The Real Science of Sport Podcast

Pushing the body to its limits can be the difference between life and death for a Royal Marine. So how far can you push recruits and what lessons can sport learn from the training they endure? In this interview with Dr Ross Hemingway, a Sports & Exercise Medicine Doctor at the Commando Training Centre for Royal Marines in the UK, we take a fascinating look at everything from heat illnesses to fatigue and injuries experienced by some of the fittest men and women on the planet. Hemingway explains how Marines are assessed and tells stories of recruits who overcome extreme hardship in their quest to be among the military elite.

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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

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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Show notes

Janik Sinner Spotlight

CrossFit Games Spotlight

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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

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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.

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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.

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Tamirat Tola won the men's Olympic Marathon gold today, but it was the marathon course that we thought was the star of the show, as it threw two severe hills at the athletes, creating a dynamic, unpredictable race full of excitement. We explain how Tola conquered that course in remarkable fashion to break the Olympic Record with aggressive hill running. We also look back on the track action, which included relay medals for some athletes who came so close to individual podiums, as well as a double gold and bronze in the women's 10000m, and an impressively fast women's 400m. Finally, we talk breaking, boxing and the IOC's disgrace, and look ahead to the final night of track action from Paris.

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The Paris 2024 Olympics were hyped as the Noah Lyles games, with the American's campaign to win four gold medals the anticipated storyline. That storyline was terminated by Botswana's Letsile Tebogo in the men's 200m final last night, and it was subsequently revealed that Lyles had tested positive for Covid on Tuesday. We discuss Tebogo's 19.46s victory, and contrast his approach to the brash approach of Lyles in a rivalry that may continue to produce fast times and good quotes. Another rivalry produced a mismatch, where Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone destroyed both the world record, and a field including Femke Bol, in another remarkable 400m hurdles race. We talk about Bol's all-or-nothing race that ultimately cost her silver. We also discuss the latest salvo in the WADA-USADA dispute, which threatens to undermine the credibility of anti-doping, as the power struggle and allegation game continue. Finally, we look ahead to the second-last night of track finals, and even remember that there's a marathon happening in Paris tomorrow!

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Here's that WADA statement that we discuss on the show

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The men's 400m Olympic Champion is Quincy Hall, who produced a remarkable final 100m to reel in Matthew Hudson Smith. We discuss the historically fast race, with a focus on Hall's last 100m were a triumph due to survival, rather than a blistering kick. We also analyze the men's 3000m steeplechase, where el-Bakkali defended his gold and Girma's hopes crashed, literally, into the Paris track. A brief look at the team pursuit golds in cycling is followed by a news round-up including a fascinating wrestling weight loss controversy, and some drama around lane draws for Olympic finals, with some implications for tonight's action. Finally, we preview the big track finals tonight, and Ross the Octopus makes his gold medal picks.

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Here is the story of the Indian weightlifter, Vinesh Phogat, discussed on the show

A graphic showing the change in lane draw allocations for the track finals - better than listening to Ross try to explain them

Kenny Bednarek's tweet and the resultant discussion that he protested

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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.

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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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In one of the most hyped, anticipated track races in recent memory, it was Cole Hocker, and not the big favourites Jakob Ingebrigtsen or Josh Kerr, who emerged as the Olympic 1500m champion. The race lived up to its billing - Ingebrigtsen's aggressive pace-setting, Kerr hunting from behind, and Hocker, patient and poised, waiting to unleash what turned out to be the deadliest kick of all. We review the race, offering insights on Ingebrigtsen's pace selection, which truly was all or nothing as he faded to finish fourth. We also discuss the other track finals (women's 200m and 3000m Steeplechase), and explore a track cycling world record deluge in Paris' velodrome.

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Keely Hodgkinson has her Olympic Gold. The pre-race favourite delivered under pressure with a commanding front-running performance to secure an elusive global title. We discuss the race pattern that delivered the gold with big margins behind, and explain why it suggests a lot more to come from Hodgkinson. Beatrice Chebet outclassed Faith Kipyegon in the women's 5000m, in a race marred by a clash between Kipyegon and another pre-race favourites, Gudaf Tsegay. Mondo DuPlantis did Mondo things, winning relatively comfortably and then ticking off an Olympic record followed by another World Record in the Pole Vault. We dissect those performances, and wrap up the Artistic Gymnastics where falls and drama were the order of the day, as well as Gareth's new found Olympic love, Canoe Slalom Cross.

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In a recent press conference, the IOC were asked why they believed sex eligibility tests done on the now controversial boxers were arbitrary? In response, they said "There's no reason for the test", and appeared to equivocate on what the purpose of testing might be. This is the latest in a series of side-steps in which the IOC are downplaying what those tests actually show - males in women's combat sport - and instead undermining why they were done. But for sport, the ability to assess who is eligible for a category is not arbitrary, it is fundamental to making the category work. Weight classes only work because of weigh-ins, for instance. In this Bonus episode, Ross addresses this, directly addressing the IOC to explain why the category boundary can only be defended if some form of testing is welcomed. He explains how every IOC statement on this issue should be understood as the necessary defence of their choice of inclusion ahead of fairness and safety for females, and offers the solution that would be welcomed if the choice had been made to defend fairness and safety, instead.

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It's Noah Lyles. The big 100m showdown in Paris saw the top four separated by 0.03s, wity 5/1000th between gold and silver. Noah Lyles came out on the winning side of that margin, defeating Kishane Thompson, with Fred Kerley taking bronze ahead of SA's Akani Simbine. The winning time, 9.784s may not have been super fast, but the race was historically deep with positions 4 to 8 all running the fastest times ever recorded for those finishing places. We discuss the tension of the 100m, and look at 10m splits and speeds to discover how the race was won by Lyles despite his slow start. We also look back at the women's cycling road race, where Kristen Faulkner delivered a perfectly timed attack to take gold from more fancied rivals. Finally, we wrap up the Olympic swimming action, where the USA delivered two world records to move to the top of the medal table, with a look back on the winners and losers from the pool.

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A new 100m Olympic Champion was crowned in Paris as Julien Alfred pulled of an upset of sorts (but not entirely!) to win gold in 10.72s, ahead of Sha'Carri Richardson. We assess the race, explaining how Alfred's 2024 season had hinted at this performance, and how Sha'Carri Richardson didn't manage overcome a series of poor starts to add Olympic gold to her World title. We also discuss a majestic 'hunt' relay leg from Femke Bol, to shock the USA in the mixed 4 x 400m relay final. Men's cycling saw another first, with Remco Evenepoel winning the road race, and becoming the first man to win both TT and Road golds in the same Games. We also wrap up a medal rich evening in the pool, and update you on the latest news in the IOC's tragi-comedy handling of the 'Humans whose passports say women and so they're ok for women's boxing' controversy.

Show notes

Here's where you go to sign up for Patron, with a small monthly pledge, which then gives you access to our Discourse forum where other listeners share their thoughts and responses to these issues

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Joshua Cheptegei is the Olympic 10,000m champion, after he beat a stellar field in a fast race to open the Track programme in Paris. We discuss that race, and the Ethiopian tactics that set it up perfectly for Cheptegei. We also discuss the BMX racing, where France reach new levels of euphoria with a clean sweep of the men's podium, while Australia dominated the women's race to win gold. BMX racers produce the highest power output recorded in the sport - over 2000W to get the first bend advantage that often decides the race. We explore that and explain the metabolic demands of the race. We then preview the day ahead, where Katie Ledecky aims to cement her legacy, and the women's 100m title will be decided on the track. Will Sha'Carri Richardson do what she did in Budapest, or might the occasion, and some rivals, upset the race favourite?

