The Real Science of Sport Podcast

Join Discourse for moreDiscourse is the best Sports Science community on the internet, and yes we are biased. But if you want to see for yourself, membership is a monthly pledge away, and then you too can gain access to opinion, insight and analysis from The Real Science of Sport army!Show notesThis week in Spotlight, we kick of with a Discourse Digest exploring the UCI's equipment rules — most notably, 40cm minimum handlebar width. It may seem like a technical tweak, but the implications are significant: many female cyclists will now have to widen their bars to comply, sparking criticism that the rule is not only arbitrary but discriminates against women. We dig into what it says about decision-making at the UCI, and how governance in the sport appears to be crying out for systematic, deliberate and openly communicated processes.In Listener Lens (11:56), we tackle a great Discourse question from Liam, a coach working with a 13-year-old female runner whose progress has stalled. We explore why this happens to young athletes, especially girls, and how the short-term incentives we create in youth sports cause challenges for the most well-intentioned coaches and parents. It’s a conversation about patience, perspective, and reframing our expectations to accept that sporting development is very rarely linear.Then, in a new Ross Replies segment (29:20), a question from Nicol on how the body switches from fat to carbs during exercise opens the door to a deep dive into metabolic regulation. We break down what controls fuel selection during exercise, and why a new paradigm has emerged: instead of trying to promote fat oxidation to spare carbohydrates, elite athletes are now trying to minimize it. Why? To enhance performance by maximizing oxidation efficiency with carbs.In Center Stage 51:57), we discuss some of the tech details that have emerged in support of Faith Kipyegon’s sub-4:00 mile attempt, and wonder what the quiet collapse of the Grand Slam Track series means for the sport? And finally (64:54) Gareth notes that Mondo Duplantis' pole vault dominance shows no signs of abating, leading us to wonder why some dominance is lauded, while others are doubted, and to reflect on huge sporting mismatches.LinksArticle on the UCI's handlebar decisionPaper from Norway comparing how boys and girls improve in athletic events during the teenage yearsThe article that shows how rare it is to be top 100 ranked at 18, 20 and as an adult, and that most successful adults aren't at the same level as juniorsArticle covering fundamentals of adolescent development and its implications for sportHow the body shifts from fat to carbs (Discourse member access only)Sean Ingle described some of the tech Nike is putting into the sub-4 mile attempt

Most sport takes place outdoors, and with growing concerns around sun exposure, active people are at a higher risk of developing skin cancer than most. Dr Dagmar Whitaker, vice president of the World Melanoma Society and one of the leading authorities on the subject, breaks down the current trends, explains which countries present a higher risk, the most effective ways to prevent skin cancer (hint: you smear it on from a young age!) and the breakthrough treatments that are not yet available. Whitaker is also president of the Melanoma Society South Africa and Immediate Past President of the Dermatological Society South AfricaSupport The Real Science of Sport on DiscourseDiscourse is our VIP community, where listeners gather around to chat more about the topics we cover on the show, the sports news, and anything else that has grabbed their sports science attention. If you want to be part of that community, and get way more value from The Real Science of Sport, you join by becoming a Patron on the show for a small monthly donation! We hope you'll support the show, and join the Sports science conversation!

