The Real Science of Sport Podcast

Professor Ross Tucker and Mike Finch
  • 4.6 (145)
  • SPORTS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
The Real Science of Sport Podcast

World-renowned sports scientist Professor Ross Tucker and veteran sports journalist Mike Finch break down the myths, practices and controversies from the world of sport. From athletics to rugby, soccer, cycling and more, the two delve into the most recent research, unearth lessons from the pros and host exclusive interviews with some of the world's leading sporting experts. For those who love sport. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 6 DAYS AGO

    Is the Credibility of Sports Science's Most Respected Journal Under Threat?

    At the recent British Association of Sports & Exercise Medicine (BAsem) conference, the world's most respected journal in sports science - the British Journal of Sports Medicine (BJSM) - openly promoted a presentation done on the trans issue by the author of the controversial book Open Play: The Case For Feminist Sport, Dr Sheree Bekker. In the presentation, Bekker challenges the ideas around transgender sporting advantage despite persuasive scientific evidence to the contrary, raising the question of whether the BJSM has failed in its mandate to support robust scientific content. The team break down what the BJSM's role in sports science should be, analyse some of the outlandish statements made in the presentation and discuss the implications of what happens if credibility is lost. SHOW NOTES: The tweet by the BJSM on the presentation done by Dr Bekker The photo claiming to show the TWSA and Feminist Approach to the gender debate Dr Sheree Bekker's website A link to the BJSM website Ross's X thread reacting to the presentation Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 10m

  2. OCT 18

    Chepng'etich's Marathon World Record Analysis: Too Good To Be True?

    When Kenyan Ruth Chepng'etich took nearly two minutes off the women's marathon world record, the sporting world was aghast. How did she do it? Shoe tech, nutrition, race tactics? With a doping cloud hanging over Kenyan athletics, it's easy to see why so many are sceptical. Join Prof. Ross Tucker and sports journalist Mike Finch as they assess every aspect of the run in an effort to explain one of the most astonishing running performances in history. SHOW NOTES The paper by Mason et al on how the shoes have boosted women’s distance runners more then men. The Joubert & Jones paper that compares different shoes, including Figure 2 that shows the individual variation between models of the same brand. Another similar paper on individual variability by Knopp et al. For analysis of the performances since super shoes were introduced. A piece by Toni Reavis in defence of Chepngetich’s performance. The article by Amby Burfoot that Reavis mentions. Amby does not hold back. The AIU list of Kenyans currently serving doping bans. You can count the drug type to see if the show conversation was accurate.  The CAS Decision on Rhonex Kipruto, in which his doping is described as a “sophisticated doping regime. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 24m
  3. DISCOURSE SPECIAL: Is Elite Cycling Safe Enough? / Rugby's Smart Mouthguards / Is Sinner Guilty of Doping? and Much More

    OCT 3

    DISCOURSE SPECIAL: Is Elite Cycling Safe Enough? / Rugby's Smart Mouthguards / Is Sinner Guilty of Doping? and Much More

    After a post-Olympic break the team wrap up all the latest hot topics and news from our Discourse channel. We share details of how the rollout of rugby's smart mouthguards is going, discuss Jakob Ingebritgsen's crazy half marathon debut and how best to use sport science to help a small-budget cycling team. We also explain the ongoing doping saga of tennis world number one Jannik Sinner and ask if the world governing body for cycling, the UCI, is doing enough to ensure the safety of riders after the death of an 18-year-old at the World Championships. SHOW NOTES Jon Wertheim's excellent piece on the Sinner doping scandal from SI.com The Guardian's piece on the death of Muriel Furrer Ingebrigtsen's crazy half marathon debut Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 53m
  4. How David Roche Used Science To Dominate One Of The World's Biggest Trail Races

    AUG 29

    How David Roche Used Science To Dominate One Of The World's Biggest Trail Races

    American trail star and coach David Roche not only won his first 100-mile trail race at the Leadville 100 this year but also broke a 30-year-old record. In this interview, Roche explains how he adapted to the high altitude using hot baths, trained his body to take in high concentrations of carbohydrates and planned out his race strategy. Roche also talks about how speed over shorter distances is the best predictor of ability of longer distances, why mega training mileage may not be the right strategy for mega-distance races and the impact of super shoes on trail racing. SHOW NOTES: Follow David on Instagram and Youtube Follow David and wife Dr Megan Roche's podcast Some Work, All Play on Apple Podcasts. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 37m
  5. Science of Sport Spotlight 8: A Guilty or Innocent Sinner? And Tragedy at the Crossfit Games

    AUG 22

    Science of Sport Spotlight 8: A Guilty or Innocent Sinner? And Tragedy at the Crossfit Games

