The Real Science of Sport Podcast

From creating a healthy relationship with food to eating for performance, looking after young athletes is a complex issue with long-term repercussions. The team sit down with dietician Dr Sarah Chantler to discuss challenges and solutions. They explore the impact of fatigue on performance in road races and the interesting physiological aspect of cycling. They discuss penalizable offenses and World Athletics Championships, highlight altitude training's molecular effects, and tackle misconceptions about body composition. They also address strategies for high-risk individuals, the importance of prioritizing food over supplements, and the significance of proper nutrition for young athletes.

From pro cyclists to runners and cross-country skiers, altitude training is a popular preparation method for a major event. But is it as simple as training high? The team break down the benefits, the science and the reasons why it may not work for everyone. SHOW NOTESArticle on the AFL’s potential reduction in contact trainingArticle on AFL considering mandatory headgear for playersKate’s caught my eye that looks at five case studies of navicular stress fractures in runners wearing carbon plated running shoesALTITUDE TRAININGThe research showing a reduction in VO2max of about 6% per 1000m of altitude gain, with performance impairments 14.5% per 1000m The first of two good reviews, this one explaining the concepts and principles of altitude trainingA decade later, a contemporary review of how altitude training and training periodization should be managedThe research that found that LHTL didn’t have any benefit compared to LLTL in cross-country skiersOne of the “skeptic” reviews calling for more research on altitude trainingVery recent review showing that the responder vs non-responder concept may not be as simple as was thought, and that various factors contribute to the success of altitude training camps Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The critical moments that split the top contenders at this year's Tour de France rose more than a few eyebrows. The team take an in-depth look at the cycling spectacle, look closer at the numbers we know and discuss the merits of full disclosure by the top riders to help rebuild trust in cycling performances. PLUS Migual Angel Lopez's doping suspension and more on the ongoing transgender debate Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dane Jonas Vingegaard produced arguably the greatest individual time trial in cycling history during the 16th stage of the 2023 Tour de France. The team discuss the numbers, implications and the many questions that such a dominating performance raises. PLUS Carlos Alcaraz's biggest challenge in his tennis career after his Wimbledon victory, Caster Semanya's latest court victory and the recent UCI decision on transgender athletes.SHOW NOTES:Tom Dumoulin's assessment of Jonas Vingegaard's 16th stage performance The power profile of elite cyclists. A great paper to understand what the elite guys are doing. If only we could see this for the front of the race on days like yesterday and today! A paper on how fatigue affects power output in elite cyclistsA story that talks of the 97 ml/kg/min VO2max of Jonas Vingegaard, as yet unverified Paper looking at how position on the bike affects speed at the same power output Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A rare case of CTE (Chronic traumatic encephalopathy) in a young female sportswoman asks the question: Are women more susceptible to head injuries than men? Plus the controversy around an English cricket repor on racismt, the Ben Stokes stumping affair and how some sports are dealing with fat shaming among young sportspeople.SHOW NOTES:CTE case identified in a female athlete: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/jul/04/first-case-cte-female-athlete-aflw-player-heather-anderson-diagnosed-australian-researchersResearch article we mentioned where the criteria used to identify TES were challengedEngland’s report on racism in cricketReport on Wetmore and body composition tests in runnersSwimming England bans weighing of young athletesEnhanced Games initial reportThe substack by Sarah Barker that describes how the US Anti-doping category doesn’t think a runner in the non-binary category is male or female Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From the Netflix Tour de France series to the death of pro rider Gino Mader and Geraint Thomas's bicarb blame, the team look ahead to the 2023 Tour de France. We also discuss the latest research into concussion and contact sports, Lance Armstrong's transgender series and an amazing, but obscure, running record.SHOW NOTES & LINKSRugby league tackle height screwupDeath of Gino Mader, and understanding riskBig new research paper on CTEArmstrong on Trans issueGeraint Thomas on Bicarbs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From ultra-distance events like the Comrades Marathon to the tracks of the Diamond League, athletics records are being broken at every turn. The team drill down to the realities of technology and discuss its influence over these performances to put them into perspective. We also discuss World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz's cramping implosion at this year's French Open and why Novak Djokovic and mountain biker Nino Schurter seem to defy their own advancing years to stay at the top.Show notes:The bonus episode, exclusive to Patrons, where Sean Ingle joins Ross to talk about performance, including views from coaches and athletesThe article on track technology that we discussed on the show, thanks to Gareth for providing the linkResearch paper by Knopp et al comparing different 'super shoes' in elite Kenyans and non-elite runners, showing high variability within each runner depending on their shoeAnother research paper that compares seven (though I count eight) super shoes, showing how some runners do really well in one shoe and worse in othersSean Ingle's article from that Paris meet with the three World RecordsArticle on Alcaraz's cramp at the French Open, as discussed on the show Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the aftermath of Evans Chebet's win in Boston and Kelvin Kiptum's sensational victory in London, the world of marathon running has been turned on its head. The team look closely at the latest results from the World Marathon Majors and ask whether the Kipchoge days are finally coming to an end and if the world record is set to fall again sooner rather than later.JUMP TO 38:34 FOR THE MAIN TOPIC.SHOW NOTESCAUGHT MY EYE ITEMSThe article on bicarbonate and ketone’s combined effect on performance Pogacar’s coach doesn’t think much about the bicarbonate benefit, submitted by Renato Chironi: Article submitted by Pratima from the Patron page, on how there is not yet evidence to adapt training to the phase of the menstrual cycle: The podcast interview in which Colin Chartier talks about his doping decision and positive: MAIN TOPICSean ingle’s article on the super shoes, including the quotes from Chris Thompson about the effects of the shoes:  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Around the world, the way that young talent is identified is often done without an understanding of how young athletes develop. We talk to Norwegian researcher in the field, Eirik Halvorsen Wik, PhD, from Cape Town's Institute of Sport and Exercise Medicine at Stellenbosch University, for a close look at the challenges faced by young sporting stars, why there may be a better way to make selections at youth level and how to ensure the best athletes are given the best chance at long term success. Wik has previously worked at the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences and the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre.SHOW NOTES:A news story on the Ultra runner who took a car trip for 2.5 miles mid raceThe paper in which coaches are revealed as not being all that good at spotting good running economyOur guest Eirik Wik’s study on injuries in adolescent athletesAnother paper published by Dr Wik, describing different injuries with age in elite adolescent footballers:  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the second of our two-part special on fatigue we examine Fatigue Resistance or durability. Is it just a modern term for an old concept, what does it really mean and what sort of training helps build it.SHOW NOTESCaught My Eye SegmentThe Zwift study looking for remote research participations, as submitted by Gareth D England’s rugby coach proposes rule changes to help kicking success in women, in another illustration of the differences between the sexesThe third of Gareth’s submissions, looking at the helmet approved in Quarterbacks in the NFL The research study discussed on the show looking at whether rugby scrum caps can reduce concussion riskMain Topic (Skip to 35:48)Link to the Ed Maunder paper that describes the durability conceptSome examples of papers that assess durability (as a performance outcome) in elite cyclists:Mateo-March paper with 112 cyclists over 8 seasons, showing that World Tour cyclists had much smaller power decay than Pro Tour cyclists with accumulating levels of fatigue26 Pro cyclists over a combined total of 85 seasons, showing how Cat 1 cyclists drop off less than Cat 2 cyclists when fatigued https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33731651/The study we mention that looked at durability early: Mmid- and late season, and showed how durability increases with more polarised training Lab study that shows how high intensity intermittent exercise affects power outputs with fatigue more than continuous exercise  Finnish study showing that low and high intensity training improve endurance, at least in less well trained individuals Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.