The Real Science of Sport Podcast

• Hormones, Hype & High Performance: The Menstrual Cycle in Sport

  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 that idea? Together, we take a critical look at the research—what’s known, what’s still unclear, and where the gaps are. More importantly, we focus on practical, athlete-centered approaches: being symptom-led, being "your own scientist", using tracking tools effectively, and how to open the conversation—especially with younger athletes—in a way that empowers and informs.Whether you're a coach, practitioner, or athlete yourself, this episode offers a grounded and positive perspective on managing training around the menstrual cycle without falling for the hype.Join DiscourseJoin Sarah Massey and hundreds of others on the best sports science chat community in the world! Discourse access is yours for a small monthly pledge, which you can make hereLinksOne of Kelly's papers that summarizes the literature and shows a trivial impairment during the early follicular phasePaper showing that the anabolic response to resistance training is unaffected by menstrual cycle phaseKelly's study on symptoms experienced during menstruation and their perceived effects on training and performanceResearchers raise the bar for studies on the menstrual cycle by calling for measurement, not guesswork"No influence of influence of women's menstrual cycle phase on acute strength performance or adaptations to resistance exercise training"Another of Kelly's papers, this one summarizing the literature on the effect of oral contraceptives on exercise performanceDeveloping a tool for ovarian hormone profile classificationKelly's educational resource, Period of the Period Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• 🚨 SOS: It WAS Too Good To Be True: Marathon World Record Holder Chepng'etich Provisionally Suspended

  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 shocked the running community at the time — questions and doubts sparked a parliamentary inquiry in Kenya after a journalist’s pointed question at the press conference. We even released a podcast titled “Too Good To Be True?” analyzing the run.Now, that skepticism feels vindicated. Ross breaks down why the doubts were justified despite the usual defenses ("she's always been talented", "she worked hard"). He explains what a diuretic does, why this kind of doping bust leaves him cold and underwhelmed, and how it fits a familiar pattern in elite sport. We also explore the shadowy roles of agents and coaches — and ask why it's always the athlete left holding the bag?Finally, Ross reflects on the cycle of hope, hype, and heartbreak that defines modern sport — from the marathon course to the Tour de France, can we trust what we see? Why should we, when the characters and incentives remain the same? Same script, different stage.LinksThe AIU statement on Chepng'etich's provisional suspensionThe timeline as posted by Chris Chavez on XOur podcast on the performance at the time - we were highly, highly skepticalThe Discourse thread at the time of that performance - members onlyThe Discourse thread that is growing now, out of the announcement last night - members only Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Staying Cool at the Tour - Gimmick or Gain? | Busting the Hype About Salty Sweat

  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 Tour de France is in focus. Jonas Vingegaard's muscle has matched Pogacar on short, punchy climbs, but can he hold his own as the race hits the high mountains? We also break down Remco Evenepoel’s pre-race cooling technique - placing hands and forearms in ice water - to explore what the science says about its effectiveness. Plus, we revisit the ongoing issue of concussions in cycling to explain the paradigm shift that is needed to buy space and time for better concussion identification.In Ross Responds (52:07), we revisit the topic of cramp and sodium loss, answering a listener question about 'salty sweat' with a dive into how our bodies prioritize the regulation of sodium concentration, and why sweat testing is nothing more than a measure of the body's systems working to defend physiological 'normal'. In Listener Lens (1:00:10), Tim is looking to break a barrier over 10km, and our Discourse community zeros in on the key to unlock that performance: pacing. We offer some advice to help him nail it.And finally (1:06:53), a Zwift racing series has Ross questioning the platform’s 'fairness'. Are the game's efforts to simulate equipment and drafting creating more distortion than accuracy?LinksArticle on South Africa's innovative midfield maul set upStanford study that finds that palm cooling (with a vacuum device) improves performance in bench press and pull ups. Too good to be trueConversely, study showing that palm cooling does not improve interval running performanceAnd conversely again, study showing that immersing the hands and forearm in cold water improves sprint performanceHealy's power numbers from the day, the trigger for our IF discussionCycling's concussion policyFor Discourse members only, Tim's question about his 10km quest and discussions on improving pacingDiscourse members talk cramp Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• The Science of Cramp

  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 solutions (yes, there are some!) to preventing this painful condition.DiscourseJoin Discourse now, and become part of the growing community whose stories and testimonies inspired much of the content of this (and other) podcast! You do so by making a small donation here on Patreon, and then the world of sports science insight and opinion will be yours!SHOW NOTESThe cramping thread on Discourse - members onlyAn Evidence-Based Review of the Pathophysiology, Treatment, and Prevention of Exercise-Associated Muscle CrampsSimilar review on crampsStudy showing how pickle juice works fast in low doses, via a neural reflexRon Maughan paper on muscle cramps, contrasting the hydration model with the neural theoryPeople who cramp have similar sodium and other electrolyte levels to those who don’t crampIf you drink more, your sodium levels drop, even if you drink an electrolyte containing drinkA paper that compares the two leading hypotheses for cramps: Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Vingegaard's Muscle: No Match for Pogacar? | Who is to Blame for Tour Crash Chaos?

  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, 3000m, or possibly even 1500m? Their record-breaking performances headlined a meeting that showed track and field can be exciting, modern, and appealing to younger fans. Is the sport in better shape than critics thought? From spikes to strings, we then turn to Wimbledon, where Electronic Line Calling has come under fire. Is the system flawed, or just misunderstood? We break down the tech, the myths, and why perfection was never the point.In our Center Stage (27:44), we focus on the Tour de France, where concussions, broken bones, and questions of responsibility have again reared their head. Do race organizers or riders bear the blame? We explore the UCI's priorities, enforcement of their own rules, and creation of new rules with marginal benefits. We also discuss the race. Jonas Vingegaard says he’s heavier, more muscular, and more powerful than ever. Will that close the gap to Pogacar? The early signs, after the Stage 5 TT, suggest an emphatic "no"? Is he solving the 'wrong' problem, and how will that increased mass play out against a relentless Pogacar in the mountains?We also Spotlight listener insights in Ross Replies (52:00), with a focus on David Roche’s Western States DNF and his pre-race transparency. You wondered whether he created mental and emotional pressure on himself by being so open, and we discuss. In Listener Lens (58:25), we celebrate some Discourse success stories. And finally (1:02:16), are endurance athletes more likely to have daughters? A quirky study suggesting so closes the show.LinksUSADA statement on the father and son banned for testosterone useGuardian article on the tech failures and player mistrust of electronic line callingStrong criticism of the UCI/ASO for a hazardous stage finale in the raceThe Michael Woods Tour diary in which he describes the ASO approach to safety, including his thoughts on how to improve safetyVingegaard's comments about his power, weight and performance prospectsAre athletes getting older - for DISCOURSE only, Max's amazing analysis on age of elite athletes over the yearsEndurance athletes are more likely to have girls - the quirky paper we finished on Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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