The Real Science of Sport Podcast

Kenyan athletes face a credibility crisis with widespread doping issues. The challenges of identifying sophisticated doping regimes among top Kenyan athletes are discussed. The government's efforts to combat doping are questioned. The culture of fear and silence in Kenyan athletics is explored. The podcast also delves into the physiological and psychological aspects of sports, organizing a tournament to select favorite Olympic sports.

Dr. Geoff Burns, an elite ultra racer and sports scientist, discusses the biomechanics of running, the impact of super shoes, calf size on running economy, optimizing running form, shoe technology, and the complexities of athlete diversity in the world of running.

Transgender swimmer Lia Thomas lost a case against World Aquatics due to not being a member of US Swimming. Professor Ross Tucker discusses the frustration for World Aquatics, the flawed IOC guidelines, and the missed opportunity for an interesting court test.

With 50 days to go to the Paris Olympics, it's all systems go for athletes, coaches, and media. Sean Ingle will be covering his 7th Olympic Games, and he joins us from Rome's European Track and Field Championships to talk about some of the themes we expect to make the news at these Paris Games. They include tech's pervasive and unavoidable influence on performance, a simmering feud in the world of anti-doping, and the evolution and relevance of the Olympic Games in the face of both external and internal pressures. We also present The Official Science of Sport surveys in which you get to vote for your favourite event of the Games, and our ambitious consensus project to classify the Olympic Sports by their physiological and psychological demands. A busy period of great sport starts here!Show notes:Here is where you sign up to become a Patron and get access to our awesome and informative Discourse communityThe Discourse page, for those who are already Patrons of the pod (you sign in with your Patron log-ins)If you want to join our survey to rate the Olympic sports for their athletic components, here is the link to the once-off surveyOur 'bracket' challenge to pick your most engaging, popular specific eventWe spoke of tech in cycling on the show, and here's an announcement from Team GB/Lotus about their track bikes for their Paris campaignHere's the paper with Kenenisa Bekele has a co-author, that recognizes that the new era performances, powered by super shoes, and aided by wavelights, need an asterisk alongside themFollow Sean Ingle on Twitter/X Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Dale Rae discusses the importance of good sleeping habits, routines, catching up on sleep, effects of sleep deprivation on mood, body health, and weight gain. The podcast highlights the impact of sleep duration, regularity on health, the link between sleep and weight gain, reflections on sleep importance, and a balanced approach to maintaining healthy sleep habits.

Dr Nick Tiller literally wrote the book on it, The Skeptics Guide to Sports Science (available from Amazon HERE). As an exercise scientist at Harbour-UCLA in the US, columnist, writer and author, Tiller challenges many of the claims made by marketers and others, in the name of sport science. With the team Tiller delves into the details of questionable sports science, how to spot the good from the bad and the areas where sports science is most vulnerable.Follow Nick: Web: www.nbtiller.com Instagram: @nb.tiller X: @NBTiller Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Professor Stuart Phillips, a leading expert on resistance training, discusses the benefits of weight training for everyone. He explains why even a little training can have significant benefits, tailor training based on age, and challenges traditional beliefs on muscle growth. The podcast also explores the importance of resistance training for optimal aging, debunking misconceptions, and emphasizes the long-term benefits of incorporating it into fitness routines.

A wrap-up of the best stories on our Discourse channel: Spring marathon season: The top performers / Should Eliud Kipchoge go to the Paris Olympics? / Why track and field athletes are earning prize money in Paris for the first time / Is the UCI doing enough to ensure the safety of pro cyclists? / China's doping controversy sparks division in the anti-doping world. SHOW NOTES: The Guardian story on prize money in athletics at the Paris Olympics The Guardian story on the 23 Chinese swimmers who won Olympic golds after testing positive for banned drugWADA statement on the case of the 23 swimmers Travis Tygart from USADA releases a statement about WADA statement WADA statement following comments by Tygart Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Jamie Whitfield discusses optimal fueling for endurance performance, emphasizing carbohydrates as essential rocket fuel. Topics include metabolic agility, fuel strategies, prioritizing carbs, fasting vs feasting, and the impact of ketogenic diets on exercise performance.

Dr Eanna Falvey, Kate Zachary, and Ugo Monye discuss the challenges of balancing player safety and game excitement in rugby. They explore risks for players, the growth of women's rugby, and strategies for enhancing player welfare initiatives. The conversation delves into the importance of player education, brain health communication, and maintaining a safe yet thrilling environment in youth rugby. Additionally, they touch on the evolution of rugby laws, strategic depth of the game, and comparisons between sevens and union rugby.