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20 Sporty Science Ideas

June 17, 2021 By Emma Vanstone Leave a Comment

Olympic and sports day fever is about to start so I’ve put together a collection of fun sport themed science experiments and investigations . Do let me know if you try any of my sporty science ideas !

Sporty Science Ideas

Exercise and heart rate.

First up is an easy activity to learn about the effect of exercise on heart rate . If using a stethoscope is too difficult children can put their hand on their heart and feel the beats.

This investigation is great for starting to think about correct experimental design, which conditions to change and which to keep constant etc.

stethoscope and timer for a sporty science experiment

Heart and Lung Model

Discover how your lungs work with this model of a lung , I also have an easy pumping heart model using a jar you can try.

Model lung made with a plastic bottle and balloons

Find out what’s inside your blood with this fun demonstration from Creekside Learning.

Healthy and Strong Bones

Learn about the structure and function of the human skeleton by making models of the spine and paper bone models.

Diagram of the human skeleton showing bone names

Find out how to keep your bones strong and healthy with this activity learning about foods that are good for bone strength and what happens when you break a bone.

How much sugar?

Discover how much sugar drinks contain with this fun matching task.

selection of drinks with the amount of sugar they contain represented by sugar cubes

Why do balls bounce?

Investigate why and how balls bounce with this super simple bouncing balls investigation.

balls in a container for a bouncy ball experiment

Which material would make the best hockey puck?

This easy activity is great for starting to think about properties of materials and why materials are chosen for a particular purpose. See this version by Creative Family Fun .

Test your Reaction Time

Test your reaction time with this super simple activity, all you need is a ruler!

Put your design skills to the test with this brilliant shoebox football table from The Mad House.

More sport themed science experiments

Use surface tension to power a model canoe or lolly stick surfboard?

Can you build and test a football goal?

Can you design a sail boat with a working sail?

Can people with longer legs jump further or run faster?

Can you build a javelin from rolled up paper? Does it travel further if you add wings?

Can you construct a bow and arrow using lolly sticks and elastic bands?

Can you build a catapult to shoot a basketball into a hoop?

Can you jump further if you run and jump instead of just jumping?

Is it easier to bounce a ball on a baseball bat or a tennis racquet?

Can you design a grip for a tug of war rope?

Last Updated on January 20, 2023 by Emma Vanstone

Safety Notice

Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

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Sports Science Fair Project Ideas

Combine sports and science for a perfect science fair project

Projects & Experiments
Chemical Laws
Periodic Table
Scientific Method
Biochemistry
Physical Chemistry
Medical Chemistry
Chemistry In Everyday Life
Famous Chemists
Activities for Kids
Abbreviations & Acronyms
Weather & Climate
Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville
B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College

Stay away from the typical, overdone science fair cliches. Instead, create something that combines sports and science for your science fair project.

Ideas to Get You Started

How does the material from which a baseball bat is made affect performance? How does a wood bat compare with an aluminum bat?
Does altitude affect the height of a ball bounce (for example, a golf ball)? If an effect is seen, can you attribute it to gravity or atmospheric pressure?
Examine the effect of energy bars on performance. Pick a sport. Is there a difference in performance if you use a protein-boosting energy bar versus a carbohydrate-boosting energy bar?
What is the effect of using a corked baseball bat compared to a normal one?
Does drinking an energy drink (or sports drink) affect reaction time? memory?
Are there really streaks in baseball? Or is it simply chance?
Compare energy drinks based on cost, taste, short-term effect, and long-term effect.
Which sports drink contains the most electrolytes?
How is a ball's diameter related to the time it takes to fall?
Does the length of a golf club affect the distance you can hit the ball?
Does a swim cap really reduce a swimmer's drag and increase speed?
How does exercise affect heart rate? This project is especially good if you can track data over a longer time frame.
Does exercise affect reaction time?
Does regular exercise affect memory?
At what slope angle is the mechanical advantage of a bicycle lost, as compared to running?
Compare different brands of balls for a sport (like baseball or golf) for cost versus performance.
Do helmets really protect against a crash? (Perform this test with a stimulant like a watermelon.)
What is the best air pressure for a soccer ball?
How does temperature affect the accuracy of a paintball shot?
Does altitude, temperature, or humidity have an effect on the number of home runs hit at a baseball diamond?
Does the presence or absence of a net affect free throw accuracy?
Measure the effect on peripheral vision from wearing different types of corrective eyewear (such as glasses). Does an athlete experience a noticeable improvement when peripheral vision is increased?
Is there an effect if you fill an inflatable ball with a different gas than air (such as nitrogen or helium)? You can measure the height of a bounce, weight, and effect on passing, as well as how long it stays inflated.

Tips for Choosing a Project

If you are an athlete or trainer, pick the sport you know best. Can you identify any problems to be examined? A good science fair project answers a question or solves a problem.
When you have an idea, consider how to design an experiment around it. You need data. Numerical data (numbers and measurements) are better than qualitative data (greater/lesser, better/worse), so design an experiment that gives you data you can graph and analyze.

Do you need more science fair project ideas? Here's a big collection to browse.

7th Grade Science Fair Projects
Human Body Project Ideas
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Chemistry Science Fair Project Ideas
Plastics & Polymers Science Fair Project Ideas
Acid & Base Science Fair Project Ideas
Caffeine Science Fair Projects
Science Fair Project Ideas for 12th Graders
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College Science Fair Projects
How to Find Original Science Fair Project Ideas
Grade School Science Fair Project Ideas

Top 8 Sports Science Experiments

Every jump, sprint, throw, and dive holds within it a story of science waiting to be uncovered.

Welcome to our compilation of the top 8 sports science experiments, specifically curated for students and teachers. Whether you’re a curious student eager to explore the intricacies of human potential or an enthusiastic teacher seeking innovative ways to inspire your students, this compilation is your gateway to unlocking the wonders of sports science.

Let’s embark on this thrilling journey of discovery, where the adrenaline of sports meets the intrigue of science, revealing the marvels that link them together.

1. Make Popsicle Stick Catapult

By constructing their own catapults using simple materials like popsicle sticks, rubber bands, and a spoon, students will not only learn about concepts like force, motion, and energy transfer, but they will also have a blast testing their catapults’ launching capabilities.

2. Ball Bounce

Prepare to bounce into the exciting world of sports science with the Ball Bounce experiment! This simple yet captivating experiment offers students a hands-on opportunity to explore the fascinating physics behind the bouncing of balls.

3. Hockey-Science

This exhilarating experiment combines the beloved sport of hockey with the principles of physics, giving students a unique opportunity to explore the scientific aspects of the game.

Learn more: Hockey Science Experiment

4. Shoebox Table Football

Engaging in Shoebox Table Football not only fosters a love for sports but also encourages scientific inquiry and practical application of scientific concepts.

Learn more: Shoebox Table Football

5. Floating Ball Experiment

The Floating Ball Experiment is a perfect blend of fun and education, allowing students to grasp complex scientific principles in a hands-on and visually captivating way.

Learn more: Floating Ball Experiment

6. Falling Footballs

This captivating sports science experiment allows students to explore the fascinating physics behind the trajectory of falling objects.

Learn more: Saturday Science, Falling Footballs

7. Discover the Energy Expenditure of Dribbling

This hands-on experiment offers students an exciting opportunity to explore the amount of energy expended during basketball dribbling.

Learn more: Science Buddies

8. Tracing the Path of Energy in a Bouncing Ball

Through this hands-on experiment, students will observe the complex interplay between kinetic and potential energy as they trace the path of energy from the moment the ball is dropped to the peak of its bounce.

15 Awesome Science Projects from the "Physics and Sports" Competition

Updated: Apr 10

Searching for fresh experimental ideas to explore physics in the classroom? Draw inspiration from these 15 groundbreaking projects undertaken by middle and high school students for the "Physics and Sports" competition, hosted by the Société Française de Physique. Leveraging the complimentary FizziQ app, which integrates sensors (including GPS, accelerometers, gyroscopes), video motion analysis, and an experimental notebook, students have transformed various sports activities into thrilling physics lessons ( www.fizziq.org ).

Football Strategic Analysis

A class at High School Charles Gounod in Saint-Cloud embarked on an innovative journey with their football peers by utilizing the GPS capabilities of smartphones to analyze players' positions and movements on the field during a match, all recorded through FizziQ. This approach allowed for a detailed visualization of player movements, highlighting the critical importance of strategic positioning and fostering an understanding of teamwork and strategy in football. As a result of this insightful study, the students have garnered valuable insights and strategic advice that could even benefit our national coach!

The Dynamics of the Shot Put

Students from Junior High School Mallarmé in Sens collaborated with Franck Elemba, an Olympic athlete, to explore the physics behind the shot put. Acceleration sensors, attached to the arm of the athlete, and the video analysis of the ball trajectory using FizziQ revealed the crucial impact of angle and force on throw range. The experiments transformed a sports session into a physics session where so much was learned. Many thanks to Franck Elemba, perhaps did he discovered certain aspects of the physics of throwing that he did not know about?

