The Real Science of Sport Podcast

With thousands of studies being conducted around the Covid pandemic, many are now finally producing results. Prof. Ross Tucker and co-host Mike Finch look at the latest research in sport and if fitness level can help mitigate the severity of both Covid and other diseases.SHOW NOTESThe “open window” debate: A debate between scientists about the validity of the Open Window hypothesis: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32139352/Inflammatory heart disease in professional athletes with COVID-19 infections - this is the study on 789 USA pro sports athletes: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamacardiology/fullarticle/2777308Cardiac involvement in young athletes with COVID - this is the study in college aged athletes in the USA: https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.121.054824Ben Jones’ studies on transmission of COVID19 in rugby league: https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/early/2021/02/10/bjsports-2020-103714To support our podcast visit https://www.patreon.com/thescienceofsport: Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, the team answer your questions. We tackle the effects of the Covid pandemic on elite sport progression, whether the mind is capable of pushing the body to greater performance, how delayed specialisation may benefit young sportspeople and the importance of self talk no matter what your sport.Support our podcast. Visit https://www.patreon.com/thescienceofsport Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When the UK Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) recently found former Team Sky and British Cycling head doctor, Dr Richard Freeman, guilty of illegally ordering testosterone for an unnamed rider, it sent shock waves through British sport. The team talk to renowned sports journalist Sean Ingle of The Guardian who followed the case closely for almost two years. Ingle offers a fascinating insight into the testimonies that he witnessed and what the future may hold for British Cycling. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sleep, and the quality of it, can dictate everything from our moods to our sporting performances. Prof. Ross Tucker and host Mike Finch interview sleep science expert Dr Dale Rae for a deep dive into the importance of sleep, the effects of poor sleeping habits, how genes can dictate whether we are larks or owls, practical tips on getting better quality naps and if modern tech really works for monitoring our sleep patterns.To support this podcast visit our Patreon site at https://www.patreon.com/thescienceofsport Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We asked our Patreon community to pose their most vexing sport science questions so that we could answer them. Prof Tucker and Mike Finch discuss everything from salty sweaters to the real facts behind the 80-20 endurance training rule, women-specific training protocols and the accuracy of modern-day fitness smartwatches to predict VO2 max.NOTES: 2020 Review on Occlusion training, a systematic review: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0363546520964454?journalCode=ajsbEarly (2009) review on occlusion training: https://journals.lww.com/nsca-scj/fulltext/2009/06000/the_use_of_occlusion_training_to_produce_muscle.11.aspx#:~:text=LOW%2DINTENSITY%20OCCLUSION%20Potential safety issues with blood flow restriction: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21410544/Review on the mechanisms for improvement with blood flow restriction: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25249278/Health for Performance resources in the context of women’s sport and RED-S: http://health4performance.co.uk/SUPPORT US ON PATREON!https://www.patreon.com/thescienceofsport Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

S3, Ep1: In our first episode of 2021 Mike Finch and Prof. RossTucker discuss the science of staying motivated, if Body Mass Index (BMI) is outdated and how exercise affects body temperature. We also discuss plans for the year, the issue of health versus performance and whether or not the Tokyo Olympics may go ahead this year. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From shoe tech to the effect of crowd support on performance, 2020 has been an unprecedented year that also provided some unique opportunities. Together with some of the leading voices in global sports science, Prof. Ross Tucker and Mike Finch look forward to the breakthroughs and controversies likely to dominate in 2021, why they matter and how they will change the games we play. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In early October 2020, World Rugby released its Transgender Guidelines aimed at protecting player safety. But the guidelines were followed by controversy with some unions even refusing to implement them, Prof. Ross Tucker, who was part of the World Rugby committee that decided on the guidelines, explains why the science makes sense and why all sporting codes need to look closely at World Rugby's lead. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The ground-breaking 2020 London Marathon saw the great Eliud Kipchoge lose his first marathon since 2013 as Ethopian Shura Kitata took the men's win and Brigid Kosgei the women's title. But the real story of the marathon was the weather and what really happened to Kipchoge on race day. Prof. Ross Tucker and Mike Finch take a close look at one of the most dramatic city marathons in history Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Slovenian Tadej Pogacar's sensational penultimate stage performance up the famed Les Planche de Belle Filles, on his way to his overall win, will go down in legend as one of most dramatic moments in Tour de France history. Prof. Ross Tucker and Mike Finch break down the numbers, discuss the implications and wrap up an enthralling edition of the world's greatest stage race. They also discuss cadence vs power, the meaning of VAM, the Covid success story and whether leg length and height make a difference in cycling. