
113 episodes

The Real Science of Sport Podcast Professor Ross Tucker and Mike Finch
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- Sports
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5.0 • 70 Ratings
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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
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Kipchoge 2.0: The Rise of the New Marathon Stars
In the aftermath of Evans Chebet's win in Boston and Kelvin Kiptum's sensational victory in London, the world of marathon running has been turned on its head. The team look closely at the latest results from the World Marathon Majors and ask whether the Kipchoge days are finally coming to an end and if the world record is set to fall again sooner rather than later.
JUMP TO 38:34 FOR THE MAIN TOPIC.
SHOW NOTES
CAUGHT MY EYE ITEMS
The article on bicarbonate and ketone’s combined effect on performance
Pogacar’s coach doesn’t think much about the bicarbonate benefit, submitted by Renato Chironi:
Article submitted by Pratima from the Patron page, on how there is not yet evidence to adapt training to the phase of the menstrual cycle:
The podcast interview in which Colin Chartier talks about his doping decision and positive:
MAIN TOPIC
Sean ingle’s article on the super shoes, including the quotes from Chris Thompson about the effects of the shoes:
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Why How We Select Young Sporting Talent Is Probably All Wrong
Around the world, the way that young talent is identified is often done without an understanding of how young athletes develop. We talk to Norwegian researcher in the field, Eirik Halvorsen Wik, PhD, from Cape Town's Institute of Sport and Exercise Medicine at Stellenbosch University, for a close look at the challenges faced by young sporting stars, why there may be a better way to make selections at youth level and how to ensure the best athletes are given the best chance at long term success. Wik has previously worked at the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences and the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre.
SHOW NOTES:
A news story on the Ultra runner who took a car trip for 2.5 miles mid race
The paper in which coaches are revealed as not being all that good at spotting good running economy
Our guest Eirik Wik’s study on injuries in adolescent athletes
Another paper published by Dr Wik, describing different injuries with age in elite adolescent footballers:
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Fatigue Resistance And How To Improve It
In the second of our two-part special on fatigue we examine Fatigue Resistance or durability. Is it just a modern term for an old concept, what does it really mean and what sort of training helps build it.
SHOW NOTES
Caught My Eye Segment
The Zwift study looking for remote research participations, as submitted by Gareth D
England’s rugby coach proposes rule changes to help kicking success in women, in another illustration of the differences between the sexes
The third of Gareth’s submissions, looking at the helmet approved in Quarterbacks in the NFL
The research study discussed on the show looking at whether rugby scrum caps can reduce concussion risk
Main Topic (Skip to 35:48)
Link to the Ed Maunder paper that describes the durability concept
Some examples of papers that assess durability (as a performance outcome) in elite cyclists:
Mateo-March paper with 112 cyclists over 8 seasons, showing that World Tour cyclists had much smaller power decay than Pro Tour cyclists with accumulating levels of fatigue26 Pro cyclists over a combined total of 85 seasons, showing how Cat 1 cyclists drop off less than Cat 2 cyclists when fatigued https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33731651/
The study we mention that looked at durability early: Mmid- and late season, and showed how durability increases with more polarised training
Lab study that shows how high intensity intermittent exercise affects power outputs with fatigue more than continuous exercise
Finnish study showing that low and high intensity training improve endurance, at least in less well trained individuals
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The Science of Fatigue
Mental and muscle fatigue is part of every sporting endeavour. But what is fatigue? What happens in the body when we get tired and is it possible to push beyond our perceived limits?
SCROLL TO 19:35 FOR THE MAIN TOPIC
SHOW NOTES:
Caught My Eye:
The case of the cheating fishermen
The article on the fallout from the apparently botched doping case of Peter Bol.
