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PODCAST

The Real Science of Sport Podcast

Professor Ross Tucker and Mike Finch

World-renowned sports scientist Professor Ross Tucker and veteran sports journalist Mike Finch break down the myths, practices and controversies from the world of sport. From athletics to rugby, soccer, cycling and more, the two delve into the most recent research, unearth lessons from the pros and host exclusive interviews with some of the world"s leading sporting experts. For those who love sport. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

sports

All Episodes

51:26

Tokyo Day 1: Women's 10000m and Mixed 4 x 400m

The Real Science of Sport Podcast ·

2025/09/13

Join the conversation on Discourse. Have your say and read what fellow listeners think of the Tokyo 2025 action. A small monthly pledge on Patron gets you that, and so much more, and is a way to show your support for what we do.On the Track todayThe first gold medals were contested on track today, with the women's 10000m and mixed 4 x 400m relays kicking off the gold rush. We dissect those races, discussing how they were won, whether the favourites lived up to their billing, and who made tactical

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53:47

Reflections on Gladwell and Tokyo 2025 gets underway

The Real Science of Sport Podcast ·

2025/09/12

Become a Discourse memberJoin our community on Discourse - predict, pontificate, ponder and pledge - a small monthly donation gets you into the VIP room for the "best content on the internet!". Your support keeps us going!Show notesIn this (supposed to be) quick Spotlight we look back and forward at the Women’s Rugby World Cup (02:08) and how the lack of competitive matches may be dulling the appetite and how the game can grow.We discuss a concussion and a card which may have implications for the

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1:06:04

Tokyo 2025: Preview Show with Sean Ingle

The Real Science of Sport Podcast ·

2025/09/10

The Tokyo World Athletics Championships kick off on September 13, and while the team are not there in presence, we will be bringing you recaps, insights and analysis through the 8 days of action. In this Preview show, we are joined by Guardian Chief Sports Writer, Sean Ingle, for a look ahead at the week of athletics. We discuss the placement of these World Championships in the calendar, and why it may backfire for World Athletics and the athletes, who've had to plan for a longer season than ever

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1:42:20

Inside the Astonishing World of Elite Rowing

The Real Science of Sport Podcast ·

2025/09/08

Rower Drew Ginnis one of Australia's most decorated athletes with five world championships and three Olympic gold medals to his name. From 1995 to 1998, he was also a member of the famous Oarsome Foursome coxless four, which had dominated the sport for much of the 1990s. In this interview, Ginn explains why his own upbringing was the perfect catalyst for his success, what makes a good rower, the technical and physical demands placed on top-class rowers, how rowing strength is measured, the modern

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34:57

Follow Up: Did Malcolm Gladwell Need To Apologise for...

The Real Science of Sport Podcast ·

2025/09/04

In episode 20, celebrity author, columnist, and podcaster Malcolm Gladwell apologised for the way he had handled a debate on trans athletes at the 2022 MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference with Real Science of Sport podcast co-host Prof. Ross Tucker. His statements ignited a media reaction that suggested Gladwell had done an about-face on the issue. But did he need to apologise and why did he feel it necessary? Ross and Mike discuss the aftermath of the furore, look at the many reactions and give

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1:54:16

Malcolm Gladwell Talks Sport

The Real Science of Sport Podcast ·

2025/09/01

Author, speaker, podcaster and columnist Malcolm Gladwell has sold over 25 million books, including titles such asThe Tipping Point,What the Dog Saw, Outliers,andTalking to Strangers. Many of the ideas and concepts featured in their pages have influenced everyone from business leaders to sports administrators, while his regular columns in The New Yorker since 1996 have made him one of the most popular cultural voices in the US. Gladwell is also a confessed track and field nut and in this interview

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1:29:56

Tokyo Teasers, Women's Rugby Risks, and Doping Double...

The Real Science of Sport Podcast ·

2025/08/29

Get with the Discourse, and share thoughts on the subjects we tackle - a small monthly pledge gets you into the VIP room for the "best content on the internet!". Plus, we really value the support!Don't forget you can also watch us on YouTube!Show notesIn this Spotlight, our news roundup begins with a look ahead to the Tokyo World Championships, via a rewind to the Diamond League finals in Zurich. Has Zurich shown the way forward for field events? We unpack whether this model can help the field

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1:22:31

Should Doping Coaches Be Banned For Life? / Heat and...

The Real Science of Sport Podcast ·

2025/08/21

The conversation begins, continues, but rarely ends, on Discourse! As mentioned, you can become a member of our VIP community by donating a small monthly amount to show your support, and dive into sports science and opinion. We are also on YouTube now, for those who want to watch.Show notesIn today's spotlight, our Discourse Digest looks back at some remarkable track & field performances and how they set up enthralling races in the upcoming Tokyo World Championships. We talk Kipyegon, Tsegay,

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1:35:38

Zone 2: The Debate Continues / World Records Old and New

The Real Science of Sport Podcast ·

2025/08/15

Join Discourse Join Kona champions, beer mile WR holders, sports scientists, and sports enthusiasts who will add exponentially to the value of the show! Make a pledge at Patreon, and become a Discourse member to become part of the conversation.We are now also on YouTube - you can watch our Spotlights here!Show notesToday on Spotlight, the Discourse Digest kicks off with two world records: one still standing after 30 years — Jonathan Edwards’ extraordinary Triple Jump mark — and one set just two days

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1:14:51

Why Everything You Know About Zone 2 Training is...