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do excitable fans on the side of the roads really present a threat to cyclists in the midst of the Covid pandemic? Join Mike and Ross for a second week analysis of the 2020 Tour de France as they delve into the facts, the numbers and the stats and look forward to a thrilling final week Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week double Olympic 800m champion Caster Semenya lost her appeal in a Swiss Federal Court to have a decision made by World Athletics - effectively forcing her to lower her testosterone levels artificially in order to compete in her favoured event - overturned. Ross and Mike break down this complex issue, question some of the suspect evidence and decisions made by World Athletics and what the future holds for the controversial athlete. Support our podcast @ https://www.patreon.com/thescienceofsport Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The first week of the delayed 2020 Tour de France threw up some big surprises and some stunning performances. But what does all the data say about the state of the sport, the contenders and what it takes to win? Prof. Ross Tucker and sports journalist Mike Finch take a deep dive into the first week of a long-awaited Tour, break down the facts and make some predictions, Support our podcast @ https://www.patreon.com/thescienceofsport Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From vitamins to weight-loss tablets, muscle builders and energy drinks, supplements promise a quick fix to performance and health. But is there any evidence that they work? Join Prof. Ross Tucker and sports journalist Mike Finch as they lay bare the often murky, and unregulated, world of supplements, the bogus claims and some of the dangers of believing in the hype. Support our podcast @ https://www.patreon.com/thescienceofsport Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The perfect hydration strategy during exercise is simpler than you think. Join Prof. Ross Tucker and Mike Finch as they delve into the science, discuss how advice has been corrupted by suspect marketing claims and why drinking too much may be a bigger threat to health. Support our podcast @ https://www.patreon.com/thescienceofsport Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Functional Threshold Power (FTP) is one of the most popular terms in endurance sport and used by both professional and amateur racers. Take a deep dive into the what, how and use of FTP, what it really means in the world of sports science and why it's often misunderstood as a training tool. Essential listening for anyone who loves a little heavy breathing.SUPPORT OUR PODCAST AT https://www.patreon.com/thescienceofsport Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently advised against the use of masks while exercising. Prof. Ross Tucker and sports journalist Mike Finch explore the real risks, the science and the performance effects of wearing a mask when breathing gets heavier. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The ill-fated Adria tennis Tour, headlined by world number one Novak Djokovic, was a lesson for sporting organisers around the world in what not to do during the Covid-19 pandemic. Professor Ross Tucker and Science of Sport podcast host, Mike Finch, discuss what organisers did wrong, how they could have made it happen safely and the repercussions for all sporting events in the near future Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With soccer matches already under way and many professional sports looking at innovative plans to get back in action, Prof. Ross Tucker and host Mike Finch explore the various models being used and what sports' recovery could mean for the rest of society. We also talk about the effect of spectator-less games on performance and do crowds really matterSUPPORT OUR PODCAST AT https://www.patreon.com/thescienceofsport Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Taking part in regular exercise throughout your life has truly remarkable effects on performance and ageing. Prof. Ross Tucker and Mike Finch discuss the effects of age on our bodies, how to design the perfect 'active' life, push back the years and find motivation... no matter how old you are! APOLOGIES FOR SOME OF THE SOUND QUALITY DUE TO REMOTE RECORDING. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The impact of the Coronavirus across the globe has been felt in every sphere of life, including sport. From the cancellation and postponement of most major sporting events, including the Olympic Games, to the future of the professional game, Covid19 is likely to have a lasting effect. Join Prof. Ross Tucker and host Mike Finch as they discuss the impact of the pandemic, how and when normal sport may resume, the consequences of reduced training time and the role health and fitness play in the fight against the virus. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From ice baths to Tom Brady's infrared pajamas, the science of recovery is full of wild claims and wonder products. Join Prof. Ross Tucker and host Mike Finch as they interview world-renowned science journalist - and author of the 2019 book Good To Go - Christie Aschwanden, and explore the real science behind athletic recovery and debunk some of the myths along the way Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cut through the hype and discover what the science says about training just right... no matter what your sport. Join host Mike Finch and world-renowned sports scientist Prof. Ross Tucker as they explain the fundamentals of a good training plan, how the body gets fitter and stronger, long slow distance vs intervals, how to recover just right and the simplest way to manage your own progress like a pro. It's a must- listen for anyone serious about their performance. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nike's newly-released Alphafly Next% - released just four days after new regulations on shoe design were announced by World Athletics - will do little to restore the integrity of distance running times and records. Prof Ross Tucker and sports editor Mike Finch, together with guest biomechanist Geoff Burns, explain how the sport may have changed forever... and not in a good way! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From the shoe that broke running, to drug cheats, Caster Semenya, Alberto Salazar, the best way to make a champion and Red-S, our first season of the Science of Sport Podcast was never short on controversy. Host Mike Finch and Prof. Ross Tucker name their award winners of the year, look back on the lessons learnt and look ahead to the 2020 Olympic year Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As one of the world's top obstacle racers and ultra runners, Amelia Boone is regarded as one of the toughest female athletes on the planet. But a lifetime battling eating disorders and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) almost cost the American her life and her sporting career. In this interview with Prof. Ross Tucker and host Mike Finch, Boone speaks openly about her dramatic past, relationships and the lessons others can take from her ongoing battle against her toughest opponent, herself. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Prof. Ross Tucker and host Mike Finch - with guests exercise physiologist and scientist Dr Trent Stellingwerff and former elite runner Hilary Stellingwerff - as we look into the causes, culture and psychology of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) and the controversy surrounding Mary Cain and the Nike Oregon Project. We look into the effects of RED-S on both female and male athletes and why long-term health is always more important than short term gains. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Professor Ross Tucker and host Mike Finch looked at the effect that modern day tech has on sport, its role in performance and what the future looks like. We discuss everything from the effect of cellphone distraction on athlete performance, what some federations have done to push back on tech in order to retain integrity, how best to use tech to enhance performance and what the future could look like. AI anyone? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From law changes to concussion research, World Rugby has taken a proactive approach to make the game safer at all levels. Professor Ross Tucker and host Mike Finch discuss the research and findings into the risks of contact sports around the world, why rugby is leading the way in player safety and what Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy really means. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mechanical Doping or Tech Breakthrough? Nike's controversial carbon-plated Vaporfly running shoe has forced us to recalibrate what performances mean. Host Mike Finch joins sports scientist Ross Tucker and biomechanist Geoff Burns to look at the tech, how it works, why it has had such an impact on world marathon performances and what authorities may need to do to regulate running shoe technology Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Eliud Kipchoge's second attempt at breaking the two-hour marathon mark a human advance or just a technological sidestep? In October the world's best marathoner will attempt to run inside 120 minutes using every advancement available from carbon-plated shoes to carefully-planned pacing and drafting strategies. Understand how VO2 max, running economy and lactate threshold affect performance, the benefit of wearing Nike's controversial % shoe, the V-shaped pacing strategy and the effect of crowd support. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In one of the most dramatic weeks in athletics history, legendary American coach Alberto Salazar was banned for four years for doping offences, 37-year-old Kenenisa Bekele missed the world record in the marathon by a scant two seconds in Berlin and there was controversy and celebration at the World Athletics Championships in Doha. Host Mike Finch and sports scientist Prof. Ross Tucker look at the facts of the case against Salazar, the shoe that is defining marathon running performances and how Doha, despite poor crowds, is still delivering top-class competition. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The World Athletics Championships takes place in Doha from September 27 to October 6 and handling heat, hopefully, will the major talking point. From midnight marathons to air conditioned stadiums to the best way to stay cool, we tackle the science of heat in athletic performance. We also look into the latest doping controversies and pick the best races, and athletes, to watch in the post-Bolt era. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Prof Ross Tucker and host Mike Finch as they speak to renowned author Peter Bills about his latest book 'The Jersey: The Secrets Behind the World's Most Successful Team'' (Pan Macmillan). Bills - one the UK's foremost sports journalists and writers - spent four years researching the book on the New Zealand All Blacks to discover what it is that makes them the dominant force in world rugby. From team culture to the 'no dickheads' policy, playing the referee and the influence of the Polynesian players, Bills' intimate insight in to what makes the All Blacks tick is both revealing and entertaining. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join one of the world's most outspoken voices in rugby, former Springbok player, international coach, analyst and World Rugby advisor Nick Mallett as we explore what it takes to make it to the top level of international rugby union. Mallett describes - in bone-crunching detail - the pressures of being in the scrum, what players really fear, what makes a winning team and the three things he would do to change rugby right now. It's essential pre-World Cup listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why do sportsmen and women cheat? Because they are human. But when is cheating just sporting gamesmanship or plain fraud? We look into some of the most elaborate cheating scandals in history, how they did it and how some of them (almost!) got away with it. From having an invisible twin to being contaminated by drugs through kissing and illegally relaying a race with your brother, the stories of cheating are sadly as much a part of sport as winning or losing,. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prof Ross Tucker and journalist Mike Finch interview David Epstein, author of the New York Times best-selling book Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World . The team focus in on the debate around late specialisation in sport, why champions like Tiger Woods may be the exception rather than the rule and the impact of age on performance. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prof. Ross Tucker and host Mike Finch delve into the real facts and stats behind what makes a world class sportsman or woman. Find out if when and where you are born can make a difference to sporting success, whether practice really makes perfect, how early to specialise and if your youngster has what it takes to become one of the elites. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Explore the challenges of working as a doctor at the Tour de France as Ross and Mike talk to Dr Adrian Rotunno, one of the team physicians for the UAE Team Emirates pro cycling team. Rotunno talks candidly about being a doctor in a pro cycling world tainted by doping; what it takes to keep riders healthy and strong during one of the toughest endurance events in the world and how pro riders prevent infection in that critical area between their saddle and butts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Professor Ross Tucker and host Mike Finch dig deep into the world of drugs in sport: What are they? How are they used? What percentage of athletes take illegal performance-enhancing drugs? Are authorities winning the war or is there not enough will to fight? An unashamedly honest and objective look at the impact of drugs across all sports and the future of anti-doping Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Professor Ross Tucker and host Mike Finch as they chat to cricket doctor Dr Janine Gray about the complexities of sports injuries, how to protect your back no matter what sport you play, why so many young cricketers suffer from stress fractures and why hand-eye co-ordination ability may be linked to your economic status. They also delve into how the mind can sometimes be the toughest body part to mend and why baseball players make better throwers than cricketers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former international opening batsman and coach of both the South African and Indian cricket teams, Gary Kirsten talks frankly about the modern game, the impact of the shorter formats, what it's like to face up to the fastest bowlers in the international game, winning a World Cup with one of the most supported sports teams in the world, the future of fast bowling and the game of cricket itself. A unique and fascinating insight from a player and coach who has competed at the highest level. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this emotional interview, Olympic middle distance runner and former 5000m and 10 000m NCAA champion, Dominique Scott-Efurd opens up about the training, self sacrifice and dedication needed to mix it with the best in the running world. Scott takes us through her tough training regime, the lessons learnt from moving from her home in South Africa to the US and her dramatic collapse at the World Cross Country championships in 2019 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

World-renowned sport scientist Professor Ross Tucker and veteran sports journalist Mike Finch explore the science behind running shoe technology. Explore whether or not cushioning and pronation-control really work, find out if expensive shoes are really any better than cheaper options and the best running shoe options to buy next time you're at the local shoe store Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On May 1, 2019 double Olympic and three-time World 800m champion Caster Semenya lost her case against the IAAF in the Court of Arbitration forcing her to take medication to lower her testosterone levels if she is to continue to compete in her favoured events. Mike and Ross analyse the controversial ruling, debate the facts and explain one of the most complicated issues ever to haunt the world of sport. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since 2009 Caster Semenya has ignited debate around female athletes with differences in sex development that may give them have an unfair advantage due to differences in testosterone levels. Professor Ross Tucker and sports journalist Mike Finch explain the issues and why this may be a 'no win' situation for sport. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An introduction to the Science of Sport Podcasting series with Professor Ross Tucker and veteran sports journalist Mike Finch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.