Debate: Should DNA Determine the Sport You Play?
New technology can help athletes gain a deeper understanding of how their bodies work. By submitting their DNA, athletes can see the results of their genetic fitness assessment. This can help athletes personalize their training routine, gain information about their ability to build muscle, or find out how prone they are to joint injuries. The results are organized in categories to let people know what they need to work on. Listen to learn more about this new technology and then debate: Should DNA determine the sport you play?
Read MoreDebate: Should Athletic Shoes Be Regulated?
The Nike Vaporfly, a super-light, bouncy running shoe, is helping athletes achieve record-breaking times, but also raising questions. Some argue the shoe gives athletes an unfair advantage, making sports more about equipment than conditioning. They believe running shoes should be regulated to make races fair. Others say it is impossible to define “unfair advantage” or to know how best to regulate shoes. Listen to hear a Boston Marathon winner explain the technology that has runners buzzing, and then debate: Should athletic shoes be regulated?
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Several universities are offering students the chance to major in a subject unheard of just a few years ago: competitive video gaming, or esports. Esports have gained a huge following in recent years, allowing athletes to earn money through sponsorships, merchandise, and tournament winnings. Fans watch games not only online, but also at arenas that can draw thousands of enthusiastic spectators. Listen to hear how schools are preparing students for careers in this growing field and how some people are working to make esports more inclusive.
Read MoreDebate: Do the Benefits of Club Soccer Outweigh the Problems?
Club soccer teams have become popular throughout the country. These private, for-profit programs give kids the chance to have fun, hone their skills, and get experience playing for a team. But club soccer costs money, unlike most school sports teams, and often makes it harder for non-club soccer athletes to win spots on their school team, which some consider unfair. Listen to hear more about the pros and cons of club soccer and then debate: Do the benefits of club soccer outweigh the problems?
Read MoreCURRENT EVENT | February 22, 2024
When a major league baseball team wins the World Series or a pro basketball team wins the NBA Finals, they are called world champions. But the title is misleading because these American teams do not play internationally. Critics of America’s claim of superiority in sports point to situations like this and the fact that U.S. teams are not competitive in some globally popular sports. Fans of American sports, however, are not easily persuaded that their beliefs about America’s athletic dominance are overblown since the U.S. consistently has a high medal count across a variety of Olympic sports. Listen to hear why America may not be working as hard to be the best in all sports and then debate: Is American dominance in sports declining?
Story Length: 4:44
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10/10/2023
https://app.listenwise.com/students/events/2592-debate-is-american-dominance-in-sports-declining
Classroom Discussion Themes