The Real Science of Sport Podcast

In this Spotlight, we pick out some of the sports science topics that our listeners are sharing in our Discourse community. You can become a Real Science of Sport Supporter here, and a small monthly pledge gets you access to the community that discusses today's, and many other, topics!(00:00) We begin with a look at some of the reaction to our most recent podcast on Endurance, and the Central Governor. Listener reaction and accounts of their experiences stimulate conversations about the hostilities and fights in academia, the difference between "belief" and "knowledge", failures of pacing leading to heat stroke, and how to recover from a pacing mistake when it happens in your races and training. We also learn about how physiology, for many years, views performance through a 'failure' lens, rather than regulation, and what this means for how we understand training and performance.(46:09) A new research study has again confirmed that high carbohydrate intake is the way to go, improving our running economy and unlocking potential performance gains similar to those of super shoes. We link pacing and regulation to this paper by pointing out that carbohydrates are not working by delaying fuel depletion, or sparing carbohydrates, but rather changing exercise intensity and our ability to run higher paces for longer.(57:53) Our Supporters Club have also been sharing thoughts about the challenge of endurance sports in the heat, which affects not only body temperature, but also fuel use (more carbs) and compromises carbohydrate delivery to the muscles. A triple challenge, confirmed by a new study that shows that we tolerate and extract fewer carbs in the heat.And Finally (1:03:15), Ross is planning his own heat challenges, having entered a mountain bike race in the peak of South Africa's summer. With temperatures expected to soar above 40C, heat adaptation and fuelling will be tested, and he discusses his general approach and promises to share more in the coming weeks! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Become a member of The Real Science of Sport Supporters Club to show your support and have your say. A perk of membership is Discourse, our community that chats about training, sports science, physiology and news.Show notesA midweek whip around the world of sport, with some sports science and management insights on stories making headlines this week. We cover:The LA 2028 Olympic Track and Field programme was announced last week. It features three 100m races on one day for the women, and no option for a 400m/400m hurdle double, are among the surprises. We discuss the effects on athletes and the missed opportunitiesTriathlon's T100 series was plunged into chaos with miscounted laps, result changing decisions, and even a vote on whether rules were applied to the satisfaction of athletes. We discuss the fiasco in DubaiBoxing continues its (d)evolution to WWE, with a fight announced between Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul. A gimmick, for sure. Too dangerous? We discussWorld Rugby announced a new calendar for 2026, aimed at giving more relevance and meaning to Tour matches. The schedule has pros and cons, creating a travel load for teams that will require some accommodation for player welfareAnd finally, cardiac events among spectators at last week's ATP Finals are the trigger for a short discussion about the risks of WATCHING sport, with some interesting studies showing how risk increases when people are invested in the resultOther linksThe paper studying cardiac arrests at Gillette StadiumThe cardiac event risk is slightly higher in football in the NetherlandsLosing, but not winning, a Superbowl increases the risk of cardiovascular death Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support us on DiscourseDiscourse is our "sponsorship", our sole source of income. But it's way more than that - it's a community of experts and enthusiasts who share knowledge on everything sports science related. Oh, and it also inspires these Spotlight shows. To become part of all that, become a Patron of the site and join the conversationIn today's show, we run the Spotlight over news stories from the past week, including:4:32. The International Olympic Committee are reportedly going to move to protect women's sport by preventing trans identified males and athletes with DSDs from competing in women's sport. Will this come to pass? We discuss reports on the shift in policy, and raise some key questions. Will the IOC compel screening for sex and testing for advantage? Will they include DSDs in the policy? Will sports be obliged to comply, or remain able to govern eligibility as they please?18:32. Antagonism in antidoping continues, with shots fired between WADA and USADA, this time over The Enhanced Games. WADA think USADA should be doing more to stop the Games, but USADA say they have no authority to act. We discuss their remits, and the damaging mistrust that now exists between them. We also talk about the threat of the Enhanced Games, and USADA's perceptions of why athletes are joining "the doping Olympics"28:59. Staying on doping, US Sprinter Marvin Bracy-Williams has been banned for 45 months. The 2022 100m silver medalist got a reduced sentence for co-operation, and we wonder what he shared with authorities, and whether the investigative approach will produce future sanctions?34:09. Chinese teen prodigy Yu Zidi has continued her ascent to the summit of swimming, with a 200m individual medley record that puts her into the conversation for future world and Olympic medalists. We wonder what her trajectory looks like, using a previous Chinese teen phenom to offer a dose of reality.42:18. And Finally, tennis, with another "battle of the sexes" match in December between Aryna Sabelenka and Nick Kyrgios, with a few modifications to neutralize men's power. We talk about those changes, then finish up with a quirky look at the men's tennis rankings that reflect the extraordinary dominance of the current top two.LinksIOC moves to protect women's sportWADA reckons USADA can do more to stop The Enhanced Games from proceedingUSADA does not agree, and respond with some hostilityUSADA statement on the 45 month ban for Marvin Bracy-WilliamsYu Zidi's 200m medley performance sending waves into swimmingKyrgios is confident ahead of the gimmicky battle of the sexes match Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Endurance has been one of the most hotly debated topics in sports science for over three decades. From early research in the 1930s to the ground-breaking 1996 address by Prof. Tim Noakes to the American College of Sports Medicine, understanding the principles of what keeps the body going during prolonged exercise is more complex than you think. In this episode, Mike and Ross take a look back at the often controversial history, Ross's own research journey and experience with Noakes and find out if it really is possible to push beyond our own endurance limits.Support us on DiscourseDiscourse is our "sponsorship", our sole source of income. But it's way more than that - it's a community of experts and enthusiasts who share knowledge on everything sports science related. To become part of that, become a Patron of the site and join the conversationSHOW NOTESTim Noakes' original JB Wolffe Lecture, that kicked it all off in 1996The response by Bassett & HowleyTim's response to that rebuttalBy 2000, Noakes' thinking had evolved, and he presented models for fatigue, published hereA paper by St Clair Gibson and Noakes on fatigue as a way to avoid “catastrophe"Ross' first study, in the heat, which was originally rejected because it contradicted prevailing wisdomThe final chapter on Anticipatory Regulation in Ross' PhD Thesis, published as a paper in BJSMThe really cool Amman study of fentanyl and performanceAnother Amman study, this time looking at how very high and low oxygen levels changed pacing strategy and muscle fatigue Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Discourse! A small monthly pledge gets you access to the best Sports Science community on the interwebs. For opinions, insights on sport, advice on training and diet, Discourse is the place to be.A Spotlight dedicated to the news, as we split the Spotlight show into a news segment and a science segment. Today is the news segment, which covers:3:02 A look back at the New York City Marathon, won by Kenyans Hellen Obiri in a course record, and Benson Kipruto in a photo finish. We talk pacing micro-adjustments, late end spurts and misjudged fatigue and sprint finishes17:44 Joe Klecker ran a 2:10 in NYC, but caught our eye because he planned to take in 175 g per hour of carbs in the form of almost 3 L of fluid. An insanely high intake, but one that he discussed in a recent podcast with The Coffee Club. We talk about that strategy, his experience of it, and how it fits in the new carbohydrate paradigm35:22 WADA are making moves to consider banning Ozempic and drugs like it. Gareth and Ross discuss whether WADA are over-reaching, or whether they need to pay attention to the possible impact of the weight loss drug in sport, with Ross expressing doubts that it has long term performance benefits given how it works44:53 Elite athlete Laura Hottenrott recently raised concerns about the frequency of blood testing doping controls she has been subjected to. We discuss whether that concern is legit, and whether performance might be harmed as a result of frequent blood sampling for doping control?53:00 Gareth wonders how you could go about establishing who the greatest sporting nation in the world are? We discuss how you might weight sporting events and figure out who the ultimate all-round sporting champion is57:27 Gareth's gears are grinding at the short short list for women's track athlete of the year - Femke Bol and Sydney McLaughlin Levrone, neither of whom had the seasons that Melissa Jefferson Wooden or Beatrice Chebet had. We wonder why the better performing, more regularly racing athletes got snubbed?LinksThe Coffee Club interview with Klecker. It's cued to start on the carbohydrate discussionWADA has its eyes on Ozempic - the article with quotes from WADA on the possibilities of banning the drug Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

