Building a Tour de France-winning body: know your muscles

Building a Tour de France-winning body: know your muscles

"The key force behind the Tour is the rotation of the bicycle cranks driven by the force of skeletal muscles. While the major part of this muscular force is produced by the lower limb muscles, the trunk and upper limb muscles are also contributing to the pedalling movement to varying degrees depending on a cyclist’s technique or position on the bike."

Read More

The link between Parkinson’s disease and gut bacteria

The link between Parkinson’s disease and gut bacteria

"What do the contents of your stomach have to do with Parkinson’s disease? A new study from a group of researchers at the California Institute of Technology (CalTech) in Los Angeles suggests more than you might think."

Read More

Why running could keep you awake at night

Why running could keep you awake at night

"You’ve probably heard people say they enjoy running because it lets them switch off. Perhaps you feel that way yourself. Well recent research in mice suggests there may actually be a scientific basis for this, because brain activity really does decrease when you’re performing a simple, repetitive action. What’s more, while running may tire your body out, such exercise might actually reduce your brain’s need for sleep."

Read More

To avoid recurring injuries, footballers have to change the way they move

To avoid recurring injuries, footballers have to change the way they move

"Injuries are part and parcel of football, people working in the game often say. Sure enough the number of injuries does not seem to be decreasing, even though most top-level teams have embedded sports medicine and science provision within their set-ups these days. Some injuries, such as hamstring muscle strains and knee ligament ruptures, actually appear to be on the rise."

Read More

Which sports are best for health and long life?

Which sports are best for health and long life?

"Insufficient physical activity is estimated to cause more than 5 million premature deaths a year. To reduce the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer and a number of other chronic diseases, the World Health Organisation recommends adults and older people engage in physical activity for at least 150 minutes a week."

Read More