Wearing red can give competitors in sporting contests the winning edge

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Last Updated: Wednesday, 18 May, 2005, 18:26 GMT 19:26 UK
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Reds have a sporting advantage
By Paul Rincon
BBC News science reporter

Manchester United's Wayne Rooney scores against Newcastle, 24 April 2005 Image: AP
Red may be an ancient signal of dominance
Wearing red can give competitors in sporting contests the winning edge, British scientists have claimed.

A report in Nature by Durham University academics suggests donning red kit increases the probability of winning physical contests in a range of sports.

The researchers claim the effect could be down to a deep-seated evolutionary response that works subconsciously to put opponents on the back foot.

More thought may need to be given to the colour of sportswear, they say.

"Whether red suppresses the testosterone of the opponent or boosts the testosterone of the individual wearing red, we don't know at the moment. We're going to look at that," Dr Barton told the BBC News website.

"My hunch is that there is a bit of both going on." http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4559071.stm

 

[quakefiend420]

they really need to find something better to spend time researching...

 

[SouthPaW1227]

it's great we waste money on "researching" this garbage.....

on the other hand, it's totally false. The Wolfpack football team couldn't win for shizz last season...we'll see how it goes this year.

 

[Anubis]

this isnt exactly a new idea, ive known about this for like 10 years

and its not just red most bright colors have the same effect

 

[WdnUlik2no]

great another millions of dollars wasted on useless research.

It obviously is not true, just look at the Atlanta Hawks!

 

[DeepBlu]

And the ****ing Phillies.

 

[krcat1]

I thought that black was proven to be the color that intimidates opponents.

Red only works when you are sporting an AK-47.