Occasionally my ears "burn", becoming very warm to the touch and glowing red. It can be just the left or the right ear, or both, that are affected. I suspect it is something to do with blood flow and cooling, but why the variation and what prompts it? And, of course, I do not believe the old myth that "someone is talking about me". Last week I played soccer for the first time in years. The goalkeeper kicked the ball high (probably about 20 metres into the air) and a teammate called to me to head it. I realise I am lacking in skill, but the power of the ball striking my head knocked me off my feet, bruised my forehead and left me with a dreadful headache. Yet professional footballers seem able to head higher and faster-moving balls with no apparent damage or pain. What velocities and forces are they dealing with, and why did the ball leave me stunned but not a professional player?
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