Show notes

Here's where you go to sign up for Patron, with a small monthly pledge, which then gives you access to our Discourse forum where other listeners share their thoughts and responses to these issues

Sean Ingle's article on the technology boost for track athletes in Paris

Another piece by Sean, this one on the World Record in the 4 x 400 mixed relay

Piece on Cameron McEvoys shift in training

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Simone Biles established herself as the world's best gymnast in Paris, but it wasn't without a challenge from Brazil's Rebeca Andrade. The first golds were handed out in the track and field programme, won by Ecuador and China in the 20km race-walking events. We talk about how race walking is judged, and whether high tech shoes make a difference to walkers as they do to runners? In the news, athletes aren't happy with the food in the village, tennis legends are out and retiring, and the IOC flexes its plastic muscles in realms of doping control and fair and safe women's sport. Plus, we look ahead to the opening night in the Track programme, where the 10000m gold should be fought out between east African giants from Uganda, Ethiopia and Kenya.

Show notes

Here's where you go to sign up for Patron, with a small monthly pledge, which then gives you access to our Discourse forum where other listeners share their thoughts and responses to these issues

The Lanterne Rouge preview of the road cycling

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Simone Biles became the Olympic All Around champion for a second time in Paris yesterday. In doing so, she defeated her rivals, seemingly conquered gravity on some elements, and put to rest certain 'demons' from Tokyo 2021. Back then, she withdrew from competition citing a case of "the twisties". But what are the twisties? Often described as equivalent to the "yips" that affect golfers, the twisties can affect athletes in skill movement sports, effectively costing them the ability to know where their bodies are in space. To explore this phenomenon, and understand how athletes overcome it, we are joined by Prof Dave Collins, a performance psychologist with 40 years' experience in elite sport. Prof Collins has worked with 90 elite athletes, many in sports where the dreaded twisties can strike, such as freestyle skiing, BMX, snowboarding and gymnastics. He explains the differences between the yips and the twisties, and offers insights into they are conquered.

Show notes

Here's where you go to sign up for Patron, with a small monthly pledge, which then gives you access to our Discourse forum where other listeners share their thoughts and responses to these issues

Guest Prof Dave Collins' website

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The controversial issue of males in women's sport has reared its head at the Paris Olympics. In this episode, the team discuss the case of two boxers who were disqualified after failing 'gender eligibility tests' by their international federation at last year's World Championships but, despite being biologically male, are competing in Paris. We discuss how this situation has arisen, including an explanation of the governance issues that led to their inclusion, and the biological factors that give rise to the Differences of Sex Development (DSDs) that are thought to be responsible for these two cases. We explain how significant male advantage is in sport, and why boxing, of all the sports, is one that should recognise male biology and its implications. Finally, we offer insight into the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) Principles of Fairness and Inclusion, contrasting this with other sports that regulate women's sport and exclude male advantage.

Show notes

Here's where you go to sign up for Patron, with a small monthly pledge, which then gives you access to our Discourse forum where other listeners share their thoughts and responses to these issues

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Leon Marchand gave France even more to celebrate as completed a unique double, winning both butterfly and breaststroke golds in the pool last night. Ross and Gareth discuss those performances, along with a World Record in the pool, and add some insights on how swimmers manage their races.

Other highlights in this episode include analysis of the Men's and Women's Triathlon races, discussion about the wildly successful Sevens tournament in Paris, and a men's all round gymnastics competition that went to the very last performance. We also learn about the psychology of the Twisties, and how gymnasts manage their emotions under pressure to deliver technical athletic excellence

Show notes

Here's where you go to sign up for Patron, with a small monthly pledge, which then gives you access to the richness of the Discourse forum mentioned on the show

Jump to 1:08:14 for the Twisties psychology conversation with Prof Dave Collins

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Get an insiders views on the sprint events at the Paris Olympics with Stu McMillan, one of the world's top sprint coaches. Currently in his 25th year of professional coaching, he has worked with professional and amateur athletes in a variety of sports - with the focus being on power and speed development. He has personally coached over 70 Olympians at 7 Olympic Games; over 30 of whom have won Olympic medals. Since 2013, McMillan has been based in Phoenix, Arizona, at sprint academy ALTIS, where I he is co-owner and CEO.

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Day 4 in Paris was meant to bring us a Triathlon conversation, but that was pushed back, maybe to today, by E.Coli levels in the Seine. We discuss the implications of the delay, and learn about some extreme training approaches (that we don't recommend). The swimming action is building, including a rare double attempt by Leon Marchand in the butterfly and breaststroke, and a stuttering gold medal campaign from the USA. News from Paris includes more dubious doping denials, less than elite accommodation in the Olympic Village, and a fascinating insight into the precision of timing in swimming.

Show notes

Here's where you go to sign up for Patron, with a small monthly pledge, which then gives you access to the richness of the Discourse forum mentioned on the show

Article on Simone Biles, in which she talks about the struggle to continue after Tokyo, and feeling terrified of the risks

Theinjury and illness surveillance study mentioned in the podcast, this time back to Rio 2016

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Ross and Gareth look back on Day 3 action, which featured one of the great races of the Games - an all-time epic mountain bike duel. We also review the swimming golds, and round up the Paris news, from skateboarding the streets of Paris to surfing the corals of Tahiti.

On the decks in this episode:

Show notes

Here's where you go to sign up for Patron, with a small monthly pledge, which then gives you access to the richness of the Discourse forum mentioned on the show

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Ross and Gareth look back on Day 2 in Paris, which was characterized by dominance for some, despair for others, and defeats by the tiniest of margins - milliseconds and magnifying glasses. We also tackle cupping, tell the truth about lactate and fatigue, and discuss a looming controversy about males in women's sport, thanks to the IOC's leadership. On the deck:

Show notes

Here's where you go to sign up for Patron, with a small monthly pledge, which then gives you access to the richness of the Discourse forum mentioned on the show

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France overcame Fiji and the pressure of expectation to win the first team gold of the Paris Games, and much was owed to the influence of Antoine Dupont on the Semi-final and Final. Gareth and Ross talk about Dupont's impact on those games. We also briefly review the Cycling Time-Trials, narrowly won by Remco Evenepoel and dominantly won by Grace Brown, and the opening night of swimming where the 4 x 100m freestyle relays were split between the USA and Australia. Finally, we look ahead to Day 2 action, which includes strong favourites for more home gold in women's MTB, swimming and judo, and the first of the potential Chinese swimmer controversies.

Show notes:

Here's where you go to sign up for Patron, with a small monthly pledge, which then gives you access to the richness of the Discourse forum mentioned on the show

I got some of the details wrong when we discussed the underwater swimming speeds, but this is the story of the underwater swimmer and the rule change

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Let the Games Begin! The Paris 2024 Olympics get underway for real today, with the first gold medals being handed out. In this Paris 2024 special, Gareth and Ross look ahead to three of the major medals being contested on Day 1. They are the men's and women's Cycling Time-trials, where Remco Evenepoel attempts to carry Tour form, but not fatigue, into a matchup against Josh Tarling and Filippo Ganna, time-trial specialists who have specifically targeted Paris.

Second, we discuss the first night of swimming, which kicks off the USA vs Australia rivalry in the form of 4 x 100m Freestyle relays and a pair of 400m Freestyle finals. The latter will deliver one of the most anticipated matchups of the Games - only five women in history have broken four minutes in the 400m Freestyle, and four of them are expected to battle it out for gold in this race. We also talk pool technology, a shallower than normal pool, and how pacing is at a premium for swimmers at the Games.

Finally, on the medal billing, the men's 7s gold is also up for grabs in front of a packed Stade de France, where a frenetic and occasionally flustered France remain in the hunt in a competition that is wide open after the two pre-event favourites were knocked out in the quarter-finals. It leaves France to play SA, while defending champions Fiji face Australia in what has set the stage for a fabulously supported Olympic Games.

