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On the show
From 12 epsHosts
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Recent episodes
The Spotlight On The Sub-2: A Deep Dive Into Sawe's Marathon Masterclass
Apr 30, 2026
1h 33m 15s
The Sporting Mind: Overcoming Mental Barriers For Better Performance
Apr 28, 2026
1h 29m 50s
1:59:30! The Sub Two Hour Marathon Falls To Sabastian Sawe
Apr 26, 2026
43m 22s
Boston Bonanza - Course Record Analysis / Elite Runners Avoiding Carbs? / Acute Stress Anti-Doping Refusal
Apr 21, 2026
1h 24m 38s
Cobbled Coronations in Roubaix / Benji Naesen vs UCI / Marathon Majors and Sawe's Doping Credibility Campaign
Apr 16, 2026
1h 24m 02s
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| Date | Episode | Topics | Guests | Brands | Places | Keywords | Sponsor | Length | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/30/26 |  The Spotlight On The Sub-2: A Deep Dive Into Sawe's Marathon Masterclass✨ | marathon world recordphysiology of running+4 | — | AIULetsrun+1 | — | Sebastian Sawemarathon+6 | — | 1h 33m 15s | |
| 4/28/26 |  The Sporting Mind: Overcoming Mental Barriers For Better Performance✨ | mental barrierssports psychology+4 | Dr Josie Perry | British Psychological SocietyAssociation of Applied Sports Psychologists+1 | — | sports psychologymental performance+5 | — | 1h 29m 50s | |
| 4/26/26 |  1:59:30! The Sub Two Hour Marathon Falls To Sabastian Sawe✨ | marathonanti-doping+4 | — | London Marathon | — | marathonSabastian Sawe+5 | — | 43m 22s | |
| 4/21/26 |  Boston Bonanza - Course Record Analysis / Elite Runners Avoiding Carbs? / Acute Stress Anti-Doping Refusal✨ | Boston Marathoncourse record analysis+4 | — | England's Red Roses Rugby teamScience of Sport | — | Boston MarathonJohn Korir+5 | — | 1h 24m 38s | |
| 4/16/26 |  Cobbled Coronations in Roubaix / Benji Naesen vs UCI / Marathon Majors and Sawe's Doping Credibility Campaign✨ | cyclingdoping+4 | — | UCI | — | RoubaixUCI+5 | — | 1h 24m 02s | |
| 4/15/26 |  The Norwegian Way: What We Can Learn From Their Success✨ | Norwegian Methodsports training+3 | Oyvind Sandbakk | Norwegian School of Elite SportsUiT The Arctic University of Norway | Norway | Norwegian Methodsports science+3 | — | 1h 32m 23s | |
| 4/8/26 |  Why Cobbles Cost Cyclists / Cheap Carbon Shoes Break Records / Doping Confessions and Cons✨ | cobbled roadscycling tactics+3 | — | DecathlonEnhanced Games+1 | — | cobblescycling+3 | — | 1h 15m 49s | |
| 4/1/26 |  Cycling, Game Theory and Group 2 Syndrome / Kerr's 222 Attempt / Teenage Phenoms Set up to Fail✨ | cycling tacticsGroup 2 syndrome+4 | — | Science of Sport | — | cyclingGroup 2 syndrome+5 | — | 58m 15s | |
| 3/30/26 | How To Win One of the World's Toughest Mountain Bike Races✨ | mountain bikingendurance racing+3 | Mike Posthumus | Specialised Factory Racing Off-road | 700kmeight-stage+1 | Absa Cape Epicmountain bike race+4 | — | 1h 21m 58s | |
| 3/29/26 |  REPEAT POD: Female-only Women's Sport: The IOC Announces New Policy On the Protection of Women's Sport✨ | women's sportIOC policy+3 | — | International Olympic CommitteeIOC | — | IOCwomen's sport+5 | — | 50m 05s | |
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| 3/26/26 |  Female-only Women's Sport: The IOC Announces New Policy On the Protection of Women's Sport✨ | women's sportIOC policy+4 | — | International Olympic CommitteeMember Federations | — | women's sportIOC+5 | — | 50m 05s | |
| 3/25/26 |  Banned But Allowed: Inside the World of Therapeutic Use Exemptions in Sport / Pogacar's Dominance / World Indoor Championships✨ | Therapeutic Use ExemptionsAthlete performance+3 | — | International Testing Agency | — | Therapeutic Use ExemptionsTUEs+5 | — | 1h 30m 52s | |
| 3/18/26 |  How to Beat van der Poel in San Remo / A 2:10 Women's Marathon (again) / Sprinting to Cardiac Arrest | Join our Science of Sport Supporters Club, and get all the perks mentioned on the show, including access to our listener community and their great questions and insights, and also our Live Sport chat, which resume this weekend with the Milan San Remo races. Make a monthly pledge to become a member!In this Spotlight, we run our eye and offer our insights on the world of sport, covering a range of sporting events. We start with the Six Nations, which went beyond the wire in a spectacular tournament that shows the health of "the product". We discuss the ongoing Cape Epic, where the pairs format throws up some pacing and tactical challenges for unbalanced teams. And we