There's a Very Good Reason Why Athletes Spit So Often

"Is it photogenic? Not really. But there is a very good reason for it - one that goes beyond tradition and superstition."

""Carbohydrate mouth rinse improves morning high-intensity exercise performance,""

""[oral carbohydrate] rinsing solution significantly improved the morning performance of [countermovement jump] height, 10 m sprint times, bench press and squat repetitions.""

""We were really shocked. The rinse has an instantaneous effect," Stellingwerff told The Guardian. "It allows subjects to perceive that the task is easier.""

Athletes frequently spit during high-level competition for reasons beyond mere habit or superstition. Spitting can form part of gameday routines that help clear the mouth and sharpen mental focus. A 2017 study in the European Journal of Sport Science found that carbohydrate mouth rinsing significantly improved morning performance of countermovement jump height, 10 m sprint times, bench press and squat repetitions. Additional studies produced similar findings, with some researchers noting an instantaneous effect that made tasks feel easier. Both physiological and psychological mechanisms appear to contribute to the performance benefit of mouth rinsing and expectorating.

Read at InsideHook