The Real Science of Sport Podcast

The conversation continues on Discourse, for our Science of Sport Supporters. Join now with a small monthly pledge for access to the best sports science discussion community aroundIn the Spotlight this week, we revisit a recurring theme to explore whether a paper claiming no advantage for males who identify as women has any validity, and we cover some news from the world of sport and health.17:31 Our main focus is on a systematic review, published last week, claiming that evidence suggests no physical differences and thus no sporting advantages in trans identified males. We explain why the paper is misleading, and how the authors and journal ignored very obvious flaws in the research to arrive at their conclusion.1:31 We also discuss an interview given by Imane Khelif in which the Algerian boxer confirms what was already widely known about male advantage, as well as some surprising details about suppressing testosterone, and defiance and denial about male advantage.36:44 In sports action, Femke Bol made an 800m debut indoors - we discuss the performance and what it tells us of her ceiling.43:20 Serena Williams is making a return, but appeared in a Superbowl halftime advertisement to promote ozempic for weight loss, which triggered a wave of criticism and fear about the displacement of exercise, diet and responsibillty for weight loss. We consider the arguments.50:52 Continuous glucose monitors are in the spotlight, after a range were recalled for providing inaccurate data, which has lead to death and injury in people misled by dodgy data. We discuss the matter in the context of how wearables have to, at a minimum, provide accurate information when decision making will change on the basis of that information.And finally, a Lance Armstrong movie is imminent, and Hollie Davidson referees a Six Nations match at the weekend. We end with brief thoughts.LinksThe systematic review on transgender womenA previous systematic review, minus the meta-analysis, that reaches the opposite conclusion by focusing on non cross-sectional researchThe Imane Khelif interviewThe Serena Superbowl AdvertStory on the recall of continuous glucose monitorsHollie Davidson interview ahead of her Six Nations debut this weekend Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

They debate whether racing nine days after a ruptured ACL was defensible and the medical and ethical tensions around that choice. Cross-country skiing’s tactical fireworks and one athlete’s dominance get excited analysis. Speed skating pacing and lane allocation quirks are explored. Tabloid claims about ski-jump suit manipulation and bizarre marginal-gains stories get examined with skepticism.

Florentina 'Fleur' Hettinga, a professor of Human Movement Sciences and former skater, explains the science behind speed skating. She dives into equipment and skate design, technique differences between long and short track, aerodynamic suits and pacing strategy. Hear about training methods, ice physics and which race formats are most thrilling to watch.

Show NotesOn the Spotlight this week, we wrap up the Australian Open where dramatic semi finals saw Alcaraz overcome cramp (to Zverev's dismay), Djokovic overcome Sinner (to Ross' prediction dismay), and then Alcaraz overpower Djokovic to win a career Grand Slam. Elana Rybakina won the women's title, powered by a dominant serve and a few harsh, but helpful words from her coach.Then it's a concussion and head injury discussion, with a Spotlight on football and rugby. Should young children be tackling and heading a football? We explore those debates and discover that bans and delays don't play out quite the same way in the two sports, but that many unanswered questions remain. A recent paper by Ross and some colleagues finds that rugby players wearing headgear are more likely to suffer injuries than those not wearing headgear. An odd finding, but confounded by history and bias, as a lesson for how research limitations play out.And finally, does Karsten Blummenfelt really have a VO2max of 101 ml/kg/min? The Norwegian triathlete published that number earlier in the week, and it was met with skepticism bordering on ridicule. We discuss why the number isn't physiologically believable, what it means, and how errors in measurement might occur.Finally finally, if you enjoy the show and want to show your support, then become a Supporter with a small monthly donation, and you'll also get access to our Community Chat, and, as discussed in this show, upcoming Live Event Coverage.LinksThe Contact Conundrum: Are We Introducing Contact at the Correct Time in Youth Sports?Wearing Regulation Soft-Padded Headgear Does Not Reduce the Risk of Head Injuries in Professional Men's Rugby Players: An Observational Cohort StudyThe Spennymoor Heading Trial ArticleArticle on Blummenfelts 101 VO2max Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oyvind Sandbakk, professor in neuromedicine and movement science and former World Cup skier, explains the tech and physiology behind cross-country skiing and biathlon. He breaks down waxing and ski choice, classic versus skate technique, VO2max testing and power limits, plus how shooting rhythm, breathing and penalties shape biathlon tactics. He also previews what to watch at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Jackie Wong, figure skating analyst and founder of Rocker Skating, and former coach and judge, takes listeners behind the curtain of elite skating. He discusses blade tech and sharpening, program music choices and mash-ups, the quad revolution and scoring mechanics. He also explains competition structure, rule cycles and who to watch for Milan 2026.