Optimization of Swimming Performance

Students from Middle School Victor Hugo in Carmaux, the impact of drag on swimming performance was meticulously analyzed underwater. Utilizing the kinematic module of FizziQ, the students were able to measure the speed of swimmers in various postures during horizontal glides. Their findings illuminated how the alignment of the body and the positioning of the arms can significantly influence an athlete's efficiency in the water. This research not only sheds light on the nuances of aquatic dynamics but also offers invaluable insights for Olympic-level training and performance optimization.

Paralympic Javelin Throw

Scamaroni High School in Charleville-Mézières showcased the exceptional talents of para-athletes. Through a detailed comparison of throwing techniques between able-bodied athletes and para-athletes, employing FizziQ's advanced kinematic analysis, this project not only deepened the appreciation for the distinct challenges encountered by para-athletes but also championed an inclusive perspective towards athletics. This commendable effort was recognized with a special jury prize, underscoring the project's significant contribution to promoting inclusivity in sports.

It’s climbing!

Students at Winston Churchill High School embarked on an insightful study to understand the impact of weight, height, and muscle mass on bouldering performance. Through a comparative analysis of two students with differing physical traits, they discovered that a lighter frame and smaller stature significantly enhance speed and precision during climbs. This investigation shed light on the crucial interplay between physical characteristics and climbing efficiency, offering students profound insights into the role of physics and biomechanics in sports. Indeed, these students have proven that Spider-Man might just have a thing or two to learn from them!

The Horse Hits the Bars

Does a horse adapt the angle of its jump to the type of obstacle encountered? This is the question that final year students addressed by carrying out kinematic analyzes of two types of jumps: the oxer (jump of two bars apart), and the vertical (jump of a single bar). This analysis allowed them to verify the impact of trajectory and angle on jumping performance, providing a window into the physics behind the equestrian sport. An analysis which also showed them the difficulty of making measurements on living beings which are less docile than a basketball... Bravo for your perseverance!

Leaps and Rebounds

A class from the Pasteur High School in Paris studied the main characteristics of the different types of balls used in sport. Through FizziQ video analysis, they measured the effect of different factors influencing the rebound, such as the internal pressure of the ball, the type of surface, or the characteristics of the ball, making it possible to predict the height of the rebound that the can be expected from a type of ball. An exciting quantitative study that requires little equipment and allows students to ask questions about the type of equipment suitable for each sport. Are your basketballs properly inflated?

Aerodynamic Badminton

Do all shuttlecocks perform equally in the game of badminton? This intriguing question led a K9 class at the Lille Academy to investigate how the design and materials of badminton shuttlecocks influence their descent speed. The study pondered whether certain shuttlecocks surpass others in quality or serve distinct purposes. Utilizing the kinematic analysis tool from FizziQ, the students were able to conduct a detailed comparison, unveiling how aerodynamic forces affect shuttlecock performance. This enlightening research has forever changed our perspective on badminton shuttlecocks.

The Mechanics of Triple Jump Success

Two students from the Honoré d'Estienne d'Orves high school analyzed the effect of the position of the knee and foot on the first leap of the triple jump. Thanks to FizziQ, they demonstrated that certain positions can significantly increase jump distance, applying the principles of physics to optimize athletic performance. A very useful analysis before the Olympic Games!

Improve your Rugby game

Sophomore students at St Pierre High School in Fourmies delved into the physics underlying rugby, examining the game's various phases, including passing, throwing, tackling, and scrummaging. By employing smartphone accelerometers and gyroscopes, they meticulously analyzed the ball's rotation, conclusively showing that rotation enhances the stability of passes. Additionally, video capture allowed for the detailed examination of gameplay movements, illustrating the influence of angle and speed on the efficacy of a hit. This comprehensive study highlighted the critical role of the gyroscopic effect in passing, the significance of a parabolic trajectory for throw-ins and jumps, and the practical application of Newton's laws in tackles and scrums. Similar analysis could be conducted in American Football !

Pedometers under the Magnifier

Secondary school students from Berthollet high school tested the reliability of pedometers in various activities. By testing all situations, including walking with crutches, the students were able to verify the reliability of the instruments present in our smartphones.

This exploration encouraged students to analyze everyday technology through the lens of physics. Bravo for this experimental verification of the reliability of these instruments.

Gymnastics and Physics: The “Sun” Challenge

Students from the High School Honoré d'Estienne d'Orves in Carquefou dissected the "sun" movement in gymnastics. Using FizziQ's cinematic analysis, they highlighted the importance of speed and kinetic and potential energies, applying physics to perfect this artistic movement. An opportunity to admire the performance of the gymnasts who achieve these feats.

Photography of the Movement

K7 middle school pupils, passionate about chronophotography, used the app Motion Shot to create chronophotographs of movements and the kinematics module to analyze the dynamics of the body in action. By visualizing movement sequences, they deepened their understanding of the mechanics of sport, demonstrating the interconnection between physique and physical activity. A beautiful work that is both scientific and aesthetic!

Kayaking: A Question of Weight and Buoyancy

Students from La Nacelle college asked themselves the question of whether weight distribution had an impact on a kayaker's performance and affected the stability and speed of the kayak. By measuring performance at different positions, they explored the physics of buoyancy and fluid dynamics, illuminating strategies to improve navigation. Make sure your smartphone is water resistant before getting started!

Sailing with Angles in Sailing

A final year high school student, passionate about sailing since childhood, investigated the optimal angle of the sail to maximize speed with a crosswind. By meticulously adjusting the angle of the sail and carrying out numerous measurements on the water of speed variations, she was able to verify certain aerodynamic concepts and put the theory to the service of her understanding of her favorite sport.

And all those we haven't mentioned...

These 15 examples represent only a small part of the many projects that were submitted to the Physics and Sports competition. We have not presented the project of this first grade student who used the FizziQ kinematics module to study karate, the students from the Lycée Saint Erembert who studied handball shooting, the students from the Villaroy high school who studied high jump or the Louise Weiss College Science Club which studied how hand size influenced speed in swimming., and many others... All these projects show the creativity of students and their teachers, and the desire of everyone to better understand the world around them through science. Congratulations to all !

To know more :

Study sport with FizziQ: https://www.fizziq.org/en/post/sportsandscience-1

Discover the sensors capabilities of your smartphone: https://www.fizziq.org/en/post/turn-your-smartphone-into-a-scientific-instruments

What is biomechanics? https://www.fizziq.org/en/post/5-projects-in-biomechanics-with-a-smartphone

Sports Science Fair Project Ideas

Here are some ideas for you to create informative and interesting sports science fair projects. Sports science projects are great for attracting notice at science fairs from your school friends and for impressing teachers and judges. You can also gain a wealth of information and knowledge from doing science fair projects on sports.

Some great high school science fair projects could be created from examining some of the mathematical formula and physics of sports, and you can get much more enjoyment out of it by using your interest in sports as a basis of your project.

Golf Science Fair Projects

There are physics equations which describe how far golf balls can be propelled based on the force, impulse and angle of projection. Throw in the factor of air resistance and you have an interesting analysis.
Golf ball design has changed over the years. What are the roles of the dimples, and what is the effect of more or less, and what effect has the changes had on the game?
You can also try exploring the effects that the various lengths of golf clubs produce, and the angle of the club head, and how they affect the distance the ball can be hit and how the ball responds when landing.

see more about science and golf

Baseball Science Fair Projects

The sport of baseball provides many ideas for science fair projects, such as:

You can design a project based on comparing the effects of different kinds of baseball bats. Is there a difference in performance between wood and aluminum bats, and if so, what kind of difference is there? Is there a benefit in using a corked bat compared to a regular one?
Can physics describe an optimal way to swing a baseball bat in order to achieve a home run? What role does the speed of the ball from the pitcher have on the subsequent speed of the ball from the bat?
You could examine the effects of various properties of baseballs. What role does the surface of the ball have on the ability to throw a curve ball. How does a baseball's spin affect its behavior in flight? How can a pitcher best utilize these factors when playing the sport.

Tennis Science Fair Projects

Racket sports such as tennis and badminton provide more examples of science and sport.

You can compare the properties of the rackets for tennis and badminton, and the tennis ball compared to the shuttle (bird), to show how the game speed between the two sports is very different. How does the speed and design of each sport affect the style of play and winning techniques for that sport?
What effect does the tennis court surface have on the type of game played. Why do some players perform better on clay courts rather than hard courts?. Are players of certain physical characteristics better suited to a certain court surface type?

There is a vast world of connections between science and sports, and presented above are only a fraction of the possible project ideas. Sports science fair projects are a wonderful opportunity for you to explore these connections. Have fun and create a successful science fair project, while enriching your knowledge of your favorite sports.

Example Projects

Gravity Experiment using a bowling ball.
Ruler Reaction Time Test — This simple test calculates reaction time using only a ruler and a basic physics equation.

More about the Physics of Sport
Fitness Testing Science Fair Projects
Nutrition Sports Fair Projects
Sport Science research project ideas

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9 Activity Ideas for STEM in Physical Education

Lauren Chiangpradit
November 16, 2023
Reviewed by Sean Barton
Reviewed by Haley MacLean

Table of Contents

The Synergy of Movement and Learning

Physical education stem activities for elementary school, stem activities for middle school pe students, advanced stem challenges for high school learners, tech, tools, and resources for stem in physical education.

