How do figure skaters do the amount of spinning they do without being dizzy? Do they get physically used to it and stop getting dizzy? Or is it all mental, and they learn to continue doing complex maneuvers while dizzy?
I found one website that claimed that continuing to move after spinning will keep you from getting dizzy because your body is still in motion. Is this true?
IANAFigure Skater, but I am a dancer and normaly when we do a bunch of spins we spot. Basically, you focus on a certain point and focus only on that point, whipping your head around and back to that point when you are turning. It really helps with the dizziness factor.
I have seen dancers do that, but I don’t think figure skaters do. I also think figure skaters spin faster. So while that may work to keep you less dizzy, figure skaters must be doing something else.
I was going to say the same thing as flamingbananas, so in answer to Saranga, my WAG would be: After they land, they focus on a single point, until the dizziness goes away.
My sister is learning to tap dance and said the same thing, focus on one point and then snap your head round and back to it.
Apparently you learn to not get dizzy:
When you begin to spin, make sure you look to the left and only do a revolution or two. That is usually all most people are capable of doing at this point. It’s important to start slowly and build up speed. If you should happen to get too much speed in the beginning, you’ll more than likely not be centered, and you’ll probably feel very disoriented. The advanced skaters who do fast spins have all experienced bouts of dizziness. The more you practice, the less dizzy you’ll get after the completion of each spin. Naturally, when you get dizzy you’ll want to wait until your head clears before trying your next spin.
From Ice Skating Tips
MCIAFS (My cousin is a figure skater) and she tells me that it’s just something you get used to. They are taught to spin this way from Square One, and not to use the dancers’ “fixate and whip” technique. It would work for beginners, but as they become better, their spin speeds increase to the point where the dance technique would be impossible, if not downright damaging.
I figure skated for years. I really just didn’t get dizzy. My coach claimed that going backwards afterwards prevented dizziness.
Rollerskater checking in. I guess you learn to not get dizzy. I imagine that having good form is key. It helps if your head is in line with the spin axis and not wobbling to much. Spotting is impossible and downright stupid when trying to do a decent spin. I always learned to look “out” as far as possible and let the scenery appear to pass by quickly.