Join the DiscourseA small monthly donation gets you access to Discourse, our VIP community that informs these Spotlights, and exponentially adds value to your experience! If you want to support, and learn, you can donate hereShow notesThis week on The Spotlight, we put big claims, bold performances, and comeback stories under the microscope.In Discourse Digest (00:00), we discuss why Beatrice Chebet’s near-world record 5000m is not a miss, just a delay. Then we shift to the French Open, where Carlos Alcaraz outlasted Jannik Sinner in a classic. Gareth asks whether Sinner’s loss might be exactly what tennis (and Sinner) needed, and how their rivalry and reputations will shape the sport’s next era.Listener Lens (15:50) features a question from listener Simon, returning from an injury-enforced layoff. Ross offers guidance on regaining lost fitness, why retraining happens faster than we think (the 1:2 rule of thumb), and why doing less will eventually give you the right to do more.Center Stage (22:34) is all about carbs, fat, and fuel—sparked by a tweet from Prof Tim Noakes after the Comrades Marathon. Having watched the race, Noakes claimed that “not a single lead athlete tried to ingest 90–120g/hour of carbohydrates,” and that they “know they don't need carbs to win Comrades” because “fat can provide essentially all the required energy.” We put those claims under the Spotlight, and checked with the elites. Turns out, they were targeting exactly those carb intakes. We explore the science and discover a huge capacity to increase fat oxidation as a function of diet, training and exercise intensity. But that doesn't mean carbs don’t matter - we dig into evidence that carbs improve performance, delay fatigue, and enhance recovery. The real problem? Extremes. Whether it’s high carb or no carb, just because you can doesn’t mean you should.And finally (53:44)—Padel and Pickleball are booming. Why are they so popular, and will they dethrone tennis as the world’s favourite racket sport?LinksThe article Gareth discusses about Sinner's loss being a win for tennisExample of a study where retraining restores strength to pre-detraining levels in half the time taken to lose them (note this is a study on strength, but the principle remains)Our Podcast interview with Louise Burke, where she explains everything you need to know about fats and carbs, and why fat underperforms as a fuelThe Podlogar study discussed on the show, where we don't burn all the ingested carbohydratesBurke's race walker study, with fat oxidation rates three times higher after fat adaptation, but with reduced economy and impaired performance benefitsVolek's study on fat adapted distance runners, also showing huge fat oxidation capacity

The science of recovery is more complex than you may think. When do you know you have recovered? What does recovery look like? How much do you need to recover? Mike and Ross delve into the subject to discuss the physiology of recovery, the most effective researched recovery methods, what science reveals about the numerous recovery products on the market, and how to utilise the right recovery protocol to enhance performance, long-term motivation and overall ability.LinksSystematic review on Recovery strategies in Endurance athletesAnother review on recovery, which provided us with our very academic definition of recovery! Research paper showing that anti-inflammatories inhibit the adaptation to strength trainingA systematic review on tart-cherry juice and its effects on recoveryJoin DiscourseDiscourse hosts The Real Science of Sport's VIP community, where like minded listeners gather and share their thoughts, opinions, discoveries and insights. If you want to be part of that, you can become a Patron of the Podcast here, make a monthly pledge, and the VIP room will be yours to explore! It won't cost you even 2% of what the Enhanced Games are charging, and our advice actually works, and is safe!

Join DiscourseThe Spotlight is inspired and informed by our Discourse community. If you want to be part of that, sharing insights and inspiration with listeners, you can become a Patron of the Podcast here, make a monthly pledge, and the VIP room is yours to explore! It won't cost you even 2% of what the Enhanced Games are charging, and our advice actually works, and is safe!Show notesAt 1:09. In the Discourse Digest news roundup, Gareth and Ross tackle three stories where science and policy collide. First up, the Enhanced Games’ latest scheme—inviting people to pay $399/month for performance-enhancing drug guidance under the guise of anti-aging and health. Then, a look at World Boxing’s new sex screening policy for the women’s category: what the language really means, why it matters, and how sport might manage it. Finally, a compromise attempt in California where extra medals are awarded to navigate the inclusion of trans-identified males in girls’ sport—Gareth and Ross explore what’s gained and lost in that trade-offAt 25:39. A new Listener Lens feature this week comes from Discourse member Tony, who asks: how should you judge your warm-up before a race? Ross and Gareth explore what a warm-up really prepares—neuromuscular readiness, not just heart rate—and share insights from fellow Discourse members who’ve fine-tuned their routinesAt 33:35. And Finally (not quite today!), British ultra runner William Goodge is under fire after suspicious data emerged from his trans-Australia record attempt. Ross recalls a similar case he investigated, and the duo asks: why, in an age of abundant tracking tech, are we still debating whether these runs really happened?At 42:58. This week’s Center Stage belongs to one of the most dramatic finales in recent Grand Tour history. Simon Yates won the Giro d’Italia with a stunning final mountain stage raid—equal parts science, strategy, and surprise. Mike and Ross unpack the physiology and tactics behind Yates’ triumph: Did del Toro and Carapaz concede the maglia rosa because they hit their physiological limits, or were they undone by tactical missteps and pacing errors? And what about Wout van Aert, the satellite rider whose power and presence may have changed the race’s outcome? From record-breaking efforts to tactical stalemates, we break down the science that decided the GiroLinksNick Harris on the Enhanced Games dealWorld Boxing announce the sex screening policyTony's question about Warmup HR, as discussed in Listener Lens (Discourse members only)Story of Rob Young's questioned ultra performance, with a link to the report I co-wrote on itAnalysis of Yates' record performance on the FinestereDerek Gee's Strava file