An article, which includes a video of the documentary exploring the controversies about the exploitation of Paralympic classification:
A story and video of the Canadian man who broke the women’s masters powerlifting world record, simply by declaring that he is a woman
The Swimming England announcement of their trans policy
Fatigue Discussion
An article that introduced a series of other articles that explored the integrative nature of fatigue
My own review article on how pacing strategy is regulated as part of a homeostatic system
The research study that used fentanyl to block sensory feedback, which totally messed up pacing and caused more peripheral fatigue than in a regulated system
Another Amann study, this one using hypoxia and hyperoxia to influence muscle recruitment and pacing strategy while defending against peripheral fatigue
The Les Ansley paper we mentioned where shorter (4km) trials caused more peripheral fatigue, and longer (20km and 40km) trials caused more central fatigue
A paper on how neurotransmitters in the brain affect fatigue and performance
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The Tragic Tale of an Athletics Doper / Athletics' New Transgender Rules
At first glance the story of New Zealand's Zane Robertson is just another web of lies. But is it? The team take a close look at one of the most tragic doping cases in recent times. Plus World Athletics recently announced new rules regarding transgender and DSD athletes. We ask how does the decision impact world sport and particularly the International Olympic Committee?
SHOW NOTES:
Patron Joshua Stacey the long jump that never quite caught on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fp7BclslUyo
Article on the underarm basketball throw that also didn’t catch on: https://www.sportscasting.com/rick-barrys-underhand-free-throws-and-why-nba-players-today-dont-follow-suit/
From Patron Travis Hawkins, on the Norwegian protest of their own athlete’s shoe: https://www.triathlete.com/culture/news/the-world-triathlon-protest-against-the-norwegians-was-filed-by-the-norwegians/
From Patron Travis Hawkins, on the Norwegian protest of their own athlete’s shoe: https://www.triathlete.com/culture/news/the-world-triathlon-protest-against-the-norwegians-was-filed-by-the-norwegians/
World Athletics’ policy on trans and DSD athletes:
Transgender athletes: https://www.worldathletics.org/download/download?filename=f911778e-5bfa-4d49-b044-9920fc743216.pdf&urlslug=C3.5A%20%E2%80%93%20Eligibility%20Regulations%20Transgender%20Athletes%20%E2%80%93%20effective%2031%20March%202023
DSD athletes: https://www.worldathletics.org/download/download?filename=2ffb8b1a-59e3-4cea-bb0c-5af8b690d089.pdf&urlslug=C3.6A%20%E2%80%93%20Eligibility%20Regulations%20for%20the%20Female%20Classification%20%E2%80%93%20effective%2031%20March%202023
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Should Sport Be Non-Competitive In Schools?
Over the past few years English schools have begun to introduce non-competitive sport in an effort to be more inclusive. But is that the right strategy when it comes to producing future champions and developing a 'winning' mentality? The team take an in-depth look into the evidence surrounding the debate and examples of countries that have already rolled out similar plans.
> Jump to 45:17 for the main topic.
PLUS RED-S in male athletes / Bicarb in endurance sport / shinty drug testing / Remembering Dick Fosbury, the inventor of modern high jumping.
SHOW NOTES:
Caught My Eye Segment
Jake Smith’s Instagram post about his RED-S
The 1984 study on bicarbonate as a performance enhancer
A 1993 meta-analysis on bicarbonate
A 2022 systematic review on bicarb and performance
A recent article that contains some of Maurten’s promises and promotions
Primoz Roglic’s glowing endorsement of bicarb. “With 600W it always hurts, huh?"
The BBC piece on Shinty’s drug testing plans
David Epstein’s article on Dick Fosbury
Main Segment
Article on how early specialisation and training rather than fun increases injury risk
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Customer Reviews
Top Sports Podcast
Lots of great sports discussions and current insight. I enjoy the information to make you think. Some top sports science knowledge to apply in endurance sport.
Thanks
Thanks guys. Really enjoying the very informative podcasts. Best way to pass a few hours on the trainer. Trying to get as much of my IM training done on the trainer so many thanks. 🙏🏻
Accurate. Topical. Challenging. Top Drawer.
Sometimes it’s easy to get carried away in theory and on a wave of idealism, but Prof Tucker and Mike Finch keep you engaged with the content whether you’re a seasoned coached or a young parent.