a team approach to sports injury research and ACL injuries are no exception. Research on the rate of ACL injuries shows how mechanisms, screening, intervention and prevention provide optimal care and results for athletes.

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Review research publications in orthopedic biomechanics by Mayo Clinic sports medicine researchers.

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Biomechanical Research

Biomechanical research plays a critical role in ASMI’s mission in preventing sports-related injuries and improving current treatments.

In the James Andrews Biomechanics Lab, ASMI uses motion capture technology to identify movements and forces for athletes of various sports and levels. Through individual evaluations and large-scale research projects, ASMI enables athletes, coaches, trainers, and medical professionals improve sports performance and reduce the risk of injury. Furthermore, we continue to be on the forefront of sports biomechanics, developing and assessing emerging technologies such as markerless motion capture.

In the Musculoskeletal Research and Surgical Skills Lab , our biomechanists, surgeons, and fellows investigate clinically relevant questions about bone, tendon, and ligament pathologies, injuries, and surgical interventions. This is typically accomplished through mechanical testing of human cadaver bones, joints, and tissues in their native state, then in an injured state, and finally tested after an open or endoscopic surgical procedure. Results provide valuable insight into cutting-edge treatments in orthopaedic sports medicine. Lab capabilities include biaxial (axial/torsional) servohydraulic mechanical testing, six-degree-of-freedom electromagnetic motion analysis, and digital contact pressure measurement. Interested in learning more about participating in biomechanical research? Click here to learn about our student research internship.

Sports Biomechanics

Sports injuries involving impact, injurious environments, and overuse have detrimental effects on athletes. Most sports injuries have a mechanical etiology, and there is a need to understand the biomechanics of these injuries, as well as develop safety gear and guidelines. With the goals of simultaneously improving athlete performance while reducing injury risk, researchers at CAB apply knowledge of biomechanics, experimental design, and computational modeling to understand and mitigate sports injuries. Using state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, we simulate real-world sports impacts in a laboratory. The CAB has ongoing projects in toe, ankle, pelvic, thoracic, head, and brain injuries related to athletes and sports environments.

Projects and Areas of Research

• Turf toe—sprain of proximal metatarsophalangeal joint
• Characterized shoe-turf mechanics and studied interplay between natural and artificial turf surfaces and cleat patterns.
• Lisfranc injury—sprain of the tarso-metatarsal joints

Ankle  

• High-ankle sprains—sprain of the tibiofibular ligament
• Developed world’s most advanced finite element model of the ankle/foot for sports injury research
• Generated more bony injuries of the ankle than any other laboratory in the world
• Ankle injury mechanics under axial load, inversion and eversion, plantar-dorsiflexion, and combinations of these motions

Knee and Torso  

• Ligamentous injury of the knee including collateral ligaments, cruciate ligament, and meniscus, as well as mechanics of patellar fracture
• Shoulder range of motion
• Patient-specific model development methods for athletic applications

Head and Neck

• Contusion mechanics and mitigations
• Brain and skull injury mitigation using helmets
• Role of head-mounted mass in spinal injury mechanics

Sponsors and Collaborators

CAB researchers work with collaborators and sponsors from within the University of Virginia, various universities, companies, and sports teams/leagues using our state-of-the-art techniques and facilities. In providing a mechanical understanding of injury and simulating ways to prevent injury, the CAB is an emerging leader in this field. Researchers are involved in publications, professional consulting, and product development.

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Muscle coordination and biomechanics of dynamic movements, project goals and description:.

The goal of this project is to investigate how individuals across the lifespan and of varying musculoskeletal capacities move to maintain balance and stability during daily dynamic activities. Specifically, this project will use experimental surface muscle excitation data to quantify muscle coordination during common functional activities that assess balance, movement transitions, and physical performance. Students will analyze experimental data from new and prior human movement trials data and perform modeling analyses to help inform rehabilitation strategies and proactively enhance and maintain mobility.

More Information:

• Adaptation of lower limb movement patterns when maintaining performance in the presence of muscle fatigue. Mudie, K., Gupta, A., Green, S., Clothier, P. (2016). Human Movement Science, 48:28-36. DOI: 1016/j.humov.2016.04.003
• Healthy Aging reduces dynamic balance control as measured by the Star Excursion Balance Test. Segal, A.D., B.L. Vargas, F.G. Richards, C.J. Shelley, A.K. Silverman (2023). Gait & Posture 103: 190-195. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2023.05.020
• OpenSim: Simulating musculoskeletal dynamics and neuromuscular control to study human and animal movements. Seth, et al., 2018 Jul;14(7):e1006223. ( https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30048444/ )
• Lab website: https://fbl.mines.edu/
• CITI Human Subjects Training (citiprogram.org)

Primary Contacts:

Professor Anne Silverman, [email protected] | Professor Katie Knaus, [email protected] | Graduate Student Michael Miller, [email protected]

Student Preparation

Qualifications.