preview the year's first Monument, where Tadej Pogacar will have to test and challenge Mathieu van der Poel's durability and 5-min power to win the elusive title. We discuss the requirement for Pogacar and UAE to extend the efforts above FTP and even VO2max to climbs even before the Cipressa, in order to make van der Poel vulnerable to a five minute effort on the decisive Poggio climb.Switching to running, we briefly discuss the remarkable 2:10 performance by Fotyen Tesfay in Barcelona, and why it's the de factor WR, but may be as questioned as the incumbent WR by Ruth Chep'ngetich. Another dramatic finish in Los Angeles, a marathon decided by 0.01s where the 'loser' went the wrong way, and didn't, apparently, take in a single gram of carbohydrates in the race.While on the subject of dramatic finishes, recent research shows that the odds of a cardiac arrest are significantly higher in the final kilometer of running races (20km and half marathon). We compare that to triathlons, where the odds of cardiac arrests are way higher in the first part of the race, in the swim. We discuss the physiology and emotional reasons for these risk increases.We then move into the resistance training space, to talk briefly about the American College of Sports Medicine's position stand on resistance training. It says what many people know, but challenges what a lot of people think, and the reaction has been enlightening!And finally, a few short results and discussion points from around the world of sport, including an unprecedented reversal of an entire tournament result, and a rare "defeat" (on a technicality) for Johannes Klaebo in cross-country skiingLinksRelevant to the discussion on recovery after high intensity efforts, here's an article on how our 'battery' is recharged, or reconstitutedArticle on Fotyen's 2:10:51 marathonGood insights on Fotyen from Letsrun.comThe research out of Paris showing the higher risk of cardiac events in the final kilometer of racesA similar study on cardiac arrests in triathlonThe LA Marathon finish and race are discussed in this articleThe ACSM Position Stand on Resistance TrainingStuart Phillips' posts on the ACSM Position Stand on Resistance Training Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | — | ||||||
| 3/4/26 |  Is Rugby's Head Injury Process Working? / Hitting the Wall and Carb Depletion / Can Sexias Match Pogacar? / Should Doped World Records Be Reset? | The conversation continues for our Supporters! These Spotlights offer the first word, and then it's your turn. Become a Supporter of the Real Science of Sport by making a small monthly pledge, and get access to our world-famous, and very stimulating, Discourse community!Show notesThis week's show kicks off in London, where Ross recently attended World Rugby's Annual Shape of the Game meeting. he shares some insider insights on topics including law change in the sport, what fans want, and the tensions rugby bosses are facing to grow the game. Staying on rugby, we discuss head injury management, after a few stories popped up in the world of rugby. In the first, a player was allowed to continue playing by the team doctor, but the referee stepped in to have the player removed with a concussion. In the second, a player admitted to 'cheating' the Head Injury Assessment screen back in 2017 to keep playing with a concussion. We discuss whether Rugby's policies to manage head injuries are working?Shifting gears, we return to the snow of Milan Cortina, as Gareth noticed some interesting discussion about cross-country skiing, and whether 50km was too long because of the challenges it creates for athletes who run out of fuel. We talk about "hitting the wall", and the truth about how our bodies use carbohydrates versus fat during endurance exercise.Then we talk doping. First, the UCI have asked its Testing Agency to catch a big name doper, with a feeling that the absence of positive tests isn't necessarily indicative of a clean sport, and their desire to catch a higher level rider apparently reflecting that realization. Staying on doping, Tara Moore is suing the WTA for $20 million after a series of bans, appeals and eventual bans for doping that she believes was inadvertently caused by meat contamination.Our final doping conversation comes from Athletics, where a Member asks whether the records should be reset when they are suspected of being the result of doping. This would particularly affect the Women's record books. We discuss that, offering some insights