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The Real Science of Sport Podcast

Professor Ross Tucker and Mike Finch
Cycling
Doping
Olympics
Sports Science
VO2 Max
Winter Olympics
Athletics
Rugby
Paris 2024 Olympics
Tokyo World Championships
Swimming
Olympic Games
Sleep
Transgender Athletes
Tour De France
Kenya
Women's Sports
Triathlon
Mental Health
Endurance Sports

World-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 spor... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes334Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Sports

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Artwork for The Real Science of Sport Podcast

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Show notes

Formula 1 is one sport we've never properly tackled, so who better to guide us through it than a man ... more

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Show notes

A bonus hype show ahead of S... more

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Become a member of the Real Science of Sport! You get ad-free shows, a member exclusive show every week, access to our communities and post-pod discussions, plus the chance to participate in our unique research studies. There's more too - click here ... more

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From muscle growth to a treatment for Alzheimers, creatine has been touted as the 'King of Supplements'. But what does the science say about one of the most researched products in sport? Enter Dr Eric S. Rawson, Chair and Professor of Health, Nutriti... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Eric Rawson
Chair and Professor of Health, Nutrition and Exercise Science at Messiah University
Messiah University
Episode: The Creatine Episode
Ben Lyttleton
British football journalist, author of Twelve Yards; expert on penalties
Twelve Yards / Football School
Episode: Re-Release: The Art and Science of the Perfect Football Penalty
Alma Smit
Host of The Good, The Scars and The Rugby rugby chat show
South Africa media/rugby media
Episode: Caution for Contact Sport Athletes and CTE / Women's Rugby Six Nations and Smaller Balls / Worst Sport to be Elite at?
Adrian Ritona
Concussion expert, former guest on the show
Guest expert referenced in the cycling concussion discussion
Episode: A Huge Doping Bust in Georgia Rugby / Epic Climbs and Concussions in Cycling / Who is the Greatest Track Athlete of Them All?
Josie Perry
Sports psychologist, specialization in ADHD and performance anxiety
Performance in Mind, British Psychology Studio
Episode: The Sporting Mind: Overcoming Mental Barriers For Better Performance
Oyvind Sandbakk
Sports scientist and former elite cross-country skier; sports director at the Norwegian School of Elite Sports; professor at the Arctic University of Norway
Norwegian School of Elite Sports; Arctic University of Norway
Episode: The Norwegian Way: What We Can Learn From Their Success
Mike Posthumus
Director of Performance at Specialised
Specialised
Episode: How To Win One of the World's Toughest Mountain Bike Races
Kirsty Coventry
Former Olympic swimmer and IOC member, presented the policy
International Olympic Committee
Episode: REPEAT POD: Female-only Women's Sport: The IOC Announces New Policy On the Protection of Women's Sport
Lesley McKenna
Three-time Olympian and PhD student specializing in snow sports performance
Leeds-Beckett University
Episode: Inside the Mind of a Winter Olympian: The Science of Stoke

Hosts

Ross Tucker
Host and world-renowned sports scientist with university affiliations; prominent voice in sport science discussions.
Gareth Davies
Co-host and sports journalist; regular on Spotlight episodes and main discussions.
Mike Finch
Host with background in rugby and sports media; leads interviews and discussion.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 1.5k ratings
  • Ultra Ultra Marathons ( 250 miles )

    Love the podcast and am especially interested in your take on the female who blew away all comers in the recent 250 mile event in Arizona. Apparently woman are better equipped and better than men at this kind of distance. Can you explain why . ? I find this fascinating and am curious about your view.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    outsider1960
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Outstanding

    These guys take a variety of complex sports science topics and break them down with analysis of scientific literature from all sides of the argument into super digestible content. Could not recommend this podcast enough to sports enthusiasts!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jelly donut 1824
    Canada3 months ago
  • Love this, so interesting

    Surprised by this recent find. So interesting and entertaining. Have really enjoyed hearing their take on cross country skiing which is under-covered in general. Keep it up!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Hazzabear
    United Kingdom4 months ago
  • Trusted insights and fun

    Few people I trust more in science, let alone science of sports.