Introductory coding skills as well as a basic knowledge of dynamics and biology. Student should be self-motivated, with a desire to learn how experimental human biomechanics data is processed and used to construct musculoskeletal models.

TIME COMMITMENT (HRS/WK)

Skills/techniques gained.

Coding in a team setting, clinical assessments of balance performance, data analysis of surface electromyography (EMG) signals, musculoskeletal modeling and simulation software, presenting written and oral results.

MENTORING PLAN

The student will present brief research updates at our biweekly lab meetings and meet with Dr. Silverman and Michael Miller on the weeks in-between. The student will also work directly with graduate student Michael Miller, meeting with him regularly for training, research updates, and guidance with questions. Additional support and guidance of muscle function will be provided by Dr. Katie Knaus and through broader project team meetings.  The student will be integrated into our research group with communication via Slack and professional development activities.  There will be milestones with a projected timeline setup at the beginning of the academic year and will be revisited periodically.

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Introducing Biomechanics to New Generations

April 16, 2024 Written by Colin Heffinger | Photos by Ashley Larrimore

Biomechanics, a rapidly growing field focused on mechanical function and movement regarding biological systems, has seen increased expansion as new technologies enter the discipline. At the University of Delaware, Delaware high school students had the opportunity to gain valuable exposure to this field through a variety of immersive labs.

On April 15, 95 students from Conrad Schools of Science, Padua Academy, and William Penn High School gathered at UD’s Science Technology and Advanced Research Campus in honor of National Biomechanics Day. A total of 10 available lab demonstrations designed by current graduate students covered the event’s tour to inspire younger generations to consider pursuing a biomechanics career.

From exoskeleton walking demonstrations to human robotics and motor neuroscience exhibitions, graduate students Hannah Cohen, Sophia Crisomia, and Grace Kellaher were among many to prepare this year’s National Biomechanics Day labs. 

Hannah Cohen

A fourth year PhD student in biomedical engineering, Hannah Cohen is exploring new therapies to help stroke survivors walk again. After being exposed to biomechanics in the second year of her undergraduate studies, Cohen realized the field was a perfect opportunity to merge her interest and experience in engineering with her passion to make an impact on health outcomes. She also serves as president of the UD student chapter of the American Society of Biomechanics.

“Biomechanics Day provides an opportunity to introduce younger students to these unique careers before leaping into college,” said Cohen. “It all boils down to exposing students to biomechanics and showing how it can be a great career path. Being exposed to engineering at a young age is what helped lead me to the path I’m on today.”

As one of the graduate students leading a National Biomechanics Day lab, Cohen has designed an interactive demonstration that allows students to see how an exoskeleton can aid walking. Students use the hip-based exoskeleton to walk and learn how leg position impacts movement ability.

“I enjoy giving back to the community and working with younger students,” Cohen explained. “This fulfills my desire to give back and inspire students to pursue careers in science.”

Sophia Crisomia

Sophia Crisomia is a second-year master’s student with the Biomechanics and Movement Sciences (BIOMS) program . Crisomia is also a leader in planning biomechanics events as part of the UD student chapter of the American Society of Biomechanics, assisting with coordination of student volunteers and schedule planning. She’s currently affiliated with the Motor Neuroscience and Neuroimaging Lab , which will lead a demonstration on the connection between motor control and Parkinson’s disease.

“For National Biomechanics Day, we developed a strategic schedule that will rotate groups of students in 20-minute intervals across a variety of labs,” Crisomia said. “Our goal is to maximize the types of research students are exposed to and provide a full understanding of the opportunities available to them.”

Crisomia plays a large role in facilitating lab demonstrations and ensuring a consistent schedule. Reflecting on her own career pathway, she explains how her experience in the biomechanics labs has helped her better understand her own priorities.

“After acquiring my undergraduate degree, I wanted to further refine my interests in science, research, and the clinical field,” Crisomia said. “Science and research have created an avenue for me to pursue my passions in education, like with National Biomechanics Day. Today I tutor students and teach two anatomy labs on campus. I’m excited to contribute to equitable knowledge for future students and bridge access to UD research and resources.” 

Grace Kellaher

As a third year PhD student in the Biomechanics and Movement Sciences program who’s been involved in National Biomechanics Day since 2017, Grace Kellaher has been building on her passion towards understanding human health and movement. Working in the Falls and Mobility Research Laboratory , Kellaher will be teaching students about the different types of balance through an interactive demonstration including reactive and standing balances.

“Using a special treadmill designed to intentionally force users to trip, we can show how reactive balance differs across individuals,” said Kellaher. “We also have students engage in a game where they use a balance board to measure how much they sway while standing. This becomes a fun experience where we include input about sports to understand the impact of their balance. We even involve teachers and further boost inspiration through competition.”