into how they might justify the removal of some, but not all records, and whether it can feasibly be done.And finally, there was drama in the USA last weekend, where race leaders followed the lead car off course, and eventually lost podium spots and prize money. Calls to award those athletes the prize money and places at the World Champs have been growing in volume, and we discuss why the logical solution is not all that tricky, despite the letter of the law standing in the way.LinksAnthony Watson admits to cheating the Concussion protocols to continue playingI mentioned the World Rugby Player Welfare Symposium, it's next week (9 to 11 Mach), it's online and it's free to everyone. Here are the details and programmeSexias power analysis - these guys generally get it pretty closeCycling is looking to catch a big name doper, according to the NYTTara Moore's case against the WTAKeely Hodgkinson's interview with The TimesVideo of athletes going the wrong way in Atlanta Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | — | ||||||
| 2/25/26 |  Winter Olympics Review: Winners, Losers and Our Ice-Cold Takes | As mentioned, if you want to be a supporter of the podcast, and enjoy the insight that Gareth and I share with listeners on our world-best sports science forum, you can become a member by clicking this link to make a small monthly donation.Show notesThe Milan Winter Olympics concluded last weekend, and in this wrap show, Gareth and Ross look back at the overachievers, the underachievers, and the big stories from Milan, offering insights on who won, lost and captivated our attention. We crown the King of the Games, the best and worst-performing countries, nominate our best performances across the range of sports, from endurance to figure skating (via "stoke"). We also share our biggest disappointments, reflections on what the Winter Games need most, and give our overall ratings to an excellent, thoroughly enjoyable Games.LinksAn article on the waxing woes of every team apart from Norway'sItalian article on Tommaso Giacomel's cardiac arrhythmia and ablazione cardiaca (google translate do your thing)Some Mikaela Shiffrin interviews - speaking about winning without her influential father and a more upbeat one on the US morning talk show sceneFederica Brignone on her injury and comeback to win Olympic goldGareth said not to watch this, but in case you wish to ignore his advice, here's Kirsty Coventry and Bugs BunnyThe highest paid female athletes in the world - Eileen Gu is 4, but look at the split on vs off Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | — | ||||||
| 2/20/26 |  Winter Olympics: Nutella "Doping" / Malinin's Traumatic Moments / Klaebo and Stolz Dominate / Ski Mo's Flop | Become a Supporter - it's worth it!Enjoying the Real Science of Sport? Show your support with a monthly pledge, become a Member of our Supporters Club, and get way more value from the discussions after the shows, in our world class community chat rooms!Show notesThe Winter Olympics are a weekend from concluding, and so much has happened, it's been hard to keep up. But we try! In this show, we look at the Nutella doping defence of an Italian biathlete. We discuss the dramatic performance of favourite Ilia Malinin, who confessed to "traumatic thoughts" before his ill-fated free-skate performance in Milan.There was no scoring controversy in that men's figure skating programme, but there have been in other events - Ice Dance and Big Air were affected by allegations of nationalistic bias, and then in the moguls, there was tie for gold, leading Ross to wonder about the credibility of a scoring system that uses subjective scoring to produce a tie down to the 1/100th of a point. Just share the gold, we reckon!One athlete who has had no problems, either with pressure or opponents, is Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo, now the most decorated Winter Olympian ever, and basically unbeatable in shorter races. Can he deliver the 50km too? Another who has delivered on the promise is Jordan Stolz, though he was denied the 1500m speed skating gold. Reports of his cycling process have led to speculation that he could have a great career in cycling, should he fancy it. We discuss the barriers to that transition, and wonder how he might go about it.Away from the Games, there's an indoor world record in the 800m, which augurs well for Keely Hodgkinson's longer term aspirations of the outdoor World Record, and which puts Femke Bol's aspirations