72 - Eric Trexler: Philosophy and Methodology in Sports Science

Eric Trexler received his PhD in Human Movement Science from the medical school at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. He is a professional body builder and a sports nutrition researcher, and the co-owner of Stronger By Science, MASS Research Review, and the MacroFactor nutrition app, as well as the co-host of the terrific Stronger By Science podcast. Robinson and Eric discuss some philosophical concerns in sports science, including methodological limitations in study design and human error in scientific reasoning. Among other topics, they address the ecological validity of mechanistic research, ways in which funding and practical constraints guide experimentation, and ethical considerations that factor into the study of steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs.

Eric’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trexlerfitness

Eric’s Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/erictrexler

Stronger By Science: https://www.strongerbyscience.com

MASS Research Review:  https://www.strongerbyscience.com/mass/

The MacroFactor Nutrition App: https://www.macrofactorapp.com

OUTLINE:

00:00 In This Episode…

00:50 Introduction

3:28 Human Movement Science

8:02 Performance Effects of Citrulline Malate and Beetroot Juice Supplementation

16:06 Interpreting Mechanistic Research

26:40 Reductive Reasoning and the Carbohydrate-Insulin Model of Obesity

55:59 Limitations of Study Design

01:16:56 Ethical Constraints on Researching Performance-Enhancing Drugs

01:25:40 MacroFactor

Robinson’s Website: http://robinsonerhardt.com

Robinson Erhardt researches symbolic logic and the foundations of mathematics at Stanford University. Join him in conversations with philosophers, scientists, weightlifters, artists, and everyone in-between.