These technologies help design a wide range of products and services involved in daily life including movies, gaming animations, footwear, and investigating workplace hazards. Kellaher is determined to continue inspiring younger generations, especially women, to better understand biomechanics as a mentor at the College of Health Sciences.

“There’s so many different facets within biomechanics,” said Kellaher. “You can pursue a career to help athletes enhance their performance, improve rehabilitation protocols for clinical efforts, or use motion capture technology to create movies and game animations. We have endless applications for biomechanics and it’s only continuing to grow.”

Recognizing the potential of biomechanics

As National Biomechanics Day continues to highlight new pathways for younger students, Jocelyn Hafer , assistant professor of Kinesiology and Applied Physiology (KAAP) , works with student leaders to develop new labs and interactions to spread awareness of the field further.

“Graduate students play a critical role in designing these labs each year,” said Hafer. “Not only does it allow high school students to learn about biomechanics, but also graduate students are able to interact with younger learners and develop hands-on experiences to shape understanding for the broader community.”

Looking ahead, the National Biomechanics Day planning team is excited to engage new high schools throughout the First State. They’ve already built the capacity for more schools to attend and foresee the value for high schools throughout the area to fully understand how biomechanics can provide their students with an exciting career path.

“We’re always looking to have more high schools involved in our National Biomechanics Day,” said Hafer. “We have schools that have been coming every year. We’d like to expand our outreach further and continue introducing young students to the incredible careers biomechanics can offer for their future.” 

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The joy of sports: How watching sports can boost well-being

Researchers explore in depth the positive psychological and neurophysiological benefits of watching sports.

For many individuals, sports have long served as a source of enjoyment and relaxation. Watching sports, particularly at large gatherings, goes beyond entertainment. It fosters a sense of community and belonging among audiences. This sense of connection not only makes individuals feel good but also benefits society by improving health, enhancing productivity, and reducing crime. Although it is popularly recognized for its positive effects, existing studies on the relationship between watching sports and well-being offer only limited evidence.

Recognizing this gap, a team of researchers led by Associate Professor Shintaro Sato from the Faculty of Sport Sciences, Waseda University, Japan, embarked on a groundbreaking study. Prof. Sato, alongside Assistant Professor Keita Kinoshita from Nanyang Technological University and Dr. Kento Nakagawa from the Faculty of Human Sciences, Waseda University, used a multi-method approach, combining secondary data analysis, self-reports, and neuroimaging measures to understand the connection between sports viewing and well-being in the general population. "A significant challenge in well-being research is the subjective nature of measurement procedures, potentially leading to biased findings. Therefore, our studies focused on both subjective and objective measures of well-being," explains Prof. Sato. Their research was published online on 22 March 2024 in Sports Management Review .

In the first study, the researchers analyzed large-scale publicly available data on the influence of watching sports on 20,000 Japanese residents. The results of this study confirmed the ongoing pattern of elevated reported well-being associated with regular sports viewing. However, this study was limited by its inability to provide deeper insight into the relationship between sports consumption and well-being.

The second study, an online survey aimed at investigating whether the connection between sports viewing and well-being varied depending on the type of sport observed, involved 208 participants. The experiment exposed them to various sports videos, assessing their well-being both before and after viewing. The findings underscored that widely embraced sports, like baseball, exerted a more significant impact on enhancing well-being compared to less popular sports, such as golf.

However, the most groundbreaking aspect of this research emerged in the third study. Here, the team employed neuroimaging techniques to scrutinize alterations in brain activity following sports viewing. Utilizing multimodal MRI neuroimaging measurement procedures, the brain activity of fourteen able-bodied Japanese participants was analyzed while they watched sports clips. The results of this investigation illuminated that, sports viewing triggered activation in the brain's reward circuits, indicative of feelings of happiness or pleasure. Additionally, a noteworthy finding surfaced in the structural image analysis. It revealed that individuals who reported watching sports more frequently exhibited greater gray matter volume in regions associated with reward circuits, suggesting that regular sports viewing may gradually induce changes in brain structures. "Both subjective and objective measures of well-being were found to be positively influenced by engaging in sports viewing. By inducing structural changes in the brain's reward system over time, it fosters long-term benefits for individuals. For those seeking to enhance their overall well-being, regularly watching sports, particularly popular ones such as baseball or soccer, can serve as an effective remedy," comments Prof. Sato.

The study has profound implications and theoretical contributions to sports management literature. Existing literature has primarily focused on sports fans; however, this study has taken into consideration a larger general population irrespective of their relationship to sports consumption. This research can contribute significantly to sports management practices and policymaking for public health.