DiscourseSupport the show by becoming a Patron, which means a monthly pledge that is equal to buying us a cup of coffee! That gets you access to our Discourse community, where listeners share views and tips on sports science, health and training, and the chance to become part of the Sports Science conversation!Show notesIn this Spotlight, we kick off with three doping stories in Discourse Digest. Ruth Chepngetich got a three year ban, up from two, then down from four, and keeps the marathon world record nobody believes in. We discuss why her case is so frustrating for sport. Imogen Simmonds has been cleared to compete despite an Anti Doping Rule Violation, after she convinced a panel that her positive test was the result of contamination by her partner during intimate contact. And Oier Lazkano has been provisionally suspended by the UCI for athlete biological passport (ABP) abnormalities that date back to 2022. Ross explains the biological passport principles, why a suspension based on the ABP is so rare, and why it might have taken this long to bring the case against Lazkano.In Centre Stage (42:23), two papers on metabolic costs of exercise were published last week, with contradictory findings. We first explore a paper that proposes a metabolic limit of 2.5 our basal metabolic rate, and where that study fits into our understanding of exercise and metabolism. Then we consider another paper that contradicts that understanding by refuting the idea that our bodies constrain certain metabolic functions when we exercise in the equivalent of what Ross calls 'physiological austerity'. We try to explain why these studies contradict one another, the importance of energy balance in metabolism, and why there's a bit of truth in both models on opposite sides of the issue.Our Listener Lens (1:10:12) is inspired by a question from Leon, who asks about using heat as a way to increase cardiovascular stress without overloading his legs. We discuss how heat may be beneficial even without that cardiovascular benefit, why HR may not be the best metric to judge intensity against, and how the approach might be a handy hack, but only part of the approach with a few words of caution.And Finally (1:20:52), Gareth wonders whether the sub-2 hour marathon is more impressive than the sub-11 hour 100 mile record?LinksSean Ingle's article on Nike's new shoesArticle interviewing Pontzer about the constrained modelThe Pontzer study on ultra endurance athletes and the metabolic ceilingThe study that disputes Pontzer's constrained model, arguing instead for an additive effect of exerciseA discussion on X that eventually brings two authors together to discuss the contradictory findingsA comment in Nature on the debate and an attempt to find some middle ground Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Discourse! No pitch, just a link to sign up and show your support!In this week's show, we tackle intriguing physiological questions raised by listeners, explore whether different types of exercise interfere with one another to undermine training benefits, and run the Spotlight across stories from the sports world.In Digest this week (10:02):One of the great swimmers of the last decade, Ariane Titmus, has retired in her prime, leaving us to ponder the difference between athletes who go early and those who hang on. And cynically, those who switch to The Enhanced Games, which this week announced another former Olympian to its ranks. We discuss the carrot of the Enhanced Games, and how it capitalizes on incentives to entice athletes to join the movementWe wonder whether tennis players are playing too much, and whether the data support claims made by players like Taylor Fritz, who believe a combination of the calendar, courts and balls are threatening their welfare?In doping, 21% of athletes competing for Great Britain at the Commonwealth Games admitted to doping in the previous twelve months. That's only slightly better than the results of the same survey in Spanish athletes, which put the figure at 36%. Ross and Gareth discuss why the true figure is likely higher, and what it means for doping and anti-doping's effectivenessOur Center Stage topic (45:19) is a paper that explores a phenomenon called "the interference effect", where different types of exercise aimed at endurance or power/strength, have been thought to cancel each other out, undermining the adaptations from training. We explain the origins of that theory, and explore why things are not necessarily as simple as they seemed, with some practical advice for all those who like to mix their training types.In Listener Lens (1:08:33), Ali Robinson showcases what Discourse has to offer, making a fantastic observation about our most recent guest, cyclist Andrew Feather, and his physiological capacity. He introduces us to concepts of anaerobic capacity, or the W prime, and Ross explains how we can all use this concept (runners too!) to understand our performance limits, and design effective interval training sessions, including a challenge to Gareth to test his capacity and design training.And Finally, we introduce a paper on a metabolic ceiling that limits endurance athletes, with a promise to explore it in a future Spotlight editionShow notesTaylor Fritz shares views on load in tennis in an X exchange with fansTennis website with data on rally length and ace rateSurveys reveal a minimum prevalence of doping in athletesThe original WADA investigation on doping prevalence, 2011Our Center stage paper - the interference effect for power and endurance training Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Forty-year-old lawyer Andrew Feather hit the news headlines recently when he 'beat' Tadej Pogacar in an exhibition handicap uphill cycle race. Even though Feather may not have actually ridden the Pogi challenge faster than the world number 1 (he won by three minutes after getting a six minute head start with the rest of the amateur field), his performance was still staggering given that he is an amateur with all the pressures of a full-time job and a family eating into his time. Feather is arguably one of the most celebrated non-professionals in the world and, as a four-time British Hill Climb champion, has the palmares to prove it. In this interview, Feather shares his insights into training, racing and dropping weight when it matters.Support us on DiscourseAs Gareth mentioned, Discourse is our "sponsorship", our sole source of income. But it's way more than that - it's a community of experts and enthusiasts who share knowledge on everything sports science related. To become part of that, become a Patron of the site and join the conversation Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support us on DiscourseAs Gareth mentioned, Discourse is our "sponsorship", our sole source of income. But it's way more than that - it's a community of experts and enthusiasts who share knowledge on everything sports science related. To become part of that, become a Patron of the site and join the conversationShow notesThis week on Spotlight, we dive DEEP into the world of physiology, pacing, fatigue and the brain. Using some enthralling races from Kona and Chicago at the weekend, and your Discourse questions and comments, we explore how pacing 'errors' happens, and the physiological consequences of those mistakes. We kick off of with our Discourse Digest segment (00:00) and news that Femke Bol will take a swing at the 800m next year. An exciting development, but what will it involve in terms of training and tactics, and what can we expect from the Dutch star?We then move on to the Chicago Marathon (15:56), won by Jacob Kiplimo, emerging as a real star of the Marathon. His success contained a very specific type of "failure" though, as he was on course to break the World Record right up to 35km, and then...physiology hit. Ross explains how fragile pacing is for elite marathoners, and why physiology collected on its 'loan' for Kiplimo. Another physiological "failure" happened in the Kona Ironman (29:26) where Lucy Charles-Barclay and Taylor Knibb raced so aggressively that they first rode and then ran each other to the point of proverbial physiological destruction. We explore how pacing in the context of a warm day caused those dramatic scenes.In Centre Stage (44:57), it's all about the carbs. Tim Noakes has a paper arguing that you need only 10g/h of glucose during exercise. He uses his "Central Governor" model to explain how the brain is monitoring and regulating blood glucose level to protect the brain, such that the 90g per hour or more being consumed by elites is wasteful and unnecessary, part of an 'old model'. We don't see it the same way, and Ross explains concepts of regulation of performance by the brain, a subject he did his PhD thesis on. We discuss heat, altitude, and fuel, to unpack how the truth behind fatigue, performance and pacing regulation, unlocking more insight on those pacing implosions in Chicago and Kona.In Ross Replies (1:06:59), listener Ian asks a great question about using data from a specific test where you lie down then stand up, and use HR to tell you how recovered you are. Ross explains why that test exists, its limitations, and offers tips for how to make more of data, while avoiding some traps.And Finally (1:21:31), we see again that cycling is allergic to the truth, Gareth learns the truth about NZ Rugby Representation, and we tip our hats to Natalie Grabow.LinksA race report from that dramatic Kona women's raceThe full Taylor Knibb statementThe Noakes TweetRoss' PhD thesis on Anticipatory RegulationArticle on orthostatic testing for HR and HRVThe Six who Sat podcast that Gareth mentioned on the show Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

DiscourseSupport the show, and get way more fascinating insight than the Bros deliver on the pod! Everything in Spotlight is discussed, dissected and debated on Discourse, and membership is judge a small monthly pledge awayShow notesIt's a Bro-Science discussion today, as listener David inspired debate with a post on his epic Zone 2 indoor ride, and got us thinking - how do we spot Bro Science? Is it all bad? What are the alarm bells that should make us cautious, and how can we learn from the experiences and anecdotes of other people while staying credible. That's our Center Stage topic (47:45).Before that, we whip around the world for a Discourse Digest (1:38) that looks at NCAA 'trafficking' in Kenyan athletes, a win-win, but also maybe a loss for some. We talk Caster Semenya's off-now-on case to fight for inclusion into women's sport, and explore why it's about male advantage, not natural advantage. We also visit rugby, where head impacts and concussions are the focus of a big new study, a new player load guideline, and a link with neurodegenerative diseases in the wake of sad news of Lewis Moody's MND diagnosis.In Ross Replies (1:05:45), Gareth asks about training when fatigued, inviting discussion about the body's physiological resource budget, and how we spend it on stress as opposed to recovery. Listener Lens (1:11:41) fields another listener question, this time from Gianni, about the importance, or necessity, of breakfast before training. And Finally (1:14:52), Tua Tagavailoa has been advised that to prevent concussions, he needs more carbs. It's an idea detached from both reality and theory, but we discuss how it might have come about, and how ideas without basis become entrenched by unquestioning media and public.LinkChris Chavez post about NCAA RecruitingDW article on Semenya's legal caseThe entertaining LetsRun article on Tokyo 2025The large NZ study on neurodegenerative disease in rugby playersWorld Rugby's Load GuidelinesFormer guest James Smoliga's article on Tua Tagavailoa's sugar-concussion prevention belief Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Discourse and contribute to the Spotlight, and join the conversation - a small monthly donation gets you membership to our community, and that allows you to drive discussion around these shows, and get even more value and insight from what other listeners are sharing.Show notesIn Spotlight this week, we look back at a packed weekend of sports action and offer insights on the big events. We kick it off with the AFL (1:39), where the Grand Final was played, and where listener Josh sent in an article exploring how the body shape and size of players have evolved over the years. Gareth wonders whether the players adapt to the game, or whether the game adapts to the athleticism of its players, and Ross explains the physiological equivalent of 'form follows function'.Then we move to Rugby (9:56), where England were crowned World Champions at the weekend, crowing an unbeaten World Cup cycle in which they've averaged 50 points a match and not lost a single match. The final wasn't exactly smooth sailing, and Gareth and Ross share some thoughts on what impressed us, and where Canada may have fallen