The Real Science of Sport Podcast

Episodes page 1 of 6

1. Lactate: Fuel or Fiction? / Kona Lessons on Carbs and Pacing / World Rugby Cracks Down on the Hip Drop Tackle

   22 Oct 2026 · 1 h 26 min

   Become a Supporter for less than the price of one lactate gel a month, and get ad-free shows, a members-only Applied show every week, and Discourse. We promise it is a better investment than the lactate gel, and it…

2. How To Raise a Champion in 2026

   19 Oct 2026 · 1 h 36 min

   SHOW NOTES From the evidence on early specialisation to the formula most likely to produce a champion sportsperson, talent specialist Stuart Armstrong breaks down the science and data on identifying and developing…

3. Why Did the Kona Ironman Leaders Collapse? Heat, Fuel and Failure / Chicago Marathon’s Underwhelming Fast Times

   15 Oct 2026 · 1 h 16 min

   Become a Supporter for ad-free shows, a members-only Applied show every week (durability, this week), and Discourse, where Ironman collapses and other topics are being explored with insight and experience! Show notes…

4. Should Grand Tours Be Shorter? The UCI's Future of Cycling Report / Can We Believe Tigst Assefa / Are Athletes Asked to Play Too Much?

   8 Oct 2026 · 1 h 15 min

   Become a Supporter for ad-free shows, a members-only Applied episode every week, and Discourse, where Steve Hennings asked one of this week's best questions! Show notes This week, the UCI's Future of Cycling report,…

5. Diabetes in Exercise and Sport

   5 Oct 2026 · 1 h 22 min

   Episode guest Dr Ian Gallen is an award-winning Consultant Endocrinologist at Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading. He is a consultant physician, endocrinologist, and diabetologist whose career has included clinical…

6. Inside the Mind of Jakob Ingebrigtsen: The Guardian's Sean Ingle on Talent, Obsession and a Record-Breaking Track Season

   2 Oct 2026 · 49 min

   To hear the Ingebrigtsen conversation in this podcast, and every Applied show, become a Supporter. It costs about the price of a coffee a month (or a gel), and also comes with ad-free listening and our Discourse…

7. Assefa's Achilles "Rupture" and a Near-Miss Marathon World Record / Vollering and McNulty Win the Road Worlds / UCI Crash Data on Road Cycling

   30 Sep 2026 · 1 h 03 min

   Become a Supporter and you'll get Friday's VIP member exclusive half of our Sean Ingle interview on the training and philosophy of Jakob Ingebrigtsen. Plus you'll get ad-free shows and access to our world-class…

8. How Jakob Ingebrigtsen Was Beaten on the Roads / Why Sprinters Love Altitude and Milers Don't / Pacing the 800m / A 13-Year-Old Asian Games Champion

   23 Sep 2026 · 1 h 30 min

   Become a Supporter for the price of a gel (or half a sachet of lactate), and get ad-free listening, the weekly Applied show, and Discourse, where plenty of this show came from! Show notes This week: how Jakob…

9. The Athlete's Heart: Can You Really Exercise Too Much?

   22 Sep 2026 · 1 h 12 min

   In a groundbreaking study - commissioned by the British Heart Foundation and published in July 2025 (see details below) - Dr Peter Swoboda led a team from the University of Leeds to establish whether prolonged…

10. Why We Were Born To Run

    14 Sep 2026 · 1 h 20 min · Bonus

    More than most other species, humans are perfectly adapted to endurance running. We may not be the fastest or strongest, but our ability to endure meant our early ancestors could survive and thrive, and modern-day…

11. Ultimate Championship Day 3 Recap / Jefferson-Wooden in 21.47 / Kerr in Control / Dos Santos Delivers / Broadcast Underperformances

    14 Sep 2026 · 1 h 02 min

    Our members are picking this apart on Discourse right now, and not always kindly! Join them for the price of a coffee a month, with ad-free listening and regular bonus exclusive shows Show notes Our recap of the…

12. Ultimate Championship Day 2 Recap / Kebinatshipi's 43.39 with a New Race Plan / Werro Controls the 800m to Cap a Dominant Season

    13 Sep 2026 · 56 min

    Join us for the last night! Our members watch live together on Discord and pull it apart on Discourse afterwards, all for the price of a coffee a month Show notes Our day two recap, and a preview of the final night…