    We are back with a Spotlight show, and in this one, we discuss the case of Janik Sinner, who was cleared earlier this week of a doping violation after a panel agreed that his positive test for clostebol was caused by his physiotherapist's use of a banned substance to treat a finger cut while performing massage treatments on the player. We describe the timeline, the challenge faced by anti-doping authorities, and the controversial speed with which Sinner was able to continue playing after appealing provisional suspensions on two occasions. We also shine a spotlight on risk in sport, after a tragedy at the CrossFit Games in Texas, where a 28 year old participant died during a swim item. The team explain why swimming is where the danger exists, and then discuss the philosophy of risk and the tension between the core values of a sport, and the duty of care of the sports to protect athletes from foreseeable and unnecessary risks. Join Discourse If you've enjoyed our Paris Daily podcasts, and generally love sports science, consider a small donation to become a Patron of the site, and get access to our Discourse community, where you can join like-minded fans and sports enthusiasts to keep the conversation going. Show notes Janik Sinner Spotlight Summary of the Janik Sinner decision by the ITIAThe Full Decision of the case can be read hereThe study showing clostebol positive tests through contamination, cited in the defenceEdmund Willison's article on clostebol positives, primarily in Italy CrossFit Games Spotlight Study on deaths in triathlon, showing the high proportion that happen on the swim legPaper that proposes Swimming Induced Pulmonary Edema as a cause of swim-related deathsLay article that explains SIPE and interviews researchers who study it, including discussion of how risk is mitigated and managed by events Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 10m
  6. Does Talent Need Trauma To Succeed? A Sports Psychologist Weighs In

    AUG 20

    Does Talent Need Trauma To Succeed? A Sports Psychologist Weighs In

    Dave Collins is a sports Performance Psychologist who has coached over 90 World or Olympic medallists and professional sports teams and performers. The team delve into the concept of what makes great sporting champions, whether trauma is an essential ingredient and how competition and disappointment play a role in long terms success. Collins is a Professorial Fellow at the University of Edinburgh and Director at Grey Matters Performance Ltd. As an academic, he has over 450 peer review publications and 90 books or chapters.  As a practitioner, he has worked with over 90 World or Olympic medallists plus professional teams and performers. Collins has coached to national level in three sports, has a fifth dan in karate, has worked as Director of the Rugby Coaches Association and is a Fellow of the Society of Martial Arts and BASES, Associate Fellow of the BPS and an ex Royal Marine. SHOW NOTES The Rocky Road paper that introduced the “talent needs trauma” concept Champions vs Super Champions: Expanding on the concept of challenge to create champions A lay article on the concept outlined in the Rocky Road paper Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 27m
  7. Paris 2024 Recap Bumper Show: Highlights, Lowlights, Stats and Final Insights

    AUG 14

    Paris 2024 Recap Bumper Show: Highlights, Lowlights, Stats and Final Insights

    One last time, we get the band together to bring you our bumper Olympic recap show. Sports editor Mike Finch joins daily hosts Prof. Ross Tucker and Discourse moderator Gareth Davies to look back on the Paris Games. We discuss and debate our highlights, lowlights, winners, losers, surprises and disappointments and offer perspectives on the medal tables and individual performances: Which countries outperform their resources, the great athletes and performances and the big stories. Finally we rate the Games, and take a moment to thank all of you for the fantastic interactions on Discourse, and for listening and enjoying these Olympics with us. Join Discourse If you've enjoyed our Paris Daily podcasts, and generally love sports science, consider a small donation to become a Patron of the site, and get access to our Discourse community, where you can join like-minded fans and sports enthusiasts to keep the conversation going. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 58m
  8. Paris 2024 Daily: Day 16 - Hassan makes History, Track Triumphs for Kipyegon and Ingebrigtsen

    AUG 11

    Paris 2024 Daily: Day 16 - Hassan makes History, Track Triumphs for Kipyegon and Ingebrigtsen

    The "Zatopek" is complete, and while Sifan Hassan did not perfectly replicate the Czech legend's achievements, she did help close off the Athletics programme of the Paris Olympics in spectacular fashion, winning the women's Marathon gold. We review the race, and explain how once again, the course added great intrigue to create a great race and spectacle. We also look back on the final night of track and field from the stadium, where an historically fast men's 800m produced four of the top 8 times ever, and France got its first athletics medal. Kipyegon did the expected in a fast women's 1500m, and Ingebrigtsen did the obvious in winning a slow men's 5000m. The relays, as always, capped off a great night with a near world record for the USA women, and an epic race between USA and Botswana in the men's race. Join Discourse If you're enjoying of Paris Daily podcasts, and generally love sports science, consider a small donation to become a Patron of the site, and get access to our Discourse community, where you can join like-minded fans and sports enthusiasts to keep the conversation going. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 30m
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Hosts & Guests

4.6
out of 5
145 Ratings

About

World-renowned sports scientist Professor Ross Tucker and veteran sports journalist Mike Finch break down the myths, practices and controversies from the world of sport. From athletics to rugby, soccer, cycling and more, the two delve into the most recent research, unearth lessons from the pros and host exclusive interviews with some of the world's leading sporting experts. For those who love sport. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Professor Ross Tucker and Mike Finch
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2024
  • Episodes
    198
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Professor Ross Tucker and Mike Finch
  • Show Website
    The Real Science of Sport Podcast

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