short, with hopes for continued growth in the game.From Rugby to cycling for a brief last look back at the Rwanda World Champs (23:10), but where off-bike news in the form of the UCI back-pedal on handlebar widths and other policy changes are the main focus of conversation.Cycling gives way to golf (38:48), and the Ryder Cup, which looked like a foregone conclusion until it wasn't, and one of the year's great sports spectacles unfolded in New York. We learn how Europe used data analytics and simulations to optimize its foursome and fourball combinations, and wonder when data becomes a hinderance as opposed to a helper in sport?In response to a spate of serious ACL injuries in the NFL and in football (51:58), Gareth wonders whether something is happening, perhaps related to the training and conditioning of athletes, or the turf, to increase ACL injury risk? Ross is less sure, explaining how rare injuries can throw up misleading 'patterns', compounded by media bias.We wrap up with some doping stories (55:52), including the CAS decision in the case of Erriyon Knighton, who was initially cleared of doping when he was able to show contamination of an oxtail meal he consumed. But CAS didn't see it the same way, and he got a four year ban because of their interpretation of the pharmacokinetics and the relative levels of the banned substance in the oxtial compared to in his urine. We also go to Kenya, where an athlete admitted not only to taking EPO, but explaining how he obtained it. Whether it's a truthful account is anyone's guess.And finally (1:03:16), the NFL came to (Dublin) town last weekend, and the juxtaposition of some high profile rugby players and the NFL kicked off a conversation comparing the two sports. We end with a semi lighthearted look at the helmet and pad culture of American Football, and offer thoughts on why rugby's lack of protective equipment doesn't necessarily make it more dangerous.LinksTaller, leaner, faster AFL playersYou can read the Knighton CAS decision hereNo Laying Up Golf Analytics Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 2025 UCI World Road Cycling Championships in Kigali, Rwanda, delivered plenty of drama and debate, and SOS host Mike Finch was there to witness the action first-hand and ask if this was the best championships of the century. We also have the post-race interviews with the big stars and discuss whether Remco Evenepoel can really upset the two-time World Champion Tadej Pogacar at the upcoming European championships on October 5 and the season-ending Il Lombardia a week later.***Join Discourse and contribute to the Spotlight, and join the conversation - a small monthly donation gets you membership to our community, and that allows you to drive discussion around these shows, and get even more value and insight from what other listeners are sharing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio is one of the most experienced riders in the women's pro peloton and, in 2025, celebrates her 15th appearance at the UCI World Cycling Championships in Kigali, Rwanda. This year the 39-year-old South African lines up as one of the favourites on a course that suits her strengths. But she will be up against the best in the world including powerful French and Dutch outfits led by Tour de France winner Pauline Ferrand-Prevot, Demi Vollering and Anna van der Breggen and Mauritian rising star Kim le Court-Pienaar. Mike sits down with Ashleigh in her hotel room in Kigali to talk about her own preparation, the challenge of racing at altitude, the African factor and why this year's champs could deliver some big surprises in the elite road races. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Spotlights are our weekly show that wraps up the news and the topics that you, the listener, are discussing in our VIP Discourse community. To become a member, to join the conversation, learn from the best online sports science community, or simply to show your support for the pod, you can make a small monthly pledge at Patreon.Show notesThe Spotlight is back! This week, our Discourse Digest kicks off the show with a look back on a hugely successful Rugby World Cup, and a look forward to the weekend's final between England and Canada. Ross picks England by ten, Gareth thinks Canada pull off a heist in the home of English Rugby. Who is your pick?We also discuss an article by Sean Ingle, that revealed that between 50 and 60 athletes with DSDs had been identified by World Athletics since 2000. Ross explains how these athletes were identified, what they were required to do in order to compete, and why their number supports the introduction of screening of all athletes who enter women's sport.In Center Stage (29:08) we look back at Tokyo's World Championships one last time. We nominate our best athletes, best performances, biggest surprises, best events, most impressive comebacks, and 'winners and losers' from a championships that we both scored very highly for entertainment and intrigue.Ross Replies (1:00:26) remains focused on Tokyo, and a question from Neil about the rarity of 400m-800m doubles in elite athletics, and how the 800/1500m combination seems to have been replaced by a 1500m/5000m pairing. Ross discusses the physiological differences, with some fascinating insights on pacing strategies in 800m world records, a limit to how fast the second lap can be run, and how shoes and changes to qualification criteria may have tilted the balance in favour of the 1500m athletes against the track distance specialists.And Finally (1:12:09), celebrities who run marathons end our show, with a recent impressive Berlin sub-3:00 performance the catalyst. We wonder who the most recognized name is in the world who has run a sub-3 marathon?We are now also on YouTube! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join the conversation on Discourse. Have your say and read what fellow listeners think of the Tokyo 2025 action. A small monthly pledge on Patron gets you that, and so much more, and is a way to show your support for what we do.On the Track todayTokyo 2025 is a wrap! On the final day, the surprises continued, as Kenya's Lilian Odira beat favourite Keely Hodgkinson to win the 800m title, securing a first ever sweep for Kenyan women. Cole Hocker did what 1500m athletes do, as he outkicked the field in a tactically intriguing Men's 5000m to redeem himself after his 1500m disappointment. And the relay gold medals were won by the USA, with one exception in a fabulous 4 x 400m for men, that confirmed Busang Kebinatshipi as a global super star.In our final show, Gareth and Ross wrap up the action, and reflect on a week full of surprises. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join the conversation on Discourse. Have your say and read what fellow listeners think of the Tokyo 2025 action. A small monthly pledge on Patron gets you that, and so much more, and is a way to show your support for what we do.On the Track todayIn track action today, the middle and long distance titans clashed, as Faith Kipyegon raced Beatrice Chebet over 5000m. A tactically intriguing race with so many potential plays didn't really deliver on its promise, as Chebet once again produced an unrivalled sprint finish after a fairly bland race to claim a World Champs double to go with her Paris titles.The men's 800m produced arguably the best race of the Champs so far, as Kenya's Emmanuel Wanyonyi, led from the front, and dragged 7 others to historically fast times, with three going under 1:42, and all 8 breaking 1:43. We also look at relay qualification carnage, where the USA, Jamaica, South Africa and GB failed to finish or were eliminated in one of either the 4 x 100m or 4 x 400m heats.We also cover the field event medals, and look ahead to the final day. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join the conversation on Discourse. Have your say and read what fellow listeners think of the Tokyo 2025 action. A small monthly pledge on Patron gets you that, and so much more, and is a way to show your support for what we do.On the Track todayHaving missed Day 6 due to travel woes, we take a look back the highlights from Tokyo on Thursday, which included a historically fast women's 400, won by Sydney McLauglin Levrone's 47.78s, in a performance the brings Marita Koch's world record within striking distance. The Men's 400m saw a surprise winner, as Busang Kebanatshipi ran another PB and WL to win from Jereem Richards.The Friday action saw the 400m hurdles golds won by Rai Benjamin and Femke Bol. The latter was imperious and faultless, but Benjamin's win was not without controversy. We explore the DQ and then re-instatement of the Olympic and now World Champion and explore Karsten Warholm's failure to win a medal. Track action concludes with the 200m titles, where Noah Lyles defended his title to win a 4th consecutive gold, while Melissa Jefferson-Wooden doubled to do what only three other women had ever done.Plus field event drama, and previews of Saturday's action in our latest Tokyo daily! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join the conversation on Discourse. Have your say and read what fellow listeners think of the Tokyo 2025 action. A small monthly pledge on Patron gets you that, and so much more, and is a way to show your support for what we do.On the Track todayThe Race we'd all been waiting for, and it didn't fail to deliver! It did, however, deliver a major surprise, as Isaac Nader became 1500m world champion. Ross and Gareth discuss the race, exploring how it unfolded, what happened to the big favourites, none of whom been made the podium after a week of drama and attrition.We also discuss a fast, brutal women's steeplechase, with analysis of the intersection of technique and fatigue, and the cost of being too aggressive for two of the pre race favourites.Finally, we look ahead to the 400m finals, and in particular, how fast Sydney McLaughlin Levine can go? Gareth predicts a World Record, Ross thinks just outside 48, and we dive into the pacing, fatigue physiology and technical elements of the event to unpack what we can expect to see tomorrow. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join the conversation on Discourse. Have your say and read what fellow listeners think of the Tokyo 2025 action. A small monthly pledge on Patron gets you that, and so much more, and is a way to show your support for what we do.On the Track todayIt was a day for the pre-event favourites to deliver in Tokyo. Faith Kipyegon produced a near- perfect display of front-running to win yet another major 1500m title. Cordell Tinch broke 13 to make his 110m hurdle win look routine. Hamish Kerr and Ethan Katzberg won the High Jump and Hammer Throw respectively, and Syndey McLaughlin Levrone put the 400m world record on notice in winning her semi-final.We explore and unpack those performances, and look ahead to the men's 1500m final, which features tactical intrigue and a possible final 200m showdown between Josh Kerr and Niels Laros, with Gareth and Ross picking a dark-horse who may spoil that party. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join the conversation on Discourse. Have your say and read what fellow listeners think of the Tokyo 2025 action. A small monthly pledge on Patron gets you that, and so much more, and is a way to show your support for what we do.On the Track todayA remarkable day, with gold and silver split by 0.03s in one of the great marathons, surprise gold medals in the Men's Steeplechase and Women's 100m hurdles, and a disappointing disqualification in the men's 1500m.Also on the menu today, Ross completely misses a World Record, we explain the fragility of tactics in the middle distance events, and look ahead to tomorrow's finals, wondering how Kipyegon will set about winning her 1500m gold. