The Real Science of Sport Podcast

Join Prof Ross Tucker and host Mike Finch as they speak to renowned author Peter Bills about his latest book 'The Jersey: The Secrets Behind the World's Most Successful Team'' (Pan Macmillan). Bills - one the UK's foremost sports journalists and writers - spent four years researching the book on the New Zealand All Blacks to discover what it is that makes them the dominant force in world rugby. From team culture to the 'no dickheads' policy, playing the referee and the influence of the Polynesian players, Bills' intimate insight in to what makes the All Blacks tick is both revealing and entertaining. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join one of the world's most outspoken voices in rugby, former Springbok player, international coach, analyst and World Rugby advisor Nick Mallett as we explore what it takes to make it to the top level of international rugby union. Mallett describes - in bone-crunching detail - the pressures of being in the scrum, what players really fear, what makes a winning team and the three things he would do to change rugby right now. It's essential pre-World Cup listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why do sportsmen and women cheat? Because they are human. But when is cheating just sporting gamesmanship or plain fraud? We look into some of the most elaborate cheating scandals in history, how they did it and how some of them (almost!) got away with it. From having an invisible twin to being contaminated by drugs through kissing and illegally relaying a race with your brother, the stories of cheating are sadly as much a part of sport as winning or losing,. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prof Ross Tucker and journalist Mike Finch interview David Epstein, author of the New York Times best-selling book Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World . The team focus in on the debate around late specialisation in sport, why champions like Tiger Woods may be the exception rather than the rule and the impact of age on performance. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prof. Ross Tucker and host Mike Finch delve into the real facts and stats behind what makes a world class sportsman or woman. Find out if when and where you are born can make a difference to sporting success, whether practice really makes perfect, how early to specialise and if your youngster has what it takes to become one of the elites. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Explore the challenges of working as a doctor at the Tour de France as Ross and Mike talk to Dr Adrian Rotunno, one of the team physicians for the UAE Team Emirates pro cycling team. Rotunno talks candidly about being a doctor in a pro cycling world tainted by doping; what it takes to keep riders healthy and strong during one of the toughest endurance events in the world and how pro riders prevent infection in that critical area between their saddle and butts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Professor Ross Tucker and host Mike Finch dig deep into the world of drugs in sport: What are they? How are they used? What percentage of athletes take illegal performance-enhancing drugs? Are authorities winning the war or is there not enough will to fight? An unashamedly honest and objective look at the impact of drugs across all sports and the future of anti-doping Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Professor Ross Tucker and host Mike Finch as they chat to cricket doctor Dr Janine Gray about the complexities of sports injuries, how to protect your back no matter what sport you play, why so many young cricketers suffer from stress fractures and why hand-eye co-ordination ability may be linked to your economic status. They also delve into how the mind can sometimes be the toughest body part to mend and why baseball players make better throwers than cricketers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former international opening batsman and coach of both the South African and Indian cricket teams, Gary Kirsten talks frankly about the modern game, the impact of the shorter formats, what it's like to face up to the fastest bowlers in the international game, winning a World Cup with one of the most supported sports teams in the world, the future of fast bowling and the game of cricket itself. A unique and fascinating insight from a player and coach who has competed at the highest level. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this emotional interview, Olympic middle distance runner and former 5000m and 10 000m NCAA champion, Dominique Scott-Efurd opens up about the training, self sacrifice and dedication needed to mix it with the best in the running world. Scott takes us through her tough training regime, the lessons learnt from moving from her home in South Africa to the US and her dramatic collapse at the World Cross Country championships in 2019 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.