EPISODE · Feb 18, 2026 · 17 MIN
Jump, Spin, Glide: The Science Of Figure Skating
from Science Friday · host Flora Lichtman, Kathleen Davis
Figure skating is a fan favorite at the Winter Olympics—for every event, the stands are packed to watch competitors glide, jump, and spin. But what does it take to pull off these seemingly effortless moves? Figure skating researcher Deborah King joins Host Ira Flatow to unfold the science of the sport, from the impressive jumps of US skater Ilia Malinin, to the g-forces endured by the ankles of a speeding skater.Guest: Dr. Deborah King is a professor of exercise science and athletic training at Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York.Transcripts for each episode are available within 1-3 days at sciencefriday.com. Subscribe to this podcast. Follow our show on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Bluesky @scifri and sign up for our newsletters. Got a science question that’s keeping you up at night? Call us: 877-472-4374 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
What this episode covers
What’s the secret to landing a quadruple lutz, or speeding your death spiral? A figure skating researcher weighs in.
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Jump, Spin, Glide: The Science Of Figure Skating
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