into perspective. The head to head rivalry may be a season or two away - we explain why Bol needs more than a single season.And Finally, we return to the snow, where Ski Mountaineering made its debut at the Olympics and left us feeling considerably underwhelmed and disappointed in the structure of the event.LinksThe Nutella defense - report on Rebecca Passler's doping caseThe CAS 'non-decision' on Passler's case, but with a few details of what was being argued in her defenceA New York Times article on Ostarine and accidental doping ($ paywalled)The research paper that arose out of the "sweat contamination" defence against an ostarine positive testArticle on Malinin's free skate dramaDavid Epstein's article on Malinin and chokingJordan Stolz the cyclist: An article discussing his prospects on two wheelsHodgkinson's 800m World Indoor Record Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | — | ||||||
| 2/17/26 |  Inside the Mind of a Winter Olympian: The Science of Stoke | If you love the podcast, and want to show your support, a monthly pledge on Patreon is the way! We'd be absolutely stoked if you did! Show notesLesley McKenna is a pioneer in the world of action sports. A three-time Olympian (2002, 2006, 2010), she represented Great Britain on the snowboarding World Cup circuit, becoming the first GB snowboarder to win a World Cup event, and led the World Cup standings as the number 1 ranked snowboarder at the peak of her powers. Following her retirement, she transitioned into coaching and full time management, and was Team Manager of the GB Park and Pipe team from 2014 to 2022. As a veteran of six Olympic Games, she shares unique insights into the preparation, training and mindset of Winter Olympic athletes in the action sports.She further expanded her understanding by embarking on a PhD with Leeds-Beckett University, that studied and explained how snowboarders and other action sports athletes develop skills, manage risk, and perform in high-pressure competition environments while staying true to the culture and authenticity of their sport This led to the development of a framework she called "The Risk Aesthetic Framework", which explains how action sports maintain meaning, creativity, and community in the competitive cauldron of the Olympic Games.In this wide-ranging interview, Lesley draws from her experience and her research to share fascinating insights that ultimately reveal the science of "the stoke", and the hidden side of some of the most spectacular, jeopardy-filled sports in the world.LinksHere is Lesley's website with more detail on her frameworkThe documentary Lesley recommended is called Pipe Dream - you can watch it on NetflixFancy a "backside air" - here's Lesley teaching you the way!A documentary about Lesley with some footage of her in action Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | — | ||||||
| 2/13/26 |  No Sports Advantage for Trans Women? / Khelif Defiant but in Denial / Bol's 800m debut | The conversation continues on Discourse, for our Science of Sport Supporters. Join now with a small monthly pledge for access to the best sports science discussion community aroundIn the Spotlight this week, we revisit a recurring theme to explore whether a paper claiming no advantage for males who identify as women has any validity, and we cover some news from the world of sport and health.17:31 Our main focus is on a systematic review, published last week, claiming that evidence suggests no physical differences and thus no sporting advantages in trans identified males. We explain why the paper is misleading, and how the authors and journal ignored very obvious flaws in the research to arrive at their conclusion.1:31 We also discuss an interview given by Imane Khelif in which the Algerian boxer confirms what was already widely known about male advantage, as well as some surprising details about suppressing testosterone, and defiance and denial about male advantage.36:44 In sports action, Femke Bol made an 800m debut indoors - we discuss the performance and what it tells us of her ceiling.43:20 Serena Williams is making a return, but appeared in a Superbowl halftime advertisement to promote ozempic for weight loss, which triggered a wave of criticism and fear about the displacement of exercise, diet and responsibillty for weight loss. We consider the arguments.50:52 Continuous glucose monitors are in the spotlight, after a range were recalled for providing inaccurate data, which has lead to death and