Category: Sports

Hypocrisy, Media&Culture, Psychology, SportsLeave a comment

The moral risks of fandom

Fernando Kaskais

The Manchester United player Mason Greenwood celebrating a goal at Old Trafford, Manchester, 14 August 2021. Photo by Martin Rickett/PA/Getty Players, coaches and team owners sometimes do terrible things. What, if anything, should their fans do about that? Jake Wojtowicz is a PhD graduate from King’s College London. He is interested in the philosophy of law, ethics and the history of ethics. He works as a programme coordinator at Rochester General College of Health Careers in New York, and is the co-author of Why It’s OK to Be a Sports Fan (2023). Alfred Archer is an associate professor in philosophy at at the … Continue reading The moral risks of fandom

Brain, Curiositys, Psychology, Science, SportsLeave a comment

Soccer goalkeepers literally see and hear the world differently

Fernando Kaskais

Goalkeepers have an enhanced ability to integrate auditory and visual information compared to other players. KEY TAKEAWAYS By Mo Costandi In soccer, the goalkeeper is a team’s last line of defense, whose primary role is to stand in the goal mouth and prevent the opposing team from scoring. This highly specialized position involves diving or jumping to intercept the ball and “save” it from entering the goal. A goalkeeper’s view of the matchplay is often obscured by other players, so these explosive movements typically require split-second decisions based on limited sensory information. Michael Quinn of University College Dublin and his … Continue reading Soccer goalkeepers literally see and hear the world differently

Curiositys, Media&Culture, Science, SportsLeave a comment

Winning By a Hair

Fernando Kaskais

Lead image: Studio77 FX vector / Shutterstock For cyclists, it’s a drag when you don’t shave your legs. BY CHARLES DIGGES When I first gave up my running shoes for a road racing bike in 2016, I was confronted by a scroll of unspoken rules I would be expected to follow if I were to be taken seriously as a congregant in the Church of Cycling. The edicts were compiled by the Velominati—an anonymous cycling cognoscenti that presents them as holy writ. Cycling shorts must always be black, though socks can be any color you like. The color of your saddle, however, must match the … Continue reading Winning By a Hair

Curiositys, Europe, Sports, UnbelievableLeave a comment

How It Feels to Surf the World’s Biggest Wave

Fernando Kaskais

Riding Earth’s mighty forces in Nazaré, Portugal. BY KRISTEN FRENCH When you first see the leviathan arch of the world’s biggest wave tower over the cliffs of Nazaré, Portugal, its crown of angry froth exploding onto itself, you might wonder if it isn’t the tongue of God come to swallow the Earth. Surging vertically to a height of up to 100 feet just behind an ancient lighthouse, the wave has all the menace of a massive tsunami, but unlike a tsunami, it can be surfed. When conditions at Nazaré are right, in the months between October and March, modern-day Prometheans … Continue reading How It Feels to Surf the World’s Biggest Wave

Health, Manipulation, Psychology, Science, SportsLeave a comment

Novak Djokovic and the Healing Water Crystals

Fernando Kaskais

The story of the tennis star spotlights the pseudoscience that bedevils science and society. BY KEVIN BERGER At the end of every tennis match that he wins, Novak Djokovic sweeps his hands to his heart and opens his arms to the crowd, sending them his love. At trophy ceremonies, he thanks the people involved in the tournament, from the executives standing at his side whose companies have funded the tournaments, to the ball kids who toss him balls to serve—usually with a little tremble, as Djokovic is often sizzling with impatience. The gratitude is expected of him, but he’s gracious … Continue reading Novak Djokovic and the Healing Water Crystals

Brain, Health, Living, Science, SportsLeave a comment

Men and women aren’t equal when it comes to concussion

Fernando Kaskais

By David Robson Women athletes are twice as likely as men to get concussed – and the effects are more severe. But with research focusing mainly on men, what can we do to make sure women with concussion aren’t left behind? Few sports are as fast and furious as roller derby. The hour-long game unfolds in frenetic two-minute bursts as two teams race anti-clockwise around an oval track. Each team has a “jammer” aiming to pass four opposing “blockers”, and they score points for each opponent they lap. Blockers can obstruct the path with their torso or push opponents off course … Continue reading Men and women aren’t equal when it comes to concussion

Brain, Curiositys, Health, Psychology, SportsLeave a comment

The Secrets of The World’s Greatest Freediver

Fernando Kaskais

With only a single breath, Alexey Molchanov, history’s most daring freediver, is reaching improbable depths—and discovering a new kind of enlightenment as he conquers one of the world’s wildest sports. BY DANIEL RILEY PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAAN VERHOEVEN 1. Rhapsody in Blue For all the complex techniques required to succeed, the objective is remarkably simple: Go as deep as you can go on one breath and return to the surface without passing out or dying. This is the point of freediving. At least the competitive point. And here in the Bahamas, 42 divers from around the world have gathered, like filings to a … Continue reading The Secrets of The World’s Greatest Freediver

Brain, Health, Living, Science, SportsLeave a comment

Want to Grow New Brain Cells and Get Smarter? Go Swimming

Fernando Kaskais

Good news from science if your corner of the world is broiling: Swimming is your brain’s favorite form of exercise. BY JESSICA STILLMAN The title of this post is a little misleading. Just about any kind of exercise will help spur the growth of new brain cells and make you a little bit smarter, extensive science has shown. So what’s so special about swimming specifically?  That’s the topic of a new, in-depth article on The Conversation written by neurobiologist (and avid recreational swimmer) ​​Seena Mathew. In it, she digs into new but intriguing science that shows spending some time splashing your way across the pool may offer … Continue reading Want to Grow New Brain Cells and Get Smarter? Go Swimming

Brain, Curiositys, Psychology, SportsLeave a comment

The psychology of penalty shootouts after England’s devastating loss in Euro 2020 final

Fernando Kaskais

England lost out to Italy in the Euros 2020 final after a devastating loss on penalties. By Rebecca Marano Gareth Southgate’s side were taken to a penalty shoot out following a 1-1 draw in Sunday night’s final at Wembley. It was Saka who saw his decisive spot-kick saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma and the Italians were crowned European champions following a 3-2 victory on spot kicks. Dr Andrew Manley, a Principal Lecturer in Sport & Exercise Psychology at Leeds Beckett, said that the mental side of a penalty shootout is often the hardest part. Dr Manley said: “Sven-Göran Eriksson said on reflection … Continue reading The psychology of penalty shootouts after England’s devastating loss in Euro 2020 final

Curiositys, Health, Living, Science, SportsLeave a comment

The key differences between swimming and running

Fernando Kaskais

by Rebecca Strong This article was medically reviewed by Joey Thurman, CSCS, CPT, FNS, a Chicago-based fitness expert and creator of The Sculpt System app. Medically Reviewed Both running and swimming are good forms of cardiovascular exercise that can burn calories while strengthening and toning muscles. Swimming and running offer a wide range of physical, mental, and social benefits, with the main difference being that swimming is less stressful on joints. If you have arthritis or suffer from back or joint pain due to an injury, swimming may be a better option for you than running. When it comes to cardiovascular exercise, running and swimming are … Continue reading The key differences between swimming and running