Integrating STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) into Physical Education (PE) classes offers an innovative approach to education. In an era where sports statistics, science, and technology increasingly influence athletics, PE classes are uniquely positioned to blend physical activity with STEM learning and 21st century skills. This article explores how PE educators and facilitators can use STEM learning in their coursework. It also provides a range of curriculum activity ideas to get students at different education and skill levels engaged.

Research indicates that physical activity can significantly bolster cognitive abilities. When students participate in movement-based learning, they benefit physically and experience enhanced concentration, memory, and creativity. This cognitive boost is crucial for comprehending and applying STEM concepts, which often demand high levels of problem-solving and critical thinking. Active learning, where students engage in physical activities while learning STEM concepts, results in more profound understanding and retention of information. Integrating physical and mental challenges not only makes learning more enjoyable, but is more effective, as students apply theoretical concepts in practical settings, leading to better comprehension and recall.

Integrating STEM into elementary physical education presents a fantastic opportunity to lay the foundation for lifelong learning and curiosity in young students. Through these innovative activities, elementary school children can explore and understand key STEM concepts while engaging in fun and physical play. Each activity is designed to be not only educational but highly interactive and suitable for their developmental stage. Here are some engaging activities that blend physical education with STEM learning for elementary students:

Jump and Measure: Students perform a variety of jumps – like the long jump and high jump – and measure their distances or heights. This activity introduces basic concepts of measurement and physics, encouraging students to understand how force and motion play a role in their physical activities.
Geometry with Body Movements: In this activity, children use their bodies to create geometric shapes, either individually or in groups. It’s an engaging way for students to learn about basic geometry, spatial awareness, and symmetry. Teachers can challenge students to form complex shapes, enhancing their understanding and teamwork skills.
STEM Soccer : In a lesson devoted to measuring throw-ins, students collect data in centimeters and convert their data to meters dividing by 100. Students then evaluate measurement systems to decide the best measurement size. This disguised learning, interactive lesson is a great way for physical education teachers to add STEM into their PE classes.
Weather and Exercise: Students observe and record weather patterns over a week and discuss how different weather conditions affect physical activities. This integrates meteorology into PE, allowing students to see the real-world application of science in their everyday activities.
Heart Rate Exploration: After engaging in various exercises, students measure their heart rates to learn about the cardiovascular system and the science behind exercise. This activity not only educates them about their bodies, but about the importance of physical fitness in maintaining health.
Playground Physics: Utilizing playground equipment, this activity allows students to explore concepts like gravity, force, and motion. They can experience firsthand how these physical laws impact their play and movements, turning the playground into a living laboratory.

As students enter middle school, their capacity for more complex and abstract thinking grows significantly. This developmental stage is an ideal time to introduce more intricate STEM concepts through physical education, enhancing their learning experience with practical applications. The following STEM activities are tailored for middle school students, offering a blend of intellectual challenge and physical engagement. These activities are designed to pique students’ curiosity in STEM fields through the familiar and enjoyable medium of sports and physical exercises. By participating in these activities, students not only deepen their understanding of STEM concepts, but learn valuable lessons in teamwork, problem-solving, and the practical application of classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios. Here’s a look at some stimulating and educational STEM activities for middle school PE:

Sports Statistics Analysis: Students gather and analyze sports statistics from games or physical activities. This teaches them about data collection, interpretation, and the importance of statistics in understanding and improving athletic performance.
STEM Football: During a lesson in STEM Football, students collect and graph data of a controlled experiment by using a line graph. Students then explain the relationship between kinetic energy and mass by writing a claim evidence supported by evidence-based reasoning from class data. This lesson highlights the strong classroom connection between physical education and STEM learning, and how it can help create tangible examples for students.
Energy and Movement: This activity focuses on the concept of kinetic and potential energy in the context of sports. Students explore how energy is transferred and transformed during different physical activities, such as running, jumping, or throwing a ball.
Biomechanics of Sports: Here, students delve into the study of human movement and mechanics in various sports. They learn about the science behind athletic performance, injury prevention , and how athletes optimize their movements for maximum efficiency and safety.
Mathletics Relay: A relay race where each leg involves solving a math problem before passing the baton. This combines physical fitness with mathematical skills, emphasizing quick thinking and teamwork.
Technology in Sports Training: Students explore how technology is increasingly used in sports training and performance analysis. They might look at wearable tech, video analysis software, or other tools that help athletes improve their skills and coaches to make informed decisions.

High school students, with their advanced cognitive skills and heightened interests, are well-positioned to tackle complex STEM challenges through physical education. This section of the curriculum is designed to offer high school learners in-depth, hands-on experiences that combine higher-level STEM concepts with physical activities and sports. These advanced activities are not just about physical exertion; they require students to engage in critical thinking, problem-solving, and creative innovation. They provide an opportunity for students to see the real-world applications of the STEM knowledge they acquire in their classrooms, bridging the gap between theoretical learning and practical implementation. By participating in these activities, high school students can gain a deeper understanding of various STEM fields, such as physics, engineering, biotechnology, and environmental science, observing how these disciplines intersect with sports and physical fitness. Here are some challenging and intellectually stimulating STEM activities designed for high school learners:

Physics of Sports Equipment Design: Students research and discuss the physics principles involved in the design of sports equipment. This can include topics like material science, aerodynamics, and ergonomics, providing insights into how equipment is optimized for performance and safety.
Engineering a Miniature Golf Course: Students design and construct a miniature golf course, applying concepts of geometry, physics, and design. This project not only involves creativity, but a practical application of STEM principles by creating functional and enjoyable mini-golf holes.
Sports Analytics Project: Students undertake a project to analyze a sports game using statistical methods and tools. This activity introduces them to data science in sports, teaching them how to interpret and use data to understand game strategies and player performance.
Biotechnology in Athletics: This topic explores how biotechnology is used in sports, from equipment design to performance enhancement techniques. Students might study material innovations, genetic research in athletics, or the ethical implications of biotechnology in sports.
Environmental Science in Outdoor Sports: Students analyze how environmental factors impact outdoor sports activities. They can study topics like climate change, pollution, and natural terrain, understanding the interplay between sports and the environment.
Virtual Reality Sports Training: Students explore how VR technology is being used for skill development, strategy training, and injury rehabilitation in various sports by discussing the emerging role of virtual reality in sports.

Bringing STEM into PE classes effectively requires the right resources, including technology tools, educational kits, and comprehensive guides. Resources like the STEM Sports® kits provide ready-to-use activities that seamlessly blend physical education with STEM learning. These kits offer an invaluable resource for teachers looking to enrich their curriculum and engage K-8 students through a cross-curricular learning approach. For additional resources, tools, and innovative ideas, please visit STEM Sports® .

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10 Sports Science Project Ideas for High School Students

By Surya Ramanathan

Johns Hopkins University, B.S. in Applied Mathematics and Statistics, B.S. in Economics, and M.S. in Applied Economics

2 minute read

As you embark on your academic journey in high school, the opportunity to explore and delve into subjects that align with your passions can be a game-changer. For those who love sports or are interested in the science behind athletic performance, Polygence provides an incredible platform to pursue unique and enriching research projects. In this blog post, we’ll explore ten original project ideas in sports and sports science that will inspire you to unleash your potential.

Why Study Sports and Sports Science?

Holistic Health Benefits: Sports contribute to physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Studying sports science allows high schoolers to understand how various activities impact overall health and performance.

STEM Integration: Sports science seamlessly integrates with STEM topics. High schoolers can explore the practical applications of these disciplines in a context they’re passionate about.

Real-World Problem Solving: Sports present real-world challenges, from injury prevention to optimizing performance. Studying sports science allows students to engage in problem-solving directly related to everyday concerns.

Career Exploration: For those considering careers in physical therapy, coaching, nutrition, or sports medicine, studying sports science in high school provides a valuable head start.

What are some Sports and Sports Science Project Ideas?

1. swing dynamics in baseball.

Uncover the secrets behind a powerful baseball swing by delving into biomechanics. Investigate key factors like bat speed, launch angle, and body positioning to understand how they collectively contribute to hitting accuracy. Through the analysis of high-speed footage and data-driven insights, this project aims to provide baseball enthusiasts with a comprehensive understanding of the mechanics behind a successful swing.

2. Hydration and Cognitive Performance in Athletes

Quench your curiosity by investigating the relationship between hydration levels and cognitive function during athletic activities. This project will employ cognitive tests, hydration monitoring, and performance assessments to explore how staying hydrated influences an athlete’s decision-making abilities, reaction time, and overall mental acuity during various sports scenarios.

3. Protein Intake and Muscle Recovery

If you’re a fan of lifting, this is a project that will directly impact you. Dig into the role of protein in post-exercise muscle recovery across different sports. Through a combination of nutritional analysis, muscle biopsies, and performance assessments, this project aims to provide valuable insights into the optimal protein intake for accelerating recovery and promoting muscle growth in athletes of varying disciplines.

4. Leadership Styles in Team Sports

Step onto the field of team dynamics by analyzing how different leadership styles impact cohesion and performance. Through surveys, player interviews, and performance metrics, this project aims to uncover the most effective leadership approaches in team sports, providing valuable insights for coaches, captains, and aspiring leaders on the playing field.