Then we are joined by James Austin, a three-time British Judo champion and 2012 Judo Olympian, who explains some of the fundamentals of Judo to us. We'll learn how the bout is won and lost, what it takes to be a champion, the tension between attack and defence, the Olympic programme, and some of his picks and highlights, all of which we hope enriches your Paris Olympics watching.

Show notes:

Here's where you go to sign up for Patron, with a small monthly pledge, which then gives you access to the richness of the Discourse forum mentioned on the show

Here's The Original Judo Podcast, run by our guest James Austin

James Austin's biography

The home page of the International Judo Federation

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Swiss MTB star, and fifth-place finisher at the 2022 World Championships, Marcel Guerrini offers unique insight into the races and the course ahead of the XCO mountain biking events at the Olympic Games. Guerrini suggests the men's race is more open than most think, that there is one athlete most likely to win the women's race and why tyre choice may make all the difference. The women's XCO event takes place on Sunday, July 28 and the men's on Monday, July 29.

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On the eve of the Paris Olympics, Kara Goucher joins Ross to put their minds to the fans' dilemma - how do we celebrate the performances we see from the best athletes in the world while we struggle to trust their credibility amidst perverse incentives, suspicious behaviours and an anti-doping system we know is far from effective? Goucher is uniquely positioned to offer insights on this question: an elite athlete who reached the podium in global track and marathon events, she not only saw behind the secretive curtain of doping, but lived it as an athlete in the Nike Oregon Project. She eventually became a whistleblower, before transitioning into a new phase of her sporting life - a commentator for NBC, where she now brings track and field performances to life. But how does she compartmentalise the conflicting emotions of doubt and joy to interpret and promote the best performances ever achieved by athletes? She explains her views, talks candidly about the challenges of being a whistleblower, and how athletes should respond to the mistrust and skepticism directed towards them. Finally, she picks her three best events to watch from Paris, and even offers a potential surprise winner of the men's 1500m gold medal.

Show notes:

Become a Discourse member and join the conversation. Sign up with a donation here, at the Patron site, and get access to Discourse

Kara's book, describing her life, career, and the practices at the NOP that led to her becoming a whistleblower

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In this episode, Ross & Gareth shine the spotlight on The City of Light, where the Olympic Games begin today, with the Men's Football and Sevens preliminary matches kicking off 19 days of sporting action. After a brief look back at our personal Tour de France highlights and the results of our Discourse Fantasy League, we discuss our plans for a daily Science of Sport Jeux du Jour/Games of the Day show. In this show, we'll offer sports science insights on the medal action from the day/night before, and then preview the expected upcoming highlights of the next day. Gareth also shares his thoughts on the relevance of the Olympic Games. Finally, we invite you to share your expertise on the Olympics sports with our Science of Sport Discourse community, and even showcase just how much we need your input by pretending we know even the first thing about horse training and abuse controversies in the equestrian events!

Show notes

Become a Discourse member and join the conversation. Sign up with a donation here, at the Patron site, and get access to Discourse

The equestrian controversy that saw GB's Charlotte Dujardin withdraw from the Olympics after a self-proclaimed "error of judgment"

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How relevant are the Olympic Games in the modern era and can they stand the test of time? Join Ross and Mike, along with top US sports journalist and author Jon Wertheim, as they look back on the lessons learnt in history, the economics, the legacy and the potential future of the Games. Wertheim is executive editor and senior writer for Sports Illustrated US, focussing on the tennis beat, sports business and social issues, and enterprise journalism.

In addition to his work at SI, he is a correspondent for "60 Minutes" and a commentator for The Tennis Channel. He has authored 11 books and has been honoured with two Emmys, numerous writing and investigative journalism awards, and the Eugene Scott Award from the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Wertheim is a longtime member of the New York Bar Association (retired), the International Tennis Writers Association and the Writers Guild of America. He has a bachelor's in history from Yale University and received a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He resides in New York City.

Show notes

Join our Discourse community by becoming a Patron of the Podcast, and tap into the Olympic fever with like-minded fans. Once signed up, you'll have access to this Discourse page

Jon's book on the Glory days of 1984 can be found here

Here is an excerpt of the book, published in SI

If you're a tennis fan, you can follow Jon's Sports Illustrated Mailbag, here's one example

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In a recent article on the Escape Collective, claims were made that Tour de France cyclists are using carbon monoxide to enhance their performance. But is it really that big a deal or is there more to this story? Mike and Ross break down how carbon monoxide is used and potentially abused as cyclists looked for any means to get an advantage. The team also break down some the incredible numbers being pushed out by Tadej Pogacar at Le Tour and ask the question on everyone's lips: Can we believe it?

SHOW NOTES:

Carbon monoxide use:

The original Carbon monoxide article

A paper on how Hb Mass is related closely to VO2max

One of the first published studies that describes how breathing CO might unlock performance enhancement. In this study, college student football players also breathed in 1ml per kilogram body weight before all sessions. It drove an increase in EPO, haemoglobin levels and VO2max.

Another study, by Schmidt, where moderately trained subjects inhaled CO five times a day. Haemoglobin mass increased, they made more reticulocytes, and VO2max increased (though not significantly)

Some sources for power output estimates at the Tour de France:

Ammatti on Twitter

The detailed analysis of the Plateau du Beille stage, and comparison against historical performances

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The spotlight falls on the most influential sports science research ever published. A recent paper produced a list of the 100 most influential sports science papers of the last 100 years. Gareth and Ross choose a handful of them, discussing what they found, what their authors didn't know at the time (and got wrong), and what it means today. We discover that the arc of sports science knowledge runs through all these studies, connecting people from AV Hill to Noakes, and themes including oxygen debt, lactate, altitude, pacing strategies, fatigue, and even the 2-hour marathon !

Show notes

Become a Patron here, and then join the discussion on on Discourse Community

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Mark Coogan has been there, done that and got the t-shirt. As a former track athlete, sub-4 minute miler, Olympic marathoner and author of the book 'Personal Best Running', Coogan is passing on his wealth of talent to some of America's top track and field stars with much success. In this discussion, Coogan talks candidly about the process of developing Olympic-level elite athletes, how to spot elite-level talent, what makes a champion athlete, how to train athletes for events as important as the controversial American Trials and the Olympic Games and whether the sport is in a good place globally. Coogan works in the engine room of top-class athletics and his insights will inspire all levels of sports people.

Follow Mark

Instagram & X@mark_coogan

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In this Spotlight, the team discuss exercise in the heat, using the challenging conditions and travails of Mark Cavendish and others in the Tour de France's first two stages as the catalyst. We explore why athletes 'fail' in the heat, and how the brain pulls a physiological ripcord to protect us when we either don't pace ourselves appropriately, or can't lose the heat we need to in order to avoid critical hyperthermia. We also briefly assess the state of the Tour's yellow jersey battle, where the first shots were landed by Pogacar on the Galibier in yesterday's Stage 4. But will they be decisive, and how likely is Vingegaard to bounce back and improve as the race progresses?

Show notes

Become a Patron and join the Discourse community

Some papers on heat stroke and limiting hyperthermia

Tour de France insights

The Olympic Sport bracket that Gareth mentioned on the show - will road cycling bounce back and beat the marathon in the popularity stakes?

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The Tour de France begins Saturday and in this Spotlight, Ross and Gareth gaze into their crystal balls to discuss whether Jonas Vingegaard, the two-time defending champ, can recover from his April accident to challenge race favourite Tadej Pogacar? They explore how his injuries will have set back his preparation, and the challenges he'll have faced to balance recovery with adapting for the demands of a Grand Tour. They also explain how his 'durability' may be compromised, and how Pogacar may look to exploit this tactically, to kill the contest in Week 1. Add in some speculation and predictions we both hope are proven incorrect, and you have a TDF teed up for discussion and debate!

