The Real Science of Sport Podcast

The question as to whether disabled athletes with prosthetic limbs can compete in able-bodied events has been steeped in controversy since the days of Oscar Pistorius in 2009. But since American Blake Leeper hit the headlines in 2019 the debate has been re-ignited with two groups of scientists on opposing sides. We speak to one of the world's foremost biomechanical experts - Dr Peter Weyand, Professor of applied physiology and biomechanics at Southern Methodist University in Dallas - to break down his side of an intriguing15-year-old saga.SHOW NOTESThis week’s caught my eye, on Triathlon’s inaction on shoe technology: https://www.triathlete.com/culture/news/world-triathlon-confirms-idens-imwc-shoes-not-illegal-no-rules-on-running-shoes/Some background on the Kenyan doping cases this year, including the “new drug” (old to cycling fans), triamcinolone: https://www.letsrun.com/news/2022/10/2021-boston-marathon-champ-diana-kipyokei-suspended-and-her-agent-doesnt-hold-back-diana-is-completely-guilty-i-am-sorry/Peter Weyand’s Locomotor lab YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/LocomotorLabSMUPeter Weyand’s most recent article on double amputees and sprint performance: https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.220397The “compromise” paper by Weyand et al prior to the debate and split in the research team: https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/japplphysiol.00174.2009Peter Weyand’s counterpoint response that concludes a 12s advantage to Pistorius: https://journals.physiology.org/doi/pdf/10.1152/japplphysiol.01238.2009aThe CAS Decision on the first Leeper appeal, including the remarkable claims about Leeper’s true ability (372 & 373): https://www.tas-cas.org/fileadmin/user_upload/Award__6807___for_publication_.pdfThe World Athletics Mechanical Aid Review Panel decision when Leeper appealed the first CAS decision: https://www.worldathletics.org/news/press-releases/world-athletics-panel-decision-application-from-blake-leeperCAS Summary of the second decision in the Leeper appeal: https://www.tas-cas.org/fileadmin/user_upload/CAS_Media_Release_7930.pdf Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Few have studied protein in sports as much as Prof Stuart Phillips, from the Department of Kinesiology at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada. Together with the team, Phillips shares some of the latest research on the value of protein in exercise sports, discuss whether protein supplementation has any real value in enhancing recovery and performance and what the best type of protein is to consume.SHOW NOTES:CAUGHT MY EYE SEGMENT:WADA bans tramadol, now that the proverbial horse has bolted (The horse is from Colombia, and rides a bike): https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/wada-outlaws-tramadol-use-2024-maintains-cannabis-ban-2022-09-23/#:~:text=SYDNEY%2C%20Sept%2023%20(Reuters),on%20cannabis%20after%20a%20review.Good piece by Matt Lawton on the boxing controversy, the fight that ended up not happening: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/cadf7aae-44e9-11ed-8885-043c27446b97?shareToken=0fd65796afe945e5ad8a6e6c98d2c4f3Article on the doping suspension and investigation of a Portuguese pro team leading to numerous bans: https://www.cyclingweekly.com/racing/seven-portugese-riders-banned-over-dopingA detailed article on the angling cheating scandal: https://www.yahoo.com/news/lead-weights-and-lie-detectors-the-scandal-that-rocked-a-cleveland-fishing-tournament-and-became-worldwide-news-033353103.