5. Impact of Stretching on Injury Prevention

Expand your understanding of injury prevention by exploring the relationship between stretching routines and injury risk in various sports. Through controlled experiments and injury data analysis, this project aims to unravel the complexities of stretching and its impact on injury prevention, providing evidence-based recommendations for athletes and coaches.

My Journey in Sports Analytics w/ Polygence Mentor Sejal Dua

Friday, May 5th @ 830 EST / 530 PST. Ask-Me-Anything webinar where Polygence mentor Sejal will discuss her journey in obtaining her MS Analytics degree from Georgia Tech University

Come join us on Friday, May 5th at 8:30pm EST | 5:30pm PST and meet Polygence mentor Sejal Dua! During the 1-hour webinar, Sejal will discuss her journey in receiving an MS in Analytics from Georgia Tech University and her professional experience at IBM and Nike. During the webinar, we'll discuss: 1.) Sejal's journey in receiving an MS in Analytics from Georgia Tech University and how she landed in the field of Sports Analytics 2.) How mentorship played an important role in Sejal's education and exploration of Sports Analytics field 3.) The impact of Sejal's mentorship on Polygence students and next steps for students to further pursue Sports Analytics (or data analytics in general!)

Click to register

6. Rehabilitation Strategies for Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow is one of the most common injuries in not just sports, but in general, due to the overuse of the joint. This project will involve working closely with athletes experiencing tennis elbow, implementing rehabilitation protocols, and assessing outcomes. By combining physical therapy principles with real-world application, this project aims to contribute valuable insights into optimizing the recovery process for this common sports-related injury.

7. Wearable Technology in Athlete Monitoring

Embrace the future of sports science by evaluating the use of wearable devices in monitoring and improving athletic performance. This project will explore the integration of wearable technology, such as fitness trackers and biometric sensors, to collect real-time data on various performance metrics. The goal is to provide athletes and coaches with actionable insights to enhance training, recovery, and overall performance.

8. Impacts of Sports on Academic Performance

This is one of the most popular topics in the sports science world today. Delve into the relationship between sports participation and academic achievement. This project will employ longitudinal studies, surveys, and academic performance metrics to explore how active involvement in sports influences cognitive abilities and educational outcomes. By uncovering potential correlations, the study aims to highlight the holistic benefits of sports engagement for high school students.

9. The Role of Sports in Community Building

Explore how sports contribute to building a sense of c community and social cohesion. This project will involve participant observation, interviews, and surveys to understand the social impact of sports events and team activities. By examining the connections forged through sports, the study aims to showcase the broader societal benefits that extend beyond the playing field.

10. E-Sports and Cognitive Function

E-sports has seen a rapid rise in popularity in the past few years. Investigate the cognitive benefits and challenges associated with competitive e-sports. This project will involve cognitive assessments, gaming performance analyses, and interviews with e-sports athletes. By exploring the mental aspects of e-sports, the study aims to contribute to the evolving conversation about the intersection of gaming and cognitive function.

Do Any Polygence Mentors Study Sports Science?

Here are some examples of project ideas from our mentors at Polygence:

Impact of Basketball Angle on Shooting Percentage : This project involves analyzing the effect that the angle between which a basketball player receives a pass from a teammate and the basket has on their chance of making a shot. I hypothesize that as the angle decreases, the chance of making the shot increases. This project could help basketball teams strategize their offensive schemes to increase their shooting efficiency.

Project Idea from: Nick R at Syracuse University

Evolving Landscape of Sports Audience and Viewership : Technology has brought on a swift change in the way fans consume sports. This project will uncover how many people consume sports (by sport) and how that has changed in recent years due to technology (and COVID). What are the business outcomes of such changes and where are the possible growth opportunities for firms/brands to invest.

Project idea from Cameron K at Northwestern University

Why ____ Will be the Next Successful Sports City : After the run of dominance of Boston in the first 20 years of the 2000's winning 12 combined championships among the four teams, which city is next primed to be a powerhouse for the next 20 years? Things to take a look at might include young talent on teams, new hires in front offices, economic development in cities, or maybe something else.

Project idea from Joseph S at Syracuse University

Finding Value in MLB Free Agency : Every offseason there are hundreds of professional baseball players who become free agents and can be signed by any team. This project involves determining which players might be a good "value" by deciding which statistics are most important to helping a team win relative to how players are generally paid. After deciding which stats are the most important, a ranked list of "value" can be produced based on expected salaries.

Project idea from Dante L at Washington State

These ten project ideas are just the tip of the iceberg, offering you the chance to combine your passion for sports with the excitement of scientific inquiry. Through Polygence , high schoolers have the unique opportunity to turn these ideas into reality, fostering a love for learning and opening doors to future careers in the dynamic world of sports and sports science.

Get Matched with a Mentor

Interested in doing one of these exciting research projects? Click below to get matched with one of our expert mentors!

Science Fair Projects: Four Sports-Type Activities

Keren Perles
Categories : Great ideas for science fair projects
Tags : Homework help & study guides

Tall and Short Runners

If you’re on the track team, this sports science fair project may be perfect for you. Think about whether tall runners have a better chance of winning a track meet than shorter runners. Are shorter runners really at a disadvantage? Then have several of your track teammates run the same length various times, and clock their speeds. Measure their heights, and chart all of the data you’ve collected to test your hypothesis. You might also try repeating the experiment with people who are not on the track team, to see if that makes a difference.

Bouncing Balls

Why are specific balls used for specific sports? While it’s obvious why a tennis ball would not work well in a game of bowling, it may be less obvious why a basketball cannot be used for a soccer game. Often, the answer has to do with how well the balls bounce. Your science fair project can test the “bounceability” of the balls from various sports. Alternatively, you can run the same tests on different brands of balls, or on how each ball bounces on a different surface (e.g., an indoor basketball court, a soccer field, a blacktop court). You can even create a sports science fair project that would test which baseball bat material works best, or which tennis racket makes the ball move the farthest distance.

The Power of a Helmet

Will a helmet really protect your head in case of a collision? How strong of an impact can a helmet sustain? To test this, consider using a watermelon or other large, heavy, round object in place of a head inside the helmet. Then drop the watermelon-helmet from various heights and then inspect the watermelon for effects of the impact. You can use different brands or types of helmets to see which is most effective.

The Effect of Exercise on Brain Power

Does playing sports make your brain work more effectively? Put together a simple memory test, such as one involving word pairs that the subject must remember, and give the test to your friends – half before playing a sports game, and half afterwards. Will one group have a higher success rate than the other? Find out!

These sports science fair projects are the perfect way to combine your love of sports with your need for a science fair project. And who knows – you may even learn something new that can help you in your sport!

This post is part of the series: Science Fair Project Ideas

Looking for an interesting science fair project topic? Take a look at some of these science fair project ideas to spark your interest.

Fun With Eggs: Three Middle School Science Fair Project Ideas
Four Sports Ideas For a Science Fair Project
Musical Science Fair Project Ideas
Science Fair Project Ideas: Create a Rainbow and Conduct 2 Experiments
Three Science Fair Projects About the Power of Gravity

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5 Easy Sports Science Experiments

Sports and exercise have come a long way, thanks to science. We train better and smarter because of the scientists who study to learn more about the human body and how to improve athletic performance.

However, not every sports science experiment needs to be done by specialists in a lab with fancy equipment. Give these experiments a try and learn by doing!

Eat donuts instead of your regular pre-workout meal

If you’ve ever wanted to be an amateur nutritionist, here is a super easy way to try a little sports science yourself: Instead of eating something you trust to give you energy, like fruit, scarf down a couple of donuts before practice or the gym.

All the fat and sugar will surely slow you down, increase your fatigue and make you weaker. You may find you need a nap after your workout that day. From personal experience, I can say that every time I tried to run or jump, it felt like I had cement in my shoes.

Do not conduct this experiment before an important game. After this experiment, you will surely have a much better appreciation for clean eating and how it relates to sports performance. It will be a lesson better learned from experience that by simply reading about it.

Work out barefoot

Next time you do Squats, Deadlifts, Lunges or other leg exercises, ditch your shoes. Your feet have over 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments in them, and a typical pair of workout shoes limits their use in a workout. You may also notice an increased range of motion, because your shoe likely has a built-in heel lift, restricting your ankle from moving freely. Working out without the support of the shoe forces your body to use more muscles and create a bigger challenge. Because most of the muscles are underdeveloped, pay attention to how your balance is affected when you perform single-leg exercises like Lunges. Do not expect to be as strong without shoes either, because the support of the shoe boosts strength.

Compare how your heart rate responds to different exercises

Everyone knows heart rate increases during physical activity, but have you ever thought about how different exercises affect your heart rate? Use a heart monitor or just count manually to get a resting heart rate as your baseline.

Perform the following exercises, check your heart rate and compare your results. Rest between tests so you always start from your original resting heart rate. See which test puts your heart under the most stress. Think about which exercise cause the biggest jump in your heart rate. Were you surprised at all by any of the results?

One set of Squats with moderate to heavy weight.
Run a series of 20- to 40-yard sprints, rest 10 to 15 seconds and repeat five to eight times.
Run a mile.

