Physics of sports

Have you ever wondered why a football curves through the air or how a basketball bounces so high? The answer lies in physics — the branch of science that explains how and why things move. Every sprint, swing, jump, or throw in sport is a real-life demonstration of physical laws in action.

- Dr Varsha Joshi

Sports are not only about strength, speed, and skill; they also depend on scientific principles. Every movement on the field, track, or in the pool can be explained through concepts such as force, energy, and motion.

Understanding these ideas helps athletes perform better, use energy efficiently, and reduce the risk of injury. The scientific study of human movement in sport is known as biomechanics.

This article explores several key physics concepts that explain the close connection between science and sport.

Newton’s Laws of Motion

Sir Isaac Newton's three laws of motion describe how objects move and respond to forces. These laws form the foundation for understanding motion in sports.

First Law (Law of Inertia): An object remains at rest or continues in uniform motion unless acted upon by an external force. In sport, this means both athletes and equipment resist changes to their motion — this resistance is known as inertia. Examples:

@ A football remains stationary until it is kicked. Once moving, it continues until friction, air resistance, or another player stops it.

@ A sprinter must overcome inertia at the start of a race but can maintain speed with less effort once in motion.

Second Law (F = ma): The acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the force applied and inversely proportional to its mass. This law explains how greater force produces greater acceleration.

Examples:

@ A tennis ball hit with more force travels faster and farther.