Mastering the Spin: The Science of Balance in Ice Skating
In Mastering the Spin: The Science of Balance in Ice Skating, host Harith Iskander explains how ice skaters spin without getting dizzy. When humans spin around, their eyes naturally move in the opposite direction, which can cause a feeling of dizziness. However, ice skaters learn to focus their eyes on a fixed point, which helps stabilize their vision and reduce dizziness. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Got Science?, a science magazine series that explores and explains science in everyday life.
Lesson Express
Q: Why do we get dizzy when we spin around?
A: When we spin, our eyes move in the opposite direction, and this movement makes us feel dizzy because our brain is trying to process conflicting signals from our eyes and inner ear.
Q: How do ice skaters avoid dizziness when spinning?
A: Ice skaters focus on a specific spot while they spin, which helps stabilize their vision and reduces dizziness. They also train their brains to ignore some of the signals that cause discomfort.
Q: How does training the brain help ice skaters perform complex moves?
A: By training their brains to process motion differently, ice skaters can perform spins and jumps without feeling dizzy or losing balance, allowing them to execute more advanced tricks.