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join the conversation on Discourse. Have your say and read what fellow listeners think of the Tokyo 2025 action. A small monthly pledge on Patron gets you that, and so much more, and is a way to show your support for what we do.On the Track todayThe fastest man and woman in the world were crowned on track in Tokyo today. Could Lyles defend his 100m crown and continue the US dominance of the event, or would the Jamaicans wrestle control back? Would the season-long dominance of Jefferson-Wooden turn into a maiden world title against Olympic champ Alfred?Speaking of sprinting, the women's marathon came down to a sprint, with a surprise medalist joining two pre-race favourites on the podium. And speaking of surprises, the men's 10000m had plenty! We also had the elimination of three big favourites in Round 1 of the Men's 1500m, semi-finals in the women's 1500m, a first look at the 400m women, and a host of field events.Ross and Gareth dissect the action from Day 2 in Tokyo, and look ahead to Day 3's action. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join the conversation on Discourse. Have your say and read what fellow listeners think of the Tokyo 2025 action. A small monthly pledge on Patron gets you that, and so much more, and is a way to show your support for what we do.On the Track todayThe first gold medals were contested on track today, with the women's 10000m and mixed 4 x 400m relays kicking off the gold rush. We dissect those races, discussing how they were won, whether the favourites lived up to their billing, and who made tactical errors that may have cost them?We also look ahead to Day 2, which will feature the crowning of new 100m champions. Can Lyles defend, or do Jamaican take back the title, and does Jefferson-Wooden hold off Julien Alfred? The Women's Marathon and the men's 10000 are also up for grabs, and we look ahead to the favourites and likely storylines. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Become a Discourse memberJoin our community on Discourse - predict, pontificate, ponder and pledge - a small monthly donation gets you into the VIP room for the "best content on the internet!". Your support keeps us going!Show notesIn this (supposed to be) quick Spotlight we look back and forward at the Women's Rugby World Cup (02:08) and how the lack of competitive matches may be dulling the appetite and how the game can grow. We discuss a concussion and a card which may have implications for the quarter finals and examine why there are so few coaches at the top level of women's rugby. While Gareth is shocked by only three in the World Cup and zero in the Women's Premiership, Ross explains why it takes time for the knowledge and experience to filter through and change will come more slowly that we might think.In Center Stage (17:30), we take another look back at the Malcolm Gladwell podcast, but through the eyes of the Discourse members, who like Gareth, focused on the topics which the rest of the internet forgot in their trans debate frenzy. Does Gladwell really think Hodgkinson might be doping? Why compression of adolescence is such a good term for an important concept, and why Gladwell backs the 'whimsical' suggestion of banning parents from live sports events, even knowing it to be unfeasible? Did Gladwell mislead on the relative age distribution theory? Is his bridging of the gap between journalism and science valid? Do athletes have a responsibility to entertain? So many gems, so little time.And Finally, (42:58), we look forward to the first of the athletics World Championship finals - the 4x400 mixed relay and the women's 10000 metres, and make a few predictions.Show NotesWorld Rugby and Gallagher extend GHPA programmeWorld Rugby launches Women Coaching Rugby Toolkit to recruit and retain more female rugby coachesDon't forget you can watch all our episodes on Youtube now Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Tokyo World Athletics Championships kick off on September 13, and while the team are not there in presence, we will be bringing you recaps, insights and analysis through the 8 days of action. In this Preview show, we are joined by Guardian Chief Sports Writer, Sean Ingle, for a look ahead at the week of athletics. We discuss the placement of these World Championships in the calendar, and why it may backfire for World Athletics and the athletes, who've had to plan for a longer season than ever before. We talk about the general health of the sport, and explore how it might make changes to appeal to the next generation of fans. And of course, we preview some of the big events, the rivalries and on-track stories, with unique insights from one of the world's most knowledgeable insider-sports journalists.This show also kicks off our Tokyo 2025 campaign, where we plan to bring you as many daily insights as we can. Work pressures, and time zone challenges may prevent a full house, but join us over the course of the week for the best applied sports science insights around!You can also support our work by making a small monthly donation on Patreon, and this also gets you access to our world class community of Discourse members, who will enrich your Tokyo 2025 experience enormously (as well as every other training, health and sports science you've had!) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rower Drew Ginn is one of Australia's most decorated athletes with five world championships and three Olympic gold medals to his name. From 1995 to 1998, he was also a member of the famous Oarsome Foursome coxless four, which had dominated the sport for much of the 1990s. In this interview, Ginn explains why his own upbringing was the perfect catalyst for his success, what makes a good rower, the technical and physical demands placed on top-class rowers, how rowing strength is measured, the modern tech used in rowing and why weather conditions and water temperature can play a significant role in performance. With the world championships taking place in Shanghai, China, from September 21-28, 2025, it's the perfect opportunity to understand the intricacies of this incredible sport.SHOW NOTES:Drew's dazzling career in rowingWorld Rowing Championships 2025 website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode 20, celebrity author, columnist, and podcaster Malcolm Gladwell apologised for the way he had handled a debate on trans athletes at the 2022 MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference with Real Science of Sport podcast co-host Prof. Ross Tucker. His statements ignited a media reaction that suggested Gladwell had done an about-face on the issue. But did he need to apologise and why did he feel it necessary? Ross and Mike discuss the aftermath of the furore, look at the many reactions and give some context to the full story.SHOW NOTES:The full debate held at the MIT Sloane Sports Analytics Conference in 2022The Fox News report on Gladwell's commentsThe Yahoo News Story on Gladwell's commentsThe New York Post story The Newsweek story Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Author, speaker, podcaster and columnist Malcolm Gladwell has sold over 25 million books, including titles such as The Tipping Point, What the Dog Saw, Outliers, and Talking to Strangers. Many of the ideas and concepts featured in their pages have influenced everyone from business leaders to sports administrators, while his regular columns in The New Yorker since 1996 have made him one of the most popular cultural voices in the US. Gladwell is also a confessed track and field nut and in this interview with Mike and Ross he shares his views on why passion lasts longer than pressure in sport, how to save track and field from itself, the weirdest event in T&F, doping, why tennis reflects the good and bad future of sport and whether super shoes should be banned from athletic competition. Enjoy almost two hours with one of the world's great thinkers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Get with the Discourse, and share thoughts on the subjects we tackle - a small monthly pledge gets you into the VIP room for the "best content on the internet!". Plus, we really value the support!Don't forget you can also watch us on YouTube!Show notesIn this Spotlight, our news roundup begins with a look ahead to the Tokyo World Championships, via a rewind to the Diamond League finals in Zurich. Has Zurich shown the way forward for field events? We unpack whether this model can help the field events and thus sport grow, celebrate new stars and seasoned champions. We discuss how moving the World Championships to the season's end poses unique challenges for athletes, and stretches the physiological peak many can sustain. We look ahead to epic clashes, where new favourites have emerged and old stars have shown form at just the right time.From track to turf, we turn to rugby and the doping case of Asenathi Ntlabakanye. The South African prop has been provisionally suspended after a positive test for a substance SA Rugby has said was not performance-enhancing and was medically prescribed. Ross and Gareth explore what this may mean, and the broader grey areas that challenge athlete rights and fairness in sport.Then in Center Stage (53:34), the Women's Rugby World Cup takes the spotlight. The tournament is off to a fantastic start, breaking records and continuing its growth. But Ross explains why wide performance gaps between rugby's juggernauts and minnows could threaten the game's continued long-term prospects, and how targeted investment will be key to keeping the sport competitive and fair.In Ross Replies (1:09:42), Stu asks whether women experience head injuries differently from men? Ross explains that the answer is "it depends", a variation of yes and what this means for preventing head injury in women. And Finally (1:18:39), Mike asked for insight on whether children should be taught to tackle when learning rugby, and we discuss why the answer is a cautious, and qualified "yes", with some evidence and a cautionary tale about how the speed with which we introduce risk is the key.LinksStory on Ntlabakanye's doping positive and SARU's statementThe NCAA team that lost a title because of caffeineAs discussed re the NCAA, the London Marathon death attributed to a stimulant in a weight loss supplementStu's question and discussion about head injury mechanisms in women's rugby: Discourse members onlyRoss' paper describing head injury mechanisms in elite womenThe paper that documents head accelerations in players aged 13 to adult Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The conversation begins, continues, but rarely ends, on Discourse! As mentioned, you can become a member of our VIP community by donating a small monthly amount to show your support, and dive into sports science and opinion. We are also on YouTube now, for those who want to watch.Show notesIn today's spotlight, our Discourse Digest looks back at some remarkable track & field performances and how they set up enthralling races in the upcoming Tokyo World Championships. We talk Kipyegon, Tsegay, Chebet, Hodgkinson and Lyles. Tensions between the UCI and cycling teams boiled over with a standoff around rider tracking the latest in the ongoing rider-safety struggles. We discuss how the failure of both sides to compromise and communicate is impacting rider risk.Risk conversations continue with news that