The Real Science of Sport Podcast

We’ve got a blockbuster episode of Spotlight for you today.We kick things off with an important discussion around women’s sport and transgender athlete policies, following a landmark ruling from the UK Supreme Court on the legal definition of “woman” in the Equality Act. We know this topic won’t be for everyone, so if you'd prefer to skip ahead to the sports performance and race insights, you can jump straight to that action at about 1:07:12 in the podcast.For those looking for insight on this important topic, Gareth and I unpack the Supreme Court decision—a ruling with far-reaching implications. We’re joined by Helen Joyce, a leading women’s rights advocate who was in the courtroom for the verdict. She explains why the decision matters, what it means for sports governing bodies, and how it could reshape the future of competitive sport.Then we shift gears into performance talk: world records fell in the pool and in the discus, and we explore how weather and tech have combined to break new ground. Paris-Roubaix delivered two standout races. In the women’s event, race savvy beat strong legs (for once) as Pauline Ferrand-Prévot stormed to a solo victory in the Roubaix Velodrome. In the men’s race, we got another much-anticipated clash between Pogacar and van der Poel. We break down the physiology behind their efforts, the tactics—including van der Poel’s composed response to Pogacar’s crash—and how plain bad luck robbed the race of a deeper duel.Gareth also dives into the UK’s gym boom. With more people training than ever, we ask: is it all good news? Or is there more to the story? And finally, we celebrate our Discoursers—listeners and athletes around the world who’ve been tearing it up in races. Gareth shares some standout performances, and we invite you to join the community for world-class training insight and support.Show notesJoin our Discourse communityIf you enjoy the podcast, you’ll love our Discourse community. Become a member of “The Science of Sport” community by joining with a small monthly pledge on Patreon — and be part of the conversation behind the conversation.Links to topicsThe UK Supreme Court Decision discussed in the first part of the showThe FA's Transgender Policy, and the Appendix for Risk acceptance that trans men are required to signBBC piece discussion implications for sportArticle on Paul Biedermann's world record being brokenDiscus records galore in RamonaGareth's discussion on Discourse about the gym membership increase (Members only) Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Explore the provocative idea of embracing fatigue in sports to heighten drama. Discussions delve into the dynamics of rugby, where player fatigue influences strategy and injury risks. Discover the philosophical debates surrounding sports designed to test endurance versus those hindered by fatigue. Get insights on the Grand Slam Track meet in Jamaica and new Olympic sports, plus the challenges of scheduling and spectator engagement. Lastly, enjoy tactical breakdowns in cycling, comparing strategies between iconic races like Flanders and Roubaix.

Darren Green, Chief Medical Officer for major sporting events and a Mediclinic Southern Africa leader, shares fascinating insights on event medicine. He discusses the complexities of setting up medical facilities under extreme conditions and the importance of hydration and safety for participants. Darren also highlights the risks of painkillers in endurance sports and the innovative use of technology like the Synapse app for emergency response. Plus, brace yourself for stories about the notorious 'Bum Clinic' at the Absa Cape Epic!

The podcast dives into heart health concerns related to marathon running, reassuring listeners about cardiac risks. It discusses the complexities of maximum heart rate and its limitations in training. The conversation shifts to rugby, questioning whether coaches should face penalties for poor tackles. Highlights include young athletic prodigies and the pressures they endure, plus insights on heart health dynamics in endurance sports and the implications for athletes’ long-term well-being.

Sean Ingle, a seasoned sports journalist from The Guardian, joins the conversation to unpack the exciting election of Kirsty Coventry as the new president of the IOC. They navigate her potential impacts on women's sports and the looming challenges for the organization. The discussion also covers World Athletics' new screening protocols for female athletes, aiming to safeguard competition integrity. Additionally, the podcast dives into Tadej Pogacar's remarkable performance in cycling, showcasing a new power metric that redefines performance evaluation.

