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
From ultra-distance events like the Comrades Marathon to the tracks of the Diamond League, athletics records are being broken at every turn. The team drill down to the realities of technology and discuss its influence over these performances to put them into perspective. We also discuss World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz's cramping implosion at this year's French Open and why Novak Djokovic and mountain biker Nino Schurter seem to defy their own advancing years to stay at the top.
Show notes:
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In the aftermath of Evans Chebet's win in Boston and Kelvin Kiptum's sensational victory in London, the world of marathon running has been turned on its head. The team look closely at the latest results from the World Marathon Majors and ask whether the Kipchoge days are finally coming to an end and if the world record is set to fall again sooner rather than later.
JUMP TO 38:34 FOR THE MAIN TOPIC.
CAUGHT MY EYE ITEMS
The article on bicarbonate and ketone’s combined effect on performance
Pogacar’s coach doesn’t think much about the bicarbonate benefit, submitted by Renato Chironi:
Article submitted by Pratima from the Patron page, on how there is not yet evidence to adapt training to the phase of the menstrual cycle:
The podcast interview in which Colin Chartier talks about his doping decision and positive:
MAIN TOPIC
Sean ingle’s article on the super shoes, including the quotes from Chris Thompson about the effects of the shoes:
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Around the world, the way that young talent is identified is often done without an understanding of how young athletes develop. We talk to Norwegian researcher in the field, Eirik Halvorsen Wik, PhD, from Cape Town's Institute of Sport and Exercise Medicine at Stellenbosch University, for a close look at the challenges faced by young sporting stars, why there may be a better way to make selections at youth level and how to ensure the best athletes are given the best chance at long term success. Wik has previously worked at the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences and the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre.
SHOW NOTES:
A news story on the Ultra runner who took a car trip for 2.5 miles mid race
The paper in which coaches are revealed as not being all that good at spotting good running economy
Our guest Eirik Wik’s study on injuries in adolescent athletes
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In the second of our two-part special on fatigue we examine Fatigue Resistance or durability. Is it just a modern term for an old concept, what does it really mean and what sort of training helps build it.
SHOW NOTES
Caught My Eye Segment
The Zwift study looking for remote research participations, as submitted by Gareth D
The third of Gareth’s submissions, looking at the helmet approved in Quarterbacks in the NFL
Main Topic (Skip to 35:48)
Link to the Ed Maunder paper that describes the durability concept
Some examples of papers that assess durability (as a performance outcome) in elite cyclists:
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mental and muscle fatigue is part of every sporting endeavour. But what is fatigue? What happens in the body when we get tired and is it possible to push beyond our perceived limits?
SCROLL TO 19:35 FOR THE MAIN TOPIC
SHOW NOTES:
Caught My Eye:
The case of the cheating fishermen
The article on the fallout from the apparently botched doping case of Peter Bol.
The Swimming England announcement of their trans policy
Fatigue Discussion
My own review article on how pacing strategy is regulated as part of a homeostatic system
A paper on how neurotransmitters in the brain affect fatigue and performance
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
At first glance the story of New Zealand's Zane Robertson is just another web of lies. But is it? The team take a close look at one of the most tragic doping cases in recent times. Plus World Athletics recently announced new rules regarding transgender and DSD athletes. We ask how does the decision impact world sport and particularly the International Olympic Committee?
SHOW NOTES:
Patron Joshua Stacey the long jump that never quite caught on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fp7BclslUyo
Article on the underarm basketball throw that also didn’t catch on: https://www.sportscasting.com/rick-barrys-underhand-free-throws-and-why-nba-players-today-dont-follow-suit/
From Patron Travis Hawkins, on the Norwegian protest of their own athlete’s shoe: https://www.triathlete.com/culture/news/the-world-triathlon-protest-against-the-norwegians-was-filed-by-the-norwegians/
From Patron Travis Hawkins, on the Norwegian protest of their own athlete’s shoe: https://www.triathlete.com/culture/news/the-world-triathlon-protest-against-the-norwegians-was-filed-by-the-norwegians/
World Athletics’ policy on trans and DSD athletes:
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Over the past few years English schools have begun to introduce non-competitive sport in an effort to be more inclusive. But is that the right strategy when it comes to producing future champions and developing a 'winning' mentality? The team take an in-depth look into the evidence surrounding the debate and examples of countries that have already rolled out similar plans.