13. Ultimate Championship Day 1 Recap / Ingebrigtsen Reigns Supreme / Masai Russell's World Record Season

    12 Sep 2026 · 1 h 07 min

    Watch it with us! Our members call the races live on Discord, and a small monthly pledge gets you the community and a bonus Applied show every week. Show notes Our day one recap, and a look ahead to a much bigger day…

14. Incentives, Toxic Cultures and Doping in School Sport / “Cowards” and “Losers” on Track / It’s Too Damn Hot at the Vuelta

    9 Sep 2026 · 1 h 26 min

    Become a Supporter and the Applied show lands in your feed every week, plus Discourse, where two of this week's arguments are already running. Doping in South African schoolboy rugby, the end of the track season, and…

15. Two World Records in Zurich: Alison dos Santos and Masai Russell / Femke Bol's Fascinating 800m Transition / Cycling We Haven’t Seen for Ten Years in The Vuelta

    2 Sep 2026 · 1 h 20 min

    Become a Supporter of the podcast, for the price of a coffee! You'll get ad-free listens, and our exclusive Applied show, including our upcoming dissection of Femke Bol's coach's insights on her amazing transition, as…

16. Inside The World of Sports Broadcasting

    24 Aug 2026 · 1 h 33 min · S8 E19

    Briton Tony Davies has pretty much seen it all when it comes to television sport broadcasting. With over 20 years' experience in broadcast TV as a director, producer and writer, Davies has made a number of…

17. How can a 10,000m Runner Outsprint an 800m Runner? / Werro tops Hodgkinson, Again / Ansah's Missed Doping Test / Swimming World Record Watch

    19 Aug 2026 · 1 h 18 min

    Not yet a member? Ad-free listening, the Discourse community, and a members' show every week, all for less than you spend on gels. Show notes On the show this week, a European Championships wrap featuring Nadia…

18. The Science-Backed Truth About Peptides

    17 Aug 2026 · 1 h 21 min · S8 E18

    Everywhere you look people are talking about peptides. But what exactly are they, how do they work and how safe are they for human consumption? Mike and Ross review the evidence, discuss the politics that continue to…

19. Kasia Niewiadoma's Mont Ventoux Masterclass / The Physiology of Losing a Yellow Jersey / A Doping Ban That Fits a Familiar Pattern

    12 Aug 2026 · 1 h 23 min

    Become a Supporter of The Science of Sport for about the price of a coffee, or a gel, and help us keep the lights on, and Gareth's candle burning! Plus, you'll get ad free listening, a weekly Applied show, and a…

20. What Causes a Stitch When You Run? / Josh Kerr's Mile Dominance / Pogačar's VO2max of 100 / Another SA Schoolboy Doping Ban

    5 Aug 2026 · 1 h 17 min

    Become a Supporter of The Real Science of Sport, and you get ad-free listening, an Applied Science bonus show every week, plus a seat at the best conversation in sport. All for less than a decent gel. Show notes Josh…

21. FEATURE: How To Beat the Heat

    3 Aug 2026 · 1 h 45 min · S8 E17

    Ross Hemingway, OBE, is a Sport & Exercise Medicine Practitioner at the Commando Training Centre for the Royal Marines. His clinical expertise centres on exertional collapse, in particular the prevention, acute…

22. Why Anti-Doping Needs Target Testing and Investigation / Pogačar's Record Tour de France / The Weight-Loss Double Standard

    29 Jul 2026 · 1 h 11 min

    Become a Supporter of The Real Science of Sport, and for the price of a coffee, or a gel, you get a bonus Applied episode every week, ad-free shows, and the best cycling and running community going over on Discourse.…

23. The Art and Science of Perfect Pacing (Members' Exclusive Show, Now Unlocked for All)

    27 Jul 2026 · 43 min

    Quick heads up before we start: this is not a brand new episode. If you are one of our Members you will have heard it in full about six weeks ago, when we released it as a Members' only Applied show. But we thought it…

24. The Tour de France 2am Drug-Test Controversy: Why Pogačar and Vingegaard Were Woken to Test / Josh Kerr's Mile World Record / A World Cup Final to Forget

    20 Jul 2026 · 1 h 04 min

    Become a Supporter of The Science of Sport, and along with our undying gratitude you get a bonus Applied show every week, ad-free listening, and a seat in the best community in sport. It costs less than a coffee, or a…