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAMnouSCoCuNO7biPeFoeAg4JzCiXcWAF2pp0quSL3c5pBqL2HG-R8-UB2ZoJ5LEuhkcvZTC-2jUHv3LRIRoqgS5hDosIKtpYqGG3hXj3aRedy08l82XfFNjDo3zi3gt8v73hjXjuAiY9IGDwv99bCPg3xzqa4VJ_b8zHMWDK6I3rMAIN INTERVIEWThe article mentioned by guest Stuart Phillips on protein supplementation requirements: https://www.clalit.co.il/he/lifestyle/sport/fitness/Documents/2004_ProteinRequirementsandSupplementationinStrengthSports.pdf Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From the young talents of US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz and Tour of Spain champion Remco Evenepoel to the good and the bad of commentators, the team wrap up a week of sporting action plus delve into how sugars are processed by the body during exercise and how to best to make them work for you.SHOW NOTES:Marine Doping Controversy link to story on the New York Times.https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/30/us/navy-seal-training-death.html?unlocked_article_code=kiOrYVUmlzRdYjELh6prnMUVKRd2FVeZeOXb0NEm5THQ_FBpuuWKjDnBz-WafQLeOf1ALVzBSCrnGiIHsINBjfrO5ZRM5Bc12Lo5RkjYBoSM__xSlOImFPjkKpr25dq0dWUiLGucxRQD4Qwp2dZ1lyDPEsWGl8cS1KJ1eurUlIqEw-reYerQfvzUZL-oS1uRC53q5WBhbzsvWMqjLjZtaqVaL7DInOA722CpT6UyphjF5i5Vv9G4tQimDGSKfKPmoytPjEHKicR2n1e0MwZAOJk9fkiaMsra5Z1TtaCU_kus9WOkKOYA5VGjek1XIl0lFNOMpFlaDEG0mITzrQ&smid=share-urlBest To Follow On Cycling Analysishttps://twitter.com/ammattipyoraily?s=11&t=a7EZLuz7EjR6jo1Tj6mQZQhttps://twitter.com/naichacacycling?s=11&t=a7EZLuz7EjR6jo1Tj6mQZQhttps://twitter.com/cyclinggraphs?s=11&t=a7EZLuz7EjR6jo1Tj6mQZQ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Elite ultra runner Jenna Challenor made headlines during the recent 89km (56-mile) Comrades Marathon when she crawled across the finish line on all fours to finish fourth. Mike Finch talks to her about her Comrades experience, how she dealt with debilitating long Covid, training and pacing strategies and how to tough it out.SHOW NOTES: Jenna Challenor's dramatic Comrades finish https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULZQiAZF03A Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The team take a look at the world of endurance running after the recent Comrades Marathon and discuss why humans are so successful at long distance running. We discuss adaptations and physiology, how muscle is affected by long distance running and why long distance trail events are so different from long road events from a physiological perspective.SHOW NOTESCaught My Eye SegmentThe article on the ball controversy at the US Open: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/aug/29/us-open-tennis-balls-row-iga-swiatekScience of Ultras SegmentLetsRun article on the Triple Crown of Ultra running, including Comrades and UTMB: https://www.letsrun.com/news/2019/06/the-greatest-ultramarathons-in-the-world-the-triple-crown-of-ultras-comrades-western-states-utmb/The study by Millet et al that was discussed on the show, showing how muscle function is affected by UTMB: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0017059A scientific review on physiology and pathophysiology of Ultra running: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2018.00634/fullA Guardian piece on men and women in Ultra marathons: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/jan/03/female-ultra-athletes-leading-field-women-less-ego Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The team speak to cardiopulmonary physiotherapist Samantha Holtzhausen about the role of effective breathing in life and exercise. Holtzhausen explains why good breathing can aid performance, reduce illness and even make you happier, and then gives some practical advice on how to improve your breathing.SHOW NOTES:Caught My Eye Topic:A paper that describes the second wind in patients with McArdle’s disease, who can’t break down glycogen: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24651984/#:~:text=Patients%20with%20McArdle's%20disease%20(McA,a%20few%20minutes%20of%20exercise.Another more recent study on McArdle Disease, including the case that was described on the show, whose HR and effort levels both drop when the oxidative fuel supply kick in: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/fullarticle/782745On Breathing For ExerciseWebsite on the concepts discussed on show: https://www.bradcliff.com/Samantha Holtshauzen on Instagram: @samanthaholtz, @nhhpulmonaryrehabHer practice on Facebook: NHH Pulmonary RehabilitationPractice website: www.nhhphysio.co.zaArticles on the breathing issues discussed:Breathing