The Real Science of Sport Podcast ·

2025/08/11

Everyone is talking about Zone 2 training, but few understand the real science behind it. But thanks to a new scientific review, Much Ado About Zone 2: A Narrative Review Assessing The Efficacy of Zone 2 Training for Improving Mitochondrial Capacity and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in the General Population, the real benefits of Zone 2 training are clear - it's not the regime that many believe is the secret to better fitness and improved fat oxidation. The team speak to the co-author of the review,

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1:15:38

Cutting Weight to Win: PFP's Performance Strategy. Or...

The Real Science of Sport Podcast ·

2025/08/08

Join DiscourseWeigh in on these and other stories by becoming a Science of Sport Discourse member with a small monthly pledgeShow notesThis week on the Spotlight, we dive into the latest Discourse Digest, unpacking talking points in the news.We begin with the Tour de France Femmes, where Pauline Ferrand-Prévot sealed a dominant win, and then her open discussion about intentional weight loss to improve climbing performance sparked wider conversation. Ross and Gareth explore the science and the risks,

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1:19:51

Inside The World of Women's Professional Cycling

The Real Science of Sport Podcast ·

2025/08/07

Multiple African Champion, Commonwealth Games medallist, Olympian, multiple Giro Rosa podium finisher and one of the most experienced riders in the women's World Tour, Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio has seen it all. In a pro career that has spanned over 15 years, Moolman Pasio has been a force in virtually every format, from Grand Tours to one-day classics and in e-sports racing, where she was world champion in 2020. In the aftermath of the 2025 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, Moolman-Pasio weighs in on

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1:16:11

Fitness, Fatigue and a Tour Without Fire (But Hope...

The Real Science of Sport Podcast ·

2025/07/31

Join DiscourseJoin Daisy and hundreds of others who comment, discuss, or read what has grabbed the interest of our listeners! For a monthly pledge, you can support our show, and get a whole lot more value!Show notesIn this episode of the Real Science of Sport Spotlight, we start with a Discourse Digest that looks back at a men's Tour de France that fizzled out, with tactical inertia exposing the gulf in performance and power to a dominant, ultimately barely challenged winner. We unpack race

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1:24:21

What Your Strava Fitness Score Really Means

The Real Science of Sport Podcast ·

2025/07/28

TSS, Relative Effort, Fitness Score... Confused by all the numbers and what they mean? Mike and Prof. Tucker delve into the details of what defines fitness, how it is measured, the factors that influence fitness and how apps like Strava utilise metrics to provide a fitness score. But what do all the numbers mean, and how can we use them to understand our training better, get fit and peak just at the right time for an event? DiscourseJoin Discourse now, and become part of the growing community whose

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1:15:42

Trust Issues: Doping, the Media, and the Athlete’s...

The Real Science of Sport Podcast ·

2025/07/24

Join Discourse: you know what to do - small monthly pledge, and the community is yours!This week's Spotlight kicks off on the roads of France with a fast-paced Discourse Digest. Remco Evenepoel’s withdrawal sparks a discussion about whether he's fully healthy, or if affected preparation and fuelling challenges might account for his underperformance. Jonas Vingegaard seems to have narrowed one gap to Tadej Pogačar, only to find another expanding on the high-altitude climbs. Ross explains how their

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1:36:15

Hormones, Hype & High Performance: The Menstrual...

The Real Science of Sport Podcast ·

2025/07/21

In this episode, we dive into the intersection of the menstrual cycle and athletic performance—a topic often surrounded by strong opinions but surprisingly limited evidence. Joined by Dr Kelly McNulty, researcher and practitioner, and Sarah Massey, experienced coach, we break down the key phases of the cycle, highlight when ovarian hormone levels rise and fall, and explore the popular theory that certain types of training should align with these hormonal shifts. But does the science actually support

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27:31

🚨 SOS: It WAS Too Good To Be True: Marathon World...

The Real Science of Sport Podcast ·

2025/07/18

Join Discourse - a small monthly pledge gives you access to the best sports science and sports insight community on the interwebs (yes, we are biased). Pledge here and join the conversation!In this emergency bonus episode, Ross reacts to the bombshell news: Kenya's Ruth Chepng’etich, who stunned the world with her record-breaking marathon in Chicago last year, has been provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit after testing positive for a banned diuretic in March. The performance

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1:12:35

Staying Cool at the Tour - Gimmick or Gain? | Busting...

The Real Science of Sport Podcast ·

2025/07/17

Join Discourse by making a small monthly pledge, to double your Science of Sport experience!In a packed episode of Spotlight, we kick off with a Discourse Digest that begins on the grass of Wimbledon, where Jannik Sinner and a dominant Iga Świątek took home the titles. Then it’s to the rugby fields of South Africa, where the Springboks—led by the ever-innovative Rassie Erasmus—have once again found a tactical edge. But is it genius strategy or a rule-bending loophole?In Center Stage (17:10), the

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1:22:24

The Science of Cramp

The Real Science of Sport Podcast ·

2025/07/14

It's time to pour yourself some pickle juice and suck on a salt tab (or is it?) as we talk exercise-associated muscle cramps (EAMCs) - one of the most complex, and common, afflictions facing athletes. Difficult to research and predict, the causes of EAMC's can be varied depending on the individual, as are the solutions to fix them. In this episode, Prof. Ross Tucker and Mike Finch break down the most common theories around causes and then discuss the best long-term, medium-term and immediate

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1:09:12

Vingegaard's Muscle: No Match for Pogacar? | Who is...

The Real Science of Sport Podcast ·

2025/07/10

Discourse - the best thing about this Podcast, is all yours for a small monthly pledge. No exorbitant fee, no toilet paper advert every 510min, and access to hundreds of listeners who share great advice, insight, training strategies and opinion. Join now!The showThis week on The Real Science of Sport Spotlight world records fall and big questions rise. Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet lit up the track in Eugene—how fast can they go, and what happens if (or hopefully when) they clash over 5000m,

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