Short Wave How do extreme G-forces affect Olympic bobsledders?
29 snips
Feb 4, 2026 
Peter McCarthy, a neurophysiologist who built helmet sensors to measure G-forces, and Aaliyah Snyder, a neuropsychologist and former skeleton athlete, discuss sled head. They talk about dizziness, nausea and blackouts after high-speed runs. They describe helmet sensor data, how the brain moves under extreme G, clinical signs and rehabilitation, and calls for monitoring and safety changes.
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Athlete's Career Ended By Repeated Hits
- Aaliyah Snyder described runs that left her dizzy, nauseous, and unable to concentrate afterward.
- She accumulated symptoms and ultimately retired after about six concussions she couldn't recover from.
Underreporting Masks The Problem
- Athletes often hide sled head symptoms to avoid being left out of training or competition.
- That secrecy creates a disincentive to report injuries and impedes medical protection.
High Gs Drive Internal Brain Motion
- Sliding athletes experience high g-forces on tight turns, sometimes comparable to roller coasters above 5g.
- Those forces push soft brain tissue against the skull and cause internal brain movement beyond helmet protection.