Kids who get discouraged by idealized athletic bodies on social media may end up dropping out of sports, a small study suggests.

In a preliminary study of 70 kids who played -- or used to play -- sports, researchers found that some had quit because they thought they didn't have the "right" body for the activity. And most got that idea from media images, including TikTok and Instagram post...

Pickleball has become wildly popular, but that may be fueling a rise in pickleball-related injuries.

"It's quickly becoming a sport of choice for adults over the age of 50,"said Dr. Brian Cole, an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. He also plays pickleb...

Treating shoulder pain with steroid shots or removal of cartilage buildup yields the same result as no treatment at all, a Norwegian research team reports.

They said their findings call into question treatment guidelines for calcific tendinopathy, a painful condition in the shoulder's rotator cuff tendons.

Researchers said the common invasive procedure, known as ult...

Former pro football players with symptoms of depression or anxiety are far more likely to receive an unverifiable diagnosis of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) than players without those mental health conditions, a new study reports.

Players with depression are 9.5 times more likely to be diagnosed with CTE, while players with both depression and anxiety are 12 times more likely, th...

Playing sports can offer a lot of benefits for kids, but it's also important to help protect them from injuries.

Parents and coaches can make a big difference in helping kids play safely, according to Nemours Kids Health.

The medical organization suggests starting with proper equipment. Use it, but also make sure the safety gear is the right size, fits well and is right for the sp...

If mountain biking is your exercise of choice, go for it.

A new study finds that the benefits of this sport outweigh the risks, dashing a common view that it's always dangerous, injury-inducing and meant for thrill seekers.

"Mountain biking and hiking are...

The degenerative brain disease known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) may be striking some at much younger ages than thought possible: New research has uncovered early signs of the condition in amateur athletes who died young after playing contact sports.

The troubling finding was discovered during the brain autopsies of 152 athletes. All had engaged in the type of sports, such a...

The link between pro football and the risk for a neurodegenerative disease called chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is well known, and now a new study suggests that football may also up the risk for Parkinson's disease, even among past high school and college players.

"Parkinson's disease has been commonly reported in boxers, but we have not explored this link in great detail in foot...

Competitive sports can be a lot of fun for kids and teens, but starting a new season requires some planning.

Nemours TeensHealth offers some suggestions for kids and teens who are taking up a new sport or beginning a new season.

• Start by getting into shape. That will make it easier when you begin your sport.

You can do this by writing down an e...

Pickleball is a hot trend and it's getting folks exercising who haven't been so active in a long time.

It's also racking up injuries -- both overuse type and acute traumas -- often in those aged 50 and up.

A new poll suggests these players are forgoing care when they hurt their knees, wrists and rotator cuffs. Sports medicine experts are urging them not to ignore their nagging pain....

Heather Anderson, a star Australian rules football player who died last November, is the first female professional athlete to be diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE.

"She is the first female athlete diagnosed with CTE, but she will not be the last," researchers wrote in a paper published Friday. Anderson was 28 when she died from what was believed to be suicide.
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Pickleball has burst onto the scene, inspiring people of all ages to pick up a paddle.

But as with any sport, it's possible to get hurt. Some best practices can help prevent injuries, according to a sports medicine expert.

For pickleball players, the most common injury is to the rotator cuff tendon in the shoulder.

This can cause shoulder pain, especially with movement and use...

Autopsy is currently the only way to definitively diagnose chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease often seen in athletes who've suffered repeated blows to the head.

But there may be a way to predict which athletes are likely to develop CTE, researchers report June 28 in the journal Neurology.

They outline criteria for a condition called traumat...

After a focus on her own mental health and that of other athletes, U.S. gymnast Simone Biles will return to elite competition.

Biles will begin with the Aug. 5 U.S. Classic outside of Chicago, the Associated Press reported. She has not competed since the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, held in 2021, where she removed herself from sever...

Athletes using ketone supplements to boost their performance may be kidding themselves, researchers say.

The literature on the benefit of ketone supplements is mixed. Some studies have shown the supplements improve performance, but others say they have no effect or even worsen performance.

Natural ketones fuel the brain and muscles. A ketogenic diet of very low carbs and high fat c...