Dr. David Geier is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. He has been featured in major media publications and shows over 2,500 times throughout his career.
When faced with a stressful situation, women benefit from a hug. Men don’t benefit nearly as much. In a new study published in the journal PLOS One, Dutch researchers assessed the stress responses to hugs from a romantic partner in 76 people. Women who received a hug from their partner showed significant drops in levels of cortisol, a stress hormone. The researchers believe that hugs and other signs of affection cause your body to release a neurotransmitter called oxytocin, which reduces cortisol. This improved stress response, plus the social support provided by someone else, appears to protect you from the negative effects of stress.
Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike.