Become a Patron and join the Discourse community

Our TDF Fantasy League is open - here are the details

The physiology of the Grand Tours

Durability in cycling, as discussed on the show

Resource for power estimates in the Tour

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Dr Tamara Hew-Butler is the Queen of Hyponatremia (@hyponaqueen on X). What's hyponatremia, you may be wondering? It is a condition that is far more dangerous than dehydration, and which can develop when we drink too much fluid during exercise, with potentially lethal and often tragic consequences. We have been conditioned to fear the health and performance risks of dehydration during exercise, to believe that we cannot afford to lose fluid, and that by the time we are thirsty, it's too late. But Hew Butler, a world authority on fluid requirements during exercise, is here to set the record straight, to explain how exquisitely our bodies regulate our sodium and fluid levels, and why we can and should trust our physiology instead of the marketing messages of sports drinks and water companies. This is an episode that will challenge beliefs, and set the record straight on exercise hydration.

Show notes

Become a Patron and join the Discourse community

Links to articles on the subject matter of the podcast

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Kenyan athletes are being banned, literally, by the hundreds. The country that produces many of the world's outstanding distance performers has a huge credibility crisis. It is clear that doping is widespread, but frustratingly, despite dozens of athletes being caught and banned every month, we are no closer to identifying how what have been described as "sophisticated doping regimes" are being managed and delivered to many of the best Kenyan athletes. In this Spotlight, the second episode of the Series, Ross and Gareth talk about the extent of the problem, the challenges faced by authorities who are casting their own spotlight on Kenyan running, and the shadow that sadly looms over Kenyan medals and records.

Show notes

Sign up to become a Patron of the show and join the conversation

Olympic surveys:

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Dr Geoff Burns lives and breaths running. From his own accomplishments as an elite-level ultra racer, Burns has spent years researching the biomechanics of running, the science behind what makes great runners and the impact of the new super shoes in this new age of running. Burns has a PhD in Sports Science, is a physiologist with the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and is a researcher and engineer with a special interest in running.

SHOW NOTES

Follow Geoff on Twitter

The paper that describes the relationship between calf circumference and running economy

The Japanese study comparing the tendon function of Kenyans to Japanese runners

A paper that looked at cerebral oxygenation in Kenyan runners, another where the effect of being a good runner is hard to tease out from being a Kenyan effect

Geoff and ROSS collaborated on this paper, as discussed on the show, looking at barefoot vs shod running in elite vs recreational runners

www.geoffreyburns.com/stream

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Today we introduce the Science of Sport Spotlight, a category of podcast that we intend to use to round up all the big sports stories with a sports science angle, and then share those insights with you. Today, we discuss the news that transgender swimmer Lia Thomas has lost a case brought against World Aquatics' transgender guidelines at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. But it's not entirely as it seems - the case was dismissed because Thomas is not eligible to bring the case as Thomas is no longer a member of US Swimming. In this Spotlight episode, Professor Ross Tucker explains why that is frustrating for World Aquatics and other sports, and why the Thomas case would have made an interesting test in the court.

Notes:

You can join the ongoing sports science conversation, and support our work, by becoming a Patron member at this link.

That Patron membership gives you access to our Discourse channels, where like-minded enthusiasts discuss sports science and news

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With 50 days to go to the Paris Olympics, it's all systems go for athletes, coaches, and media. Sean Ingle will be covering his 7th Olympic Games, and he joins us from Rome's European Track and Field Championships to talk about some of the themes we expect to make the news at these Paris Games. They include tech's pervasive and unavoidable influence on performance, a simmering feud in the world of anti-doping, and the evolution and relevance of the Olympic Games in the face of both external and internal pressures. We also present The Official Science of Sport surveys in which you get to vote for your favourite event of the Games, and our ambitious consensus project to classify the Olympic Sports by their physiological and psychological demands. A busy period of great sport starts here!

Show notes:

Here is where you sign up to become a Patron and get access to our awesome and informative Discourse community

The Discourse page, for those who are already Patrons of the pod (you sign in with your Patron log-ins)

If you want to join our survey to rate the Olympic sports for their athletic components, here is the link to the once-off survey

Our'bracket' challenge to pick your most engaging, popular specific event

We spoke of tech in cycling on the show, and here's an announcement from Team GB/Lotus about their track bikes for their Paris campaign

Here's the paper with Kenenisa Bekele has a co-author, that recognizes that the new era performances, powered by super shoes, and aided by wavelights, need an asteriskalongside them

Follow Sean Ingle on Twitter/X

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Join host Mike Finch, co-host Prof. Jill Warner and Dr Dale Rae, Director at Sleep Science and a Senior Lecturer in the Division of Physiological Sciences at the University of Cape Town, as they discuss what good sleeping habits look like, what constitutes a good sleep routine, catching up on sleep, the effects of sleep deprivation and why sleep dictates mood regulation, body health and even weight gain.

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Dr Nick Tiller literally wrote the book on it, The Skeptics Guide to Sports Science (available from Amazon HERE). As an exercise scientist at Harbour-UCLA in the US, columnist, writer and author, Tiller challenges many of the claims made by marketers and others, in the name of sport science. With the team Tiller delves into the details of questionable sports science, how to spot the good from the bad and the areas where sports science is most vulnerable.

Follow Nick:

Web: www.nbtiller.com Instagram: @nb.tiller X:@NBTiller

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The team is joined by Professor Stuart Phillips from the Department of Kinesiology at McMaster University and one of the leading experts on resistance training. Phillips is the Director of the Physical Activity Centre of Excellence (PACE), the McMaster Centre for Nutrition, Exercise and Health Research and Lab Lead for the Exercise Metabolism Research Group. In this episode Phillips explains the amazing benefits of weight training, why even a little can reap big benefits for everyone and what sort of training suits best depending on your age, sport and goals.

SHOW NOTES:

Join us on Patreon for more content including access to our Science of Sport Discourse platform, and join the conversation!

Follow our guestProf Stuart Phillips on X

Stuart's recent paper on the coming of age of resistance training as a primary form of exercise for health

A previous article on Stuart's resistance training research from his university

A few of the specific papers on strength training that were discussed on the show:

Instagram handle for Avery Faigenbaum, Professor of Pediatric Exercise Science, who Stuart mentioned as a good source of information

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A wrap-up of the best stories on our Discourse channel: Spring marathon season: The top performers / Should Eliud Kipchoge go to the Paris Olympics? / Why track and field athletes are earning prize money in Paris for the first time / Is the UCI doing enough to ensure the safety of pro cyclists? / China's doping controversy sparks division in the anti-doping world.

SHOW NOTES:

The Guardian story on prize money in athletics at the Paris Olympics

The Guardian story on the 23 Chinese swimmers who won Olympic golds after testing positive for banned drug

WADA statement on the case of the 23 swimmers

Travis Tygart from USADA releases a statement about WADA statement

WADA statement following comments by Tygart

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Building on from our previous discussions on optimal fuelling for endurance exercise, in this episode we go deep into the details of why carbohydrates are the rocket fuel for our bodies, and how we can take advantage of metabolic agility and different fuel strategies to unlock performance gains. To do this, we are joined by Dr Jamie Whitfield, a postdoctoral researcher in exercise nutrition and an expert in muscle physiology and metabolism. We explore how your body ‘chooses’ whether to burn fats or carbs as fuel and which carbs it prioritizes as we change our intensity and diet. We discuss whether fasting or feasting before exercise is beneficial, and we learn whether ketogenic diets hinder or enhance exercise performance.