Test your balance

The body has a system of proprioceptors to maintain balance. By manipulating each one, you can test your balance without each proprioceptor.

Stand on one foot. This shifts your center of gravity, and your body must work to stay balanced.
After you balance on one foot, tilt your head and look up. This changes the position of the sensors in your inner ear. When the sensors turn like that, the body reacts and adjusts to its new position to maintain balance.
Raise your hands over your head. Touch one hand to your nose, then extend your hand out to your side and touch your nose with your other hand.
Close your eyes. Everyone has trouble with this one, because we use our sight to remain steady and balanced. When you suddenly take away your sight, your body loses awareness and senses trouble, causing a natural reaction to fall or reach out for a stable surface.

Try each step in this progression together or one at a time. As a bonus challenge, try it barefoot.

Try different tempos during weight training

The speed at which you raise or lower a weight is often overlooked, but it can affect your training outcome. The eccentric phase of a lift, in which the muscle lengthens while contracting, is rarely done correctly. If you a person who gets to the top of a rep, then drops the weight back to the starting position, try some extra tempo training. Using a Bicep Curl for example. Curl the weight up to your shoulders, then slowly and with control lower it back down over a three-second count. By the end of the first set, you will feel a burn like no other.

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9 Sports Science Activities for Kids

Many kids like sports, like soccer, basketball, swimming, track, biking, … With the Olympics in two months, I did a search on sports science activities and experiments for kids. I found a lot of cool ideas. I am sharing some that can be done at home. Hope you like them just like I do.

Fun Sports Science Activities for Kids

Sports science experiment activities for kids, from preschool, kindergarten to school age. Kids learn sports winning strategy, human body, physics science, and being active. Fun STEM ideas for science fair, PE, Olympic themed parties.

We try to include science for different sports and hope one of them will fit your child’s interest.

All kids probably have done the long jump at school. What can you do to jump farther? In this experiment, we will test out if you can increase jumping distance by increase running distance. You need to find a long jump pit and have a tape measure , sidewalk chalk . Let us know your answer to the question.

Many sports use balls, basketball, soccer ball, tennis ball, … All balls bounce. What makes a ball bounce higher ? If you don’t put in any force, just drop the ball, will the ball come back to the same height? Why? This is a good project for school-age kids. They can do it as a group project or a homeschool project. It is also a fun science fair project.

For younger kids, we found an easier version of the science experiment to answer the question of what makes a ball bounce . For this one, even preschool kids can do it.

Do you know someone who plays hockey? Try this hockey science activity answering the question of what slides best on ice . This is a fun activity for young children, like kindergarten age.

If you have kids who like swimming, and who are reasonably good at it, you can do this swimming science experiment and see why it is better to wear a swimsuit when swimming .

For those who play basketball, do you like to use bank shots? A bank shot is a shot that relies on the ball bouncing off the backboard and into the basket. Why and how does bank shot work? Let’s find out the answer through a science experiment .

Balancing is important in all sports. The key concept in balancing is the center of gravity. You can do a fun activity with kids to see the differences in the center of gravity and balancing skills between parents and kids.

Now it is time to do science with soccer. With soccer balls, how do you know it is the right air pressure for it? How to choose the best air pressure for the soccer ball ?

After science with balls, let’s try a swimming science project. We know ocean water is saltwater, and most swimming pool water is chlorine water. Which water is better? Does the water type impact swimming speed ? This is an interesting experiment design, and I hope you will do it, and I am so interested in knowing if you get the same result.

I hope you like these science experiment activities. Doing science at home is not just for fun, it is also to cultivate child’s interest in science and help them grow scientific thinking skills. Don’t just do it for fun, try to follow scientific steps while working with kids on these activities. Below, you will find the Science Experiment Recording Sheet that outlined the scientific experiment steps. I highly recommend following these steps for each activity, even with young children. They can draw pictures if they can’t write. It is the process that is important, starting with questions and hypotheses. To download the recording sheet, simply fill out your email below and click the “Please Send Free Experiment Recording Sheet” button.

Sports science activities and experiments for kids, from preschool, kindergarten to school age. Kids learn sports winning strategy, science, and being active. Fun STEM ideas for sport or Olympic themed parties.

For more science activities for kids, visit

11 Cool Backyard Science Activities for Kids

8 Science Experiments for Kids with Salt

For more sport activities for kids, you may also be interested in 50 Olympic Activities for Kids

Next post: 15 Physics Games That Are Safe for Kids To Play

Previous post: How to Make Paper Parachute

These are some great ideas for making learning fun for kids. It can help them to develop many essential skills. Thanks for sharing!

Very engaging! These are active puzzles children can solve. I am glad it is better to swim with a swim suit, lol. Thank you for these fun yet educational ideas. Carolyn

I love the swim suit one! We did it, my son had so much fun doing it.

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May 15, 2024

This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

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How science is changing the game in sports

by Geoff Egan and Lucy Cameron, CSIRO

It's an open secret that the countries that win the most medals in the Olympics and Paralympics combine talent and technology.

Australia's athletes are preparing for the next three Olympics and Paralympics in Paris in 2024, Los Angeles in 2028, and Brisbane in 2032. Meanwhile, our sports scientists are developing new technologies to help improve sports performance across a range of fields.

Emerging digital technologies like artificial intelligence and quantum sensing are now in play, as athletes look for a new kind of competitive advantage. Athletes, teams, and coaches across the world are exploring how AI-assisted tools can "up their game," improve performance and reduce injuries.

Some of these technologies could come to your local club before you know it. Software offering insights into athletic performance and strategy is becoming more accessible, and AI-powered officiating is on the horizon. Soon, AI could be the third umpire at your local cricket match.

AI could help athletes stay healthy and recover faster

Each athlete has unique biochemistry, psychology, and physiology. They respond to working out, nutrition, and competition differently. Its why high-performance training is becoming increasingly personalized.

An athlete-centered approach to training and development was first developed in the para-athlete areas. Now it's being transferred to able-bodied sports with the assistance of digital technologies .

Eagle-eyed sports fans may have noticed footballers from multiple codes wearing vests under jerseys, or devices stitched in jerseys between their shoulder blades. These biometric trackers can provide information for coaches to monitor individual performance. This data can be combined with AI to improve performance, prevent long- and short-term injury, and optimize training.

Quantum sensors can profile the biochemistry of athletes in new ways. Quantum technology opens a range of outcomes such as different plays for injury prevention. It can also be used in drug testing, providing faster and more accurate testing than the current methods.

For example, a digital twin may be able to test variations of techniques to find the optimum way for a swimmer's body to move through water. A rower may be able to test multiple variations on their technique to improve their performance.

AI could drive better sports analytics

Looking for insight into what science has brought to sport? You don't need to look further than your TV.

Sophisticated player analytics are included in most major sports broadcasts. Gone are the days when the only statistics you saw in a footy game or cricket match was the score. Player performance and tracking are regularly updated on NRL and AFL matches. Cricket and tennis popularized ball-tracking technology.

Networks of on-field sensors and cameras capture computer vision of play. This can be combined with AI to analyze new dimensions of player and team performance, leading to adjustments in training and coaching. AI is also being used to inform players of their opponent's strengths and weaknesses mid-match.

AI can even assist in officiating —providing extra eyes and angles to determine line calls and whether players are onside or offside.

AI could level the playing field

And it's not just elite athletes that are benefiting from sports science . Parents and amateur coaches can use low-cost player vision, captured on apps on smartphones and tablets, to provide information on team dynamics and play.

More sophisticated setups include dynamic heat-maps of the play on the field and game analytics. There are existing coding libraries that can offer more tailored analytics and visualizations. Greater access to coaching information also necessitates stringent safeguards concerning the ethics, privacy, and usage of data and images, particularly for children in sport.

Volunteer-run local sporting competitions often struggle to find umpires and referees, AI officials could provide volunteer umpires and referees with computer-powered backup. Amateur players could have access to an AI-powered video umpire to confirm controversial decisions.

The use of video and AI in officiating has become controversial in some areas of high-performance sport. But it could show its true potential as it becomes available to leagues at all levels .

AI can keep our exercise goals on track

If you use an app to log your morning run or ride, you could already be part of the data-driven revolution in sport.

Digital technologies are changing the way people experience sports. Apps for running, cycling, and training are engaging a new generation of exercise and sports enthusiasts.

Wearable devices, most notably smart watches, are helping people track their exercise to understand their progress over time better and encourage them to work out. AI can help personalize workouts to a person's fitness levels and goals. AI-powered pose estimation tools can act as a personal yoga instructor, helping correct poses or techniques.

But AI could be an ethical sticky wicket

However, some ethical concerns remain. Is too much information skewing athletes' intuitive skills or undermining their confidence?

Our Collaborative Intelligence Future Science Platform is exploring the science of human-AI collaboration. The team is researching how AI can be best incorporated into the human workflow. The focus is on ensuring a shared understanding of the situation that the human and AI are collaborating on, and instilling trust throughout the process. Research programs like this can examine how athletes use and respond to available data, ensuring that the sports technologies are being applied correctly.