In this Spotlight, Gareth and Ross kick off by looking back at teen sprint phenom Gout Gout's latest performances, which continue to project a spectacular yet unknowable future. Across the Ocean, a young South African put down a teen-sprint marker of his own with a sub-10s performance, and we use those performances to discuss the nuanced, fluid and undefinable element of super-talents in sport. What matters, what doesn't, what is required for entry into the elites, and what makes a difference once there?We also discuss whether the addition of the Sydney Marathon (among others) to the prestigious World Marathon Majors dilutes their equity, which presents a chance to discuss heat and performance related to both marathons and the currently ongoing Cape Epic. Finally, we chat concussion in the community game, in the aftermath of some misinformed perspectives raised by politicians in the UK about the concussion risk with lower tackle height in the game.Show notesMel Breen wins the 2012 Stawell Gift race from scratchBayanda Walazas asymmetric running styleDiscourse is our VIP community, and if you'd like to be a part of that conversation, receive Gareth's Caught my Eye newsletter, and to interact with fellow listeners, the way to do it is to check out this link, and become a patron of the podcast for a small monthly donation. Thanks for all your support! Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's Spotlight, we swing the light from cycling to doping, via trans news updates and some success stories from our Discourse members. We kick off with a chat about whether we've been too obsessed with power numbers, and not talking enough about speed, as pointed out by Christoph Roodhooft of Alpecin's pro-cycling team. We discuss what it means to be an "economic cyclist", which allows Gareth to propose the concept of "physiological frugality", which we are 100% sure will take over from "durability" as the next-big-thing in elite cycling by 2027!We also chat briefly about positive fuelling experiences shared with us by Discourse members, who've managed to push their energy intakes up thanks to the experts we've heard from on the pod. We check in on some controversial topics, including the transgender athletes in sport debate, where a new paper, a legal decision and an imminent IOC election are all in the spotlight, and finally, we briefly discuss Shelby Houlihan's own words about her doping defence in an interview with Letsrun.com.Show notesAs mentioned, Discourse is our VIP Community where you can share bicarb recipes, tales of fuel success, and a whole lot more! You become a member by pledging a small amount on Patreon, which you can access here, and that will give you access to all the chat and sports science insights from members.LinksThe GCN segment discussed on the show, giving rise to Gareth's concept of "frugality"The Handelsman & Bermon paper that is discussed brieflyFull Decision in the Hamilton vs Telegraph press complaintThis is the full, in-depth analysis I did for Letsrun on the Shelby Houlihan decision, including the wrong application or misunderstanding of the Technical Document, and the carbon isotope ratio analysis that refuted Houlihan's argumentsThe interview Houlihan did last week with Letsrun, as alluded to by Gareth in the podcast Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Explore why runners and cyclists are breaking records, from groundbreaking 'super shoes' to the fascinating 'Bannister effect.' Delve into the future of sports technology and how it’s reshaping performance across various disciplines. There's a thought-provoking discussion on talent scouting in cycling through the Zwift Academy, highlighting the challenges of predicting potential. Plus, the evolving landscape of athletic enhancements casts light on the intersection of innovation, training, and the ongoing doping debate.

Exploring the groundbreaking potential for women to break the sub-4-minute mile barrier, the hosts critique a study on aerodynamic drafting strategies. They share skepticism about media interpretations and discuss the psychological challenges involved. Additionally, hear about effective heat adaptation strategies for athletes transitioning to warmer climates, emphasizing the body's ability to acclimatize. The conversation also highlights concerning trends in youth physical activity and intriguing doping defense cases that complicate public trust in sports.

Dr. Stephen Seiler, an exercise physiologist from the University of Agder, is a leading authority on endurance training. He reveals fresh insights into polarized training, questioning its universal applicability among athletes. Discussions cover the significance of training intensity distribution, the balance of high and low workouts, and the importance of recovery. Seiler emphasizes trust between coaches and scientists while exploring how systematic reviews enhance understanding of training efficacy, ultimately advocating for a tailored approach to athlete performance.