SHOW NOTES:

Jamie’s X account: @jwhitfie

Jamie’s page at the ACU

The article by Jamie and a former guest, Prof Louise Burke, responding to Prof Tim Noakes on Keto diets and performance. The entire point-counterpoint is available at the link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38485731/

A research study that Jamie referred to that looked at how ingesting carbohydrates at different rates affected total carbohydrate use during exercise: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00421-022-05019-w

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In this special episode we join an exclusive panel discussion - in partnership with World Rugby - to debate the future of the sport as it battles to find a balance between the welfare and safety of players and the enjoyment of the game by both participants and spectators. On the panel is Dr Eanna Falvey, World Rugby’s Chief Medical Officer, and former British & Irish Lions Team Doctor; Kate Zachary, the experienced American women's captain and veteran of two World Cups; Ugo Monye, an English rugby pundit/commentator and former rugby union player who played 14 times for England, 241 times for his only club Harlequins and played twice for the British & Irish Lions on their 2009 tour to South Africa; English Test player Sarah Bern, who was shortlisted for World Rugby’s Women’s Player of the Year award in 2019 and our very own co-host Prof Ross Tucker, who is also a Research Consultant and Independent Scientist with World Rugby.

SHOW NOTES:

The videos from the entire Welfare Week, not just those preceding this session, will be available on the World Rugby site soon. They're not out just yet, unfortunately, but check back here in the next few days for the specific links.

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It's one of the hottest topics on our Discourse channel but can World Rugby's new law proposasl preserve the spectacle of the game while still ensuring player safety? The team dig into some of the changes being trialled and proposals for more changes.

Plus ultra runners Camille Herron - who broke six world endurance running records on her way to a new women's six-day record - and Jasmin Paris - who became the first female to finish the legendary Barkley Marathon - have raised the question of how women compare to men in endurance sport. Is the gap closing?

Pluswhy did a group of 26 independent scientists (including Ross) publish a paper to refute the IOC's framework and academic paper on transgender athletes?

Support our work on PatreonHEREat and get free access to our Discourse channelHERE

SHOW NOTES:

Rugby rule changes on our Discourse group.

https://scienceofsportpodcast.discourse.group/t/world-rugby-new-plans-for-the-game/1197/4

Reassessing the use of the TMO in rugby

World Rugby wants to ­overhaul TMO protocol which has come under widespread criticism for bringing too many lengthy stoppages to the game. 

Women's Ultrarunning

Discourse discussionon the Barkley marathon

Sean Ingle's article on Jasmin Paris' Barkley success

Transgender Paper

The academic paper refuting the IOC's Framework and scientific argument

Our Discourse discussion on the paper and the issues

More than 100 elite British sportswomen have told the BBC they would be uncomfortable with transgender women competing in female categories in their sport.

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Never-say-die Maddie le Roux may have been forced to give up her dream of becoming a professional cyclist until the Zwift Academy changed her life and her career. Here's how hard work and pure determination helped this bubbly 27-year-old turn a dream into a reality.

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Is the field of sports science facing a credibility crisis? According to guest Dr Joe Warne, key instigator of the Sports Science Replication Centre at the Technological University in Dublin, most of the research done in the field is unreliable. So what is the true picture, how can studies be done better, what role do journals play in ensuring better standards and how do consumers discern the good from the bad?

Show notes:

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Knowing how to measure and train close to your VO2Max may lead to big performance gains. But what is VO2Max and what's the best way to use it? We also discuss the latest developments around rugby's smart mouthguard and the announcement by World Athletics that they are trialling a new way of measuring the long jump which involves a take-off zone rather than a take-off mark. And no, it's not an April Fools joke!

SHOW NOTES

The New Science of Sport Discourse - a Patron exclusive, a community that we aspire to make the most well-informed forum on sports science in the world: https://scienceofsportpodcast.discourse.group/. Log in with your patron details

Become a Patron of The Science of Sport to get access to the community: https://www.patreon.com/thescienceofsport

The IFSC Policy on RED-S

Article on that RED-S policy, including athlete interviews

The Long Jump article re changing of the laws

The BBC article on the mouthguards in rugby. Full of holes and errors, a bit of misunderstanding, and some outright dishonesty, which we tried to explain and address in the show

The paper on the sub-2 hour marathon physiology that shows how those elite runners can get to 90% of VO2max for two hours

A morelay explanation of the 2 hour marathon, again discussing how close to max elites can run

Paper on how different durations of interval training affect Power, HR and RPE,which may be useful to guide your choice of interval session structure

The research study that shows how 8 min blocks at close to VO2max improves VO2max and performance, and that the more time you spend close to VO2max, the greater the benefit

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Can you make your own sports drink and what would be the right mix? Here's what to look for. The team also tackles (see what we did there!) the use of smart mouthguards in rugby, whether trail star Stian Angermund was really guilty of doping, why parkrun has removed some of its records from its website and if the controversial Enhanced Games has any chance of succeeding.

SHOW NOTES

Stian Angermund Doping Case

Reigning world short-course trail running champion Stian Angermund says he is innocent and “utterly bewildered” after testing positive for banned substance chlorthalidone after winning the 55km OCC event at the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc for the second time last year.

Also the Quartz WADA crossover

https://runningmagazine.ca/trail-running/anti-doping-in-trail-and-ultrarunning-is-the-quartz-program-enough/

James Magnussen and the enhanced games

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/feb/09/australian-swimmer-james-magnussen-enhanced-games-drug-taking

Parkrun removes records

https://www.parkrun.com/blog/news/2024/02/08/changes-to-statistics-on-the-parkrun-websites/

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The team are joined by renowned sports dietician, Australian Louise Burke, to discuss everything from keto and fasting to the latest guidelines in fueling and nutrition in sport. Burke has spent over 40 years working in the field of sports nutrition and is an academic and author. She was the head of sports nutrition at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) throughout its existence from 1990 to 2018 and in 2018 was appointed Chief of AIS Nutrition Strategy. Since 2014, she holds the chair in sports nutrition in the Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University.

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Welcome to the Science of Sport Discourse. A monthly wrap of all the stories doing the rounds on our Patreon and newly-launched Discourse channel. Want to be part of the discussion? Become a supporter of the Science of Sport Podcast on Patreon HERE and get free access to our exclusive Discourse channel moderated by Gareth Davies.

SHOW NOTES

The New Science of Sport Discourse - a Patron exclusive, A community that we aspire to make the most well-informed forum on sports science in the world: https://scienceofsportpodcast.discourse.group/. Log in with your Patron details.

Become a Patron of The Science of Sport HERE

The Valieva doping story - now banned for four years. Sean Ingle wrote the story that summarises the case HERE

After we discussed the case on the show, the full decision was published, which revealed that Valieva’s team had blamed a contaminated strawberry cake for the test. We’ll touch on this in our next show. READ MORE

The full decision in the case of Michael Saruni, now banned after trying to send a friend to provide a doping test

An update on the Enhanced Games, which, as you’ll hear on the pod, Mike thinks is complete “bollocks”

The documentary about rugby’s referees at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Well worth a watch.

Track and field will soon join the docuseries trend

Sean Ingle’s article on rugby risks in children, including mention of the call to ban tackling and rugby in Under 18s, and the mixing of age grades

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Swiss rider Marcel Guerrini is at the top of the pile when it comes to the world's best XC mountain bikers. The team take a look into his world to talk about sacrifice, training, race tactics and pacing. Guerrini is a regular top-five finisher at World Cups and is aiming to qualify for the Olympics in 2024... not an easy task when you come from the strongest mountain biking nation in the world.

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To kick off Season 6 we wrap up some of the latest news from the world of sports science including the craziness of world running records, UCI bans on in-turned brake levers, one athlete's crazy high VO2 Max numbers and why cold weather may increase the risk of concussion in contact sports.

