Tag: olympics

These athletes are lopsided according to the NY Times.

These athletes are lopsided according to the NY Times. Those of you who watched the Olympics in South Korea this past week probably saw speed skating.  Short Track Speed Skaters spend hours bent over skating to the left on a tight oval. The turns are so tight that when skating around the curves, their fingers glide on the ice. Years and hours later, their lopsided bodies are uniquely suited for this sport which leaves them with a uniquely asymmetrical physique. Their legs and thighs are more developed on the right, while their lower back muscles are more developed on the left. While Read More »

What is cupping and why do Michael Phelps and other Olympians have round blotches on their skin?

What is cupping and why do Michael Phelps and other Olympians have round blotches on their skin? For those unfamiliar with it, cupping has been around for centuries, and has been used to relieve muscular soreness and improve mobility. In Europe, cupping had been used and some people had sets of these cups that were applied to the skin to create negative pressure and offer pain relief.   In Asia, fire cupping therapy was used that did something similar and today, cups that have an ability to suction using a device that attaches to the top of the cup is used. Read More »