Mind if I grunt?

Get the Ig-Nobel people on the phone! The Ig-Nobel prizes are awarded for research that just MIGHT be considered on the frivolous side. There have been two scientific studies conducted to assess the effect of grunting on exercise output, both by Dennis O'Connell, a certified strength and conditioning specialist and professor and chairman of physical therapy at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas.

You might wonder why such a study would be necessary. I mean, it does matter to some people for sure, especially the people at Planet Fitness. They have a No-Grunting policy:

[LINK] Late last year, Albert Argibay, a Wappinger Falls, N.Y., bodybuilder and state correction officer, was escorted by police out of the Planet Fitness gym he was a member of, after another member complained to management of his loud grunting during weightlifting.

Planet Fitness, a national chain, has a solid "no-grunting" policy in place and Argibay's noisemaking -- along with a resulting verbal tussle with management -- cost him his membership, The New York Times reported.

Maybe they should set aside a special "Grunting Area" to make all the patrons happy. And with those shenagigans going on, it makes the research studies seem vitally important.