> Jump to 45:17 for the main topic.
PLUS RED-S in male athletes / Bicarb in endurance sport / shinty drug testing / Remembering Dick Fosbury, the inventor of modern high jumping.
SHOW NOTES:
Caught My Eye Segment
Jake Smith’s Instagram post about his RED-S
The 1984 study on bicarbonate as a performance enhancer
A 1993 meta-analysis on bicarbonate
A 2022 systematic review on bicarb and performance
A recent article that contains some of Maurten’s promises and promotions
Primoz Roglic’s glowing endorsement of bicarb. “With 600W it always hurts, huh?"
The BBC piece on Shinty’s drug testing plans
David Epstein’s article on Dick Fosbury
Main Segment
Article on how early specialisation and training rather than fun increases injury risk
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Christopher McDougal's latest book, Born To Run 2, revisits the barefoot and minimalist movement that upended the world of running over a decade ago when he published his first book Born To Run in 2009. But what does the latest research say and is running barefoot the key to running nirvana?
SHOW NOTES:
Sean Ingle’s report after UK Athletics announced a “non-policy” recognition of the trans women issue and were corrected by EHRC:
The statement by the Equality and Human Rights commission
The Peter Bol doping story, as submitted by Patron Joshua Stacey
The Connor Benn doping clearance story, with much to be discussed and determined
The WADA study on clomiphene in eggs: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/19440049.2021.1949497
The twitter thread that speculates about the use of biomechanics as a way to identify a doper
The article that is skeptical about barefoot running
Study on stiffness of tendons in cushioned vs minimalist runners
One of the reviews showing no injury risk difference between shod and barefoot runners
Study showing successful transition to barefoot running in 71% of runners with a 20 week transition programme
Nic Tam’s study on individual responses to barefoot running
Nic’s second paper on how individuals respond to a barefoot running programme
Nic’s third paper on the effect of fatigue on biomechanics when barefoot vs shod
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Author and motivator Richard Sutton talks about his experiences working with some of the world's best tennis players and within the Chinese Olympic structure. Sutton's unique insight makes for a fascinating discussion on what really motivates success and how it plays out at the top level of sport. Sutton recently released his third book 'Thrive: The Power of Resilience" where he draws on his experience to empower individual and business leaders.
SHOW NOTES:
Caught My Eye
Kara Goucher's tweet about Brody Buffington's banning for over-celebration
Article on Camille Herron's long run views, with some really interesting discussion on bone stress in response to training, as submitted by Patron Edward Price
Article mentioning Eilish McColgan’s rebound hypoglycaemia, submitted by Julia Littlefair and hopefully a topic for future exploration
Story on South African women's cricket player being left out of national team after failing fitness test, sent in by Graeme Smith as a Caught my Eye Topic.
Main Interview
Amazon link to the Richard Sutton's book
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Respected sports journalist and writer Clinton van der Berg talks about his journey writing his book 'Guns And Needles: A Journey into the heart of South Africa's sport's steroid and drug culture." Van der Berg shares how he managed to get sports people, accused and convicted of doping, to tell their story; how he found out about the shocking incidences of doping in school and junior sport and why both young and old are susceptible to the performance benefits of illegal supplements and drugs. It's a cautionary tale for amateurs and professionals alike no matter what country you come from.
Note: We are aware the sound on this one from Clinton is really poor. We had major connectivity problems over the recording and try as we might to correct it post-recording, we just couldn't. We are really sorry, it's hugely frustrating and does detract from the listen and the content. We can only apologize for it and commit to making sure it doesn't happen again in future.
SHOW NOTES
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Our TOPPODCAST Picks 