    Not missing an episode to stay in the know. Even if sometimes there is too much rugby talk ;)

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TriTheHudson
    United States4 months ago
  • Excellent!

    Since the “supporters club” was launched in early 2025, the opportunity to discuss matters relating to the podcast, and much more, makes this the go-to place for all things sports science. Ross has this amazing ability to take complex academic language and explain it in laymen’s terms.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Call me G, aka Gerald
    South Africa4 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Several reviews highlight credibility and practical takeaways for athletes and coaches.
Listeners praise the rigorous, accessible sports science explanations and clear storytelling.
A minority express concern about provocative or controversial topics and tone.
Some critique coverage of rugby topics as dominating episodes.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#110
United Kingdom/Sports
Apple Podcasts
#225
Canada/Sports
Apple Podcasts
#185
Australia/Sports
Apple Podcasts
#191
South Africa/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#8
South Africa/Sports
Apple Podcasts
#80
Netherlands/Sports

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Creatine Episode
Q: Are there meaningful brain health benefits, beyond muscle performance?
There is accumulating evidence that brain creatine can rise with supplementation and may improve cognitive processing under duress (sleep deprivation, aging, or concussion scenarios), but this area requires more randomized controlled trials to establish definitive effects.
The Creatine Episode
Q: Does creatine have any safety concerns or adverse effects?
Extensive safety data show no significant adverse effects for creatine at recommended doses; long-term safety data up to several years do not indicate harm, although case studies exist with confounding factors; in general, harm signals are not supported by the broader evidence base.
The Creatine Episode
Q: What is the practical takeaway for dosing and cycling?
For most people, five grams per day is sufficient to saturate muscle stores over time, with a five-gram daily regimen being easier for adherence than a frequent loading schedule; loading accelerates saturation but is not required, and there is no strong evidence supporting the need to cycle creatine like a drug.
Re-Release: The Art and Science of the Perfect Football Penalty
Q: Which players and teams stood out as early leaders in penalty performance and psychology?
Germany, Czech Republic, and England emerged as influential case studies in how trauma, identity, and data-informed practice shape penalty success, with players adapting run-ups, pace, and decision timing to improve outcomes.
Re-Release: The Art and Science of the Perfect Football Penalty
Q: What tactical adjustments have teams made to improve shootout success?
Teams now emphasize pre-shot routines, timing, and decision-making, as well as crowning dedicated penalty specialists or using subs to disrupt the expected dynamics, all supported by data on reaction times and runner speed.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Real Science of Sport Podcast

What is The Real Science of Sport Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A data-driven, science-forward discussion on sport performance, physiology, and governance. The show routinely breaks down complex research across endurance, running, cycling, rugby, and team sports, pairing rigorous analysis with practical implications for athletes, coaches, and admins. Guests range from top researchers to industry practitioners, delivering expert perspectives on training, nutrition, equipment, and policy, often tying findings to real-world events and major competitions. A standout is the blend of deep science with accessible storytelling, plus regular Spotlight episodes that unpack technology, ethics, and performance at the highest levels. This mix makes it valuable for listeners who want rigorous insights applicable to t... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Real Science of Sport Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Real Science of Sport Podcast:

1. Fast Talk
2. Inside Running Podcast
3. Sweat Elite Podcast
4. The Roadman Cycling Podcast
5. Science of Running

How many episodes of The Real Science of Sport Podcast are there?

The Real Science of Sport Podcast launched 7 years ago and published 334 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Real Science of Sport Podcast?

Recent guests on The Real Science of Sport Podcast include:

1. Eric Rawson
2. Ben Lyttleton
3. Alma Smit
4. Adrian Ritona
5. Josie Perry
6. Oyvind Sandbakk
7. Mike Posthumus
8. Kirsty Coventry

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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