25. A "Concussion Sensor" Comes to the Tour de France / Spain Dismantle France / Does SA Rugby Have a Doping Problem?

    15 Jul 2026 · 1 h 10 min

    Become a Supporter of the Science of Sport and you'll get the Applied show every week, ad-free listening, and a seat in the best community in sports science, all for the price of a coffee a month (or a gel if you're a…

26. The Science Behind a Pro Cycling Team

    13 Jul 2026 · 1 h 35 min · S8 E16

    Team NSN Cycling is one of the most exciting teams in the World Tour peloton, and Lausanne-based Briton David Bailey is its Head of Sport Science. Amid the pressures of being at the cutting edge of athletic…

27. Stop Watching the Ball: Michael Cox Unlocks the Fascinating Hidden Sides of Football

    9 Jul 2026 · 1 h 19 min · S8 E15

    Love the show? Becoming a Supporter unlocks a weekly bonus Applied episode, ad-free listening, and our Discourse forum where you can engage with us directly. All for the price of a coffee, once a month, so become a…

28. England Survive Altitude and Mexico / The Doctor's Dilemma in Elite Sport - When Is Enough? / How Women Out "Pace" Men in Marathons

    8 Jul 2026 · 1 h 19 min

    Not a Supporter yet? For the price of a coffee a month you get ad-free shows, a weekly Applied Science show, access to our Discourse and Discord communities, and participation in our listener research studies — join…

29. Inside the World of F1 Racing: An Engineer's Perspective

    6 Jul 2026 · 1 h 38 min · S8 E14

    Love the show? Become a Member and get a weekly bonus episode, ad-free listening, our VIP community, and a real say in what we discuss! Show notes Formula 1 is one sport we've never properly tackled, so who better to…

30. BONUS SHORT: Altitude and the Mexico Problem. The Science Behind England's Sunday Showdown

    3 Jul 2026 · 21 min

    Become a member of The Real Science of Sport Podcast, and join our community, get ad-free shows, exclusive episodes, and a world of discussion on topics just like this! Click here for all the Member Benefits. Show…

31. Durability - Trialled, Tested and Explained / Werro Edges Closer to the World Record / The World Cup's Extra-Time Problem / TDF and Heat Fears

    1 Jul 2026 · 1 h 11 min

    Become a member of the Real Science of Sport! You get ad-free shows, a member exclusive show every week, access to our communities and post-pod discussions, plus the chance to participate in our unique research…

32. The Creatine Episode

    29 Jun 2026 · 1 h 49 min · S8 E13

    From muscle growth to a treatment for Alzheimers, creatine has been touted as the 'King of Supplements'. But what does the science say about one of the most researched products in sport? Enter Dr Eric S. Rawson, Chair…

33. Re-Release: The Art and Science of the Perfect Football Penalty

    25 Jun 2026 · 1 h 18 min · S8 E12

    British football journalist Ben Lyttleton literally wrote the book on football penalties. As the author of 'Twelve Yards: The Art and Psychology of the Perfect Penalty' and 'Edge: What Business Can Learn From…

34. A Doping Refusal and Four Year Ban That Divided Tennis / Hodgkinson's Hamstring Scare / World Cup Science

    24 Jun 2026 · 1 h 03 min

    Become part of the Science of Sport Community, and take part in our global durability trial, plus get our free show, ad-free listening, and our world class forums! A small monthly donation is all it takes! This week's…

35. World Cup Water Breaks / What Will It Take to Break the 800m WR? / College Sprinting Goes Wild / Does Remco Have the Watts to Match Pogacar?

    17 Jun 2026 · 1 h 11 min

    Become a Supporter, and get ad free podcasts, your exclusive Applied science show every week, and access to our listener community, with all its insights and opinions Show notes • The Football World Cup is underway,…

36. 800m Plot Twists as History Beckons for Werro & Hodgkinson / Should the IOC Pay Olympic Athletes? / "Your computer screen is too big"

    10 Jun 2026 · 1 h 04 min

    Become a supporter of The Real Science of Sport, and get ad free shows, exclusive Applied Science shows, and access to our Forums and chat rooms. Plus, you can join our growing Zwift racing community and take on Gareth…

37. Sleeping Your Way to More EPO / Grand Slam Chaos / The UCI's Expensive Regulatory Defeat and a Weighing Scandal

    3 Jun 2026 · 1 h 00 min

    Join The Real Science of Sport Supporters club for ad-free listening and our exclusive weekly Applied Science show! A monthly donation is all takes! This week's Spotlight opens in Paris, where Roland Garros has…

