STUDIES
Want to stay up to date on the latest press releases and news about studies related to women's sports? Scroll below to view all women’s sports studies.-
September 2, 2026
Your smartwatch may be overestimating calories burned by 25 percent
New research shows popular smartwatches can overestimate calories burned during exercise by 15–25 percent, with Apple Watch the most accurate and Garmin and Samsung the least. In controlled tests against clinical-grade metabolic analyzers, some devices were so unreliable (Fitbit Sense 2) that data had to be discarded due to glitches....
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August 29, 2026
Keto diet cut liver fat by 67% in a clinical trial
A new clinical trial found that a ketogenic (very low-carb, high-fat) diet reduced liver fat by 67% in people with obesity, prediabetes, and fatty liver disease—significantly more than Mediterranean or low-fat diets, which each cut liver fat by about 45% despite similar ~10% body-weight loss. After four to five months,...
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August 20, 2026
U.S. Sports & Fitness Participation Reaches Record High in New Mid-Year Report
U.S. sports and fitness participation reached a record high of 81.3% for the 12 months ending June 2026, driven largely by team sports. Basketball, flag football, baseball and soccer posted strong gains, while padel became the fastest-growing racquet sport; trail running and Pilates also continued to grow. However, only 32.7% of Americans meet...
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August 17, 2026
Drink coffee for less body fat, more muscle, study suggests
Regular coffee consumption was associated with a leaner body composition among more than 2,200 adults, including lower total and visceral fat and greater skeletal muscle mass. Higher intake was also linked to lower levels of branched-chain amino acids associated with insulin resistance, although the study cannot prove that coffee directly...
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August 13, 2026
Nielsen data shows more fans are watching women’s sports than ever before
Women’s sports are booming. More people are watching women’s sports – from the women’s NCAA Tournament to the NWSL – and more women are watching sports, including NASCAR and the NFL. That’s all according to a new analysis from Nielsen that breaks down the numbers and viewership in its "Women...
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August 13, 2026
72% of women’s sports fans consume sports content daily
Women’s sports fans consume sports content at a remarkable rate. Seventy-two percent engage with sports content daily, 14 percentage points more than men’s sports fans. And this audience is nearly evenly split by gender — women’s sports fans are just as likely to be male (51%) as female (49%) —...
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August 1, 2026
Access to women’s sports trails demand, new poll finds
A new national poll found that interest in women’s sports is growing, but access is still a major barrier. While nearly 6 in 10 sports fans say they can watch most or all of what they want, that drops to 42% among women’s sports fans.ssrs+1 The gap suggests demand is...
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July 27, 2026
Could collagen peptides help protect female runners’ bones?
Collagen supplements have mostly been marketed to runners for their possible effects on joints, tendons, skin and hair. In a new study, researchers from the University of Connecticut examined the way collagen impacts bone health in female distance runners, with promising results. Collagen peptides are produced by breaking collagen into...
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July 27, 2026
A single sauna session sends immune cells surging
A new Finnish study suggests that spending time in a sauna can temporarily move more white blood cells into the bloodstream. These immune cells help the body detect and respond to pathogens and disease. Researchers found that a 30-minute sauna session increased the number of every type of circulating white...
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July 25, 2026
Some Workouts Put You In Different Moods To Others, Study Finds
You probably already know that overall, exercise is a mood booster. It’s linked to an increased production of “feel-good” brain chemicals like endorphins and serotonin. But new research published in the journal Psychoneuroendocrinology has found that the type of workout we choose might affect the way we feel afterwards. Their...
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July 20, 2026
UCLA scientists develop mineral sunscreen without the chalky white cast
UCLA scientists engineered zinc oxide particles into microscopic four-armed “tetrapods” that provide SPF 30 mineral sun protection while dramatically reducing the typical chalky white or gray cast on skin. The tetrapod structure prevents particles from clumping, keeps the lotion more stable over time, and produces a warmer appearance closer to...
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July 16, 2026
ADHD traits more common in runners, new research suggests
A new study suggests ADHD traits may show up more often in endurance runners than in the general population. ADHD, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects attention, focus and impulse control. The study, published in the journal Acta Psychologica, looked at ADHD traits in distance runners. Researchers from...