SHOW NOTES

Letsrun article on the 10km WR of Agnes Ngetich

Article on the UCI’s clampdown on inturned brake levers

More detailed discussion of the implications of the UCI policy

The discussion about the insanely high VO2max reported in Blummenfeldt, and some chat about why it may not be entirely legit

The paper we mention that shows how many of the gas analysers used in exercise testing don’t have the reliability and accuracy they should have

The analysis showing that concussion risk in the NFL may be higher on cold days

Rugby start Louis Rees Zammit heads to make it in the NFL, this article explains the challenges he’ll face

Podcast that mentions Coco Pops as a pre-exercise ‘meal’ (don’t overdo this advice!), part of Ross’ tongue-in-cheek New Year’s resolutions (full episode is subscriber only)

Article by Stuart Philips, a future guest of the pod, on the benefits of resistance training

Interview with Tommy Lundberg on the same resistance training topic

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The team talk to Dr Zoe Schaedel on the impact of menopause on sleep patterns and how to resolve them. Schaedel has 15 years of experience as an NHS GP in the UK with expertise in menopause care, sleep problems, sexual health and contraception. She is an accredited British Menopause Society (BMS) Menopause Specialist and is a member of the BMS Medical Advisory Council.

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Join hostMike Finch,Dr Jill WarnerandEmeritus Professor John Warnerto break down the effect allergies have on sleep quality. The panel discuss the various allergens affecting sleep - from dust mites in your bed to cat dander - and how best to deal with them.

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In this case study Prof John Warner interviews a mother whose 8-year-old child suffers from persistent allergies. Could it be dust mites? Listen in on this consultation to see how allergies are diagnosed.

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It's been a big year in the world of sport and the team wrap up some of the highlights, focus on the trending sports science stories (incl. Taylor Swift's unlikely running regime) and our selection of the best sporting events we witnessed and, would have liked to have witnessed.

SHOW NOTES

Article showing that cold water immersion impairs performances done about 90 min after

Nice visual representation of positive pacing in the marathon, with specific reference to the big positive splits in Valencia this year

The first salvo in the ketogenic diet and performance debate from Tim Noakes

The response from Louise Burke and Jamie Whitfield

The Systematic review on Talent development and promotion programmes

Youtube interview of Remco Evenepoel, as alluded to on the show

Or the Apple podcast equivalent

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Co-hosts Dr Jill Warner and Mike Finch are joined by Dr Simon Durrant, Associate Professor at the School of Psychology, University of Lincoln and Chairman of the British Sleep Society, to discuss the relationship between sleep and mental health, the most common sleep disorders and how to treat them and how sleep can determine your chances of getting depression.

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Join Dr Dale Rae, Director: Sleep Science, Cape Town and Senior Lecturer at the Division of Physiological Sciences, University of Cape Town, and co-hosts Dr Jill Warner and Mike Finch as they talk about the special challenges adolescents have when it comes to sleep time, regularity and requirements. Understand why teenagers sleep at odd hours, how stress affects their sleep and the best sleep strategies for the younger set.

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SHOW NOTES

Lug worm hemoglobin doping: https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/marine-worm-haemoglobin-could-be-the-new-frontier-of-blood-doping/

Interesting perspectives on sport as entertainment

Transgender Injury in football

Snooker transgender controversy

ICC bans trans women

MAIN TOPIC

Is the Wim Hof method effective?

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The team are joined by Dr Dale Rae, Director at Sleep Science and a Senior Lecturer in the Division of Physiological Sciences at the University of Cape Town, to break down the special sleep needs of sports, and active, people. The team talk about how to earn a 'nap' licence, how much to sleep if you're an active person, how to cope with jet lag and why early risers are more likely to succeed in sport. Co-host Dr Jill Warner also interviews former Olympic gold medallist swimmer Ryk Neethling about his sleep experiences and the lessons he has learnt along the way.

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From the producers of The Science of Sport podcast, comes a limited 6-part series Unlocking Your Sleep Potential. In the first episode hosts Dr Jill Warner and Mike Finch speak to Dr Allie Hare, a consultant physician in respiratory and sleep medicine and president of the British Sleep Society. The team break down the basics of why sleep is so important, the factors that affect sleep, why you probably aren't sleeping enough and the biggest sleep mistake most people are making.

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Former world steeplechase champion, Norah Jeruto, was recently cleared of doping charges despite adverse findings in her biological passport. Does this put the credibility of the passport at risk or is the unusual case a once-off? PLUS Caster Semenya's controversial 'tell-all' book and reactions, can you ingest carbs through your mouth and does the latest world marathon record puts the sub-2 hour within reach?

Show notes and links

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In a recent story on Outsideonline.com top cyclists are reported to be ingesting huge quantities of carbohydrates in recent years which could explain some of their amazing performances. We ask whether this trend is new, how super 'carbing' is done and how it may work for anyone undertaking an endurance event PLUS we wrap up the 2023 Rugby World Cup and explain why the Springbok victory meant so much for South Africa.

SCROLL TO 34:32 FOR THE DISCUSSION ON CARBS

SHOW NOTES

A discussion on Reddit about the Outsideonline.com article

A short explanation article from Asker Jeukendrup’s blog on carb mixes and increasing carb oxidation

The 2004 study that found an increase in carb oxidation when carbs were combined

The 2008 study that found superior performance when carb oxidation was increased thanks to carb mixtures

The study on marathon runners ingesting 120g of carbs per hour, with less muscle damage one outcome

A blog on that study

 A final post from Asker’s blog with advice on carb intake, including a useful graphic explainer

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This week World Rugby announced that they will be including head accelerations measured by smart mouthguards into the sport's head injury assessment protocols used at the top level of the game to help identify potential head injuries during a game. This is how they work, why the tech could be a game changer and the challenges facing their adoption.

Credits: Opening clip Rugby World Cup Youtube channel

SHOW NOTES

Sean Ingle’s piece on the instrumented mouthguard technology

Two articles that explore the elusive (and likely impossible) concussion threshold And journals.lww.com/acsm-essr/fulltext/2011/01000/biomechanics_of_sport_concussion__quest_for_the.3.aspx

Russ Petty tweet on playing time of the semi-finalists

My article on the iMGs from the Patron page, now public

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Keith Lewis is the Laws Co-ordinator at World Rugby and Founder of RugbyReferee.net and is at the fulcrum of many of the law changes in the world of rugby union. The team scrum down to discuss how the laws have changed the game over the years, how to manage the balance between player safety and spectator entertainment and how new laws are introduced into the game. PLUS Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa established a new women's world marathon record at the Berlin Marathon. But how much of a factor is the shoe tech and how do we measure the athletic performance?

SHOW NOTES:

The article we discussed in the context of how running shoes have undermined all trust in the human contribution to running records, by Knopp

The comparison between different shoes, showing large differences within the same runner in different shoes, and between shoes

The paper that Jordan Santos-Concejero commented on, showing that reducing shoe mass makes a difference to running economy

The link between running economy and performance

Guest Keith Lewis’ details:

Email: Laws@worldrugby.org

X: @keithlewisrugby

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/keithlewisrugby

Website: rugbyreferee.net

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John Dobson is one of South Africa's most celebrated rugby coaches. As head coach of the Stormers franchise, who won the 2021-22 United Rugby Championship, Dobson is renowned as one of the most passionate and knowledgeable coaches in the game. The team talk candidly to Dobson about tactics, what coaches say to players at halftime, what makes a good coach, the clever way coaches communicate with players during a game and why coaching boxes have to be swept before games to ensure they aren't bugged. For the rugby novice and connoisseur alike.

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Having just returned from a week at the Rugby World Cup, Prof. Ross Tucker explains the amazing tech used to spot concussions during RWC matches. Plus the team discuss how the tackle rule is not a perfect science and if 'bomb squad' tactics further threaten player safety. PLUS latest doping news and a Vuelta a Espana update.

