Stay ConnectedWorld-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.
Copyright: © Professor Ross Tucker and Mike Finch
Why the Owen Farrell incident may well have saved rugby / Remco Evenepoel takes on the best stage racers at this year's Vuelta a Espana: Can he dominate? / All the best performances and stories from the World Athletics Championships.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Q-Collar is a device that is promoted to prevent concussion and "protect the brain during repetitive head impacts", and has been spotted around the necks of athletes in a number of sports, ranging from cricket to football. But do these claims and promises stand up to scientific scrutiny? Is there a sound biological rationale for the claims? Should parents, athletes and coaches explore and use devices such as this to prevent brain injury?
In this episode, Ross explores the answers to the above questions with Prof James Smoliga, professor of Public health and community medicine at Tufts University. Prof Smoliga puts an intense and in-depth scientific microscope on the claims, and concludes that there is no quality evidence in support of concussion and brain health claims, and that the foundational premise on which the product rests is flawed. We also learn that woodpeckers DO show signs of brain injury, that studies linking altitude to protection against concussion are grossly exaggerated and misinterpreted, and, humorously, that NFL teams with animal mascots are less likely to see concussion that teams without animal mascots.
Show notes:
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Day 5 from the World Athletics Championships threw up some intriguing storylines. An upset in the men's 1500m, as history repeated in the GB (actually Edinburgh Athletic Club) vs Ingebrigtsen rivalry, Karsten Warholm returned to the top step of the 400m hurdles podium, and there was an agreed tie for gold in the Women's Pole vault. We discuss the physiological fragility of the 1500m event, ponder fatigue and pacing strategies in the field events, compare Lyles 2023 to Bolt 2009, and Mike gives us insights on Hungarian goulash!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mike is on the ground in Budapest, and the duo are doing LIVE Instagram chats every morning, discussing the big stories from the World Athletics Championships. In this episode, we go back to Night 3 to talk about the women's 100m champion and a press conference that Mike attended (and asked a question that got a prickly answer!), and discuss Sha'Carri Richardson's volatile relationship with the media, in contrast to her huge potential upside to the sport. We also talk about Faith Kipyegon's absolute dominance of middle distance running (bordering on invincibility), the heat and humidity in Budapest as a challenge to everyone from the schedule-creators to the shot-putter to the marathon runner. We also open the door on some anti-doping stories, including the potential for a new tool, and a brewing doping controversy.
These episodes have been recorded every day on Instagram live (so apologies for some scratchy sound, live from the field), and then all of them are uploaded as Patron exclusives, so if you're enjoying our coverage and feel like being part of the Science of Sport patron community, check us out and consider donating here!
Show notes:
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
From creating a healthy relationship with food to eating for performance, looking after young athletes is a complex issue with long-term repercussions. The team sit down with dietician Dr Sarah Chantler, from Leeds Becket University, to discuss the challenges and solutions. A must-listen for parents and young athletes alike.
PLUS World Cycling Champs review, Owen Farrell incident and Richard Freeman ban.
SHOW NOTES:
News:
Main story
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
From pro cyclists to runners and cross-country skiers, altitude training is a popular preparation method for a major event. But is it as simple as training high? The team break down the benefits, the science and the reasons why it may not work for everyone.
SHOW NOTES
Article on the AFL’s potential reduction in contact training
Article on AFL considering mandatory headgear for players
ALTITUDE TRAINING
The first of two good reviews, this one explaining the concepts and principles of altitude training
The research that found that LHTL didn’t have any benefit compared to LLTL in cross-country skiers
One of the “skeptic” reviews calling for more research on altitude training
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The critical moments that split the top contenders at this year's Tour de France rose more than a few eyebrows. The team take an in-depth look at the cycling spectacle, look closer at the numbers we know and discuss the merits of full disclosure by the top riders to help rebuild trust in cycling performances.
PLUS Migual Angel Lopez's doping suspension and more on the ongoing transgender debate
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dane Jonas Vingegaard produced arguably the greatest individual time trial in cycling history during the 16th stage of the 2023 Tour de France. The team discuss the numbers, implications and the many questions that such a dominating performance raises. PLUS Carlos Alcaraz's biggest challenge in his tennis career after his Wimbledon victory, Caster Semanya's latest court victory and the recent UCI decision on transgender athletes.
SHOW NOTES:
Tom Dumoulin's assessment of Jonas Vingegaard's 16th stage performance
A paper on how fatigue affects power output in elite cyclists
A story that talks of the 97 ml/kg/min VO2max of Jonas Vingegaard, as yet unverified
Paper looking at how position on the bike affects speed at the same power output
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A rare case of CTE (Chronic traumatic encephalopathy) in a young female sportswoman asks the question: Are women more susceptible to head injuries than men? Plus the controversy around an English cricket repor on racismt, the Ben Stokes stumping affair and how some sports are dealing with fat shaming among young sportspeople.
SHOW NOTES:
CTE case identified in a female athlete: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/jul/04/first-case-cte-female-athlete-aflw-player-heather-anderson-diagnosed-australian-researchers
Research article we mentioned where the criteria used to identify TES were challenged
England’s report on racism in cricket
Report on Wetmore and body composition tests in runners
Swimming England bans weighing of young athletes
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
From the Netflix Tour de France series to the death of pro rider Gino Mader and Geraint Thomas's bicarb blame, the team look ahead to the 2023 Tour de France. We also discuss the latest research into concussion and contact sports, Lance Armstrong's transgender series and an amazing, but obscure, running record.
SHOW NOTES & LINKS
Rugby league tackle height screwup
Death of Gino Mader, and understanding risk
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Our TOPPODCAST Picks 
