Like a lot of Dopers I’m sure, Jeopardy is my time to yell questions at the television. It’s my daily half hour of cockiness and I revel in it. Obviously being an ace in one’s own livingroom is altogether different from the pressures faced competing in front of a live audience on an internationally televised broadcast. I recall reading a while back about olympic biathalon competitors (bi-atheletes sounds kind of kinky) who would take beta blockers to slow their heart rate, thereby increasing shooting accuracy. Moral qualms aside, would beta blockers enhance a contestant’s performance? My guess is that if they can help a winded skier remain calm enough to shoot straight they would certainly be of value to a knowledgeable but nervous contestant. If in fact they would help, should Jeopardy test for them? Two million bucks ain’t hay.
/ Go Spangler!