The Real Science of Sport Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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The Real Science of Sport Podcast

Professor Ross Tucker and Mike Finch

Sports

Frequency: 1 episode/9d. Total Eps: 340

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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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🇬🇧 Great Britain - sports
30/07/2026
#97
🇬🇧 Great Britain - sports
23/07/2026
#82
🇬🇧 Great Britain - sports
22/07/2026
#82
🇬🇧 Great Britain - sports
17/07/2026
#100
🇬🇧 Great Britain - sports
12/07/2026
#93
🇬🇧 Great Britain - sports
11/07/2026
#95
🇬🇧 Great Britain - sports
10/07/2026
#85
🇬🇧 Great Britain - sports
06/07/2026
#91
🇬🇧 Great Britain - sports
05/07/2026
#88
🇬🇧 Great Britain - sports
05/05/2026
#100

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Score global : 43%

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

Season 6 · Episode 20

Friday, October 18, 2024 • Duration 01:23:32

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.

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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

Season 6 · Episode 20

Thursday, October 3, 2024 • Duration 01:53:17

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Paris Special: The Art and Science of Sport Climbing

Wednesday, August 7, 2024 • Duration 47:49

Sport Climbing is one of the newest additions to the Olympic sporting menu. In Paris, climbers tackle two distinct disciplines - boulder/lead, and speed climbing. In this special episode, we are joined by Tim Cross, a science writer with The Economist, to reveal the hidden side of sport climbing. We talk about the differences between these disciplines, and how the competitions are scored and won. We also about the physiological demands of the sport, the ideal body types for climbing, and how route design presents new challenges for climbers that means that climbing excellence is both art and science, mental and physical.

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.

The IFSC Policy for RED-S, as discussed on the podcast

For Discourse members only, Discourse Member Julia Littlefair shared some really interesting thoughts on the RED-S issue. This thread also includes links to other interesting material on this issue.

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The Concussion Debate: Can Playing Contact Sports Cause Brain Damage?

Season 4 · Episode 24

Monday, November 21, 2022 • Duration 01:30:57

Does playing contact sports make you more likely to suffer long-term damage later in life? And does it matter? During the recent International Conference on Concussion in Sport, Prof. Ross Tucker witnessed two sides to a controversial story that has both legal and ethical implications.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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RUGBY UNION: The Growth & Challenges Facing Women's Rugby

Season 4 · Episode 23

Thursday, October 27, 2022 • Duration 01:11:21

In this first of a three-part series on rugby union, we discuss the women's game with passionate rugby journalist Jess Hayden. We delve into the rapid growth in participation, viewership and interest in the last five years, and discuss the unique medical and welfare challenges faced by women, and the research that needs to be done to reduce risks to players.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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When Science Collides: The Blake Leeper Controversy Unpacked

Season 4 · Episode 22

Wednesday, October 19, 2022 • Duration 01:56:25

The question as to whether disabled athletes with prosthetic limbs can compete in able-bodied events has been steeped in controversy since the days of Oscar Pistorius in 2009. But since American Blake Leeper hit the headlines in 2019 the debate has been re-ignited with two groups of scientists on opposing sides. We speak to one of the world's foremost biomechanical experts - Dr Peter Weyand, Professor of applied physiology and biomechanics at Southern Methodist University in Dallas - to break down his side of an intriguing15-year-old saga.

SHOW NOTES

This week’s caught my eye, on Triathlon’s inaction on shoe technology: https://www.triathlete.com/culture/news/world-triathlon-confirms-idens-imwc-shoes-not-illegal-no-rules-on-running-shoes/

Some background on the Kenyan doping cases this year, including the “new drug” (old to cycling fans), triamcinolone: https://www.letsrun.com/news/2022/10/2021-boston-marathon-champ-diana-kipyokei-suspended-and-her-agent-doesnt-hold-back-diana-is-completely-guilty-i-am-sorry/

Peter Weyand’s Locomotor lab YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/LocomotorLabSMU

Peter Weyand’s most recent article on double amputees and sprint performance: https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.220397

The “compromise” paper by Weyand et al prior to the debate and split in the research team: https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/japplphysiol.00174.2009

Unpacking The Truth Behind Exercise and Protein Supplementation

Season 4 · Episode 21

Tuesday, October 11, 2022 • Duration 01:35:08

Few have studied protein in sports as much as Prof Stuart Phillips, from the Department of Kinesiology at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada. Together with the team, Phillips shares some of the latest research on the value of protein in exercise sports, discuss whether protein supplementation has any real value in enhancing recovery and performance and what the best type of protein is to consume.

SHOW NOTES:

CAUGHT MY EYE SEGMENT:

WADA bans tramadol, now that the proverbial horse has bolted (The horse is from Colombia, and rides a bike): https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/wada-outlaws-tramadol-use-2024-maintains-cannabis-ban-2022-09-23/#:~:text=SYDNEY%2C%20Sept%2023%20(Reuters),on%20cannabis%20after%20a%20review.