The ethics of using personal data from athletes are also evolving to ensure technologies are trusted and safe. In 2020 a group of organizations, led by the Australian Academy of Science, published a report Getting ahead of the Game . It highlighted growing concern about sensitive health data being collected from athletes through digital and other technologies.

Since then, the Australian Sports Commission and Australian Institute of Sport have been proactive in developing position statements and safeguards for certain technologies in sports training programs. This is about the use of athlete data in terms of privacy, safety and cybersecurity, and ensuring that data is not used for any purpose without consent.

As we continue embarking on a world of technology in sport science, it is important to grow the next generation of graduates skilled and enabled in the AI, emerging technologies and quantum space. We are still highly active in sports science fields.

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How science is changing the game in sports

Science is playing an increasingly important part in all forms of sports, from professional to junior leagues. Our scientists’ work could be a key part of athletes bringing home Olympic gold.

By Geoff Egan , Lucy Cameron , Petra Kuhnert 15 May 2024 5 min read

Science has given us a better understanding of how athletes perform and how coaches can better guide them.
This technology is being seen week to week across our television screens already when watching major sporting leagues.
Wearable trackers, artificial intelligence, and even digital twins are becoming more widely available, helping amateur and junior athletes access information previously only available for professionals.

It's an open secret that the countries that win the most medals in the Olympics and Paralympics combine talent and technology.

Australia’s athletes are preparing for the next three Olympics and Paralympics in Paris in 2024, Los Angeles in 2028, and Brisbane in 2032. Meanwhile, our sports scientists are developing new technologies to help improve sports performance across a range of fields.

Emerging digital technologies like artificial intelligence and quantum sensing are now in play, as athletes look for a new kind of competitive advantage. Athletes, teams, and coaches across the world are exploring how AI-assisted tools can ‘up their game’, improve performance and reduce injuries.

AI could help athletes stay healthy and recover faster

An athlete-centred approach to training and development was first developed in the para-athlete areas. Now it's being transferred to able-bodied sports with the assistance of digital technologies.

Combining large and disparate datasets from wearables, cameras, and body samples, sports scientists are creating digital twins of athletes that can be tested in various environments to predict performance. The digital replica can also be tweaked to advise on nutrition, technique, and strategy. For example, a digital twin may be able to test variations of techniques to find the optimum way for a swimmer's body to move through water. A rower may be able to test multiple variations on their technique to improve their performance.

AI could drive better sports analytics

Looking for insight into what science has brought to sport? You don't need to look further than your TV.

Networks of on-field sensors and cameras capture computer vision of play. This can be combined with AI to analyse new dimensions of player and team performance, leading to adjustments in training and coaching. AI is also being used to inform players of their opponent's strengths and weaknesses mid-match. AI can even assist in officiating – providing extra eyes and angles to determine line calls and whether players are onside or offside.

AI could level the playing field

And it's not just elite athletes that are benefiting from sports science. Parents and amateur coaches can use low-cost player vision, captured on apps on smartphones and tablets, to provide information on team dynamics and play.

More sophisticated setups include dynamic heat-maps of the play on the field and game analytics. There are existing coding libraries that can offer more tailored analytics and visualisations. Greater access to coaching information also necessitates stringent safeguards concerning the ethics, privacy, and usage of data and images, particularly for children in sport.

The use of video and AI in officiating has become controversial in some areas of high-performance sport. But it could show its true potential as it becomes available to leagues at all levels .

AI can keep our exercise goals on track

If you use an app to log your morning run or ride, you could already be part of the data-driven revolution in sport.

Digital technologies are changing the way people experience sports. Apps for running, cycling, and training are engaging a new generation of exercise and sports enthusiasts.

Wearable devices, most notably smart watches, are helping people track their exercise to understand their progress over time better and encourage them to work out. AI can help personalise workouts to a person’s fitness levels and goals. AI-powered pose estimation tools can act as a personal yoga instructor, helping correct poses or techniques.

But AI could be an ethical sticky wicket

However, some ethical concerns remain. Is too much information skewing athletes' intuitive skills or undermining their confidence?

The ethics of using personal data from athletes are also evolving to ensure technologies are trusted and safe. In 2020 a group of organisations, led by the Australian Academy of Science , published a report Getting ahead of the Game . It highlighted growing concern about sensitive health data being collected from athletes through digital and other technologies.

What is next for sports science?

Our Next Generation Graduates Program has a dedicated sports science program, focusing on developing emerging graduates who can propel sports science forward to new heights. Through a holistic approach and diverse program, we can accelerate and advance sports science for our athletes. We will develop the capability needed to put Australia on the world stage.

Find out how we can help you and your business. Get in touch using the form below and our experts will get in contact soon!

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Top 22 Sports Analytics Projects & Datasets (Updated for 2024)

Sports analytics is one of the fastest growing job segments in Big Data, having grown by 27% over the last decade, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Sports analysts use various techniques, including statistical and quantitative analysis and predictive forecasting, to make on-the-field and off-the-field decisions. The idea was popularized by Moneyball when the Oakland Athletics used analytics to propel the team to the playoffs.

Sports analytics jobs are highly competitive and require experience in the field. Completing a sports analytics project is one of the best ways to gain recognition and hands-on experience working with sports data and analysis. We’ve compiled some of the best sports analytics projects and datasets to help you practice, including:

MLB Mlb Sports Analytics Projects

NBA Sports Analytics Projects

Fantasy sports analytics projects, general sports analytics projects, types of sports analytics projects.

Teams can use sports analytics data to perform a variety of analyses. However, the majority of sports data science projects fall into four categories:

1. Predicting outcomes: These projects use data to forecast player or team performance. These models are used to determine the spreads or the results of games.

2. Competitor valuation: These projects value the impact a player has or the strength of a team.

3. Identifying problem areas: These analytics projects determine areas where players or teams can improve. For example, you could analyze a team’s free throw percentage on wins to see the impact improving free throw percentage would have.

4. Analyzing the game: Finally, these projects assess trends in the game, studying strategies or style of play. For example, this NBA data analytics project examined whether the 2-for-1 play was worth it.

MLB Sports Analytics Projects

Almost all MLB baseball teams employ data scientists and statisticians to predict player performance and gain a competitive edge. Baseball analytics projects typically examine performance or gauge the valuation of a team or player. Here are some MLB analytics projects you can try:

1. Swish Analytics Take-Home: Pitch Predictions

This sports analytics take-home from Swish Analytics is more of a shorter data challenge. You’re provided with a table of the pitches from the 2011 MLB season and metadata. And your goal is to build a model to predict the probability of a fastball, slider, curveball, etc.

This take-home challenge requires about 3-5 hours to complete, and it’s used as part of the interview process at Swish Analytics. Ultimately, the challenge asks you to build and evaluate a model that could be used in a production environment, including data analysis, feature engineering, and code assembly.

2. Gauging When Players Peak

Baseball analytics project visualization

This guided baseball analytics project is excellent for beginners. Using MATLAB, the project walks you through importing baseball data, calculating batting statistics, creating visualizations, and analyzing player careers.

Thanks to the step-by-step tutorial, this project provides a solid introduction to MLB stats analysis, and you’ll be able to answer the questions: What defines a great MLB hitter? And at what point do great hitters peak in their careers? If you want to re-create the project, use data from Baseball-Reference .

3. HOF Analysis with Random Forests

HOF Analysis with Random Forests visualization

This project delves deep into understanding the factors that may influence a baseball player’s induction into the Hall of Fame. By using Random Forests and local importance scores, it offers a quantitative approach to what has often been a subject of speculation.

To begin, fetch the data from the Lahman package and address any missing values during data collection and cleaning. Following this, integrate multiple datasets, merging batting statistics, fielding statistics, and awards to create a comprehensive view. During modeling, Random Forests will be utilized for classification without splitting the data, allowing you to explore the entirety of it. The local importance scores will be especially useful in identifying the most significant variables for this classification.

In your analysis and interpretation, examine the importance of these variables and contrast them across different classes. A deep dive into outliers will further enhance your understanding, providing nuanced insights into the dataset.

4. Predicting World Series Winners

Predicting World Series Winners visualization

This project comes from the Baseball Data Science blog, which attempts to answer a classic pre-season sports analytics question: Which team is most likely to win it all?

This project uses tree-based models to determine top teams, and after training, it proved reasonably successful. For example, of the Top 5 teams predicted to be World Series winners in 2020, four teams made deep playoff runs, with the No. 2 team (Dodgers, 25%) winning it all.

Another source: See FiveThirtyEight’s MLB ELO ratings and read about how their MLB predictions work.

5. Predicting Pitcher Saves

This project - which you can see in a step-by-step tutorial here - attempts to forecast which MLB pitcher will have the most saves at the beginning of the season.

Using BeautifulSoup to scrape Baseball-Reference data, the author, Ethan Feldman, starts with a simple regression model, which just used the previous season’s saves as the only feature.

Ultimately, the project does prove difficult as there is significant variability in the number of saves, making this an excellent project for further model testing and development.

There are numerous NBA sports analytics projects and questions you can explore. See the top NBA articles on Towards Data Science if you’re looking for inspiration. Or you can follow along with these basketball analytics projects and datasets and create your own:

6. Predicting NBA MVPs

Predicting player performance is a common subject of sports analytics projects, and this one attempts to use machine learning to determine the most likely player to win the MVP award.

