The Real Science of Sport Podcast

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.