injury in people misled by dodgy data. We discuss the matter in the context of how wearables have to, at a minimum, provide accurate information when decision making will change on the basis of that information.And finally, a Lance Armstrong movie is imminent, and Hollie Davidson referees a Six Nations match at the weekend. We end with brief thoughts.LinksThe systematic review on transgender womenA previous systematic review, minus the meta-analysis, that reaches the opposite conclusion by focusing on non cross-sectional researchThe Imane Khelif interviewThe Serena Superbowl AdvertStory on the recall of continuous glucose monitorsHollie Davidson interview ahead of her Six Nations debut this weekend Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | — | ||||||
| 2/11/26 |  Winter Olympic Spotlight: Vonn('s gate) and risk / Cross Country Klaebo / Speed Skating Unfairness / Penis-gate | Become a Science of Sport Supporter, and get access to our Discourse chat community, and to our upcoming Real Science of Sport Live Chats. A small monthly pledge or donation on Patreon is all it takesThe opening five days of the Milan Cortina Winter Games have produced some spectacular performances and notable talking points. The Spotlight reveals some insights on those performances. We ask whether Lindsay Vonn's decision to race only 9 days after a ruptured ACL was a justifiable, correct one? Gareth has a new favourite sport - Cross-country skiing, dominated in spectacular fashion by Johannes Hofslot Klaebo and Sweden's women. Gareth is less enamoured with figure skating, but we discuss subjective sports and how coverage has improved to offer insights on scoring, and where it can continue to advance. We commend the coverage and footage from the Games, with revolutionary, spectacular drone footage. Speed skating is also in the Spotlight, and we share some insights that have been missing from the coverage, related to pacing. We also discover that some researchers suggest that the lane allocation offers significant advantages in some events.And finally, we end on 'penis-gate', the story (or is that a non-story) about the search for ski-jumping distance through the most literal application of 'marginal gains' you can imagine.That, and more, in the first of our Winter Olympic Spotlight shows.LinksThe story of ski jumpers injecting acid into their genitals for jumping gainsThe Guardian's coverage of Lindsay Vonn's dramatic downhillOur supporters weigh in on Vonn's decision to race, with some insightful comments and questions (supporters only - pledge above for access!) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | — | ||||||
| 2/6/26 |  WINTER OLYMPIC SPECIAL: Speed Skating 101 | Professor Florentina 'Fleur' Hettinga loves speed skating. Not only has she competed as an athlete in the discipline, but she has also researched many elements of the sport, from the physiology of the top athletes to the technical expertise and equipment needed to be among the best. Based in Amsterdam, Hettinga is at the centre of Dutch speed skating excellence, serving as Head of Department of Human Movement Sciences at the Vrije Universiteit and as a professor at the Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences. Hettinga talks Mike and Ross through the fascinating equipment used in modern speed skating, the technical skills that need to be honed to be competitive, and the unique, non-event-specific training that many of the top speed skaters employ. If you're watching the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympic Games, start here.SHOW NOTES:Fleur Hettinga’s research profile The training insights of Nils van der Poel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | — | ||||||
| 2/6/26 |  A VO2max of 101: Fantastical Physiology? / Australian Open Wrap / Contact Sport Dilemmas | Show NotesOn the Spotlight this week, we wrap up the Australian Open where dramatic semi finals saw Alcaraz overcome cramp (to Zverev's dismay), Djokovic overcome Sinner (to Ross' prediction dismay), and then Alcaraz overpower Djokovic to win a career Grand Slam. Elana Rybakina won the women's title, powered by a dominant serve and a few harsh, but helpful words from her coach.Then it's a concussion and head injury discussion, with a Spotlight on football and rugby. Should young children be tackling and heading a football? We explore those debates and discover that bans and delays don't play out quite the same way in the two sports, but that many unanswered