Social Workout

Infectious Enthusiasm

The Direction of the Cheering Matters

Here's a new study about the contagiousness of human enthusiasm that will A) lead you to future intramural sports domination; and B) help you scientifically predict the outcome of World Cup games. Researchers at the University of Groningen watched an endless number of soccer match penalty kicks in tied-to-that-point matches and scored players on the enthusiasm they expressed after scoring a penalty kick point. The teams of the players who went bananas after scoring, e.g. hooping, hollering, throwing both hands in the air, usually wound up winning. Theoretical explanation: All that enthusiasm infected their teammates and intimidated their opponents. In fact, the effect was so strong that when a player cheered with both arms in the air, it was more than twice as likely that the next opponent to take a penalty shot would miss. But researchers found something else, too. The cheering — one hand, two hands, whatever — didn't work as well if the player faced the crowd. Crowd support is well and good, but you have to spread your infection on the field.

Record Breaking

World's Largest Dodgeball Game Held Last Night in Murray Hill

The 69th Regiment Armory, last night, 7 P.M. Two teams: Yellow shirts and blue shirts. 700 players.  By 7:35 it was all over, and the Guinness Book of World Records declared it a record. Also for the record, some players thought the balls were too soft: "They should sting; life stings sometimes,” said a man who goes by the moniker Shirtless Tom and also happens to run the organization Brooklyn Dodgeball. Should you need a dodgeball fix, of the stinging variety, the group meets every Sunday at 2pm in McCarren Park. 

New York

Scientific

A Woman's Touch Increases Financial Risk Taking

A word of warning to all of you logging "Misc. Other Exercise, Intramural Sports, Vigorous Sex, Etc." minutes: Careful with the timing of your "intramural sports." A new study shows that when subjects were patted on the back by a woman at the start of the experiment, they took much greater financial risks in subsequent gambling and investing exercises. No such effects were shown for subjects who got a pat on the back from a man. And the effects held for both male and female subjects. Scientists theorize that physical contact with a woman reminds us of our mommies and makes us feel secure. So just saying, steer clear of the ladies before you pull the trigger on stock purchases, expensive gym memberships, or that vitamin supplement pyramid scheme you've been eyeing...

Intramural Sports

Find a Pick Up Game Near You

This year marks the first in my entire life where I have lived by a park. And while this may not seem too interesting to you, as a homegrown Texan, parks populated by people are still pretty new and exciting to me, even if said people are lovely, dirty, tattooed hipsters. In honor of parks in general, and my wiffle ball pickup game midnight last Friday, I’ve got an exciting list of intramural pickup sites — from basketball to ultimate frisbee — you can use to rack up some intramural minutes this month, no long-term commitment required.