A team from New York University’s Applied Mathematics Laboratory has made a groundbreaking discovery about hula hooping, revealing that it requires precise body geometry and movement patterns to defy gravity. The researchers found that successful hula hooping involves specific slopes and curves in the hips and waist, creating a unique form of mechanical levitation.
To investigate these dynamics, the team created miniature robotic hula hoopers using 3D-printed bodies in various shapes – cylinders, cones, and hyperboloids. High-speed cameras captured every wobble and spin as they launched six-inch diameter hoops around the robots. The experiments showed that hoops require a minimum launch speed to achieve stable spinning and demonstrated that damping forces from rolling resistance are essential for maintaining steady motion patterns.
The study’s findings suggest that people come in different body types, which affect their ability to hula hoop. Those with specific slope and curvature traits in their hips and waist tend to be more successful hoopers. The researchers also discovered that the direction of spin is crucial – “direct outward twirling” maintains contact with the inner side of the body while the center stays positioned outward from the spinning axis.
The mathematics behind hula hoop levitation could have applications far beyond playground physics, including inspiring engineering innovations and improving robotic positioners and movers. The study was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) on December 30, 2024, and provides a comprehensive analysis of hula hoop stability dynamics.
Source: https://studyfinds.org/how-to-hula-hoop-science-crack-secret