questions remain. A recent paper by Ross and some colleagues finds that rugby players wearing headgear are more likely to suffer injuries than those not wearing headgear. An odd finding, but confounded by history and bias, as a lesson for how research limitations play out.And finally, does Karsten Blummenfelt really have a VO2max of 101 ml/kg/min? The Norwegian triathlete published that number earlier in the week, and it was met with skepticism bordering on ridicule. We discuss why the number isn't physiologically believable, what it means, and how errors in measurement might occur.Finally finally, if you enjoy the show and want to show your support, then become a Supporter with a small monthly donation, and you'll also get access to our Community Chat, and, as discussed in this show, upcoming Live Event Coverage.LinksThe Contact Conundrum: Are We Introducing Contact at the Correct Time in Youth Sports?Wearing Regulation Soft-Padded Headgear Does Not Reduce the Risk of Head Injuries in Professional Men's Rugby Players: An Observational Cohort StudyThe Spennymoor Heading Trial ArticleArticle on Blummenfelts 101 VO2max Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | — | ||||||
| 2/4/26 |  WINTER OLYMPIC SPECIAL: An Insiders Guide to Cross Country Skiing and Biathlon | Norwegian Oyvind Sandbakk is a specialist in the brutally tough world of cross-country skiing and biathlon. He is Sports Director at the Norwegian School of Elite Sports and a Professor II at the School of Sport Science at the UiT The Artic University of Norway. A former World Cup cross-country skier himself, Oyvind has worked with many of Norway's top athletes in Nordic sports. We delve into the technical details of both disciplines (including the dark art of waxing!), the gear involved in both sports, the physiology required to be one of the best in the world and what to watch for at the 2026 Winter Olympics.Show notesThe article referred to in the show about the importance of waxing, and the number of skis the athletes haveHere is Oyvind's research profile page with his university Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | — | ||||||
| 2/2/26 |  WINTER OLYMPIC SPECIAL: The Beauty and Drama of Figure Skating | Figure skating is one of the most popular sports at the Winter Olympics as it combines world-class athleticism with dance, choreography and music. Jackie Wong is one of the world's leading experts on figure skating and takes us behind the scenes of what it takes to be among the best in the world. From blade sharpening to music choice (the Back Street Boys will be the most popular band in Milan 2026!), figure skaters are defined by their ability to pull off daring manoeuvres with grace against the backdrop of judges watching for the smallest mistake. Wong shares some of his favourite stories from the ice, the routines and stars that have defined the sport and who, and what, to watch for in 2026. Wong is a figure skating analyst and blogs and tweets as Rocker Skating on both his website and podcast. He was a novice skater but has worked as both a judge and coach before covering the sport as an analyst and blogger from 2009.SHOW NOTESJackie's website Jackie's Podcast with co-hosts Michelle Ellis and Tara Nichols Jackie Wong (born April 11, 1982) is a figure skating analyst.[1][2] He blogs, tweets and sells merchandise as Rocker Skating as well as hosting the Ice Talk podcast at Ice Network.[3] He is based in New York.[4]Wong has worked for architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, and is currently an associate consultant at McKinsey & Company.[5] A former novice skater who has passed the U.S. Figure Skating juvenile tests and worked as a coach and a judge, he began covering figure skating for Examiner.com in 2009.[6]He created Rocker Skating as a graduate business school project at the University of Pennsylvania in 2015 and began attracting sponsorships.[7] His commentary ranges from offering technical play-by-plays[8] to sharing his opinions on a skater's choice of costumes and music.[9]Wong has a bachelor's degree in economics and urban studies from Stanford University, a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Design and an MBA from Penn's Wharton School.[6] He contributed to the University of Pennsylvania's biomedical research department by analyzing the movement and positions of the arms, legs and head of ice skaters and presenting them as 3D models.[10] He was selected to compete in Season 36 of "Jeopardy!"[11] and came in second place on the episode that aired May 19, 2020.[12] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | — | ||||||