World Boxing will follow athletics' example by screening for sex to protect the integrity of the women's boxing category and the safety of its fighters. Finally, instrumented mouthguards now have an LED light, and we discuss how many are only now becoming aware of this innovation and system for head impact management in Rugby Union.In Centre Stage (48:17) we turn our attention to doping. Gabby Thomas has called for lifetime bans for coaches whose athletes dope. We explain why it's not quite that simple, legally and philosophically. It's all part of the complexity of the anti-doping landscape, which we explore further with examples of recent doping cases and claims about who bears fault, when bans begin and which performances are tainted.Listener Lens (1:01:58) involves discussion about heart rate as a guide to training intensity on hot days. Ross explains that we can measure, but not manage our training while our physiology does the necessary in the heat. That becomes a conversation about Zone 2 training in Ross Replies (1:09:47), as listener Niall shares questions about how to incorporate this training intensity into his journey towards fitness and performance.And finally (1:13:16), Josh asks who you'd put on your Mount Rushmore of athletes? An impossible question, but Gareth and Ross share their thoughts, raising some eyebrows with picks and how they value sporting icons and their legacies.LinksVaughters interview about safety in cycling and the UCI standoffWorld Boxing sex screening articleListener Lens on HR in the heat - Discourse members onlyZone 2 thoughts - the mega thread from our listeners - Discourse onlyMount Rushmore of sport Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Discourse Join Kona champions, beer mile WR holders, sports scientists, and sports enthusiasts who will add exponentially to the value of the show! Make a pledge at Patreon, and become a Discourse member to become part of the conversation.We are now also on YouTube - you can watch our Spotlights here!Show notesToday on Spotlight, the Discourse Digest kicks off with two world records: one still standing after 30 years — Jonathan Edwards' extraordinary Triple Jump mark — and one set just two days ago by Mondo Duplantis in the Pole Vault, which left us more bored than awed. We also preview the Diamond League's return, where Faith Kipyegon's 3000m world record attempt will share the stage with Beatrice Chebet's move down to the 1500m, a prelude to a fascinating Tokyo clash. We talk about their prospects and physiology, with a view to Kipyegon's commitment to one day moving up to the marathon.We then turn to rugby, where instrumented mouthguards will light up after major head impacts at the Women's Rugby World Cup, to trigger off-field head injury assessments. Ross unpacks how the idea emerged as a solution to a problem that affected confidence in the devices, its reception among elite players, and what it could mean for head-injury monitoring.In Center Stage (29:24), we revisit one of our most debated episodes ever — the Zone 2 training “paradigm shift.” Gareth shares his understanding of the key concepts, and we reflect on which myths we decisively busted, and why confusion may have lingered for some. We ask questions that necessitate deeper exploration, and offer more practical application of what the science says for athletes with varied training and performance goals.Ross Replies (1:15:17) takes us back to pro cycling, where comments by Marlen Reusser revived discussion about weight loss and performance, revealing that there are concerns even within the pro peloton Gareth and Ross feel that the conversation has been largely positive (and necessary) but the threat remains. The weight conversation also offers the chance to explore how heavier, fixed bike weights might actually curb excessive weight cutting.And Finally (1:29:18), Fred Kerley's provisional suspension over whereabouts violations gets the Gareth-and-Ross treatment — and not much sympathy.LinksDiscourse discussion on Edwards WRKipyegon on the 3000 WR and her marathon futureDiscourse reaction and thoughts on the Zone 2 podcast themes - Members onlyGreat Discourse discussion about PFP's weight loss and Reusser's latest thoughtsMarlen Reusser speaks out about weight loss concerns Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Everyone is talking about Zone 2 training, but few understand the real science behind it. But thanks to a new scientific review, Much Ado About Zone 2: A Narrative Review Assessing The Efficacy of Zone 2 Training for Improving Mitochondrial Capacity and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in the General Population, the real benefits of Zone 2 training are clear - it's not the regime that many believe is the secret to better fitness and improved fat oxidation. The team speak to the co-author of the review, muscle physiologist Prof. Brendon Gurd from the School of Kinesiology and Health Studies at Queen's University in Canada, who explains how the review was done and the conclusions that were reached. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join DiscourseWeigh in on these and other stories by becoming a Science of Sport Discourse member with a small monthly pledgeShow notesThis week on the Spotlight, we dive into the latest Discourse Digest, unpacking talking points in the news.We begin with the Tour de France Femmes, where Pauline Ferrand-Prévot sealed a dominant win, and then her open discussion about intentional weight loss to improve climbing performance sparked wider conversation. Ross and Gareth explore the science and the risks, contrasting PFP's short-term approach with Demi Vollering's “health first” philosophy. We learn from other athletes about "body composition periodization" and share some caution, but also recognition, that elite athletes do "go there" for performance.In track, a new teen sensation has arrived: Cooper Lutkenhaus, just 16, stunned the world with a massive U16 World Record to finish second at the USA 800m trials. He is already the real deal, but that's no guarantee that he's not another star whose flame might flicker. We talk performance trends, hype, and the pitfalls of early stardom.There's also some heat on the track—of a different kind—as sprinters Noah Lyles and Kenny Bednarek engage in a bit of spicy back-and-forth. Genuine beef or PR play? Either way, it's getting people talking.Then we turn to IV drips—vitamin infusions marketed as wellness boosts. Ross and Gareth aren't buying it, calling out the pseudo-science, health risks, and the doping red flags. We also tackle criticism of World Athletics' SRY gene screen for eligibility in women's athletics. Ross breaks down what the critic got wrong and why women's sport deserves constructive criticism and alternative solutions rather than unproductive, false dismissals of proposed solutions. A lively disagreement ensues - let us know your thoughts!And finally—smelling salts banned in the NFL. Players are upset, but should other sports follow? Tune in for all this and more.LinksPFP and Vollering talk about weight, performance and healthTrent S' paper on body composition periodization - how to do it: short term, controlled and fully aware of the risk factorsLetsrun recap of the US TrialsThe article critical of the SRY screen. Let us know what you think, constructive or destructive criticism?The IV drip discussion on Discourse, for members only (join now!)The NFL bans smelling salts (fineprint here - teams can't provide them, players can still use) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Multiple African Champion, Commonwealth Games medallist, Olympian, multiple Giro Rosa podium finisher and one of the most experienced riders in the women's World Tour, Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio has seen it all. In a pro career that has spanned over 15 years, Moolman Pasio has been a force in virtually every format, from Grand Tours to one-day classics and in e-sports racing, where she was world champion in 2020. In the aftermath of the 2025 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, Moolman-Pasio weighs in on the current status of women's cycling, explains how so much has changed in her time on the tour, how Zwift competition is regulated to ensure fairness, why the UCI's rules around bike weights doesnt work for women, how having an holistic approach to rider welfare at pro level will ensure better results and why the Covid pandemic proved to be a blessing for the women's sport.Discourse is our VIP community, where listeners gather around to chat more about the topics we cover on the show, the sports news, and anything else that has grabbed their sports science attention. If you want to be part of that community, and get way more value from The Real Science of Sport, you join by becoming a Patron on the show for a small monthly donation! We hope you'll support the show, and join the Sports science conversation! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join DiscourseJoin Daisy and hundreds of others who comment, discuss, or read what has grabbed the interest of our listeners! For a monthly pledge, you can support our show, and get a whole lot more value!Show notesIn this episode of the Real Science of Sport Spotlight, we start with a Discourse Digest that looks back at a men's Tour de France that fizzled out, with tactical inertia exposing the gulf in performance and power to a dominant, ultimately barely challenged winner. We unpack race highlights, where it dwindled, and why the drama never truly arrived. Meanwhile, the Women's Tour is heating up, despite Demi Vollering's crash grabbing headlines The GC battle remains alive as tensions rise between rival teams over safety and entitlement.Concussion is in focus again (22:37), from both cycling and rugby, with Gary Ringrose's self-withdrawal from Lions selection earning praise. We explore what this means for the culture of player welfare, how common this behaviour actually is, and how instrumented mouthguards could shape the future of concussion management.In Center Stage (35:46), we revisit our recent episode on fitness and training load, fuelled by great listener questions from our Discourse community. From the impact of life stress to the limitations of single-metric monitoring, we explore the complexity of training management, and why triangulation, not for the first time, is key.That theme continues in Listener Lens (55:07) with a dive into a fascinating listener question from John: why does heart rate drop when we're fatigued? The answer lies in the the balance between two parts of our nervous system, and a brain that might not let us activate muscle. This opens up paradoxes around efficiency and fatigue, and how we react to early signs of overtraining.And Finally (1:05:13), we discuss the hype and hazards of young athletic prodigies, inspired by a 12 year who nearly won a medal at the Swimming World Champs. But cautionary tales about. We end by asking whether 10,000 steps a day is really necessary—or if Gareth's dad can get by with 7,000? You'll find that...it depends!Links to stuff we spoke about!The war of words between FDJ and Visma after the Vollering crashEllen van Dijk's retirement announcementDiscourse members only: Discussion about Ringrose concussion, and Ross' discussion about the IMG use for such cases in futureHere is Discourse Member Gerald's outstanding post on fitness scores and training stress. Originally on Discourse, I've put this in the public, just for everyone's benefit, and as a teaser to see how fab and smart our listeners are! For more of the same, you know what to do!12 year old nearly reaches World Champs podium Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TSS, Relative Effort, Fitness Score... Confused by all the numbers and what they mean? Mike and Prof. Tucker delve into the details of what defines fitness, how it is measured, the factors that influence fitness and how apps like Strava utilise metrics to provide a fitness score. But what do all the numbers mean, and how can we use them to understand our training better, get fit and peak just at the right time for an event? DiscourseJoin Discourse now, and become part of the growing community whose stories and testimonies inspired much of the content of this (and other) podcast! You do so by making a small donation here on Patreon, and then the world of sports science insight and opinion will be yours! