Cats the secret to World Cup success?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion explores the potential link between exposure to the Toxoplasma gondii parasite found in cat feces and athletic performance in soccer, particularly in relation to World Cup success. Participants examine the implications of infection rates in different countries and the effects of the parasite on human behavior and physiology.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that Toxoplasma gondii may increase testosterone levels and potentially enhance athletic performance, citing historical World Cup data correlating infection rates with success.
  • Others question the validity of the claims, noting the lack of causation and expressing skepticism about the implications of such a relationship.
  • Concerns are raised about the hygiene of cats and the likelihood of humans inadvertently ingesting the parasite, with some participants speculating that the actual exposure rates may be higher than reported.
  • A participant introduces additional research indicating behavioral changes associated with Toxoplasma gondii infection, including slower reaction times and personality changes, which may further complicate the discussion on its effects.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of curiosity and skepticism regarding the claims about Toxoplasma gondii and its effects on athletic performance. There is no consensus on the validity of the proposed link or the implications of the findings.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge the complexity of establishing causation versus correlation in the relationship between the parasite and athletic performance. There are also discussions about the broader behavioral effects of the parasite that remain unresolved.

BobG
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Are cats the secret to World Cup success?

According to this article, Could a brain parasite found in cats help soccer teams win at the World Cup?, exposure to cat feces could improve a person's athletic performance.

Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite transported in cat feces, increases the tetosterone levels in the brain when cat feces are ingested (intentionally or unintentionally). And, better yet, drug tests don't currently test for toxo.

Going back to 2006, 15 of the 16 quarterfinal games were one by the country having a higher infection rate of their population. So the US finally has a legitimate excuse for losing to Ghana. Only 12% of the US population is infected with the brain parasite while 92% of Ghana's population is infected by the brain parasite.

If the US wants to win a World Cup, clearly we need to own more cats!

And a mere 6% infection rate clearly explains England's poor performance in spite of so many star players.

Or not. :smile:

Even if there was causation instead of a coincidental correlation, I'm not sure winning would be worth it.
 
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BobG said:
Are cats the secret to World Cup success?

According to this article, Could a brain parasite found in cats help soccer teams win at the World Cup?, exposure to cat feces could improve a person's athletic performance.

Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite transported in cat feces, increases the tetosterone levels in the brain when cat feces are ingested (intentionally or unintentionally). And, better yet, drug tests don't currently test for toxo.

Going back to 2006, 15 of the 16 quarterfinal games were one by the country having a higher infection rate of their population. So the US finally has a legitimate excuse for losing to Ghana. Only 12% of the US population is infected with the brain parasite while 92% of Ghana's population is infected by the brain parasite.

If the US wants to win a World Cup, clearly we need to own more cats!

And a mere 6% infection rate clearly explains England's poor performance in spite of so many star players.

Or not. :smile:

Even if there was causation instead of a coincidental correlation, I'm not sure winning would be worth it.

Does the success rate hold true for past World Cups as well?
 
12% of Americans eat cat poop?
 
If it makes you stronger/faster, is it fair to call it a parasite?
 
leroyjenkens said:
12% of Americans eat cat poop?

Oh, I'm sure it's higher than that. Cats are unsanitary and they crawl on everything. I'm sure just about every kid in any family that has a cat has ingested at least a little cat poop.

The percentage is just for those infected with the toxo parasite.
 
BobG said:
Oh, I'm sure it's higher than that. Cats are unsanitary and they crawl on everything. I'm sure just about every kid in any family that has a cat has ingested at least a little cat poop.

The percentage is just for those infected with the toxo parasite.

In that case, just smelling it is technically ingesting it.
 
Fascinating stuff:
Wikipedia said:
Studies have also shown behavioral changes in humans, including slower reaction times and a sixfold increased risk of traffic accidents among infected males, as well as links to schizophrenia including hallucinations and reckless behavior. Additionally, studies of students and conscript soldiers in the Czech Republic in the mid-1990s highlighted the fact that infected people showed different personality traits to uninfected people—and that the differences depended on sex. Infected women were more likely to become more outgoing and showed signs of higher intelligence, while men became aggressive, jealous and suspicious
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxoplasma_gondii
 

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