The Real Science of Sport Podcast The Story (and Science) of Endurance
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Nov 11, 2025 Explore the fascinating world of endurance as the hosts unravel its complex history and scientific debates. They dive into Tim Noakes' controversial theories, including the brain's role in regulating fatigue. Discover the significance of anticipatory regulation and how athletes experience perceived exertion. Ross shares insights from his research, including unique heat trials and the impact of pharmacology on performance. With captivating examples, they question our understanding of human limits and the potential to push beyond them.
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Multiple Models Explain Endurance
- Endurance questions are two sides of the same coin: why people fail and why they don't go faster.
- Multiple models (heat, oxygen, fuel, brain regulation) can explain the same failure differently.
How Tim Noakes Built His Research Base
- Tim Noakes trained as a medical doctor and became a founder of sports science in South Africa.
- His charisma and running friendships let him collect detailed endurance data from real athletes.
Noakes' Paradigm Challenge
- Noakes challenged the prevailing oxygen-limited fatigue model and proposed brain regulation.
- His provocations exposed paradoxes that spurred new research and debate.
