Science
Archive
Evolution has made humans instinctually crave sugary, fatty, and salty foods. Here's how you can fight back.
Can a controversial new form of statistical profiling weed out cheaters?
Companies focused on resource extraction now have access to huge chunks of the former national monument
New research finds that performance varies drastically based on the time of day
The hype around a new breed of running tech is raising the ire of biomechanists. Here's why.
It isn't the answer to all your muscle-building woes, but it is a smart nutrition option for outdoor athletes. Fact is, you likely can't get enough protein without it.
Take 66-year-old UCI Track Masters World Championships rider Gary Hoffman, who is almost as fast as he was at age 20—when he competed to race in the Olympics
A new case study digs into the medical records of a lost diver's incredible survival story
As ultra-endurance athlete and self-improvement guru Rich Roll says, "Mood follows action." In other words: Don't think. Do.
Expensive stem-cell therapies are on the rise among recreational athletes, but don’t pull out your wallet just yet
The microbes in our digestive systems can affect everything from our mental health to our weight and vulnerability to disease. So why not athletic performance? New science is set to revolutionize the way we eat, train, and live.
Wondering how to ensure that your gut is healthy? We're here to answer your most pressing questions.
Forget training load and biomechanics. A surprising new study suggests that avoiding injury might come down to something far simpler.
The most important rules to grow your body and mind
We published a lot of them this year. Here are the ones we loved the most.
With a few adjustments, you can minimize the “interference effect” between high mileage and your ability to build muscle
After several years of conflicting results, new evidence shows that endurance is at least partly in your head
If you found yourself stuck at the bottom of a canyon with a broken leg, what do you do? Not long ago, our host faced this exact scenario.
In a world where our time and attention are fractured into smaller and smaller bits, legendary biologist and runner Bernd Heinrich is a throwback, a man who has carved a deep groove in his patch of Maine woods
From filmmaker and storm chaser Dustin Farrell, Transient is a collection of shots taken over the summer of 2017.
Follow the lead of elite athletes and use the science of motivation to perform at your best
You can tweak your workout to minimize the downsides of sucking on a tailpipe
Into the Deep Unknown from research institute Biographic follows deep-sea biologist Diva Amon as she showcases what the earth looks like at 3,280 feet below sea level.
To get a clear picture of where research is headed, you have to look beyond the easy headlines
A bee sting won't hurt you unless you're allergic—or so you thought until you disturbed a hive of African bees
A new generation of bio-inspired prototypes are poised to join search and rescue workers on the front lines
You can't be super-lean all the time, so pick your moments—and watch your health
When you picked some mushrooms off the forest floor, you planned to make a nice risotto. But now you're in the hospital, fighting for your life.
A team of scientists entered a glass bubble in the desert to live for two years cut off from society. Things didn't go as planned.
Whether you're trying to qualify for Boston or just see improvement, these principles will get you there
Filmmaker Jason van Bruggen and his team from DOT DOT DASH spent May in Greenland at Swiss Camp Polar Research station with Dr. Konrad Steffen from WSL exploring the Arctic science that foreshadows and explains the impacts of our changing climate.
It’s official: Nike’s Vaporfly shoes improve efficiency by 4 percent. What does that actually mean for racing?
You're alone in the open sea on a surfboard, blown far offshore by a strong wind. What does it feel like? What do you do?
Ignore the urge to post a heroic effort and focus instead on the daily grind of steady improvement
A remote car accident, a broken ski, a tumble in the snow, and a slow descent into hypothermia
It sounds hokey, but it works in the lab—and for the greatest marathoner in the world
You may soon be able to change your DNA to optimize performance in your favorite sport
Quit popping pills. These nutrient-dense eats have all you need for peak performance.
A cycling study finds that the lure of a reward throws off pacing instincts
It's tough to maintain performance and well-being all the time. When the going gets tough, following these tips can help.
Former Navy SEAL doctor Kirk Parsley insists getting enough rest is the single most effective performance-enhancing habit
Don't feel bad about your semineurotic prerace protocol. It might be one of the keys to your success.
You know you shouldn't be relying on them for every ache. Try these alternatives instead.
From filmmaker Trip Jennings, Eagle Creek Burn Fly follows Oregon State University Forest Specialists John Bailey and Lisa Ellsworth as they explore the intricacies of this fire.
If you like Sweat Science, you'll love these books
As endurance predators, we should be able to catch anything—even one of the world's fastest animals
Scientists investigate hip straps—the benefits aren’t as obvious as you think
Exploring the riddles of endurance and adventure, but only after peer review
The renowned expert in high-performance psychology offers up an incredibly simple approach to training your mind
Sometimes preparation is all about what you leave behind
And how we can use that data to possibly prevent accidents on the crag
Five exercises that will guarantee you have the strength to adventure all weekend, well into your eighties
The power couple shares lessons from their extreme approach to training, nutrition, and recovery
What you’ll take from the stories in this issue is that same bit of wisdom gleaned from all great adventure tales. We humans can endure far more than we ever imagined.
A slew of new products claim to be the Fitbit for your Zen
Sure, it's fun and relaxing—but it can also be a key part of a fitness routine
Music of the Spheres from Emic Films is a story about Wanda Diaz-Merced who is a blind astrophysicist from Puerto Rico.
What if you could alter your DNA profile, erase your risk for cancer, or just brew glowing beer? Whether that makes you giddy or terrified, that’s the dream of biohacker Josiah Zayner.
MIT research scientist Hugh Herr lost both legs below the knee after a 1982 winter climbing ordeal. In less than a year, he hacked his prosthetics to allow him to climb again, and he went on to become one of the world’s leading innovators in the field. Author Todd Balf, who lost partial use of his legs after a spinal-cord injury, gets a front-row seat as Herr and his MIT colleagues plot their next big act—new science and technology to end a slate of disabling conditions.
Ayana Elizabeth Johnson is creating a dream team to save our oceans
In the end, what it comes down to is this: Choosing to have wonder in your life, or not
Making it through a catastrophic event is just the first step. Presenting five true case studies in survival.
There's a lot of overlap between athletics and work, and the world's best apply the same principles to, say, training for a marathon as they do to building a business
Some explored the unknown, some made scientific breakthroughs, some are working to save the world. All are pioneers whose names should be more well-recognized.
The counterintuitive theory has pervaded books, studies, and Reddit threads and is something of a rally cry for LCHF converts. But while there may be some benefit to monitoring insulin levels, there's no need to cut out all carbs quite yet.
These people are turning disheartening data into amazing paintings, sculptures, and illustrations
In other words, how to not lose your mind to boredom, according to polar explorer Eric Larsen
You already follow the big names in the running community. Here's who they follow for news and advice.
We reached out to a few experts to see who they rely on via Twitter for trusted endurance tips
The science on how, or even if, these powders, capsules, and goos really help remains inconclusive. But many athletes believe the placebo effect alone may be enough to nudge them to victory.
Most brewers use only a handful of commercial yeast strains. What a waste.
What's old is new again. These eight straightforward principles will help you perform your best, no newfangled hacks required.
What was once spontaneous consumption has turned into a science of its own
Thanks to a shrewd food marketing industry and slick packaging schemes, we're overpaying for products that make major health claims with little real nutritional payoff
In today's quick-fix culture, it's more important than ever to remember that a few simple lifestyle changes can transform your overall health
A team of scientists are drilling into some of the world’s highest glaciers to learn about our planet’s past before the ice disappears forever
This sleep and health expert gives us his tips for how to ensure a restful night
The hardest part about your athletic pursuits may be building a long-term relationship with them
Scientists are discovering that certain playlists can boost brain activity and treat anxiety and depression