Have you ever noticed how hockey players and other athletes seem to smell salts? You might think that it is from the perspiration on their shirts, but there is more to it than that. There is a reason why these players smell salty and it has to do with their sport. Let’s examine.
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The Sweat Clothes Advantage
Imagine trying to play college or high school sports in the summertime. You might want to wear something lighter so that you do not overheat. That is why athletes wear things like tank tops or spaghetti straps instead of traditional shirts and dresses. Tank tops and spaghetti straps allow for more freedom of movement and prevent overheat.
But what about the sweat that collects on their shirts during the game? You might think that it would end up on the clothes instead of the body of the player, but that is where you would be wrong. You see, when an athlete sweats, it does not just stay on their shirt. It travels into the collar of the shirt, down the front of the shirt, and when it reaches the waistband, it starts traveling back towards the neck. So as your eyes glaze over the game, you might think that the player is just standing there, shirtless. But if you knew how clothes worked in sport, you would know that this is far from the truth.
Sporting Challenges
Have you ever watched a game and wondered why the players were so hydrated? You might think that they need to stay hydrated so that they can play well, but that is not the case. You see, when a game starts, the players’ bodies heat up quickly because they are working so hard. They have to drink lots of fluids so that their bodies do not overheat and cause injuries. The smell of the salts comes from the perspiration running down their neck and into their shirts. The heat causes the salt to rub off on the players’ skin and that is why they smell so funky.
A Game With A Past
Have you ever wondered where all the body spray and cologne comes from? You can bet that it is not from the kitchen or bathroom, but from the sports arena. This is where the athletes congregate after the game to deodorize and freshen up before heading home. You might think that they would use antibacterial products, but that is not the case either. The spray and cologne that they use is not intended for cleaning or killing bacteria, it is there to mask the smell of sweat. You see, when you play a sport, you are bound to encounter a bit of an odorous situation. Whether it is from perspiration or friction, there is always going to be an opportunity for the smell of salts to escape and linger. But that is part of what makes sports so much fun. It is also why they always seem to smell so good even after the game.
So whether you are a spectator at the game or a participant, you are bound to notice that the athletes have a smell that is unmistakable. It is mostly composed of salt, but it also has a hint of sweat mixed in with it. That is why they are called “saltwater” showers. But while the water may seem to wash away all the unwanted odors, it is not quite as simple as that. The salts that are inside the bodies of the athletes are still there, silently lurking, waiting for their next chance to reek.