pattern disorders and physiotherapy: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/265887552_Breathing_pattern_disorders_and_physiotherapy_inspiration_for_our_professionBreathing chemistry and carbon dioxide: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/242546547_Better_Chemistry_Through_Breathing_The_Story_of_Carbon_Dioxide_and_How_It_Can_Go_WrongRespiratory health in susceptible athletes: https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/early/2020/11/26/13993003.03722-2020Managing respiratory problems in athletic individuals: https://thorax.bmj.com/content/77/6/540 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From amateur to pro, allergies affect a relatively large proportion of athletes. But the latest treatments and protocols could end the suffering. The team talk to specialist allergologist Prof. Claudia Gray about the latest research and treatments, what allergies really are and the surprising prevalence of allergies among sports people.SHOW NOTES:Caught My Eye Segment on Nairo Quintana and Tramadol:The UCI Policy in which the Tramadol rule and procedures are explained: https://assets.ctfassets.net/761l7gh5x5an/4dfXPdgyPYHuFUwsEpXO5v/2611cc440358c188af2746d6195659f2/part-xiii---medical-rules---01.03.2020.pdfThe USADA article on tramadol, including their request to ban it and testimony from athletes: https://www.usada.org/spirit-of-sport/education/tramadol-why-some-athletes-and-anti-doping-experts-want-it-banned/A paper describing tramadol use, including four studies on its effects: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8222773/#:~:text=Results%20of%20this%20study%20revealed,et%20al.%2C%202018b).Paper on elite young Italian cyclists in which they (wrongly) identify tramadol as doping: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24184855/Prof. Claudia Gray InterviewThe IOC systematic review on the prevalence of lower airway dysfunction: https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/56/4/213A related article on the incidence of asthma in elite Swedish Athletes: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02770903.2020.1728769#:~:text=In%20the%20present%20study%2C%20the,%2Dyears)%20(11%E2%80%9313Dr Claudia Gray on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_claudia_gray/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How does exercise affect heart rate (HR)? The team discuss everything from HR drift and fatigue to a special interview with Heart Rate Variability (HRV) expert Marco Altini. We break down why HRV may be the best way to measure physiological and psychological stress and why it's opening up a new way of heart rate monitoring.SHOW NOTES:Caught my eye:The UCI Policy on covid: https://assets.ctfassets.net/761l7gh5x5an/6J9stmEo2OIrC7tr8VqU2f/e471f21f58c91254b070daf24c3290cf/2022.06.27_COVID_Protocol_Road_ENG.pdfThe article by Alan Abrahamson on Shelby Houlihan and US attitudes to doping: https://www.3wiresports.com/articles/2022/7/29/americans-insist-they-care-about-doping-in-sports-and-then-theres-shelby-houlihanMathieu van der Poel on altitude and his TDF struggles: https://www.stickybottle.com/latest-news/van-der-poel-suspects-altitude-training-to-blame-for-tour-slump/News of a change in the RFU’s policy on trans players: https://www.englandrugby.com/news/article/rfu-council-votes-in-favour-of-change-to-gender-participation-policyMarco Altini interview on HRV:The four-part series by Marco on HRV, explaining what it is, how to measure it, and a lot of case studies:Part 1: https://medium.com/@marco_alt/the-ultimate-guide-to-heart-rate-variability-hrv-part-1-70a0a392fff4Part 2: https://medium.com/@marco_alt/the-ultimate-guide-to-heart-rate-variability-hrv-part-2-323a38213fbcPart 3: https://medium.com/@marco_alt/the-ultimate-guide-to-heart-rate-variability-hrv-part-3-5fe902f3d2b3Part 4: https://medium.com/@marco_alt/the-ultimate-guide-to-heart-rate-variability-hrv-part-4-909b52f71131The website of HRV4Training: https://www.hrv4training.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