On the show, we mention our Supporters Club a lot, and reference discussions of various sports science subjects that inspire and inform our own conversations. You can be part of that, by making a monthly pledge here, which gives you access to the best sports science discussions on the interwebs! This week’s Spotlight opens in Melbourne, where brutal heat nearly derailed Jannik Sinner’s title defence. The Italian was hobbled by cramps and looked down and out before the heat index policy triggered a delay, a roof closure, and some much-needed air con. That leads us into a deep dive on cramping: why it happens, what Sinner could be doing to address this weakness, and some of the less than credible methods tennis players are using to prevent them. We also unpack another Australian Open storyline — the request for players to remove Whoop devices — exploring both credible and dubious motives for such a ban.Carbohydrates are in the news again, though this time, it's not about how much athletes are consuming, but rather how little they actually need - 10g per hour. That, according to a review headed by Prof Tim Noakes, is all that is required to prevent fatigue during exercise. We break down the paper, question its scientific robustness, explore some of the gaping holes, and explain why it diverges so sharply from real-world practice, and even from Noakes' own previous work on fatigue and performance.A rapid-fire round sweeps through listener feedback on whether ChatGPT could ever replace a coach, the retesting of decade-old samples that’s led to bans for seven athletes, more eye-catching performances from teenage phenoms, a pair of world records, and a winter Olympic controversy.And finally, we turn to Alex Honnold’s jaw-dropping, rope-free ascent of Taipei 101 — a climb that lit up the internet. Where does it sit in the history of the sport, and what made it so utterly unmissable?LinksArticle on heat issues in MelbourneReaction to the Whoop ban Down UnderNoakes et al's review article on carbohydrate requirements during exerciseOne of many articles that suggest that muscle glycogen is also important for performance, this time not as part of failure, but rather regulation. Noakes was himself an author on this oneAnother article where Noakes correctly identifies the role of glycogen in the muscle as part of how performance is regulated and improvedWe mentioned the efforts of Dr James diNicolantonio to rebut some of the poor science of the low carb review. Here is one of many threads that offer counterpointsA good study from friends of the pod Louise Burke and Jaime Whitfield on what actually happens to performance on a low carb dietOne of a few systematic reviews on the low carb vs high carb nutrition models for exercise performanceAthletes test positive ten years after the 'crime'"I'm going to burn the whole of track and field down". Well, do it already, stop hinting Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alex Hutchinson, journalist, author and former national-team miler known for translating exercise science for the public. He recounts moving from physics and running into science journalism. He talks about balancing credibility and clicks, how he evaluates evidence, debates on perceived versus actual endurance limits, and where AI, wearables and neuroscience might steer training and research.

The hosts dive into the intriguing world of artificial intelligence and its potential to transform sports coaching. They question whether AI could ever fully replace human coaches, especially for elite athletes who require nuanced decision-making. Additionally, they explore the complex nature of talent identification in sports, revealing surprising statistics about young athletes and their long-term success. The conversation touches on cultural factors influencing talent and the challenges of predicting future champions.

Join Sean Ingle, Chief Sports Writer at The Guardian, as he shares insights on the thrilling sports landscape of 2026. Expect drama at the World Cup with its unique tri-country hosting and potential player fatigue due to travel strain. The Winter Olympics will debut ski mountaineering, while questions linger about the future of the Commonwealth Games. In the world of athletics, the debate around the Enhanced Games raises ethical concerns. Tune in for bold predictions and fascinating narratives that will shape the sporting year ahead!