Some baseball players pee on their hands to harden or soften the skin, prevent or heal blisters or calluses. Urine contains urea, which softens the skin. However, the urea content in urine is lower than in skin lotions. Nolan Ryan dipped his fingers in pickle juice to harden the skin. While it’s unusual and the […]
The longest professional tennis match was 11 hours and 5 minutes, between John Isner and Nicolas Mahut at Wimbledon in 2010. Isner won with a final score of 70-68 in the fifth set, and served 112 aces. Average men’s matches are three hours, and women’s are two. Tennis dates back to the 12th century. The […]
Jogging, a sport that involves running while juggling at least three balls, was invented by Bill Giduz in 1975. It quickly gained popularity and now has a World Joggling Competition held annually. Juggling dates back to ancient Egypt, and Enrico Rastelli is considered the greatest juggler in history. Scarves are often recommended for beginners. Necessity […]
Despite winning a record 23 Grand Slam titles, a recent UK YouGov poll found that 12% of men believe they could win a point against Serena Williams in tennis. However, experts say the average man’s only chance would be if Williams missed twice, as her serves can reach speeds of 128mph. Three percent of women […]
Gender testing for women in the Olympics began in the 1960s after an athlete failed a chromosome test. Princess Anne is believed to be the only female Olympian exempt from testing. Gender testing is no longer mandatory, but can be requested if suspicions arise. Testing methods have varied over the years. Gender observation and testing […]
Many countries award their Olympic medalists with money, with the US giving $37,500 for gold, $22,500 for silver, and $15,000 for bronze. Singapore gives $1 million for gold, $500,000 for silver, and $250,000 for bronze. Michael Phelps has won 23 gold medals, and the first gold medals were awarded in 1904. Competing and winning at […]
Dimples on a golf ball increase turbulence and reduce drag, making the ball fly farther and faster. They were first added in 1905 after players noticed scratched balls flew farther. The number of dimples can range from 400 to 1,000. The dimples on a golf ball make it fly farther and faster than it would […]
The Monsters of the Midway was a nickname for the Chicago Bears, originating from a Chicago college football team. The Bears adopted the name and had a dominant defense in the 1940s and 1963, but the nickname died down until it was revived in 1984. In 1985, the Bears had a tough defense and won […]
Some basketball players struggle with free throws due to the flat arc of their shots. Researchers suggest that the underhand “granny” shot, which hasn’t been seen in the NBA since 1980, has a higher chance of success due to its backspin and easy-to-control motion. Using trigonometry, the optimal arc angle for a free throw is […]
Bicycles are easy to balance due to the natural physics of the wheels, seat, pedals, brakes, and handlebars. The position of the seat and pedals in relation to the wheels and the alignment of the wheels also contribute to stability. A bicycle exploits the laws of physics and principles of balance to become stable. Although […]
Stamp collecting is a popular hobby for various reasons. Some collect for profit, seeking rare or flawed stamps, while others do it for the joy of collecting or to commemorate special interests. Stamp collecting also provides opportunities for socializing and preserving history. Some collect for the aesthetic appeal of the designs and colors. People choose […]
Swimming lessons can prevent accidental drownings in young children. Non-profit organizations and private instructors offer lessons, but parents should supervise young children and consider their interest level before enrolling them. Children four and older can enjoy the social and competitive aspects of swimming lessons. Parents should also be aware of scheduling and enrollment terms. Swimming […]
Grunting in tennis can improve players’ strokes by 5 mph due to increased power and stability from exhalation. It may also have a mental component. Critics call for a ban due to negative effects on opponents. Other studies show vision therapy and caffeine can improve athletic performance, while bed rest can decrease fitness level. Grunting […]
Teams from around the world participated in the World Championship of Hide-and-Seek near Consonno, Italy. Players have 60 seconds to hide and evade a team of seekers. Mucche Arrosto from Bergamo, Italy won the Golden Fico Leaf. The event takes place near an abandoned resort town transformed into “Italy’s Las Vegas” in the 1960s by […]
NASCAR was founded in 1947 to set performance standards in stock car championships. NASCAR cars have a steel tube frame and must follow specific construction rules. NASCAR uses a points system to determine the Cup winner, with ties broken by the number of wins. Daytona Beach is home to the Daytona International Speedway and an […]
Fishing license requirements vary by jurisdiction and type of fishing. The US has state-specific policies, while some countries have uniform laws. Recreational and commercial licenses exist, with age exemptions and exceptions for certain types of fishing. Out-of-state licenses are more expensive, and it’s the fisherman’s responsibility to know the laws. Fishing license requirements are different […]
The origin of the term “front” in golf is uncertain, but it is commonly used to warn others on the course. Possible explanations include its use in seafaring, military, or Scottish gunnery practices, or its development from the forecaddie. It is called when a ball goes off target, and anyone hearing it should look out […]
The 1936 Olympics hosted in Nazi Germany were controversial due to the political climate. Some argue that participating nations missed an opportunity to combat Nazism. Hitler initially opposed hosting the Olympics but saw it as a propaganda opportunity. Discrimination against Jews and other undesirables was hidden during the event. Despite calls for a boycott, 49 […]
Kenya is training its first ever national ice hockey team, hoping to qualify for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. The team of 16 men are training at Nairobi’s Panari Hotel, the only ice rink in the country, using donated equipment from traditional ice hockey powers. While several tropical nations have competed in the Winter […]
Compressor oil is used to lubricate, prevent wear and corrosion, and improve compression efficiency. It varies in viscosity and additives, and can be natural or synthetic. Anti-wear additives reduce metallic contact, and correct viscosity reduces gas escape. Synthetic oils have better stability and can be used in oxygen compressors. Oil-free systems are required for safety […]
