The Real Science of Sport Podcast

• Tokyo Teasers, Women's Rugby Risks, and Doping Double Standards

  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 events and thus sport grow, celebrate new stars and seasoned champions. We discuss how moving the World Championships to the season’s end poses unique challenges for athletes, and stretches the physiological peak many can sustain. We look ahead to epic clashes, where new favourites have emerged and old stars have shown form at just the right time.From track to turf, we turn to rugby and the doping case of Asenathi Ntlabakanye. The South African prop has been provisionally suspended after a positive test for a substance SA Rugby has said was not performance-enhancing and was medically prescribed. Ross and Gareth explore what this may mean, and the broader grey areas that challenge athlete rights and fairness in sport.Then in Center Stage (53:34), the Women’s Rugby World Cup takes the spotlight. The tournament is off to a fantastic start, breaking records and continuing its growth. But Ross explains why wide performance gaps between rugby’s juggernauts and minnows could threaten the game’s continued long-term prospects, and how targeted investment will be key to keeping the sport competitive and fair.In Ross Replies (1:09:42), Stu asks whether women experience head injuries differently from men? Ross explains that the answer is "it depends", a variation of yes and what this means for preventing head injury in women. And Finally (1:18:39), Mike asked for insight on whether children should be taught to tackle when learning rugby, and we discuss why the answer is a cautious, and qualified "yes", with some evidence and a cautionary tale about how the speed with which we introduce risk is the key.LinksStory on Ntlabakanye's doping positive and SARU's statementThe NCAA team that lost a title because of caffeineAs discussed re the NCAA, the London Marathon death attributed to a stimulant in a weight loss supplementStu's question and discussion about head injury mechanisms in women's rugby: Discourse members onlyRoss' paper describing head injury mechanisms in elite womenThe paper that documents head accelerations in players aged 13 to adult Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  1:29:56

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• Should Doping Coaches Be Banned For Life? / Heat and Heart Rate / Tokyo Rivalries In Focus

  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, Chebet, Hodgkinson and Lyles. Tensions between the UCI and cycling teams boiled over with a standoff around rider tracking the latest in the ongoing rider-safety struggles. We discuss how the failure of both sides to compromise and communicate is impacting rider risk.Risk conversations continue with news that World Boxing will follow athletics' example by screening for sex to protect the integrity of the women's boxing category and the safety of its fighters. Finally, instrumented mouthguards now have an LED light, and we discuss how many are only now becoming aware of this innovation and system for head impact management in Rugby Union.In Centre Stage (48:17) we turn our attention to doping. Gabby Thomas has called for lifetime bans for coaches whose athletes dope. We explain why it's not quite that simple, legally and philosophically. It's all part of the complexity of the anti-doping landscape, which we explore further with examples of recent doping cases and claims about who bears fault, when bans begin and which performances are tainted.Listener Lens (1:01:58) involves discussion about heart rate as a guide to training intensity on hot days. Ross explains that we can measure, but not manage our training while our physiology does the necessary in the heat. That becomes a conversation about Zone 2 training in Ross Replies (1:09:47), as listener Niall shares questions about how to incorporate this training intensity into his journey towards fitness and performance.And finally (1:13:16), Josh asks who you'd put on your Mount Rushmore of athletes? An impossible question, but Gareth and Ross share their thoughts, raising some eyebrows with picks and how they value sporting icons and their legacies.LinksVaughters interview about safety in cycling and the UCI standoffWorld Boxing sex screening articleListener Lens on HR in the heat - Discourse members onlyZone 2 thoughts - the mega thread from our listeners - Discourse onlyMount Rushmore of sport Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  1:22:31

