By Paul Rincon BBC News science reporter Wearing red can give
competitors in sporting contests the winning edge, British
scientists have claimed. Red may be an ancient signal of
dominance A report in Nature by Durham University academics
suggests donning red kit increases the probability of winning
physical contests in a range of sports. The researchers claim
the effect could be down to a deep-seated evolutionary response
that works subconsciously to put opponents on the back foot.
More thought may need to be given to the colour of sportswear,
they say. Previous research by different scientists showed
levels of the male sex hormone testosterone are highest in
footballers when they play a game at home. Co-author Dr Robert
Barton said such a response might be acting here. "Whether red
suppresses the testosterone of the opponent or boosts the
testosterone of the individual wearing red, we don't know at the
moment. We're going to look at that," Dr Barton told the BBC
News website. "My hunch is that there is a bit