The Real Science of Sport Podcast Elite Athletes and Weight Worries - GLP-1 Debates and RED-s Warnings
Dec 10, 2025
The discussion kicks off with a deep dive into the implications of GLP-1 drugs on athletes, highlighting the balance between weight loss and maintaining lean mass. The conversation reveals how these drugs might shift focus from exercise to quick results. Elite cyclist Veronica Ewers bravely opens up about her decade-long struggles with RED-s, shedding light on the mental and physical toll of disordered eating in sports. The hosts also debate the need for better awareness and regulation in athletics to safeguard athlete health.
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Gender Differences In Marathon Depth
- Marathon national records cluster tightly for men but spread widely for women due to depth and opportunity differences.
- Globalization and physiology shape which countries hold top times.
GLP‑1s Are Not A Standalone Solution
- Rapid GLP-1 rollout is displacing exercise from weight-loss conversations.
- Combining GLP-1 agonists with resistance training preserves lean mass and yields better long-term outcomes.
Combine Drugs With Resistance Training
- Do combine GLP‑1 agonists with exercise, especially resistance training, to improve outcomes.
- The SLITE1 study showed the drug+exercise group had the best one‑year weight results.