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• Keita Kinoshita, Kento Nakagawa, Shintaro Sato. Watching sport enhances well-being: evidence from a multi-method approach . Sport Management Review , 2024; 1 DOI: 10.1080/14413523.2024.2329831

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White-sounding names get called back for jobs more than Black ones, a new study finds

Joe Hernandez

A sign seeking job applicants is seen in the window of a restaurant in Miami, Florida, on May 5, 2023. Joe Raedle/Getty Images hide caption

A sign seeking job applicants is seen in the window of a restaurant in Miami, Florida, on May 5, 2023.

Twenty years ago, two economists responded to a slew of help-wanted ads in Boston and Chicago newspapers using a set of fictitious names to test for racial bias in the job market.

The watershed study found that applicants with names suggesting they were white got 50% more callbacks from employers than those whose names indicated they were Black.

Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley and the University of Chicago recently took that premise and expanded on it, filing 83,000 fake job applications for 11,000 entry-level positions at a variety of Fortune 500 companies.

Their working paper , published this month and titled "A Discrimination Report Card," found that the typical employer called back the presumably white applicants around 9% more than Black ones. That number rose to roughly 24% for the worst offenders.

The research team initially conducted its experiment in 2021, but their new paper names the 97 companies they included in the study and assigns them grades representing their level of bias, thanks to a new methodology the researchers developed.

"Putting the names out there in the public domain is to move away from a lot of the performative allyship that you see with these companies, saying, 'Oh, we value inclusivity and diversity,'" said Pat Kline, a University of California, Berkeley economics professor who worked on the study. "We're trying to create kind of an objective ground truth here."

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The names that researchers tested include some used in the 2004 study as well as others culled from a database of speeding tickets in North Carolina. A name was classified as "racially distinctive" if more than 90% of people with that name shared the same race.

Applicants with names such as Brad and Greg were up against Darnell and Lamar. Amanda and Kristen competed for jobs with Ebony and Latoya.

What the researchers found was that some firms called back Black applicants considerably less, while race played little to no factor in the hiring processes at other firms.

Dorianne St Fleur, a career coach and workplace consultant, said she wasn't surprised by the findings showing fewer callbacks for presumed Black applicants at some companies.

"I know the study focused on entry-level positions. Unfortunately it doesn't stop there. I've seen it throughout the organization all the way up into the C-suite," she said.

St Fleur, who primarily coaches women of color, said many of her clients have the right credentials and experience for certain jobs but aren't being hired.

"They are sending out dozens, hundreds of resumes and receiving nothing back," she said.

What the researchers found

Much of a company's bias in hiring could be explained by its industry, the study found. Auto dealers and retailers of car parts were the least likely to call back Black applicants, with Genuine Auto Parts (which distributes NAPA products) and the used car retailer AutoNation scoring the worst on the study's "discrimination report card."

"We are always evaluating our practices to ensure inclusivity and break down barriers, and we will continue to do so," Heather Ross, vice president of strategic communications at Genuine Parts Company, said in an email.

AutoNation did not reply to a request for comment.

The companies that performed best in the analysis included Charter/Spectrum, Dr. Pepper, Kroger and Avis-Budget.

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Several patterns emerged when the researchers looked at the companies that had the lowest "contact gap" between white and Black applicants

Federal contractors and more profitable companies called back applicants from the two racial groups at more similar rates. Firms with more centralized human resources departments and policies also exhibited less racial bias, which Kline says may indicate that a standardized hiring workflow involving multiple employees could help reduce discrimination.

When it came to the sex of applicants, most companies didn't discriminate when calling back job-seekers.

Still, some firms preferred one sex over another in screening applicants. Manufacturing companies called back people with male names at higher rates, and clothing stores showing a bias toward female applicants.

What can workplaces — and workers — do

Kline said the research team hoped the public would focus as much on companies doing a bad job as those doing a good one, since they have potentially found ways to remove or limit racial bias from the hiring process.

"Even if it's true, from these insights in psychology and behavioral economics, that individuals are inevitably going to carry biases along with them, it's not automatic that those individual biases will translate into organizational biases, on average," he said.

St Fleur said there are several strategies companies can use to cut down on bias in the hiring process, including training staff and involving multiple recruiters in callback decisions.

Companies should also collect data about which candidates make it through the hiring process and consider standardizing or anonymizing that process, she added.

St Fleur also said she often tells her job-seeking clients that it's not their fault that they aren't getting called back for open positions they believe they're qualified for.

"The fact that you're not getting callbacks does not mean you suck, you're not a good worker, you don't deserve this thing," she said. "It's just the nature of the systemic forces at play, and this is what we have to deal with."

Still, she said job candidates facing bias in the hiring process can lean on their network for new opportunities, prioritize inclusive companies when applying for work and even consider switching industries or locations.