Sports medicine sits at the vibrant intersection of athletic performance and human health, exploring how the body responds to physical stress, injury, and recovery. This field goes far beyond treating sprains and fractures; it delves into optimizing training methods, understanding the long-term effects of repetitive impact, and developing faster, safer ways for athletes to return to play.

At Gist.Science, we make these rapidly evolving discoveries accessible to everyone by curating the latest research from medRxiv. We process every new preprint in this category as soon as it is published, transforming complex data into both clear, plain-language overviews and detailed technical summaries. This ensures that coaches, clinicians, and curious readers can stay ahead of the curve without getting lost in dense jargon.

Below are the latest papers in sports medicine that have recently appeared on medRxiv, each accompanied by our dual-format breakdowns to help you understand the science behind the game.

📄 sports medicine

HOW SAFE IS EXERCISE? A CROSS-SECTIONAL ANALYSIS BETWEEN MID-LIFE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND FRACTURES IN UK BIOBANK

This cross-sectional study of UK Biobank participants aged 40–65 found that while higher volumes of leisure-time physical activity, particularly vigorous intensity, are associated with increased fracture risk in midlife, adhering to current WHO physical activity recommendations does not elevate this risk.

Rolls, C., Tobias, J., dawes, h., Clark, E., Faber, B. G.2026-07-30
📄 sports medicine

Bench-stepping training improves stair-walking dynamics in older women: evidence from an exploratory nonlinear kinematic analysis

This study demonstrates that a 12-week bench-stepping training program improves stair-walking speed and alters movement complexity in older women, with distinct nonlinear dynamic changes observed between stair ascent and descent that suggest different underlying motor control strategies.

Baggen, R. J., van Schooten, K. S., Van Roie, E., Verschueren, S. M., Delecluse, C., Delbaere, K., Lord, S. R., van Diee (…)2026-07-07
📄 sports medicine

Effects of high-intensity interval training with or without resistance training on Alzheimer's disease brain signatures in individuals with coronary artery disease: the Heart-Brain randomized controlled trial.

In a randomized controlled trial involving individuals with coronary artery disease, a 12-week combined high-intensity interval and resistance training program was found to be more effective than high-intensity interval training alone in increasing Alzheimer's disease-related cortical thickness and volume, though neither intervention significantly altered brain microstructure or showed associations with cognitive and physical fitness changes compared to usual care.

Sanchez-Martinez, J., Solis-Urra, P., Toval, A., Coca-Pulido, A., Rodriguez Palacios, M. T., Sanchez-Aranda, L., Bakker (…)2026-07-04
📄 sports medicine

Comparison of Mechanical Tissue Properties Using MyotonPRO and Time-Harmonic Elastography: Understanding Fundamental Differences and Statistical Relationships

This study demonstrates that while both MyotonPRO and time-harmonic elastography detect muscle stiffening during contraction, they rely on fundamentally different physical mechanisms and exhibit weak, condition-dependent correlations influenced by subcutaneous fat, indicating they are not interchangeable measures.

Kurz, E., Valli, G., Meyer, T., Proger, S., Schwesig, R., Bartels, T., Delank, K.-S., Sack, I., Aghamiry, H. S.2026-05-28
📄 sports medicine

Development and Internal Validation of a Field-Based Triage Tool for Lumbopelvic-Hip Dysfunction in Collegiate Athletes

This study developed and internally validated a 14-factor clinical triage scoring system (CTSS) designed to help sports medicine professionals quickly identify collegiate athletes requiring priority intervention for lumbopelvic-hip dysfunction during field-based assessments.

Huang, H.-C., Chou, P.-H., Lee, K.-C., Chu, I.-H., Huang, I.-J., Liang, J.-M., Wu, W.-L.2026-04-26
📄 sports medicine

The effects of different course assessment methods on college studentstennis performance and basic psychological needs: A cluster randomized controlled trial

This cluster randomized controlled trial demonstrates that a formative assessment approach, characterized by personalized goals and individualized feedback, significantly outperforms traditional summative assessment in enhancing both college students' tennis skills and their satisfaction of basic psychological needs.

wang, y., Luo, Y.2026-04-19
📄 sports medicine

Combined Flywheel Resistance and Aerobic Exercise on Power output and Function in Chronic Kidney Disease: An Exploratory Study on the Influence of Physical Activity

This exploratory study demonstrates that a six-week combined flywheel resistance and aerobic exercise program significantly improves muscle thickness, power output, and functional mobility in older male Veterans with chronic kidney disease stages 3–4, regardless of their baseline physical activity levels, though specific adaptations vary between those meeting versus not meeting activity recommendations.

Gollie, J., Ryan, A. S., Harris-Love, M. O., Kokkinos, P., Scholten, J., Pugh, R. J., Hazel, C. G., Blackman, M. R.2026-04-16
📄 sports medicine

Muevete conCiencia: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial of dual-task exercise, Tai Chi, and cognitive training on executive functions and stress in university students

This study protocol outlines a three-arm randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the comparative effects of 12 weeks of dual-task exercise, Tai Chi, and cognitive training on executive functions and stress levels among first-year university students in Latin America.

Rodriguez Vera, M. A., Pinto, C., Baez, C., Llanos, C., Koch, A., Reyes-Molina, D., Pena-Oyarzun, D., Rostami, S., de la (…)2026-03-24
📄 sports medicine

The Effects of AI-Guided Exercise and a Smart Ring on Arterial Stiffness (GONDOR-AS): protocol for a randomized controlled trial

The GONDOR-AS randomized controlled trial protocol outlines a study comparing the effects of an AI-guided exercise program, supervised high-intensity interval training, and passive monitoring on arterial stiffness and cardiorespiratory fitness in 165 sedentary adults to evaluate the scalability and efficacy of digital health interventions for cardiovascular disease prevention.

Pentikäinen, H., Strömmer, S., Caraker, D., Kosonen, J., Rantanen, A., Hiltunen, S., Komulainen, P., Similä, H., de Z (…)2026-03-22