38. Roland Garros' Zombie Heat Apocalypse / The Death of the Diversified Elite Athlete / World Athletics Raises the Performance Bar

    28 May 2026 · 1 h 12 min

    Get ad-free listening and exclusive shows by becoming a Supporter of The Real Science of Sport! In our Spotlight this week: • The heat wave in Paris is making life very difficult at Roland Garros, with Casper Ruud…

39. Welcome to our PED Talk: Sean Ingle Reflects on The Enhanced Games

    27 May 2026 · 55 min · S8 E11

    Become a member of our Enhanced Real Science of Sport community by becoming a member to get access to exclusive shows, ad-free content and our world class discussion forums. A monthly pledge is all it takes and you'll…

40. Caution for Contact Sport Athletes and CTE / Women's Rugby Six Nations and Smaller Balls / Worst Sport to be Elite at?

    20 May 2026 · 1 h 02 min

    Become a Supporter of The Science of Sport, and as mentioned, get a bonus episode of Applied Science every week, access to our world class forums, and (we hope) ad-free listening soon! Show notes On the decks today:…

41. A Huge Doping Bust in Georgia Rugby / Epic Climbs and Concussions in Cycling / Who is the Greatest Track Athlete of Them All?

    15 May 2026 · 1 h 23 min

    Become a Supporter and share your views - a monthly pledge gets you access to the Community, and our endless appreciation! Show notes In the news this week: • Operation Obsidian - A collaborative investigation…

42. The Rise of Southern African Sprinting / London Marathon Pacing Blunders / Seixas to the Tour / Your Carb Questions Answered

    7 May 2026 · 1 h 30 min

    Join Discourse - our Supporters club is awesome, and it's yours for the price of a coffee every month. Or a gel. Become a supporter and get twice the value after the show, and a chance to influence it too! Show notes…

43. Can You Trust AI For Health and Training Advice?

    6 May 2026 · 1 h 30 min · S8 E10

    How reliable is Artificial Intelligence (AI) when it comes to health, wellness and training advice? Writer, educator and Fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry, Dr Nick Tiller, recently led a research study…

44. The Spotlight On The Sub-2: A Deep Dive Into Sawe's Marathon Masterclass

    30 Apr 2026 · 1 h 33 min

    Support The Real Science of Sport - if you love what we do, and if you want to be part of the community and share views that will add even more insight to sport, a small monthly pledge is all it takes! Show notes…

45. The Sporting Mind: Overcoming Mental Barriers For Better Performance

    28 Apr 2026 · 1 h 30 min · S8 E9

    English sports psychologist Dr Josie Perry delves into the mental challenges that often hold sportspeople back from success. From the role of our own mental threats to the traits that are present in successful…

46. 1:59:30! The Sub Two Hour Marathon Falls To Sabastian Sawe

    26 Apr 2026 · 43 min

    Kenya's Sabastian Sawe has absolutely obliterated the two hour marathon barrier, winning the London Marathon in 1:59:30. In this emergency podcast, Mike and Ross talk about a truly historic day that saw two men go…

47. Boston Bonanza - Course Record Analysis / Elite Runners Avoiding Carbs? / Acute Stress Anti-Doping Refusal

    21 Apr 2026 · 1 h 25 min

    Become a Science of Sport Supporter and show your appreciation for the pod, while also having your say and correcting Gareth and Ross' errors! A small monthly donation is all it takes! Show Notes The Spotlight today…

48. Cobbled Coronations in Roubaix / Benji Naesen vs UCI / Marathon Majors and Sawe's Doping Credibility Campaign

    16 Apr 2026 · 1 h 24 min

    Don't spend millions on a podcast, like AI did recently. Rather spend the price of a coffee and become a Supporter of The Real Science of Sport. Click the link, make a monthly pledge, and get access to the…

49. The Norwegian Way: What We Can Learn From Their Success

    15 Apr 2026 · 1 h 32 min · S8 E8

    Norway is one of the most advanced sporting nations in the world, thanks to a unique structure which allows athletes to access the latest science and coaching. The team speak to Oyvind Sandbakk, the Sports Director at…

50. Why Cobbles Cost Cyclists / Cheap Carbon Shoes Break Records / Doping Confessions and Cons

    8 Apr 2026 · 1 h 16 min

    Become a Science of Sport Supporter by making a small monthly pledge. You'll show your support, help us stay "athletic-greens-free", and get access to our world-class discussion forums In this Spotlight, we start on…