Sports science
Formula one, two: Meet the Perth twins driving the next generation in STEM
With matching double degrees in mechatronics and engineering, the 25-year-olds turn heads with their Scitech Discovery Centre designs – including a rac car that hits 100km/h in four seconds.
- by Claire Ottaviano
Latest
Explainer
Collingwood Magpies
How does Scott Pendlebury stop time?
We explored the Collingwood veteran’s Matrix-like manoeuvres in this Explainer from 2019. Five years later, the now 36-year-old, on the cusp of his 400th AFL match, is still defying the passage of time.
- by Jake Niall
New hit: Contact sport, CTE link to Parkinson’s-style disease
New research from Boston University links repeated head knocks to physical and mental deterioration.
- by Greg Baum
Updated
AFL 2022
Buddy’s brilliance: How a player with natural flaws became an AFL giant
Some have described Lance Franklin as not a true full-forward, others have said he can’t kick on his right boot, but none of this has stopped the Swans star from writing himself into the history books.
- by Andrew Wu
Analysis
Test cricket
Breaking the speed limit: Why fast bowlers have reached peak pace
Why does Jeff Thomson still rank as one of the fastest bowlers of all time despite decades of improvement in sports science, fitness and training since the 1970s?
- by Michael Koslowski
Explainer
AFL 2023
Another week, another suspension: Behind the AFL’s crackdown on dangerous tackles
Why are a record number of tackles, once just “part of the game”, ending up before the AFL tribunal – and how’s it changing footy?
- by Michael Gleeson
‘This has got away from us’: Experts call for oversight on ‘wild west’ of athlete data collection
Massive amounts of data is being collected from modern athletes in the pursuit of a competitive edge but experts have found the practice is invasive, unchecked and in ‘urgent need’ of attention.
- by Iain Payten
Explainer
Injury ward
They’re three letters athletes dread. What is a ruptured ACL and how do you fix it?
ACL injuries are on the rise in Australia. How do they happen and how can you avoid one?
- by Amelia McGuire
From kick serve to slice backhand, the shots that make Ash Barty great
What is it – exactly – that makes the Australian world No. 1 so special?
- by Konrad Marshall
Explainer
Data analysis
Sweet spot: How can a racquet make or break a player?
How do the stars set up their racquets to enhance their game? And how has the evolution of racquets changed tennis itself?
- by Anthony Colangelo
Explainer
Boxing Day Test
What makes a perfect pitch?
The pitch at the MCG will be under close scrutiny for the Boxing Day Test. What has been the trouble there? How is a mix of clay, soil and grass supposed to behave?
- by Jon Pierik
Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/topic/sports-science-1nd5