It all started with a lettering and two small hands. After a heart and a wing came a football and the number 10, followed by bright colors. In 2012, Lionel Messi's body was still completely free of tattoos. With the birth of his son, the Argentine decided to get his first tattoo - the name of his firstborn on his calf. In the meantime, not only the left leg of the six-time world footballer is adorned with a colorful work of art, but Messi's right arm is also extensively tattooed. The development of the football star mirrors that of the entire industry. While 15 to 20 years ago almost no football player had tattoos on his or her skin, nowadays it is rather the exception if a professional football player does not wear a picture on his or her body. A counter design is Messi's big rival Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese is known for flaunting his upper body. However, one looks in vain for a tattoo on "CR7". Time and again it is claimed that the European champion of 2016 does not get a tattoo to get the last percent out of himself. But what is the truth? Can tattoos really alleviate performance in sports?
This is what traditional Chinese medicine says
One approach that supports this claim lies in traditional Chinese medicine. This ancient science is based, among other things, on the flow of energy in the body. It considers the human being in its entirety and is based on the fact that the basic forces of life are in balance in healthy people. According to one theory, tattoos influence the energy pathways in the body. These so-called meridians run under the skin, so interfering with these pathways could disrupt circulation and thus impede the flow.
Professor would ban tattoos for footballers
Professor Ingo Froböse of the German Sport University in Cologne argues along the same lines, but with a different justification. In his opinion, clubs should even ban tattoos for their players. The scientist refers to various studies, according to which footballers suffer performance losses of 3 to 5 percent, because the skin - the largest human organ - is poisoned by the application of color pigments. The ink would not remain in the skin, but would also enter the bloodstream. Against this assertion speaks that professional tattoo artists sting the color pigment only into the second skin layer, in order to prevent exactly this. To inform yourself about the different qualifications and qualities of tattoo artists, is of course up to you and each footballer. Another argumentation of tattoo opponents in football is based on the fact that when tattoos are pricked, small scars would be created that would injure the sweat glands. Theoretically, of course, this is possible if the artist does not know his/her craft well or lacks experience.
Do tattooed footballers sweat less?
The issue of sweating is another one that is discussed. US studies claim that tattooed skin areas produce less sweat, making it more difficult to regulate temperature in the body. For example, physiologist Maurice Luetkemeier of Alma College in Michigan published his study titled "Tattoos Cause You To Sweat Less." According to the study, the test subjects sweated at tattooed body regions about 50 percent less than in free places. In addition, the sweat on the tattooed areas was significantly saltier. With the test subjects it concerned however only ten men, which relativizes the significance again strongly. The subject of sweating in connection with tattoos in sports is simply still too little researched to be able to draw clear conclusions about performance.
Are tattoos for footballers carcinogenic?
Another topic that always comes up when it comes to tattoos in general is that the colors used may be carcinogenic. Especially with cheap colors, this cannot be ruled out. To counteract the use of those chemical products, the German Tattoo Ordinance (TätoV) was enacted, which came into force on May 1, 2009. The difference of the colors consists in the different cleaning stages, which are to be regulated here. Every professionally run tattoo studio in Germany must comply with this regulation. Tattoo inks consist of 99 percent distilled water, with the pigment making up the rest. Many of the latest tattoo inks carry the label vegan. More critical than the stinging of tattoos is also considered in professional circles the removal. During laser treatment, the color pigment is decomposed and excreted through the lymphatic system, which carries certain risks. So maybe before getting a tattoo, you should think twice about whether you want to wear this for the rest of your life.
