What was that? Cheering at Games can Change Your Voice (This is Your Brain on Sports)

March 30, 2010

As part of our ongoing research into science research on fans (This is Your Brain on Sports) we came across a study – at Duke – that came to the conclusion that cheering at sporting events can damage your vocal chords and even change the sound of your voice.

“Too much screaming can change the quality of your voice, your ability to use it how you want to, and even put you at risk for losing your voice’s natural sound,” says David L. Witsell, MD, Director of Duke University Medical Center’s Voice Care Center.

Witsell does offer up some advice for fan though, “You can be loud, cheer joyfully and clearly when you support it all with good breathing techniques and good hydration.”

Breathing and hydration…yeah, they are high on the tailgating priority list.

Lee M. Akst, director of the Johns Hopkins Voice Center, said, “Yelling at basketball and baseball games, talking too much on your cell phone, and other forms of overuse can damage your voice. Red flags for an over-used voice are frequent hoarseness, a sense of strain while talking, or discomfort while speaking. If hoarseness lasts for more than two weeks or is accompanied by ear pain, difficulty breathing, or difficulty swallowing, it may indicate a potentially serious vocal cord condition. If these symptoms occur, then you should be evaluated by an ear-nose-throat specialist as quickly as possible.”

Sounds like every single conference championship game, and the morning after, from earlier this month.

According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS), almost three of every 10 people have experienced voice problems including high risk fields such as teachers, lawyers, television broadcasters, and bare-chested body-painted rival-hatin’ sports fans. (We added in the final one for effect.)

I can’t hear you! Yell at Dr. Venkman via e-mail.

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Thursday Night Links: Hottest SI Covergirls, Prank-Calling Fans, the John Wall Snowman, and More

February 11, 2010

Here are the latest stories from the web about sports fans…thanks to all who sent in links. If you see a fan-related article, send us the link to info@thatfan.com!

We get started with the 25 hottest Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover models of all time [Bleacher Report]

Former Virginia Tech QB Sean Glennon still gets prank calls from angry fans even though he hasn’t played in a few years [Washington Post]

Busted Coverage tracks down bikini pictures of the University of Texas fan everyone has been talking about [Busted Coverage]

New Orleans fans left the city standing (barely) after the Super Bowl post-game party [Bootlegger Sports]

This Indianapolis Colts fan was just a tad angry about the Super Bowl loss [Total Pro Sports]

Don’t worry Colts fans, there is always next year.  And there is always this female pillow to cry on [College Humor]

Speaking of Colts fans, only eleven showed up at the airport when the Colts arrived back home after the Super Bowl.  Eleven.  That’s not a typo. [Unathletic]

This sports fan will trade his sports card collection for a new house.  Maybe I’ll reach out to him and ask him if a home in Detroit counts. [San Diego News]

Kentucky fans make a John Wall snowman [Strait Pinkie]

Speaking of making things out of snow, check out this amazing O-H-I-O sculpture…how did they dot that I anyways? [Yep Yep]

Mike in L.A. sent me an email begging me to post this picture of these USC cheerleaders.  Mike, you owe me:

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“I Am That Fan” – Tennessee Titans Cheerleaders Edition

January 14, 2010

In case you haven’t seen, That Fan is working to raise money for Make-A-Wish Foundation.  How does it work?  Simply get a picture of you holding a sign saying “I Am That Fan” (click HERE for further details and some more examples).

For each picture that we post, That Fan will donate $1.00 towards granting a wish.  I want to thank everyone who has sent in pictures so far…they will all be posted over the coming weeks.  Today’s picture comes from a Tennessee Titans fan who posed with a couple of the cheerleaders in a suite at LP Field before the season finale.

Big thanks to these Titans fans…this makes $5.00 raised so far this year.  I know you sports fans out there can do better than that!  Send your “I Am That Fan” pictures to info@thatfan.com!

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ESPN Magazine College Basketball Player Poll

December 30, 2009

ESPN Magazine (or “The Mag” as it is called) is my favorite sports magazine and I’ve been a subscriber for several years.  No, I’m not getting paid to say that but I would gladly accept a check for it (*cough, cough, ESPN*).  One of my favorite segments from the magazine is when they poll players on various topics in the world of sports.  A few issues ago they polled 100 various D1 basketball players on a variety of topics, and there are a couple that are relevant to this site that I thought I’d share:

Poll Question:  Do you ever notice the other team’s cheerleaders?

86% of the players (or 86 players if you’re scoring at home) said yes.  Oregon’s cheerleaders were mentioned the most.  Here’s why:

Poll question:  Which school has the biggest homecourt advantage?

Duke received 29% of the vote (that’s 29 players for all of you math majors out there) which isn’t too surprising.  The Cameron Crazies have been called college basketball’s “best sixth man”, and for good reason.  Here’s a short video showing some of their antics from last season:

The University of Washington also got a good number of votes.  One player polled had this to say about the tech-savvy fans:  “They had some Photoshopped pictures of our point guard and coach doing stuff-like, weird stuff.  They were so professional, I thought they were real for a minute.”

I think I might try and conduct a poll of athletes with questions purely about fans, the crowds, and homefield advantage.  If you know any athletes that would be willing to participate in a 100% confidential poll on these topics (or, if you are a college/pro athlete), let me know!

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