Ten of the 16 stadiums that will host the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup in Mexico, the United States and Canada are at ‘very high’ risk of extreme heat stress conditions, according to a study published in Scientific Reports. Using data from the Copernicus Climate Change Service, the analysis concludes that the risk will be highest at stadiums in Arlington, Houston (USA) and Monterrey (Mexico).
The Twinning project is a UK-based initiative that organises soccer-based programmes, with the collaboration of professional clubs such as some Premier League clubs, to improve the mental and physical health of prisoners. Research has studied the behaviour of more than 670 of these participants and a group that did not participate, as well as collecting data related to the possible reintegration of those who were in this programme. According to the authors, who publish their research in the journal Nature Human Behaviour, ‘the results indicate that social bonding is associated with better behaviour in prison and a greater willingness of host communities to support reintegration efforts’.
Many people don't follow sports events, yet they enjoy the Olympics. Unlike the dominant men's soccer industry, the Olympics offer a wide variety of events for all tastes, with greater visibility of women's sports and a context that makes it easier to connect with the competition narrative, based on an internationalist and humanist spirit. They are proof that sports appeal to everyone because play is part of human essence.
Scientists at the University of Granada question whether regular exercise has cognitive benefits as previously thought. Their work, published in Nature Human Behaviour, has analysed 24 meta-analyses and 109 primary studies on the subject.
The International Athletics Federation has decided to ban transgender athletes who have transitioned after puberty from participating in international women's competitions. Although there are currently no trans athletes competing on the international circuit, the Federation "decided to prioritise the fairness and integrity of women's competition before inclusion", according to the statement issued. At a press conference, its president, Sebastian Coe, said: "We will be guided by the science that will inevitably develop in the coming years around physical performance and male advantage. As more evidence becomes available, we will review our position.
Swedish research involving more than 6,000 male footballers in the country's top division (between 1924 and 2019) indicates that they were 1.5 times more likely to develop a neurodegenerative disease compared to the population analysed who were not involved in professional football. Unlike outfield players, goalkeepers did not have this increased risk, which, according to the authors, supports the hypothesis that impacts to the head when striking the ball could explain the increased risk. The study is published in The Lancet Public Health.