SHOW NOTES:

Simona Halep’s 4 year ban announced by ITIA: 

Paul Pogba’s testosterone failure

Article on the concussion experienced by the AFL player discussion on the show

The piece that describes the “duty of care” arguments and whether such injuries should be thought of as footy incidents or preventable brain injuries, and at what cost to the nature of the sport

The first of three articles that Ross published on how head injuries happen in rugby

The study that found, among other things, that higher contact tackles are more likely to cause head injuries

The Head Contact Process Currently used by World Rugby for adjudicating high tackles

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Ron Rutland arrived in Paris on 7 September 2023, concluding the fourth leg of a remarkable (and not always planned) journey that has spanned a decade and four Rugby World Cups. Beginning in 2013, Ron rode from Cape Town to London via every country in Africa, then London to Tokyo, Tokyo to Auckland, and Auckland to Paris (via South and North America). It's a journey that has covered over 100,000 km, crossing 115 countries on six continents. In between, he caddied the longest hole of golf every played across Mongolia. Ron has seen and experienced it all - mudslides, heat, illness, adopted dogs, bus accidents, Himalayan and Andean passes, 100km climbs and even longer descents. He and Ross sit down in a hotel coffee shop in Paris to talk about his cycling journey around the world, fitness gains, calorie deficits, see-food diets, and the challenges overcome, lessons learned, and life philosophies developed along the way.

Show notes

The documentary made about Ron's caddying expedition across Mongolia: The Longest Hole

The journey from London to Tokyo is available as a link at the bottom of this page (it just requires sign up for a free trial, and possibly a VPN), including Himalayan Peaks and mudslides: Everything in between

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Ross is joined in Paris by Guardian Chief Sports Reporter, Sean Ingle, to look back on the recent World Athletics Championships, but with a focus more on the off-track news stories, including the state of anti-doping in sport, conflicts in the media zone, and the marketability of the sport and its athletes. They also look ahead to the upcoming Rugby World Cup, with Sean visiting France to set the scene for Paris' upcoming eleven-month festival of sports, and Ross attending meetings ahead of this weekend's opening fixtures. That discussion explores some of Sean's family history in boxing, the value of contact sport, and the challenge faced by all sports to prevent and manage head impacts more effectively.

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Why the Owen Farrell incident may well have saved rugby / Remco Evenepoel takes on the best stage racers at this year's Vuelta a Espana: Can he dominate? / All the best performances and stories from the World Athletics Championships.

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The Q-Collar is a device that is promoted to prevent concussion and "protect the brain during repetitive head impacts",and has been spotted around the necks of athletes in a number of sports, ranging from cricket to football. But do these claims and promises stand up to scientific scrutiny? Is there a sound biological rationale for the claims? Should parents, athletes and coaches explore and use devices such as this to prevent brain injury?

In this episode, Ross explores the answers to the above questions with Prof James Smoliga, professor of Public health and community medicine at Tufts University. Prof Smoliga puts an intense and in-depth scientific microscope on the claims, and concludes that there is no quality evidence in support of concussion and brain health claims, and that the foundational premise on which the product rests is flawed. We also learn that woodpeckers DO show signs of brain injury, that studies linking altitude to protection against concussion are grossly exaggerated and misinterpreted, and, humorously, that NFL teams with animal mascots are less likely to see concussion that teams without animal mascots.

Show notes:

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Day 5 from the World Athletics Championships threw up some intriguing storylines. An upset in the men's 1500m, as history repeated in the GB (actually Edinburgh Athletic Club) vs Ingebrigtsen rivalry, Karsten Warholm returned to the top step of the 400m hurdles podium, and there was an agreed tie for gold in the Women's Pole vault. We discuss the physiological fragility of the 1500m event, ponder fatigue and pacing strategies in the field events, compare Lyles 2023 to Bolt 2009, and Mike gives us insights on Hungarian goulash!

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Mike is on the ground in Budapest, and the duo are doing LIVE Instagram chats every morning, discussing the big stories from the World Athletics Championships. In this episode, we go back to Night 3 to talk about the women's 100m champion and a press conference that Mike attended (and asked a question that got a prickly answer!), and discuss Sha'Carri Richardson's volatile relationship with the media, in contrast to her huge potential upside to the sport. We also talk about Faith Kipyegon's absolute dominance of middle distance running (bordering on invincibility), the heat and humidity in Budapest as a challenge to everyone from the schedule-creators to the shot-putter to the marathon runner. We also open the door on some anti-doping stories, including the potential for a new tool, and a brewing doping controversy.

These episodes have been recorded every day on Instagram live (so apologies for some scratchy sound, live from the field), and then all of them are uploaded as Patron exclusives, so if you're enjoying our coverage and feel like being part of the Science of Sport patron community, check us out and consider donating here!

Show notes:

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From creating a healthy relationship with food to eating for performance, looking after young athletes is a complex issue with long-term repercussions. The team sit down with dietician Dr Sarah Chantler, from Leeds Becket University, to discuss the challenges and solutions. A must-listen for parents and young athletes alike.

PLUS World Cycling Champs review, Owen Farrell incident and Richard Freeman ban.

SHOW NOTES:

News:

Owen Farrell incident video

Richard Freeman ban

Main story

Dr Sarah Chantler's Instagram

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From pro cyclists to runners and cross-country skiers, altitude training is a popular preparation method for a major event. But is it as simple as training high? The team break down the benefits, the science and the reasons why it may not work for everyone.

SHOW NOTES

Article on the AFL’s potential reduction in contact training

Article on AFL considering mandatory headgear for players

Kate’s caught my eye that looks at five case studies of navicular stress fractures in runners wearing carbon plated running shoes

ALTITUDE TRAINING

The research showing a reduction in VO2max of about 6% per 1000m of altitude gain, with performance impairments 14.5% per 1000m 

The first of two good reviews, this one explaining the concepts and principles of altitude training

A decade later, a contemporary review of how altitude training and training periodization should be managed

The research that found that LHTL didn’t have any benefit compared to LLTL in cross-country skiers

One of the “skeptic” reviews calling for more research on altitude training

Very recent review showing that the responder vs non-responder concept may not be as simple as was thought, and that various factors contribute to the success of altitude training camps

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The critical moments that split the top contenders at this year's Tour de France rose more than a few eyebrows. The team take an in-depth look at the cycling spectacle, look closer at the numbers we know and discuss the merits of full disclosure by the top riders to help rebuild trust in cycling performances.

PLUS Migual Angel Lopez's doping suspension and more on the ongoing transgender debate

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Dane Jonas Vingegaard produced arguably the greatest individual time trial in cycling history during the 16th stage of the 2023 Tour de France. The team discuss the numbers, implications and the many questions that such a dominating performance raises. PLUS Carlos Alcaraz's biggest challenge in his tennis career after his Wimbledon victory, Caster Semanya's latest court victory and the recent UCI decision on transgender athletes.

SHOW NOTES:

Tom Dumoulin's assessment of Jonas Vingegaard's 16th stage performance

The power profile of elite cyclists. A great paper to understand what the elite guys are doing. If only we could see this for the front of the race on days like yesterday and today! 

A paper on how fatigue affects power output in elite cyclists

A story that talks of the 97 ml/kg/min VO2max of Jonas Vingegaard, as yet unverified

Paper looking at how position on the bike affects speed at the same power output

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A rare case of CTE (Chronic traumatic encephalopathy) in a young female sportswoman asks the question: Are women more susceptible to head injuries than men? Plus the controversy around an English cricket repor on racismt, the Ben Stokes stumping affair and how some sports are dealing with fat shaming among young sportspeople.

