Latest Insights & Research

Stay informed with the latest public health research, insights, and evidence-based analysis from our team of experts.

Culture

How Your Birthplace Can Shape Soccer Success

Where you grow up could be the key to soccer greatness. Imagine two young soccer players: one grows up in a small town with access to open fields and community support, while the other lives in a bustling city, crowded with limited space but top-tier facilities (I mean, this is the story of Clint Dempsey, […]

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Culture

Soccer Salaries: Does Beauty Matter?

The labor market’s fascination with behavioral biases has gained substantial academic attention over the past decade. One particularly intriguing aspect is the role of physical attractiveness in salary determination. This blog delves into recent research exploring the “beauty premium” in professional soccer, examining whether good looks can influence player salaries. This study’s findings have significant […]

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Culture

The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) Revolution in Soccer: A Balancing Act of Fairness, Accuracy, and Tradition

In 2018, the soccer world witnessed a significant technological advancement with the introduction of Video Assistant Referees (VARs), reshaping the dynamics of the most beloved sport globally. This move towards digital officiating aims to uphold the authenticity and emotional richness of soccer while enhancing decision-making accuracy through technology. But as we integrate such advanced systems […]

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Culture

Harnessing Tech to Enhance Soccer Coaching: A Deep Dive into Automatic Event Detection

In the ever-evolving landscape of professional sports, the integration of cutting-edge technology has become a game-changer, particularly in soccer. Recent research, as detailed in a groundbreaking study published in PLoS ONE, sheds light on how automatic detection of soccer events from player and ball positioning data could revolutionize coaching and player development. The Problem with […]

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Business

Resilience and Resistance: The Power of Place and Community in Soccer

In a world where sports are often seen as mere business ventures, a remarkable story unfolded in Columbus, Ohio, illustrating the deep bond between a soccer club and its community. This tale centers around the Columbus Crew SC and their supporters’ fierce battle to prevent their beloved team’s relocation to Austin, Texas. The movement, symbolized […]

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Culture

Embracing Uncertainty in Soccer: How Randomness Shapes Underdog Victories

Soccer captivates millions with its blend of artistry and unpredictability. A recent scientific study sheds light on a fascinating aspect of soccer and other team sports: the phenomenon of underdog achievement, where weaker teams occasionally triumph over stronger ones. This blog delves into the research, exploring how randomness influences these outcomes and what this means […]

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Business

Exploring the New Frontier in Soccer Team Rankings

Soccer is a massive industry with a blend of sporting prowess, economic clout, and popular appeal. Recognizing this multi-faceted nature, a new study titled “A new hierarchical composite indicator model for ranking the top 20 European football teams,” published in Quality & Quantity, offers a groundbreaking approach to ranking soccer teams. This new method considers […]

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