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.
Latest about science of sports
6 ways an athlete's brain differs from an average person's
Sports mastery is about much more than physical capability — it shapes the brain, too.
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 it
Here'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 Olympics
An 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 swimming
Olympic 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 prowess
Even among the world's most elite gymnasts, American Simone Biles, now competing in her third Olympic Games, is a standout.