Join DiscourseGareth Davies, Mayor of The Real Science of Sport, is ready to welcome you as a citizen of our VIP community! To join the conversation, make a monthly pledge at Patreon.com and get access to the shared expertise and passion of fellow listenersShow notesIn this week’s Spotlight, we tackle an intriguing training question from a listener in our Discourse community: do short surges during easy or moderate training days undermine the training benefit? To explore this, we look to the current Giro d’Italia, where Richard Carapaz and rising star Isaac del Toro offer real-world examples of how intensity, even in brief bursts, may create a significant physiological cost. While small deviations from planned intensity are not only acceptable but often necessary, trouble arises when these efforts become too frequent or too intense. We introduce the concept of a physiological budget, and how consistent overspending can lead to a kind of training “bankruptcy,” where the cost outweighs the benefit. We break down how it's the intensity that exponentially increases physiological stress, and how to manage that cost wisely in your own training.Then we shift gears to rugby, where the red card rule is about to undergo a significant transformation. Under the new law, a team will no longer play with 14 players for the rest of the match—after 20 minutes, they can bring on a replacement. In response to split opinion in the Rugby community, Gareth asks: “What’s the big deal?”. Ross explains why this change has divided the sport, delving into the broader context of concussion prevention, and how sanction was meant to carry the message for behaviour change. Ross shares insights from his newly published paper showing that women are concussed in the same way as men, adding a crucial layer to the ongoing head injury debate.In our news wrap, we stay on safety, where the NFL has decided not to ban the controversial "tush push". We examine how that decision parallels rugby’s own risk-management principles. Beatrice Chebet ran the second-fastest 3000m in history last week, putting herself onto a controversial list of Chinese names who had appeared to move that World Record out of reach. Ross offers a prediction that it's a matter of time before the WR falls to Chebet (along with others).And the Enhanced Games claim a “world record” performance of its own, leading us to again discuss the ethics, science, and inevitable sales pitch driving the campaign, and why giving oxygen to the now transparent anti-aging commercial objectives of the Games may not be a good idea.LinksThe question that inspired our Training Zone discussion - for Discourse members onlyRoss' recent paper on the risk of head injuries in elite women rugby playersThe NFL does not ban the 'tush push'. For nowArticle by Julian Savulescu on why doping should be allowed (an oldie!)

The Cocodona 250-mile (402 km) trail run is one of the toughest endurance challenges in the world, as athletes battle the extreme distance, sleep deprivation, nutritional challenges, muddy trails and 12,500 m of elevation. Trail legend Ryan Sandes finished second in 2025 and talks to host Mike Finch and guest co-host Sean Robson about his motivation for competing, his training regimen and his own experience competing in this extreme challenge.NOTES:Check out more on the Cocodona 250 HERE