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

  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 ago by Mondo Duplantis in the Pole Vault, which left us more bored than awed. We also preview the Diamond League’s return, where Faith Kipyegon’s 3000m world record attempt will share the stage with Beatrice Chebet’s move down to the 1500m, a prelude to a fascinating Tokyo clash. We talk about their prospects and physiology, with a view to Kipyegon's commitment to one day moving up to the marathon.We then turn to rugby, where instrumented mouthguards will light up after major head impacts at the Women’s Rugby World Cup, to trigger off-field head injury assessments. Ross unpacks how the idea emerged as a solution to a problem that affected confidence in the devices, its reception among elite players, and what it could mean for head-injury monitoring.In Center Stage (29:52), we revisit one of our most debated episodes ever — the Zone 2 training “paradigm shift.” Gareth shares his understanding of the key concepts, and we reflect on which myths we decisively busted, and why confusion may have lingered for some. We ask questions that necessitate deeper exploration, and offer more practical application of what the science says for athletes with varied training and performance goals.Ross Replies (1:16:17) takes us back to pro cycling, where comments by Marlen Reusser revived discussion about weight loss and performance, revealing that there are concerns even within the pro peloton Gareth and Ross feel that the conversation has been largely positive (and necessary) but the threat remains. The weight conversation also offers the chance to explore how heavier, fixed bike weights might actually curb excessive weight cutting.And Finally (1:30:18), Fred Kerley’s provisional suspension over whereabouts violations gets the Gareth-and-Ross treatment — and not much sympathy.LinksDiscourse discussion on Edwards WRKipyegon on the 3000 WR and her marathon futureDiscourse reaction and thoughts on the Zone 2 podcast themes - Members onlyGreat Discourse discussion about PFP's weight loss and Reusser's latest thoughtsMarlen Reusser speaks out about weight loss concerns Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  1:35:38

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• Why Everything You Know About Zone 2 Training is Probably Wrong

  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, muscle physiologist Prof. Brendon Gurd from the School of Kinesiology and Health Studies at Queen's University in Canada, who explains how the review was done and the conclusions that were reached.LinksThe narrative review from guest Brendon and his teamThe Meixner study showing how variable Zone 2 is depending on the metrics used to identify itThe Inglis study discussed briefly on the show, where moderate, heavy, severe and extreme exercise intensities were compared when overall energy expenditure was matched. VO2max increased more with higher intensity training, but not at moderate intensitiesSystematic review of studies comparing exercise at low or moderate to high and sprint intensity on mitochondrial content and capillary growth Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  1:14:51

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• Cutting Weight to Win: PFP's Performance Strategy. Or Slippery Slope?

  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, contrasting PFP’s short-term approach with Demi Vollering’s “health first” philosophy. We learn from other athletes about "body composition periodization" and share some caution, but also recognition, that elite athletes do "go there" for performance.In track, a new teen sensation has arrived: Cooper Lutkenhaus, just 16, stunned the world with a massive U16 World Record to finish second at the USA 800m trials. He is already the real deal, but that's no guarantee that he's not another star whose flame might flicker. We talk performance trends, hype, and the pitfalls of early stardom.There’s also some heat on the track—of a different kind—as sprinters Noah Lyles and Kenny Bednarek engage in a bit of spicy back-and-forth. Genuine beef or PR play? Either way, it’s getting people talking.Then we turn to IV drips—vitamin infusions marketed as wellness boosts. Ross and Gareth aren’t buying it, calling out the pseudo-science, health risks, and the doping red flags. We also tackle criticism of World Athletics’ SRY gene screen for eligibility in women's athletics. Ross breaks down what the critic got wrong and why women’s sport deserves constructive criticism and alternative solutions rather than unproductive, false dismissals of proposed solutions. A lively disagreement ensues - let us know your thoughts!And finally—smelling salts banned in the NFL. Players are upset, but should other sports follow? Tune in for all this and more.LinksPFP and Vollering talk about weight, performance and healthTrent S' paper on body composition periodization - how to do it: short term, controlled and fully aware of the risk factorsLetsrun recap of the US TrialsThe article critical of the SRY screen. Let us know what you think, constructive or destructive criticism?The IV drip discussion on Discourse, for members only (join now!)The NFL bans smelling salts (fineprint here - teams can't provide them, players can still use) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  1:15:38

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