You can follow a tutorial , which will show you how to import data and apply various machine learning models, including linear regression, random forests, and XGBoost.

The models presented in this tutorial correctly predicted the 2021-22 MVP winner Nikola Jokic and the other Top 3 spots (however, the No. 3 prediction was No. 2 in the actual MVP race).

7. Predicting NBA Salaries

By leveraging data-driven insights to understand NBA player salaries, we can enhance league competitiveness and provide teams with a more accurate valuation of players. This leads to a smarter and more strategic signing.

In this project , we will delve into NBA salaries, focusing on data from the 2020-21 season onwards and particularly on Free Agents (FAs). The aim is to predict future salaries, giving a true reflection of a player’s worth on the court.

To get started, source your data using BRScraper from Basketball Reference. Next, analyze prevailing trends and apply regression models, including Random Forest and Gradient Boosting. To assess the results, lean on metrics like RMSE and R². Finally, delve into SHAP values to truly understand the key factors determining salaries. The end goal is to equip teams with the insights needed for well-informed contractual decisions.

8. NBA Draft Success Analysis

Drafting NBA players is an inexact science; however, some NBA franchises are more successful than others. For example, the Sacramento Kings have a poor draft record, one reason the franchise has missed the playoffs for 16 consecutive seasons.

This tutorial walks you through determining draft rankings based on player performance, draft position, and other factors.

9. Predicting Double-Doubles

Predicting a double-double based on the number of games played by a player, the number of games played in a season, and other variables is challenging. But this project attempts to predict if one player, Nikola Vučević, will score a double-double in any game.

You can follow this tutorial to build a regression model in R to make such a prediction. Ultimately, the model correctly predicts double-doubles 61% of the time. Enrich the dataset and see if you can improve the model’s accuracy.

10. Simulating NBA Games in Python

This tutorial from Ken Jee evaluates win probability in games based on team points scored and team points against.

You’ll find a variety of sports analytics datasets on Jee’s site you can use. One option: This straightforward model uses only the team’s historical average. That’s why it’s an excellent project for beginners.

If you wanted to take this project further, you could incorporate historical player data to enrich the model.

Fantasy Sports can use data science to give your team a competitive advantage. In particular, most fantasy sports analytics projects look at the line-up and draft optimization, as well as predicting player performance. Here are some projects to try to improve your fantasy sports teams:

11. DraftKings Data Analytics Take-Home

Although this isn’t a project per se, DraftKings analytics take-home will help you practice skills and prepare for a sports analytics interview. We broke this data down into three parts.

1. Data Sense Test - Describe what you see in the chart above.

2. SQL Challenge - Writing queries to pull fantasy sports metrics.

3. Python Challenge - A quick test of your applied programming skills.

Many analyst roles at fantasy sports companies require take-homes like this. However, this is also a short SQL and sports analytics practice assignment.

12. Optimizing Your Fantasy Line-Up

Here’s an approach to daily fantasy football strategy. Build a model to value players based on a “cost per point” metric. This model valuates players by their predicted points divided by their latest salary cost.

However, the next step is determining the optimal line-up, and the author walks through two options: Random Walk or Integer Linear Programming to select the best line-up combination for your team.

Here’s another look at using Linear Programming for fantasy football optimization.

13. Winning English Premier League Fantasy

Winning English Premier League Fantasy visualization

Bias and player favoritism affect team performance in English Premier League fantasy. Players tend to pick their favorites, and not necessarily footballers with the best ROI.

This tutorial shows you how to build an algorithm in Python to pick the best team , consisting of players with the best ROI.

14. Forecasting Performance Based on Defense

Does the strength of a defense affect a player’s performance in NFL fantasy football?

This fantasy football project found a slight correlation, e.g., when a player plays against a better defense, their production tends to decrease.

Another option: You can take this further and gauge performance against individual defensive players. For example, you could determine wide receiver performance against a top cornerback or quarterback performance against a leading pass rusher.

There’s an endless variety of sports analytics projects you can try. Here are some ideas for performing geographic clustering, predictions with random forests, and creating play-by-play visualizations with NFL data.

15. Realigning Divisions with Machine Learning

Professional sports teams are put into divisions that aren’t always geographically efficient. For example, the Dallas Cowboys play in the NFC East and New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington, DC teams. Using a clustering algorithm, you can build a model to realign teams based on geographic distance.

This tutorial shows you how to use a K-means algorithm to minimize travel distance between teams. Ultimately, you can apply this technique to various geographic clustering problems.

16. Plotting NFL Play-by-Play Data in Python

Check out this tutorial using the Python package nfl_data_py to ingest NFL play-by-play data to build visualizations.

The tutorial walks you through plotting passing yards by quarterbacks throughout the 2021-22 NFL season. However, you can adapt this project to perform a variety of analyses.

You’ll find some ideas for questions you can analyze in NFL data analytics projects , like how defensive statistics affect points allowed or how quarterback play has changed historically.

17. Predicting World Cup Game Winners

Predicting World Cup Game Winners visualization

With the 2022 World Cup right around the corner, this sports machine learning project is super relevant. In 2018, researchers tested three models for predicting World Cup winners : Poisson regression, random forest, and ranking methods.

Using a random forest model, they simulated the World Cup 100,000 times, using FIFA rating, average team age, and player ability as essential variables. The model performed moderately well, predicting 11 of the Round of 16 teams correctly.

The model predicted Germany would win it all; however, Germany lost in the Group Stage. Also, check out this article on simulating the 2022 World Cup for more ideas.

18. How Golf Drives Affect Scoring

How Golf Drives Affect Scoring data visualization

What’s the better approach: Long drives that are crooked or shorter, more accurate drives? Ken Jee looked at this question to see which method strongly affected points. See his video for more explanation about this project .

19. International Football Results from 1872 to 2023

This dataset on international football matches provides an extensive compilation of football matches over a span of more than 150 years. For any football enthusiast, this is a goldmine of data waiting to be uncovered.

To start with the analysis, begin with data cleaning and pre-processing. Even though the dataset appears comprehensive, it’s vital to ensure it’s devoid of missing values, inconsistencies, or duplicates. Doing so greatly refines the precision of the insights that will be derived. After cleaning the data, dive into EDA using histograms, then transition to Temporal Analysis for historical trends.

For deeper insights, you can also study a specific nation’s metrics over time or identify historical rivalries by analyzing performance against specific countries.

20. F1 Performance Analysis

Formula 1 is a sport that’s as much about strategy and data as it is about speed. With races determined by split-second decisions, the information provided in this dataset can offer invaluable insights into the performance of each F1 racers over the season.

To begin, ensure that all datasets are consistent, free from discrepancies, and interlinked correctly. Perform an EDA to visualize metrics such as wins, podium finishes, and other pivotal performance metrics of the racers.

For a more challenging take, you could also analyze a racer’s performance over tracks and identify which tracks they perform the best in.

21. Are sports supplements effective?

In sports, athletes and enthusiasts alike use supplements to improve their overall performance. This dataset bridges the gap between claims of effectiveness and scientific validation.

An Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA) will reveal which legal supplements truly enhance performance, endurance, and strength according to rigorous scientific scrutiny.

22. Toughest Sports in Terms of Skills

Are you wondering which sport is truly the hardest?

This dataset offers a unique perspective by evaluating sports based on various skills. Through detailed analysis, it seeks to quantify the complexity and challenge of different sports, providing data-driven insights into this decades long discussion.

More Data Analytics Projects to Try

Suppose you’re looking for more projects to build your data science portfolio and present your data science project ; look at our list of data analytics projects , which feature more general tasks. You might also try a data science project from our list of 30 ideas and datasets or a Python data science project .

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us?

a frozen human brain inside a spinning ice cube 3d illustration

How a Controversial Cryonics Procedure Could Finally Make Immortality Possible

Futurists, including some medical doctors, are signing up to be decapitated—and then have their brains frozen. But without a body, what will their minds become?

Once Coles was pronounced dead, that team arrived at his bedside. They restored his breathing and blood circulation with a heart-lung resuscitator, also known as a thumper—a mechanical device used in emergency medicine to perform CPR—and injected his body with anticoagulants to keep the blood flowing. All of this was done to protect the brain from damage that can occur after too long without oxygen. Next, the body was cooled in an ice water bath, the blood replaced with an organ preservation solution.

Finally, Coles’ body arrived at its final destination: Alcor, the nation’s oldest provider of cryonics , the freezing of human corpses and brains in liquid nitrogen that will one day—technology willing—live again.

There, surgeons performed a neuroseparation, removing Cole’s head at the sixth cervical vertebra, and pumped cryoprotectants (medical-grade anti-freeze) into the now severed head. Then, a forensic pathologist opened the skull and removed the brain .

Coles had died around 10 a.m.; by dinner time, his brain was in a silver dewar, its thermostat set to -140 degrees Celsius.

a large room with large metal containers

Coles was Alcor’s 131st patient but one of its first to select brain-only cryopreservation, sometimes called neuropreservation or neurosuspension. A company announcement called Cole “an unusual brain-only patient,” and revealed that the “unfamiliar nature of the procedure created several major challenges, with procedures being revised even as the surgery and perfusion were underway.”