Join DiscourseNutrition tips, training insight, performance debates, sports opinions — if you’re into it, we’re talking about it. Become part of the “Science of Sport” Discourse community via Patreon.Show notesThis week on Spotlight, we take a tour through some of the big stories in sport and sports science right now—from race tactics and concussion protocols to doping ethics, expert credibility, and how we identify and develop talent.We start with a lively discussion on the Giro d’Italia and that gravel stage. Was it thrilling unpredictability—or dangerous chaos? As the General Classification gets a dramatic shake-up, we debate whether the pursuit of entertainment justifies what some see as random, unfair risk and compromised race integrity. Do stages like this belong in a Grand Tour, or are they an unwelcome injection of chance into a sport built on precision and control?From there, we shift to cycling’s ongoing concussion challenges. Jonas Vingegaard’s recent comments compel questions about whether current policies do enough to manage brain injuries. Despite a policy that asks multiple people in the race to identify possible cases, the sport appears to be struggling to accurately identify who gets tested, when and how. Are critical medical decisions still slipping through the cracks because the wrong people, with misaligned incentives, are being asked to make them under pressure?Then it’s time for our first featured topic: the evolution of the Enhanced Games. With swimmer James Magnussen chasing a chemically-aided world record and a million-dollar prize, we unpack the ethical and medical dangers of performance enhancement. What are the risks—for athlete health, for fairness, and for the messages it sends to the next generation?Next, we ask: How do you know who to trust? In an age of slick communication and pseudo-expertise, we explore the credibility of experts, and discover why true experts often sound less confident, not more. Ross explains how confidence can be a red flag, and why uncertainty and nuance are often markers of real scientific thinking.Finally, we dive into the messy reality of Talent ID. Ross explains four common errors—especially the “ghosts” created when resource-strained systems make early, high-stakes decisions that can harm both performance and people.We close with a brief segment on doping in Ironman, and why the “contaminated meat” excuse likely doesn’t hold up—though science says it’s not entirely impossible.LinksVingegaard on his concussion omissionThe UCI Concussion Policy that identifies all the right people to call for tests, but that frequently seems not to achieve thisDavid Epstein's recent article on fact checking and the illusion of expertiseOne example of the research studies used to sell BPC157, despite being in rats and showing nothing of the sort of promises companies make

Become a Discourse memberEnjoy the pod? Support us with a small monthly donation on Patreon and unlock access to our exclusive Discourse community—deep dives, hot takes, and smarter sport talk await!In this week’s Spotlight, we dive into the science behind an eye-watering nutrition number: 200 grams of carbohydrate per hour. That’s what elite Ironman Cameron Wurf reportedly consumed during a record-breaking bike leg in Texas. But does the body actually use it all—or is there a ceiling to sugar oxidation? Ross and Gareth break down a recent study comparing 120g and 90g per hour in trained cyclists, revealing how much of that fuel actually gets burned, and whether it has the purported effects on fuel use during exercise. Before we hit the carb overload, we’ve got a mix of big stories from across the sporting world:🎾 IV drips and bans in tennis – Australian pro Max Purcell has been hit with an 18-month doping ban for intravenous vitamin infusions. We unpack the rules, his case and discover some other athletes who have fallen foul of the IV rule🏏 Cannabis and cricket – South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada served a one month suspension for a ‘recreational drug’. We revisit the criteria WADA uses to ban substances and ask: should cannabis really be on the list?🏃‍♂️ The teen sprint takeover – A 17-year-old ran a wind-assisted 9.92s, with two ninth-graders just behind him, breaking 10.2s. They join Gout Gout as teen phenoms with bright futures🔬 Publish, perish—or post? – We reflect on a growing reality in science: if researchers aren't visible and able to communicate beyond journals, they risk irrelevance. Is it now “share or disappear”?Show notesThe long detailed piece by Ben Rothenberg on the Max Purcell doping banRyan Lochte got done for the same offence, no investigation needed - he served himself up on an Instagram post!A Newsweek article, published after Sha'Carri Richardson's cannabis ban, on how the drug came to be on the WADA listInteresting piece on Gout Gout's coach, Di SheppardArticle on Cam Wurf's Ironman fuelling strategy that kicked off today's main topicWADA's scientists defend cannabis' presence on the banned listRecent review showing no performance enhancing effects of cannabisThe Podlogar article comparing 90 to 120 g/h that we discuss