A Nobel Prize was awarded for an explanation of hulahooping

Although hula hooping comes
relatively naturally to most of us, it’s
actually quite a complex task from a
biomechanical viewpoint. In fact, the
2004 Ig Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded
for an explanation of hula-hoop dynamics.
The hoop is able to spin due to the
momentum created by pushing your hips
and stomach back and forth, and by slightly
shifting your weight as it spins. The reason
the hoop keeps spinning is due to the
forward motion of your hips, and not
because of any circular movement, which
is wrongly implied by the word ‘hula’ in
its name.
This activity has recently gained in
popularity due to its potential health
benefits. It works the abdominal muscles
in your core and studies have shown
that using a weighted hoop may help
to burn visceral fat, which can be
detrimental to the heart.