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Discourse: you know what to do - small monthly pledge, and the community is yours!This week's Spotlight kicks off on the roads of France with a fast-paced Discourse Digest. Remco Evenepoel's withdrawal sparks a discussion about whether he's fully healthy, or if affected preparation and fuelling challenges might account for his underperformance. Jonas Vingegaard seems to have narrowed one gap to Tadej Pogačar, only to find another expanding on the high-altitude climbs. Ross explains how their previously complementary strengths and weaknesses have evolved into a straight race with, so far, one winner. We also tackle Quinn Simmons' controversial claims about motorbikes aiding Tim Wellens' stage win—ungracious perhaps, but correct and backed by aerodynamic science.In Center Stage (29:20), we dive into doping, the media, and trust in sport. Ruth Chepngetich's diuretic case prompts a wider debate: what are media entitled to ask, and what responsibility do they bear in keeping sport honest? Is asking about doping unfair, or essential? A lively debate on Discourse spills over into the Spotlight!In Ross Replies (55:56) we take on Discourse member Larkim's question: should sports equipment be modified for women? From volleyball to athletics, we explore where it already happens, and why more sports might benefit from doing the same. But what do women think, and how should sport consider the sometimes conflicting opinions on this issue?And Finally (1:07:20) a study of over 5,000 runners reveals that injury risk spikes after a single big jump in distance—not a gradual increase—reshaping how we think about training load.LinksQuinn Simmons on motorbikes and Tim Wellens' responseThe Aerodynamic paper on motorbikes and cycling performanceArticle translating the aerodynamic paper for a lay audienceDiscourse members only - discussion about Chepngetich, as featured in Center StageThe paper on single session running distance as an injury risk factor Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we dive into the intersection of the menstrual cycle and athletic performance—a topic often surrounded by strong opinions but surprisingly limited evidence. Joined by Dr Kelly McNulty, researcher and practitioner, and Sarah Massey, experienced coach, we break down the key phases of the cycle, highlight when ovarian hormone levels rise and fall, and explore the popular theory that certain types of training should align with these hormonal shifts. But does the science actually support that idea? Together, we take a critical look at the research—what's known, what's still unclear, and where the gaps are. More importantly, we focus on practical, athlete-centered approaches: being symptom-led, being "your own scientist", using tracking tools effectively, and how to open the conversation—especially with younger athletes—in a way that empowers and informs.Whether you're a coach, practitioner, or athlete yourself, this episode offers a grounded and positive perspective on managing training around the menstrual cycle without falling for the hype.Join DiscourseJoin Sarah Massey and hundreds of others on the best sports science chat community in the world! Discourse access is yours for a small monthly pledge, which you can make hereLinksOne of Kelly's papers that summarizes the literature and shows a trivial impairment during the early follicular phasePaper showing that the anabolic response to resistance training is unaffected by menstrual cycle phaseKelly's study on symptoms experienced during menstruation and their perceived effects on training and performanceResearchers raise the bar for studies on the menstrual cycle by calling for measurement, not guesswork"No influence of influence of women's menstrual cycle phase on acute strength performance or adaptations to resistance exercise training"Another of Kelly's papers, this one summarizing the literature on the effect of oral contraceptives on exercise performanceDeveloping a tool for ovarian hormone profile classificationKelly's educational resource, Period of the Period Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Discourse - a small monthly pledge gives you access to the best sports science and sports insight community on the interwebs (yes, we are biased). Pledge here and join the conversation!In this emergency bonus episode, Ross reacts to the bombshell news: Kenya's Ruth Chepng'etich, who stunned the world with her record-breaking marathon in Chicago last year, has been provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit after testing positive for a banned diuretic in March. The performance shocked the running community at the time — questions and doubts sparked a parliamentary inquiry in Kenya after a journalist's pointed question at the press conference. We even released a podcast titled “Too Good To Be True?” analyzing the run.Now, that skepticism feels vindicated. Ross breaks down why the doubts were justified despite the usual defenses ("she's always been talented", "she worked hard"). He explains what a diuretic does, why this kind of doping bust leaves him cold and underwhelmed, and how it fits a familiar pattern in elite sport. We also explore the shadowy roles of agents and coaches — and ask why it's always the athlete left holding the bag?Finally, Ross reflects on the cycle of hope, hype, and heartbreak that defines modern sport — from the marathon course to the Tour de France, can we trust what we see? Why should we, when the characters and incentives remain the same? Same script, different stage.LinksThe AIU statement on Chepng'etich's provisional suspensionThe timeline as posted by Chris Chavez on XOur podcast on the performance at the time - we were highly, highly skepticalThe Discourse thread at the time of that performance - members onlyThe Discourse thread that is growing now, out of the announcement last night - members only Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Discourse by making a small monthly pledge, to double your Science of Sport experience!In a packed episode of Spotlight, we kick off with a Discourse Digest that begins on the grass of Wimbledon, where Jannik Sinner and a dominant Iga Świątek took home the titles. Then it's to the rugby fields of South Africa, where the Springboks—led by the ever-innovative Rassie Erasmus—have once again found a tactical edge. But is it genius strategy or a rule-bending loophole?In Center Stage (17:10), the Tour de France is in focus. Jonas Vingegaard's muscle has matched Pogacar on short, punchy climbs, but can he hold his own as the race hits the high mountains? We also break down Remco Evenepoel's pre-race cooling technique - placing hands and forearms in ice water - to explore what the science says about its effectiveness. Plus, we revisit the ongoing issue of concussions in cycling to explain the paradigm shift that is needed to buy space and time for better concussion identification.In Ross Responds (52:07), we revisit the topic of cramp and sodium loss, answering a listener question about 'salty sweat' with a dive into how our bodies prioritize the regulation of sodium concentration, and why sweat testing is nothing more than a measure of the body's systems working to defend physiological 'normal'. In Listener Lens (1:00:10), Tim is looking to break a barrier over 10km, and our Discourse community zeros in on the key to unlock that performance: pacing. We offer some advice to help him nail it.And finally (1:06:53), a Zwift racing series has Ross questioning the platform's 'fairness'. Are the game's efforts to simulate equipment and drafting creating more distortion than accuracy?LinksArticle on South Africa's innovative midfield maul set upStanford study that finds that palm cooling (with a vacuum device) improves performance in bench press and pull ups. Too good to be trueConversely, study showing that palm cooling does not improve interval running performanceAnd conversely again, study showing that immersing the hands and forearm in cold water improves sprint performanceHealy's power numbers from the day, the trigger for our IF discussionCycling's concussion policyFor Discourse members only, Tim's question about his 10km quest and discussions on improving pacingDiscourse members talk cramp Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's time to pour yourself some pickle juice and suck on a salt tab (or is it?) as we talk exercise-associated muscle cramps (EAMCs) - one of the most complex, and common, afflictions facing athletes. Difficult to research and predict, the causes of EAMC's can be varied depending on the individual, as are the solutions to fix them. In this episode, Prof. Ross Tucker and Mike Finch break down the most common theories around causes and then discuss the best long-term, medium-term and immediate solutions (yes, there are some!) to preventing this painful condition.DiscourseJoin Discourse now, and become part of the growing community whose stories and testimonies inspired much of the content of this (and other) podcast! You do so by making a small donation here on Patreon, and then the world of sports science insight and opinion will be yours!SHOW NOTESThe cramping thread on Discourse - members onlyAn Evidence-Based Review of the Pathophysiology, Treatment, and Prevention of Exercise-Associated Muscle CrampsSimilar review on crampsStudy showing how pickle juice works fast in low doses, via a neural reflexRon Maughan paper on muscle cramps, contrasting the hydration model with the neural theoryPeople who cramp have similar sodium and other electrolyte levels to those who don't crampIf you drink more, your sodium levels drop, even if you drink an electrolyte containing drinkA paper that compares the two leading hypotheses for cramps: Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Discourse - the best thing about this Podcast, is all yours for a small monthly pledge. No exorbitant fee, no toilet paper advert every 510min, and access to hundreds of listeners who share great advice, insight, training strategies and opinion. Join now!The showThis week on The Real Science of Sport Spotlight world records fall and big questions rise. Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet lit up the track in Eugene—how fast can they go, and what happens if (or hopefully when) they clash over 5000m, 3000m, or possibly even 1500m? Their record-breaking performances headlined a meeting that showed track and field can be exciting, modern, and appealing to younger fans. Is the sport in better shape than critics thought? From spikes to strings, we then turn to Wimbledon, where Electronic Line Calling has come under fire. Is the system flawed, or just misunderstood? We break down the tech, the myths, and why perfection was never the point.In our Center Stage (27:44), we focus on the Tour de France, where concussions, broken bones, and questions of responsibility have again reared their head. Do race organizers or riders bear the blame? We explore the UCI's priorities, enforcement of their own rules, and creation of new rules with marginal benefits. We also discuss the race. Jonas Vingegaard says he's heavier, more muscular, and more powerful than ever. Will that close the gap to Pogacar? The early signs, after the Stage 5 TT, suggest an emphatic "no"? Is he solving the 'wrong' problem, and how will that increased mass play out against a relentless Pogacar in the mountains?We also Spotlight listener insights in Ross Replies (52:00), with a focus on David Roche's Western States DNF and his pre-race transparency. You wondered whether he created mental and emotional pressure on himself by being so open, and we discuss. In Listener Lens (58:25), we celebrate some Discourse success stories. And finally (1:02:16), are endurance athletes more likely to have daughters? A quirky study suggesting so closes the show.LinksUSADA statement on the father and son banned for testosterone useGuardian article on the tech failures and player mistrust of electronic line callingStrong criticism of the UCI/ASO for a hazardous stage finale in the raceThe Michael Woods Tour diary in which he describes the ASO approach to safety, including his thoughts on how to improve safetyVingegaard's comments about his power, weight and performance prospectsAre athletes getting older - for DISCOURSE only, Max's amazing analysis on age of elite athletes over the yearsEndurance athletes are more likely to have girls - the quirky paper we finished on Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kevin Ullyett has won 34 career tennis titles - including two doubles (2001 US Open, 2005 Australian Open) and one mixed (2002 Australian Open) Grand Slams - and had a world ranking of 107th in singles. So he knows what it's like to fight his way through the ranks and play among the best. In this interview with Ross and Mike, Ullyett explains what it takes to make it to the top tier of professional tennis, the daily and financial pressures of just breaking even, how players cope with loneliness and the ups and downs and how modern developments in string technology have changed the face of the game in the last 10 years. It's a fascinating insight into the realities of a career where unwavering determination is one of the most important qualities a player can have,SHOW NOTESKevin Ullyett's Wikipedia pageAndre Agassi's mind games with Boris BeckerAnother funny Agassi story about a young Rafael Nadal Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We kick off this Spotlight at the Western States 100, where much of the buzz centered on David Roche's DNF. Roche, a polarizing figure who promised to “science the shit” out of the race, faced unfair criticism both before and after the race, and Ross reflects on how the scientific process often works best when the "hypothesis" fails, and why confronting failed hypotheses to explain under-performance is more beneficial than riding a wave of success .The "science the shit out of it" theme continues with Nike's hyped attempt to help Faith Kipyegon break the 4-minute mile. It didn't just fall short—it missed by a long shot, with Kipyegon never really giving the barrier a scare with a pacing strategy that reveals they all knew it was not truly feasible. Ross and Gareth unpack the science, pseudoscience and "hacks" behind the effort, with honorable mentions for the obviously flawed claims by scientists about drafting benefits, and criticism of many media who parroted hype points without critical thought. We wonder what the athlete who could break 4 looks like, and postulate that they probably don't exist. Yet. From ultra to ultra-short, we shift to the 100m, where Kishane Thompson clocked a blistering 9.75s—the fastest in a decade, leading Gareth to wonder why sprinting seems to have plateaued post-Bolt?In Center Stage (37:14), legal expert Matt Kemp joins us to dissect a recent rugby case where a player successfully sued an opponent for causing a spinal injury with a reckless off-the-ball collision. Could this open the door to more civil claims in contact sports? Matt explains the legal standards around recklessness and duty of care. Ross Replies (1:15:23) to Discourse member Paul on the purpose of sports science and what "truth" means when studies can't be replicated?And in Listener Lens (1:24:15), we explore ATP's role in exercise, wonder whether you can ever “run out” of it, and how the purpose of metabolism is to keep it in good supply. And Finally (1:31:17), we invite you all to join our Tour de France Fantasy League, and see if you can top Gareth and Ross' picks in our two leagues!Join DiscourseJoin the Discourse community, to hang out with the racers, analysts, legal experts, coaches and experts, by making a small monthly pledge at PatreonLinksAnalysis of the 100m event that inspired our 100m chatGymnastic medalists are getting olderReport on the decision ruling in favour of a player injured by opponentMatt, our new legal expert, is a partner at Becker Kemp Solicitors & AttorneysRoss' reply to Tony on the ATP depletion question - members onlyTDF FANTASY LEAGUE - play one of our two leagues Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Carbohydrates have always been part of the endurance equation—but how much, when, and which types remain hotly debated. In this listener-driven episode, we tackle those questions and more, exploring a new paradigm in performance fueling that's reshaping how athletes think about energy during exercise. Dr. Jamie Whitfield, Senior Lecturer at Australian Catholic University's Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, joins us to break it all down.For years, endurance athletes were trained to conserve carbs by becoming better fat-burners—adapting diet, training, and supplements to spare glycogen. But that thinking is evolving. As Jamie explains, the focus now is on maximizing carbohydrate use. Why? Because carbs are a more oxygen-efficient fuel source than fat—providing more energy per unit of oxygen. That efficiency improvement is a performance advantage in itself—like a supershoe, but internal.We dig into how elite athletes are pushing 90 to 120 grams of carbs per hour, and what it takes to train the gut to handle it. Are there limits? What happens when intake exceeds demand? Where does the glucose go? Are there health risks? We also explore carb types and ratios, strategies for carrying fuel without excess weight, and how to tailor intake to your individual needs.Jamie brings clarity to the technical details, helping translate complexity into actionable insight. If you're fueling training or racing, this episode will reshape your approach to performance nutrition—and maybe your results too.Show notes and linksDiscourse is our VIP community, and it was questions from those listeners that inspired this interview. If you want to be part of the conversation, driving the content, and then engaging with other listeners after the show, you can join by making a small monthly pledge.The Podlogar paper that compared 90g/h to 120g/h, informing some of our discussionThe Jeukendrup study Jamie mentioned that managed to provide 144g/h of carbs with a glucose-fructose mixone of the studies mentioned in which glucose ingested spared liver glycogen use during exerciseA study that looked at performance and tolerance of carb solutions with different ratios of glucose to fructose Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join DiscourseDiscourse is our VIP community where listeners share insights, opinions and perspectives on the stuff we love to talk about. You can become a member by making a small monthly pledge hereShow notesIn a packed edition of Spotlight, we start our Discourse Digest segment with a dive into the men's 5000m, where non-African athletes have taken control of the rankings and victories so far in 2025. Is this an aberration, or the beginning of a trend in distance running? We discuss what might be shifting in the sport to close the gap.Next, we explore the phenomenon of athletes switching national allegiance—this time with Jamaican sprinters now competing for Turkey. Ross and Gareth look at historical examples from track, rugby, cricket and football, while defending the right of athletes to make these switches, and the necessity for sport to minimize them. Discussion shifts to the case of a trans cricketer who has claimed “no advantage” based on test results and comparisons to females. Both the science and logic behind the appeal are bluntly rebutted by Ross, who explains how the science is being misused, and that these "data snapshots" actually reveal a mediocre male with advantage rather than a trans athlete without advantage. We also return to youth sport after Gareth flagged eye-catching performances by 10- and 13-year-olds in the UK. While their talent is undeniable, we ask whether early hype might do more harm than good?In Ross Replies (30:00), Ross has an 'off-week', because listener Ewan Morris' fascinating insights carry the segment. He explained how some young athletes experience an expiratory flow limitation during breathing, because lung growth outpaces airway development, as yet another challenge that adolescent athletes experience in the journey to adulthood.In Listener Lens (33:51), we respond to Sean's question about muscle cramps in an ultrarunner he coaches. Ross breaks down two theories—electrolytes vs. fatigue-induced failure of neural regulation—and explains why cramp is far more about the nervous system than sodium and magnesium. We also learn the fascinating reasons why pickle juice may work... but not for the reasons people think, and offer suggestions for what Sean might consider adding to the plan.In Center Stage (53:33), we revisit sports science's replication crisis. Gareth shares his frustration at the sciences, while Ross explores the structural issues behind shaky science, and offers a partial defence of the failures to produce robust science.And Finally (1:15:16), we look ahead to Faith Kipyegon's attempt at a sub-four minute mile, which haunted Ross' dreams, and we make our predictions.Some linksDistance running shifts: Aberration or a narrowing gap?A review exploring the causes of muscle crampsStudy showing that electrolyte loss is not associated with muscle crampThe pickle juice effect Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we're joined by Dr Joe Warne, founder of the Sports Sciences Replication Center (SSRC) and senior author of a landmark new study that should send shockwaves through the world of sports and exercise science. Joe and his team undertook an enormous replication effort—repeating the methods of previously published research to see if the results hold up. The outcome? Just 28% of the studies could be replicated. Even more striking, the effect sizes dropped by an average of 75% when replicated.This isn't just a dent in confidence—it's a crater. Scientific journals are trusted as sources of truth, yet Joe's work shows that the majority of findings in this field don't hold water. Perhaps even more concerningly, only 14% of original study authors were willing to share data or collaborate on replications.We dig into how the SSRC pulled off this monumental study, why so many findings failed to replicate, and what it reveals about the deep structural issues in the field. From academic incentives to publish fast and flashy, to the natural resistance researchers have to being challenged and