Have you seen the aerodynamic bike riding helmets? They are designed to reduce drag around your big fat head. Not especially fashionable, and of questionable value unless you keep your head in the level position that allows the air to slip by, they already seem to be going out of favor. I didn’t see them on the Olympic cyclists. I do sometimes see local triathletes with them, which always amuses me. They really think that the aerodynamic helmet is the thing that will give them their edge.
But there are some amazing things science brings to athletes. I read an article about Nike – a provider of Team USA uniforms and sneakers – and the innovations they introduced this year. To the naked eye, the track team’s uniforms appear to have red flecks on the blue background. Those “flecks”? They are actually aerodynamic “ramps” that reduce drag. They vary in size and density even depending where on the clothing they sit. Isn’t that amazing? And when you see the elite runners separated by only hundredths of a second, you understand why all possible advantages are explored and exploited. Nike used the same technology to create adhesive strips that can be attached to arms and legs - areas of high wind resistance. Another cool Nike innovation was sunglasses with no hinges, weighing only 0.1 ounces! To top that off, they only allow red light through which Nike says provides a calming effect to the runners.
As I was reading about these advances I couldn’t help thinking that there are some smart kids out there who wannabe sports stars but lack the real ability to succeed at that - but wouldn’t it be cool to guide them to STEM educations? If I were a physicist, I think applying my knowledge of aerodynamics and mechanics might be more fun at Nike than at NASA. You’d get to blend your love of sports with your education. Yours – not mine. As I thought about careers early on, blending physics with anything was out of the question. But I still think Nike is cool. And I wonder how much time I could shave off of my 5K with one of those shirts.
But there are some amazing things science brings to athletes. I read an article about Nike – a provider of Team USA uniforms and sneakers – and the innovations they introduced this year. To the naked eye, the track team’s uniforms appear to have red flecks on the blue background. Those “flecks”? They are actually aerodynamic “ramps” that reduce drag. They vary in size and density even depending where on the clothing they sit. Isn’t that amazing? And when you see the elite runners separated by only hundredths of a second, you understand why all possible advantages are explored and exploited. Nike used the same technology to create adhesive strips that can be attached to arms and legs - areas of high wind resistance. Another cool Nike innovation was sunglasses with no hinges, weighing only 0.1 ounces! To top that off, they only allow red light through which Nike says provides a calming effect to the runners.
As I was reading about these advances I couldn’t help thinking that there are some smart kids out there who wannabe sports stars but lack the real ability to succeed at that - but wouldn’t it be cool to guide them to STEM educations? If I were a physicist, I think applying my knowledge of aerodynamics and mechanics might be more fun at Nike than at NASA. You’d get to blend your love of sports with your education. Yours – not mine. As I thought about careers early on, blending physics with anything was out of the question. But I still think Nike is cool. And I wonder how much time I could shave off of my 5K with one of those shirts.