Do ice skaters get dizzy?
 

I wasn't sure if this thread should go to the Sports section, please move it if it's more appropriate.

I have always wondered how ice skaters can spin so fast, so many times without falling on their bottoms. Did they get used to the motion and it no longer afffected them?

I'll have to ask my sister. Shes a very high level ice skater.

Good question. I've noticed that when they spin they tend to tilt their heads in certain ways, maybe that helps their inner ear (or whatever liquid-filled area is used for balance) from getting thrown all out of whack when they spin.

Yes, they do. However, skaters are trained to immediately pick a fixed point in the horizion upon cessation of the spin (ie, staring at something fixed) which helps them regain their balance and sense of motion.

Yeah, I asked my girlfriend and she said the same thing. She's a ballet dancer so he has to do it to sometimes

Do ice skaters get dizzy?

Only if they are brunettes or redheads. Blondes are dizzy enough.

couldn't resist

What level is she? I bet she exploited the xp system to gain her levels. I bet my level 64 roller skater could beat your ice skater.

I was just about to say that.

Watch any figure skating program. The big big spin *always* happens at the very end, so that they can spin spin spin, and then stop when the music stops, smile, and curtsey, all while trying their best not to look nauseous.

Oh yea, also sometimes when they spin, they'll spin their head first real quick and fix it, and then they'll continue to spin the rest of their body, so their head is effected less that way too.

THe very fast spin you are referring to is known as a scratch spin. Yeah, you get dizzy, but you learn to overcome it quickly. If you just STOP after the spin, you can fall on your ass. But, if you start moving again immediately, you adjust and get over it quickly. A rapid eye movement in the opposite direction of the spin upon completion helps.

It took me a few days of constant practice to not feel falling-over-puking-dizzy. :p