falsified, we explore how these forces fuel unreliable and unreproducible science.Finally, we ask the tough question: what should coaches, athletes, and practitioners do when research can't be trusted? Joe shares his candid thoughts on how science must change—and what needs to happen to restore faith in the evidence base.This is a must-listen conversation on one of the most pressing issues in science today.LinksMore of Joe - if you join Discourse by making a small monthly pledge here, you can be like the cool kids and hang out with Joe in our VIP Community!Meta analysis in Strength and conditioningA webinar Joe Warne did on these issuesThe three replication papers:The proposal that outlines the selection of papers in more detailThe 28% paper that outlines the findingsReflections from Joe and some of the team on the process and findings Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Discourse for moreDiscourse is the best Sports Science community on the internet, and yes we are biased. But if you want to see for yourself, membership is a monthly pledge away, and then you too can gain access to opinion, insight and analysis from The Real Science of Sport army!Show notesThis week in Spotlight, we kick of with a Discourse Digest exploring the UCI's equipment rules — most notably, 40cm minimum handlebar width. It may seem like a technical tweak, but the implications are significant: many female cyclists will now have to widen their bars to comply, sparking criticism that the rule is not only arbitrary but discriminates against women. We dig into what it says about decision-making at the UCI, and how governance in the sport appears to be crying out for systematic, deliberate and openly communicated processes.In Listener Lens (11:56), we tackle a great Discourse question from Liam, a coach working with a 13-year-old female runner whose progress has stalled. We explore why this happens to young athletes, especially girls, and how the short-term incentives we create in youth sports cause challenges for the most well-intentioned coaches and parents. It's a conversation about patience, perspective, and reframing our expectations to accept that sporting development is very rarely linear.Then, in a new Ross Replies segment (29:20), a question from Nicol on how the body switches from fat to carbs during exercise opens the door to a deep dive into metabolic regulation. We break down what controls fuel selection during exercise, and why a new paradigm has emerged: instead of trying to promote fat oxidation to spare carbohydrates, elite athletes are now trying to minimize it. Why? To enhance performance by maximizing oxidation efficiency with carbs.In Center Stage 51:57), we discuss some of the tech details that have emerged in support of Faith Kipyegon's sub-4:00 mile attempt, and wonder what the quiet collapse of the Grand Slam Track series means for the sport? And finally (64:54) Gareth notes that Mondo Duplantis' pole vault dominance shows no signs of abating, leading us to wonder why some dominance is lauded, while others are doubted, and to reflect on huge sporting mismatches.LinksArticle on the UCI's handlebar decisionPaper from Norway comparing how boys and girls improve in athletic events during the teenage yearsThe article that shows how rare it is to be top 100 ranked at 18, 20 and as an adult, and that most successful adults aren't at the same level as juniorsArticle covering fundamentals of adolescent development and its implications for sportHow the body shifts from fat to carbs (Discourse member access only)Sean Ingle described some of the tech Nike is putting into the sub-4 mile attempt Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most sport takes place outdoors, and with growing concerns around sun exposure, active people are at a higher risk of developing skin cancer than most. Dr Dagmar Whitaker, vice president of the World Melanoma Society and one of the leading authorities on the subject, breaks down the current trends, explains which countries present a higher risk, the most effective ways to prevent skin cancer (hint: you smear it on from a young age!) and the breakthrough treatments that are not yet available. Whitaker is also president of the Melanoma Society South Africa and Immediate Past President of the Dermatological Society South AfricaSupport The Real Science of Sport on DiscourseDiscourse is our VIP community, where listeners gather around to chat more about the topics we cover on the show, the sports news, and anything else that has grabbed their sports science attention. If you want to be part of that community, and get way more value from The Real Science of Sport, you join by becoming a Patron on the show for a small monthly donation! We hope you'll support the show, and join the Sports science conversation! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join the DiscourseA small monthly donation gets you access to Discourse, our VIP community that informs these Spotlights, and exponentially adds value to your experience! If you want to support, and learn, you can donate hereShow notesThis week on The Spotlight, we put big claims, bold performances, and comeback stories under the microscope.In Discourse Digest (00:00), we discuss why Beatrice Chebet's near-world record 5000m is not a miss, just a delay. Then we shift to the French Open, where Carlos Alcaraz outlasted Jannik Sinner in a classic. Gareth asks whether Sinner's loss might be exactly what tennis (and Sinner) needed, and how their rivalry and reputations will shape the sport's next era.Listener Lens (15:50) features a question from listener Simon, returning from an injury-enforced layoff. Ross offers guidance on regaining lost fitness, why retraining happens faster than we think (the 1:2 rule of thumb), and why doing less will eventually give you the right to do more.Center Stage (22:34) is all about carbs, fat, and fuel—sparked by a tweet from Prof Tim Noakes after the Comrades Marathon. Having watched the race, Noakes claimed that “not a single lead athlete tried to ingest 90–120g/hour of carbohydrates,” and that they “know they don't need carbs to win Comrades” because “fat can provide essentially all the required energy.” We put those claims under the Spotlight, and checked with the elites. Turns out, they were targeting exactly those carb intakes. We explore the science and discover a huge capacity to increase fat oxidation as a function of diet, training and exercise intensity. But that doesn't mean carbs don't matter - we dig into evidence that carbs improve performance, delay fatigue, and enhance recovery. The real problem? Extremes. Whether it's high carb or no carb, just because you can doesn't mean you should.And finally (53:44)—Padel and Pickleball are booming. Why are they so popular, and will they dethrone tennis as the world's favourite racket sport?LinksThe article Gareth discusses about Sinner's loss being a win for tennisExample of a study where retraining restores strength to pre-detraining levels in half the time taken to lose them (note this is a study on strength, but the principle remains)Our Podcast interview with Louise Burke, where she explains everything you need to know about fats and carbs, and why fat underperforms as a fuelThe Podlogar study discussed on the show, where we don't burn all the ingested carbohydratesBurke's race walker study, with fat oxidation rates three times higher after fat adaptation, but with reduced economy and impaired performance benefitsVolek's study on fat adapted distance runners, also showing huge fat oxidation capacity Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The science of recovery is more complex than you may think. When do you know you have recovered? What does recovery look like? How much do you need to recover? Mike and Ross delve into the subject to discuss the physiology of recovery, the most effective researched recovery methods, what science reveals about the numerous recovery products on the market, and how to utilise the right recovery protocol to enhance performance, long-term motivation and overall ability.LinksSystematic review on Recovery strategies in Endurance athletesAnother review on recovery, which provided us with our very academic definition of recovery! Research paper showing that anti-inflammatories inhibit the adaptation to strength trainingA systematic review on tart-cherry juice and its effects on recoveryJoin DiscourseDiscourse hosts The Real Science of Sport's VIP community, where like minded listeners gather and share their thoughts, opinions, discoveries and insights. If you want to be part of that, you can become a Patron of the Podcast here, make a monthly pledge, and the VIP room will be yours to explore! It won't cost you even 2% of what the Enhanced Games are charging, and our advice actually works, and is safe! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join DiscourseThe Spotlight is inspired and informed by our Discourse community. If you want to be part of that, sharing insights and inspiration with listeners, you can become a Patron of the Podcast here, make a monthly pledge, and the VIP room is yours to explore! It won't cost you even 2% of what the Enhanced Games are charging, and our advice actually works, and is safe!Show notesAt 1:09. In the Discourse Digest news roundup, Gareth and Ross tackle three stories where science and policy collide. First up, the Enhanced Games' latest scheme—inviting people to pay $399/month for performance-enhancing drug guidance under the guise of anti-aging and health. Then, a look at World Boxing's new sex screening policy for the women's category: what the language really means, why it matters, and how sport might manage it. Finally, a compromise attempt in California where extra medals are awarded to navigate the inclusion of trans-identified males in girls' sport—Gareth and Ross explore what's gained and lost in that trade-offAt 25:39. A new Listener Lens feature this week comes from Discourse member Tony, who asks: how should you judge your warm-up before a race? Ross and Gareth explore what a warm-up really prepares—neuromuscular readiness, not just heart rate—and share insights from fellow Discourse members who've fine-tuned their routinesAt 33:35. And Finally (not quite today!), British ultra runner William Goodge is under fire after suspicious data emerged from his trans-Australia record attempt. Ross recalls a similar case he investigated, and the duo asks: why, in an age of abundant tracking tech, are we still debating whether these runs really happened?At 42:58. This week's Center Stage belongs to one of the most dramatic finales in recent Grand Tour history. Simon Yates won the Giro d'Italia with a stunning final mountain stage raid—equal parts science, strategy, and surprise. Mike and Ross unpack the physiology and tactics behind Yates' triumph: Did del Toro and Carapaz concede the maglia rosa because they hit their physiological limits, or were they undone by tactical missteps and pacing errors? And what about Wout van Aert, the satellite rider whose power and presence may have changed the race's outcome? From record-breaking efforts to tactical stalemates, we break down the science that decided the GiroLinksNick Harris on the Enhanced Games dealWorld Boxing announce the sex screening policyTony's question about Warmup HR, as discussed in Listener Lens (Discourse members only)Story of Rob Young's questioned ultra performance, with a link to the report I co-wrote on itAnalysis of Yates' record performance on the FinestereDerek Gee's Strava file Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.