Sports Science News

The latest sports science stories, each synthesized from multiple sources with added background and context.

Beetroot Juice Fails to Boost Swim Speeds, Only Eases Perceived Effort

A new meta-analysis confirms that beetroot juice does not improve swimming times or lower blood lactate, though it may slightly reduce how hard the effort feels.

16 days ago•Source: News-Medical

The Science Behind Badminton's Spin Serve and Its Swerve

sports-science

2.195 min•1 year ago

The Science Behind Badminton's Spin Serve and Its Swerve

Serious badminton players have developed a highly effective spin serve, which was banned by the BWF in 2023 due to concerns over unfair advantage. Chinese physicists have analyzed the complex physics behind the spin serve, focusing on the unique aerodynamics and feather geometry of shuttlecocks, which influence their speed, stability, and spin during play.

via Ars Technica