Good piece by Matt Lawton on the boxing controversy, the fight that ended up not happening: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/cadf7aae-44e9-11ed-8885-043c27446b97?shareToken=0fd65796afe945e5ad8a6e6c98d2c4f3

Article on the doping suspension and investigation of a Portuguese pro team leading to numerous bans: https://www.cyclingweekly.com/racing/seven-portugese-riders-banned-over-doping

A detailed article on the angling cheating scandal: https://www.yahoo.com/news/lead-weights-and-lie-detectors-the-scandal-that-rocked-a-cleveland-fishing-tournament-and-became-worldwide-news-033353103.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAMnouSCoCuNO7biPeFoeAg4JzCiXcWAF2pp0quSL3c5pBqL2HG-R8-UB2ZoJ5LEuhkcvZTC-2jUHv3LRIRoqgS5hDosIKtpYqGG3hXj3aRedy08l82XfFNjDo3zi3gt8v73hjXjuAiY9IGDwv99bCPg3xzqa4VJ_b8zHMWDK6I3r

Beware The Sugar Bonk ! / Tennis' Latest Prodigy / Is Evenepoel Cyclings' Real Deal?

Season 4 · Episode 20

Wednesday, September 14, 2022 • Duration 01:07:06

From the young talents of US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz and Tour of Spain champion Remco Evenepoel to the good and the bad of commentators, the team wrap up a week of sporting action plus delve into how sugars are processed by the body during exercise and how to best to make them work for you.

SHOW NOTES:

Marine Doping Controversy link to story on the New York Times.

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/30/us/navy-seal-training-death.html?unlocked_article_code=kiOrYVUmlzRdYjELh6prnMUVKRd2FVeZeOXb0NEm5THQ_FBpuuWKjDnBz-WafQLeOf1ALVzBSCrnGiIHsINBjfrO5ZRM5Bc12Lo5RkjYBoSM__xSlOImFPjkKpr25dq0dWUiLGucxRQD4Qwp2dZ1lyDPEsWGl8cS1KJ1eurUlIqEw-reYerQfvzUZL-oS1uRC53q5WBhbzsvWMqjLjZtaqVaL7DInOA722CpT6UyphjF5i5Vv9G4tQimDGSKfKPmoytPjEHKicR2n1e0MwZAOJk9fkiaMsra5Z1TtaCU_kus9WOkKOYA5VGjek1XIl0lFNOMpFlaDEG0mITzrQ&smid=share-url

Best To Follow On Cycling Analysis

https://twitter.com/ammattipyoraily?s=11&t=a7EZLuz7EjR6jo1Tj6mQZQ

https://twitter.com/naichacacycling?s=11&t=a7EZLuz7EjR6jo1Tj6mQZQ

https://twitter.com/cyclinggraphs?s=11&t=a7EZLuz7EjR6jo1Tj6mQZQ

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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SOS SPECIAL: Jenna's Crawl: Tales from an elite ultra runner

Thursday, September 8, 2022 • Duration 28:42

Elite ultra runner Jenna Challenor made headlines during the recent 89km (56-mile) Comrades Marathon when she crawled across the finish line on all fours to finish fourth. Mike Finch talks to her about her Comrades experience, how she dealt with debilitating long Covid, training and pacing strategies and how to tough it out.

SHOW NOTES:

Jenna Challenor's dramatic Comrades finish

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULZQiAZF03A

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Why Humans Are Designed To Run Long / Comrades Marathon Wrap /

Season 5 · Episode 19

Wednesday, September 7, 2022 • Duration 01:25:05

The team take a look at the world of endurance running after the recent Comrades Marathon and discuss why humans are so successful at long distance running. We discuss adaptations and physiology, how muscle is affected by long distance running and why long distance trail events are so different from long road events from a physiological perspective.

SHOW NOTES

Caught My Eye Segment

The article on the ball controversy at the US Open: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/aug/29/us-open-tennis-balls-row-iga-swiatek

Science of Ultras Segment

LetsRun article on the Triple Crown of Ultra running, including Comrades and UTMB: https://www.letsrun.com/news/2019/06/the-greatest-ultramarathons-in-the-world-the-triple-crown-of-ultras-comrades-western-states-utmb/

The study by Millet et al that was discussed on the show, showing how muscle function is affected by UTMB: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0017059

A scientific review on physiology and pathophysiology of Ultra running: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2018.00634/full

A Guardian piece on men and women in Ultra marathons: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/jan/03/female-ultra-athletes-leading-field-women-less-ego

The Real Science of Sport Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

The Real Science of Sport Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Other99+

Acast1

PubMed85

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Other99+

Acast1

PubMed85