09:13 - 2022 World Athletics Championships: From suspect timing systems to the accidental super shoe, the biannual celebration of track and field served up a feast of talking points including what the future of the sport may look like. 57:37 - Tour de France: The fans conundrum: Most exciting Tour in years or are we in the middle of a new performance-enhancing substance era? What we know.SHOW NOTESThe article that caught the eye of Patron Liam Fergus, describing Ryan Crouser’s diet: https://www.worldathletics.org/news/feature/ryan-crouser-usa-shot-put-perfectionThe study that found no relationship between fat-free mass and shot put performance, discussed in the Caught my Eye segment: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/46403565_Body_Composition_and_Performance_in_Shot_Put_Athletes_at_Preseason_and_at_CompetitionSean Ingle’s piece on the shoes worn by Nigeria’s 100m hurdles WR break Tobi Amusan: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/jul/25/tobi-amusan-shatters-100m-hurdles-world-record-to-reignite-super-shoes-debateThe Letsrun.com compilation of data suggesting something was up with the timing system in Eugene: https://www.letsrun.com/news/2022/07/was-devon-allen-screwed-theres-at-least-a-99-9-chance-that-he-was/The 2009 Study suggesting a change in the reaction time allowed in sprint events: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/278022260_IAAF_Sprint_Start_Research_Project_Is_the_100_ms_limit_still_validA piece looking at the contribution of doping, anti-doping and technology to the speed of professional cycling: https://cyclingtips.com/2022/06/why-has-worldtour-racing-gotten-so-fast-an-investigation/Thibault Pinot’s comments on the two speeds in the peloton: https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/there-is-still-cycling-at-two-speeds-thibaut-pinot-speaks-out-on-cortisone-and-ketone-use-in-the-peloton-490284Joe Lindsey’s excellent article on Pogacar’s time loss to Vinegaard in the Tour, describing the CP model and the fueling issues that may have been responsible. https://www.bicycling.com/tour-de-france/a40632389/what-happened-to-tadej-pogacar/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From understanding heart rate zones to the best stance for recovery, the use of TUE's in sport after the Rafael Nadal-Thibaut Pinot controversy and how heat training affects haemoglobin production in training. Plus much more. We answer the most intriguing questions from our Patron supporters.Support us on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/thescienceofsportSHOW NOTES: The podcast we did on the DSDs  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/caster-semenya-explaining-sex-vs-gender-in-sport/id1461719225?i=1000437011090A clear and concise explanation of the three-zone system of moderate, heavy and severe exercise to guide your zone training: https://drmarkburnley.wordpress.com/2020/08/31/exercise-intensity-domains-and-phase-transitions-the-power-duration-relationship/The article showing that hands-on-knees beats hands-on-head for heart rate recovery and breathing: https://journals.lww.com/acsm-tj/fulltext/2019/02150/effects_of_two_different_recovery_postures_during.1.aspx?fbclid=IwAR0i_syx_XpNN0jwsTHjFmwz1Kl9hSENWFYJJid0WRNbVci2WZ_3U9dh4mUThe article showing how training easy in the heat increases haemoglobin mass, even in elite cyclists: physoc.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1113/EP088544?campaign=wolacceptedarticle British Fell runner survives a body temperature of 18.8C: itv.com/news/border/2022-06-24/man-found-clinically-dead-saved-after-leaving-blood-trails-in-snowArticle on the UCI change to, among other things, gear ratio rulings for youth cycling:  https://cyclingtips.com/2022/06/uci-scraps-the-junior-gear-restriction-relaxes-tt-position-rules/ The comments of Pinot and Martin about Nadal: https://road.cc/content/news/pinot-and-martin-question-nadal-injections-293447A paper by a sports ethics expert describing the TUE dilemma in sport: https://philpapers.org/rec/PIKTUE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.