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July 15, 2026
Study debunks misleading women’s exercise advice
Women should ignore most of the exercise advice they see on social media, University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka researchers say. In a study published in the journal Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, researchers examined four claims commonly seen online about fasted training, hydration requirements, carbohydrates and protein timing...
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July 11, 2026
Sniffing Chocolate Could Boost Your Leg Day Workouts and Curb Hunger
The smell of dark chocolate might help you get a few more reps on leg day at the gym. New research suggests that simply inhaling the aroma before and during a workout could help people improve exercise performance without taking a single bite of chocolate. In an exploratory study published...
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July 9, 2026
Running With A Partner Feels Easier. Science Explains
Runners generally perform better with a partner because company shifts attention away from discomfort and raises perceived ease, but the fitness gains themselves still come from your training; solo runners can train the same skill by practicing effort-based pacing and scheduling quality sessions alone. Studies and practical advice recommend treating...
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July 8, 2026
Older people outpacing youngsters in physical fitness, study finds
Some 58.9% of 60 to 69-year-olds are meeting physical activity guidelines compared with 57.6% of 18-29 year olds, according to a study of about 1.9 million UK adults. The Our Future Health study also points to a “mid-life exercise gap” as the amount of exercise sharply drops off among those...
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July 8, 2026
Accountability Beats Motivation in Delivering Fitness Results, Data Shows
One of the few universal truths is that it’s easy to sign up for a fitness membership. Actually making it to the boutique studio class at 6 a.m. or hitting the gym after a long workday is much harder. Sticking with it day in and day out? It usually doesn’t...
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July 6, 2026
Female athletes can use more carbs during marathons than guidelines suggest – this brand-new study reveals all
You could argue that mid-marathon fuelling has never been placed more heavily under the spotlight. For regular runners, the gold standard tends to be 60g of carbohydrate per hour for runs lasting 90 minutes or more. But now, research is showing that runners could take on much more – we’re talking 90g...
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July 5, 2026
Men are far more likely to hit the wall in a marathon, new study finds
For marathon runners, “hitting the wall” is a dreaded experience. After cruising along for an hour (or several) at your perfect pace, you suddenly feel as though every step is deeply exhausting, and an ideal race day turns into what feels like a nightmare. A new study, published in Scientific Reports, looked...
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June 15, 2026
Millions take calcium and vitamin D for stronger bones. A major review finds little benefit
A comprehensive review published in The BMJ suggests that calcium supplements, vitamin D supplements, or taking both together provide little to no clinically meaningful benefit in preventing fractures or falls for most older adults. Falls are a major health concern among seniors. Nearly one in three people age 65 and older experiences...
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June 12, 2026
What Actually Happens To Your Heart After Running A Marathon? Here’s What A Study Found
Marathon running is known for its health and fitness benefits. Millions of people around the world participate in these long-distance races each year to improve endurance, challenge themselves, and maintain an active lifestyle. However, the high physical demand of running 42.2 kilometers puts extreme stress on the body, especially on the...
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June 11, 2026
Harvard Study: This Common Food Group Raises Your Risk of Dementia by 58 Percent
A recent Harvard study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that consuming high amounts of ultraprocessed foods significantly increases the risk of dementia. Adults who ate the largest quantities of these foods had a 58% higher risk of developing dementia and a 46% higher risk of cognitive...
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June 2, 2026
New Research Says Morning Exercise Before 8 A.M. Could Dramatically Lower Your Heart Disease Risk
New research presented at the American College of Cardiology’s annual meeting finds that exercising in the early morning—specifically between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m.—is strongly linked to a significantly lower risk of heart disease and other metabolic conditions. The study, which analyzed long-term data from nearly 15,000 people using wearable...
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June 2, 2026
Just 2 Hours of Strength Training a Week May Help You Live Longer
Strength training is heralded as a valuable aspect of an exercise regimen and regular physical activity. Strength and resistance training offer myriad benefits, including improving bone strength and balance, and helping with weight management. A new study found that aiming for 90-120 minutes of strength training each week may help...
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June 1, 2026
People Abandon Fitness Routines as They Get Older, Study Finds
It’s no secret the fitness and wellness industry obsesses over acquiring younger members, but a new longitudinal study makes the case that what happens to the 55-year-old deserves equal attention, and reveals the opportunities that exist for fitness operators. So finds the HABITAT study (How Areas in Brisbane Influence Health...