SHOW NOTES:

CTE case identified in a female athlete: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/jul/04/first-case-cte-female-athlete-aflw-player-heather-anderson-diagnosed-australian-researchers

Research article we mentioned where the criteria used to identify TES were challenged

England’s report on racism in cricket

Report on Wetmore and body composition tests in runners

Swimming England bans weighing of young athletes

Enhanced Games initial report

The substack by Sarah Barker that describes how the US Anti-doping category doesn’t think a runner in the non-binary category is male or female

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From the Netflix Tour de France series to the death of pro rider Gino Mader and Geraint Thomas's bicarb blame, the team look ahead to the 2023 Tour de France. We also discuss the latest research into concussion and contact sports, Lance Armstrong's transgender series and an amazing, but obscure, running record.

SHOW NOTES & LINKS

Rugby league tackle height screwup

Death of Gino Mader, and understanding risk

Big new research paper on CTE

Armstrong on Trans issue

Geraint Thomas on Bicarbs

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From ultra-distance events like the Comrades Marathon to the tracks of the Diamond League, athletics records are being broken at every turn. The team drill down to the realities of technology and discuss its influence over these performances to put them into perspective. We also discuss World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz's cramping implosion at this year's French Open and why Novak Djokovic and mountain biker Nino Schurter seem to defy their own advancing years to stay at the top.

Show notes:

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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 decisionand 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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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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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:

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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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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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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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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Christopher McDougal's latest book, Born To Run 2, revisits the barefoot and minimalist movement that upended the world of running over a decade ago when he published his first book Born To Run in 2009. But what does the latest research say and is running barefoot the key to running nirvana?

SHOW NOTES:

Sean Ingle’s report after UK Athletics announced a “non-policy” recognition of the trans women issue and were corrected by EHRC: 

The statement by the Equality and Human Rights commission

The Peter Bol doping story, as submitted by Patron Joshua Stacey

The Connor Benn doping clearance story, with much to be discussed and determined

The WADA study on clomiphene in eggs: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/19440049.2021.1949497

The twitter thread that speculates about the use of biomechanics as a way to identify a doper

The article that is skeptical about barefoot running

Study on stiffness of tendons in cushioned vs minimalist runners

One of the reviews showing no injury risk difference between shod and barefoot runners

Study showing successful transition to barefoot running in 71% of runners with a 20 week transition programme

Nic Tam’s study on individual responses to barefoot running

Nic’s second paper on how individuals respond to a barefoot running programme

Nic’s third paper on the effect of fatigue on biomechanics when barefoot vs shod

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Author and motivator Richard Sutton talks about his experiences working with some of the world's best tennis players and within the Chinese Olympic structure. Sutton's unique insight makes for a fascinating discussion on what really motivates success and how it plays out at the top level of sport. Sutton recently released his third book 'Thrive: The Power of Resilience" where he draws on his experience to empower individual and business leaders.

SHOW NOTES:

Caught My Eye

Kara Goucher's tweet about Brody Buffington's banning for over-celebration

Article on Camille Herron's long run views, with some really interesting discussion on bone stress in response to training, as submitted by Patron Edward Price

Article mentioning Eilish McColgan’s rebound hypoglycaemia, submitted by Julia Littlefair and hopefully a topic for future exploration

Story on South African women's cricket player being left out of national team after failing fitness test, sent in by Graeme Smith as a Caught my Eye Topic.

Main Interview

Amazon link to the Richard Sutton's book

Richard Sutton's website

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Respected sports journalist and writer Clinton van der Berg talks about his journey writing his book 'Guns And Needles: A Journey into the heart of South Africa's sport's steroid and drug culture."Van der Berg shares how he managed to get sports people, accused and convicted of doping, to tell their story; how he found out about the shocking incidences of doping in school and junior sport and why both young and old are susceptible to the performance benefits of illegal supplements and drugs. It's a cautionary tale for amateurs and professionals alike no matter what country you come from.

Note: We are aware the sound on this one from Clinton is really poor. We had major connectivity problems over the recording and try as we might to correct it post-recording, we just couldn't. We are really sorry, it's hugely frustrating and does detract from the listen and the content. We can only apologize for it and commit to making sure it doesn't happen again in future.

SHOW NOTES

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From sudden death in exercise to risk factors, screening and heart health in sports, the team talk to Dr Jonathan Drezner, Director of the University of Washington's Medicine Center for Sports Cardiology and co-Chair of the UW Medicine Cardiovascular Wellness and Prevention Programme. He is Editor-in-Chief of the British Journal of Sports Medicine and serves as a team physician for the Seattle Seahawks, OL Reign, and UW Huskies.

Show notes:

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England's Rugby Football Union (RFU) recently announced a new tackle law which could have far-reaching ramifications for the safety of the game and, potentially, the style of play. The radical change, due to be instituted in the amateur game on July 1, 2023, has met with controversy but will it really put an end to rugby concussions?

SHOW NOTES

Prof Ross Tucker's view on Patreon

https://www.patreon.com/posts/lowering-legal-77489775

BBC story on Nigel Owens' reaction to the tackle law

https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/64365045#:~:text=Former%20international%20referee%20Nigel%20Owens,from%20the%20Premiership%20and%20Championship.

The Guardian story on the new laws

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/jan/20/rugbys-authorities-hit-a-new-low-with-unworkable-change-to-tackle-rules

The article we discuss with Jordan’s soundbite in Caught my Eye: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17461391.2023.2171907?journalCode=tejs20

Two other pieces on the studies and the desire to lower tackle height, in the elite game: https://sportsscientists.com/2018/10/nudge-a-data-driven-attempt-at-reducing-concussion-risk-in-rugby-a-process-explained/?doing_wp_cron=1674539567.3949980735778808593750

https://sportsscientists.com/2019/08/protecting-the-rugby-players-head-the-paradox-of-tackler-height-and-head-injury/

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In this first episode in 2023, the team discuss the pros and cons of early specialisation, alcohol and exercise, ketones and what caused American footballer Damar Hamlin's sudden cardiac arrest in the middle of a game.

SHOW NOTES:

The bicycling magazine article on alcohol in cycling: https://www.bicycling.com/health-nutrition/a42259477/cycling-drinking-alcohol-effects/?source=nl&utm_source=nl_byc&utm_medium=email&date=010223&utm_campaign=nl30130268&user_email=011b810884e3e70b55fc3ab4cdb827f5f8bcb56bf8fd283524686fb8195fcc2f&utm_term=AAA%20--%20High%20Minus%20Dormant%20and%2090%20Day%20Non%20Openers%20%28NEW%29

Armand Duplantis documentary: https://www.svtplay.se/video/jxkavqg/armand-duplantis-born-to-fly?position=10&id=jxkavqg

Zwift Academy documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wGa8Cc1P3o

My Patron article on sudden cardiac arrests and death in young athletes: https://www.patreon.com/posts/sudden-cardiac-76864053

Commotio cordis article describing how the events happen: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/194700

Good summary of Commotio Cordis: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24760424/

Fascinating article on the Italian criminal case brought against a player after a Commotio cordis death: https://vault.si.com/vault/1993/12/06/a-cruel-blow-a-seemingly-harmless-slash-to-the-chest-resulted-in-the-death-of-a-hockey-player-in-italy-now-jimmy-boni-will-go-on-trial-for-manslaughter

The Ketone study showing how ketone ingestion increased EPO levels: https://journals.physiology.org/doi/abs/10.1152/ajpendo.00264.2022

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The team are joined by Sean Ingle, chief sports writer for The Guardian, to talk through the highs, lows, dramas and celebrations from one of the busiest years in world sport. From outrageous cheating and doping scandals to top performances at the World Athletics championships, the ongoing transgender debate, the state of marathon running and super shoes and who really is the great footballer of all time after this year's World Cup?

Follow the discussion on Twitter @sportsscipod and on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/thescienceofsport

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