How do extreme G-forces affect Olympic bobsledders?
Olympic sliding sports – bobsled, luge and skeleton – are known for their speed. Athletes chase medals down a track of ice at up to 80 or 90 mph. With this thrill comes the risk of “sled head.” Athletes use the term to explain the dizziness, nausea, exhaustion and even blackouts that can follow a brain-rattling run. Untreated, this can turn into concussions and subconcussions. But there’s still a lot more to learn about this condition. So today, host Emily Kwong speaks with two experts about the medical research into sled head – and how the sport would need to change to protect athletes’ brain health.
Check out more of NPR’s Olympics coverage.
Interested in more Olympic science? Email us your question at [email protected].
Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave.
See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.
NPR Privacy Policy
Check out more of NPR’s Olympics coverage.
Interested in more Olympic science? Email us your question at [email protected].
Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave.
See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.
NPR Privacy Policy
You May Also Like

Eye On The Sky
Vermont Public

The Grave Talks | Haunted, Paranormal & Supernatural
Ghost Stores, Haunted, Paranormal & Supernatural Stories

Real Ghost Stories Online
Real Ghost Stories Online | Paranormal, Supernatural & Horror Radio

Oncology Today with Dr Neil Love
Dr. Neil Love

Sage Sociology
Sage Publications

La Science, CQFD
France Culture

Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and Science
The Planetary Society

Experimental History
Adam Mastroianni

John Michael Godier's Event Horizon
John Michael Godier

DarshanTalks Podcast
Darshan Kulkarni
Community discussion