| 1/29/26 |  The Heat is On In Aus, But Whoop Is Gone / Noakes and a Low Carb Theory Full of Holes | On the show, we mention our Supporters Club a lot, and reference discussions of various sports science subjects that inspire and inform our own conversations. You can be part of that, by making a monthly pledge here, which gives you access to the best sports science discussions on the interwebs! This week’s Spotlight opens in Melbourne, where brutal heat nearly derailed Jannik Sinner’s title defence. The Italian was hobbled by cramps and looked down and out before the heat index policy triggered a delay, a roof closure, and some much-needed air con. That leads us into a deep dive on cramping: why it happens, what Sinner could be doing to address this weakness, and some of the less than credible methods tennis players are using to prevent them. We also unpack another Australian Open storyline — the request for players to remove Whoop devices — exploring both credible and dubious motives for such a ban.Carbohydrates are in the news again, though this time, it's not about how much athletes are consuming, but rather how little they actually need - 10g per hour. That, according to a review headed by Prof Tim Noakes, is all that is required to prevent fatigue during exercise. We break down the paper, question its scientific robustness, explore some of the gaping holes, and explain why it diverges so sharply from real-world practice, and even from Noakes' own previous work on fatigue and performance.A rapid-fire round sweeps through listener feedback on whether ChatGPT could ever replace a coach, the retesting of decade-old samples that’s led to bans for seven athletes, more eye-catching performances from teenage phenoms, a pair of world records, and a winter Olympic controversy.And finally, we turn to Alex Honnold’s jaw-dropping, rope-free ascent of Taipei 101 — a climb that lit up the internet. Where does it sit in the history of the sport, and what made it so utterly unmissable?LinksArticle on heat issues in MelbourneReaction to the Whoop ban Down UnderNoakes et al's review article on carbohydrate requirements during exerciseOne of many articles that suggest that muscle glycogen is also important for performance, this time not as part of failure, but rather regulation. Noakes was himself an author on this oneAnother article where Noakes correctly identifies the role of glycogen in the muscle as part of how performance is regulated and improvedWe mentioned the efforts of Dr James diNicolantonio to rebut some of the poor science of the low carb review. Here is one of many threads that offer counterpointsA good study from friends of the pod Louise Burke and Jaime Whitfield on what actually happens to performance on a low carb dietOne of a few systematic reviews on the low carb vs high carb nutrition models for exercise performanceAthletes test positive ten years after the 'crime'"I'm going to burn the whole of track and field down". Well, do it already, stop hinting Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | — | ||||||
| 1/27/26 | Alex Hutchinson: The Battle For Credibility | Journalist, author, and speaker Alex Hutchinson is passionate in his search for truth. As the author of three books ('Which Comes First, Cardio or Weights?, 2011; 'Endure', 2021 and 'The Explorers Gene', 2025) and writer of the popular Sweat Science blog, the former Physics graduate is at the forefront of modern science journalism. Hutchinson, a former Canadian national team miler, explains his journey to becoming one of the most respected voices in his field, how he balances credibility and relevance in a cluttered social media landscape, and how he conducts research for his books and columns. Together with Ross and Mike, Hutchinson also delves into his favourite topics, including a discussion on how endurance is defined by perceived versus actual limits.For the discussion that continues long after the podcast, become a member of the Real Science of Sport Supporters club by making a small monthly or annual donation and get access to our Discourse community.SHOW NOTESAlex's Sweat Science WebsiteAlex's website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | — | ||||||
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Chart Positions
9 placements across 9 markets.
Chart Positions
9 placements across 9 markets.