Ten years later, according to Emil Kendziorra , M.D., CEO of Tomorrow Bio, a German biotech firm that specializes in human cryopreservation, “brain removal is not a big issue,” and becoming more popular among those interested in cryonics. Storing a brain is faster, cheaper, and—despite the human taboo of decapitation—poised for a “higher degree of social acceptance,” Dr. Kendiziorra says, since anatomy departments and research institutions have been storing brains for years.

But what about the rest of the body? Won’t future humans need their legs and arms when they wake up from their cryonic suspension?

“While the brain is unique and cannot be recreated, the fundamental logic is that all the rest of the body can be recreated,” Dr. Kendziorra tells Popular Mechanics . This means that by the time technology exists to cure death and reanimate the human brain, slapping together a real or virtual vessel should be a cinch.

These ideas may seem far-fetched, but Dr. Kendziorra is quick to point out that “there was a time in the past when heart transplantation—taking one heart and connecting into another body—sounded pretty science fiction as well.”

But as neuropreservation grows in popularity, the question remains: what will we do with all of these frozen brains in the future?

Dr. Kendziorra is a trained medical doctor-turned-cryonics evangelist. As a former cancer researcher, he was frustrated by the agonizingly slow pace of progress and “never found it acceptable to tell a 25-year-old that they have incurable cancer and they’re going to die,” he says. “I think that everybody should live as long as they choose to.”

It’s important to point out that no human brain (or whole human for that matter) has ever been revived after death. The hope behind cryonics is that, eventually, very smart people using technology that hasn’t been invented yet will figure out how to conquer death . For anyone with an untreatable disease—or anyone who would like to live beyond their average lifespan—to elongate their lives, they just need to freeze themselves, and then wait for those smart (and hopefully benevolent) people to wake us up.

It’s also important to point out that “freeze” is the wrong word. Technically, cryonically preserved bodies aren’t frozen, they’re vitrified. You’ve probably heard that the human body is 70 percent water; if you popped a corpse in the freezer, there would be a lot of cracking when ice crystals formed in the cells and damaged the body beyond revival. Upon thawing, the body would be mushy, thanks to the ruptured cell walls caused by cracking.

Instead, cryopreservation involves vitrification , replacing the blood with a medical antifreeze, called cryoprotectant, then cooling the body gradually until it resembles glass.

The cost of these procedures—as well as transporting the body and storing it for untold years—is not cheap. For full-body suspension, Tomorrow Bio charges €200,000. That’s why, although he always recommends full-body cryopreservation, Dr. Kendziorra says that, at the bargain price of €75,000, brain-only cryopreservation is an attractive option to those hoping to extend their time on Earth.

Dr. Kendziorra says he feels strongly about making cryopreservation possible at more price points, but it’s not just humans hoping to live forever that will benefit from increasing affordability. The field of cryonics needs an infusion of cash and research funding if it is going to maintain long-term storage facilities and figure out how to cure death. Theoretically, more bodies—or brains—in more tanks will lead to a greater investment in these endeavors by the scientific community.

Today, Alcor’s membership is split nearly evenly between whole-body and neuro cryopreservation. While neurosuspension is easier and less expensive, there are still some compelling reasons to consider whole-body cryopreservation.

.css-2l0eat{font-family:UnitedSans,UnitedSans-roboto,UnitedSans-local,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:1.625rem;line-height:1.2;margin:0rem;padding:0.9rem 1rem 1rem;}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-2l0eat{font-size:1.75rem;line-height:1;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-2l0eat{font-size:1.875rem;line-height:1;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-2l0eat{font-size:2.25rem;line-height:1;}}.css-2l0eat b,.css-2l0eat strong{font-family:inherit;font-weight:bold;}.css-2l0eat em,.css-2l0eat i{font-style:italic;font-family:inherit;} “I chose whole-body cryopreservation to ensure that there are no essential parts of my consciousness and memories that aren’t cryopreserved.”

For one thing, no one can be sure that the brain contains everything we would need to feel like ourselves upon reanimation. Without the central nervous system, the spine, the endocrine glands, and microbiome, would we recognize ourselves upon waking in the distant future?

It’s a concern that led Becca Ziegler, a 23-year-old Tomorrow Bio member, to opt for whole-body preservation. “From my understanding, everything that makes me ‘me’ is in the brain,” she says, “but there are still some unknowns about consciousness and memories and how the brain interacts with the rest of the body. So I chose whole-body cryopreservation to ensure that there are no essential parts of my consciousness and memories that aren’t cryopreserved.”

Dr. Kendziorra says that “out of an abundance of caution,” his company always recommends whole-body cryopreservation, unless it’s not within the budget of a prospective member. After all, rousing from a cryonic state hundreds of years in the future with only half of your identity would be a real disappointment. “Better safe than sorry,” says Dr. Kendziorra.

A ccording to Dr. Kendziorra, there are currently four working theories for what future generations will do with thawed-out human brains. “All of this is very speculative,” he warns, “but they have potential.”

The first and perhaps most realistic, based on existing technology, is 3D printing.

“We could 3D print all the other organs and connect the brain,” Dr. Kendziorra says. “This technology isn’t there quite yet, but it’s probably not that far away anymore.” Indeed, 3D organ bioprinting—the use of human cells to create three-dimensional tissue—is a quickly evolving field, fueled by the hundreds of thousands of people who need organ transplants. Jennifer Lewis, a professor at Harvard University’s Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, predicts the technology could be ready in a decade.

Another possibility will be the development of clones using DNA taken from brain tissue. The clone, of course, will need to be created without a brain, so that the old one can be transplanted. Since the birth of Dolly the sheep in 1996, scientists have cloned 22 animal species as well as a human embryo. Could brainless vessels be next?

Some scientists believe clones won’t be necessary, and that reanimated brains could be transplanted in donor bodies, a method neurosurgeon Sergio Canavero called “technically feasible,” in a recent paper (published in a journal he is an editor of, it should be mentioned). After detailing how the cranial nerve and vascular system could theoretically be reconnected to the brain, the controversial scientist admitted there was lots of work still ahead, including cadaveric rehearsals, tests in brain-dead organ donors, and the development of new surgical tools. “With appropriate funding,” he argued, “a long-held dream may finally come true.”

The third way a reanimated brain could once again express itself is by being placed in an artificial body. “In simpler terms, a robot body,” says Dr. Kendziorra. Elon Musk thinks its possible and so does Michael S.A. Graziano, a Princeton neuroscientist. Graziano argued in a Wall Street Journal essay that uploading a mind into a robot body would take only two pieces of technology: an artificial brain and a scanning device with the ability to “measure exactly how [a brain’s] neurons are connected to each other, to be able to copy that pattern in the artificial brain.”

Then again, the robot might not even be necessary. “We could reinstantiate the brain by connecting it to a computer, and all sensation inputs and outputs would be virtual,” Dr. Kendziorra explains. “On some abstract level, maybe there’s not much a difference between real and virtual.” He’s got a point; some scientists already believe we’re living in a simulation.

Regardless of just what future humans do with cryonically preserved brains, Dr. Kendziorra believes it’s going to take a long time to figure it out. “Medically and technologically we are not there yet, and we will not be there for many, many decades. It’s going to take a significant amount of time. And in fact, it might never work.”

But if there’s a reason to stay hopeful about cryonics, Dr. Kendziorra says it’s because the other option isn’t so great either. “The alternative,” he laments, “is death.”

Ashley Stimpson is a freelance journalist who writes most often about science, conservation, and the outdoors. Her work has appeared in the Guardian, WIRED, Nat Geo, Atlas Obscura, and elsewhere. She lives in Columbia, Maryland, with her partner, their greyhound, and a very bad cat.

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Sports Science Fair Project Ideas. Combine sports and science for a perfect science fair project. RUNSTUDIO / Getty Images. By. Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Updated on September 01, 2019. Stay away from the typical, overdone science fair cliches. Instead, create something that combines sports and science for your science fair project.
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20 Sporty Science Ideas

Sporty Science Ideas

Heart and Lung Model

Healthy and Strong Bones

How much sugar?

Why do balls bounce?

Which material would make the best hockey puck?

Test your Reaction Time

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Top 8 Sports Science Experiments

1. Make Popsicle Stick Catapult

2. Ball Bounce

3. Hockey-Science

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5. Floating Ball Experiment

6. Falling Footballs

7. Discover the Energy Expenditure of Dribbling

8. Tracing the Path of Energy in a Bouncing Ball

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Football Strategic Analysis

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Optimization of Swimming Performance

Paralympic Javelin Throw

It’s climbing!

The Horse Hits the Bars

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2. Hydration and Cognitive Performance in Athletes

3. Protein Intake and Muscle Recovery

4. Leadership Styles in Team Sports

5. Impact of Stretching on Injury Prevention

My Journey in Sports Analytics w/ Polygence Mentor Sejal Dua

6. Rehabilitation Strategies for Tennis Elbow

7. Wearable Technology in Athlete Monitoring

8. Impacts of Sports on Academic Performance

9. The Role of Sports in Community Building

10. E-Sports and Cognitive Function

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