From recreational leagues to the world stage, athletes and sportspeople are always searching for that extra 10% to help them train harder, run faster and play smarter than their opponents.
How can science help give athletes that competitive edge? And what can it tell us about the limits of the human body and mind? Discover all this and more as we uncover the science of sports.
-
What happens when you 'hit the wall'?Experts tell Live Science what it means to "hit the wall" while exercising and how to avoid it.
-
'Breaking,' aka breakdancing, is in the Olympics for the 1st time — here's the brain science behind itHere's the brain science of breaking, the dance style making its Olympic debut in Paris.
-
What is doping? And which performance-enhancing drugs are banned?Many drugs are forbidden for use by athletes in major international competitions, such as the Olympics. Here's why.
-
USA Basketball doctor shares what it's like to treat athletes at the OlympicsAn orthopedic surgeon explains what it's like to support USA Basketball at the Olympics.
-
Olympic athletes dive into the Seine — days after it was deemed too contaminated with poop for safe swimmingOlympic triathlon racers finally dove into the Seine following postponements due to poor water-quality test results. Will the water stay swimmable?
-
At what age does athleticism peak in different sports?The Paris Olympics welcome the strongest, fastest and sharpest athletes in the world. But to what extent does age raise or lessen their chances of gold?
-
'Simone is a very, very rare bird': Experts discuss the science behind Simone Biles' gymnastic prowessEven among the world's most elite gymnasts, American Simone Biles, now competing in her third Olympic Games, is a standout.
-
What's the heaviest weight a person can lift?The world's strongest lifters on record won acclaim for hoisting thousands of pounds into the air at one time. Could they ever go heavier?
-
What's the most dangerous sport in the world?It's hard to compare sports head-to-head, but some stand out in terms of their risk of causing injury or death.
