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Artwork for The Real Science of Sport Podcast

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
Triathlon
Women's Sports
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 weeklyEpisodes319Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Sports

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Artwork for The Real Science of Sport Podcast

Latest Episodes

How reliable is Artificial Intelligence (AI) when it comes to health, wellness and training advice? Writer, educator and Fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry, Dr Nick Tiller, recently led a research study entitled "Generative artificial inte... more

Support The Real Science of Sport - if you love what we do, and if you want to be part of the community and share views that will add even more insight to sport, a small monthly pledge is all it takes!

Show notes

Sebastian Sawe's astonishing 1:59:3... more

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English sports psychologist Dr Josie Perry delves into the mental challenges that often hold sportspeople back from success. From the role of our own mental threats to the traits that are present in successful athletes. Perry offers a fascinating ins... more

Kenya's Sabastian Sawe has absolutely obliterated the two hour marathon barrier, winning the London Marathon in 1:59:30. In this emergency podcast, Mike and Ross talk about a truly historic day that saw two men go under two hours, We discuss a perfor... more

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Recent Guests

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
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
Professor Fleur Hettinga
Head of Department at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, specializing in Human Movement Sciences and speed skating research.
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Episode: WINTER OLYMPIC SPECIAL: Speed Skating 101
Oyvind Sandbakk
Professor with the Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science
Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Episode: WINTER OLYMPIC SPECIAL: An Insiders Guide to Cross Country Skiing and Biathlon
Jackie Wong
Founder and Chief Skate Nerd of rockerskating.com
rockerskating.com
Episode: WINTER OLYMPIC SPECIAL: The Beauty and Drama of Figure Skating
Alex Hutchinson
Journalist and author with a focus on sports science
Runners World Magazine
Episode: Alex Hutchinson: The Battle For Credibility
Brett Clothier
Head of the Athletics Integrity Unit
Athletics Integrity Unit
Episode: AIU's Brett Clothier: Catching Athletics' Doping Cheats

Hosts

Ross Tucker
Professor of Sports Science and co‑host with a focus on sports physiology and data‑driven analysis.
Gareth Davies
Co‑host and sports journalist providing media, interviewing, and critical framing of topics.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 1.5k ratings
  • 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
    Canadaa month 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 Kingdom2 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 States2 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 Africa2 months ago
  • Bigots

    Transphobic

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    S-Jas
    Canada3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Controversial topics around gender in sport divide listeners, with strong positive and negative feedback.
Guests are consistently high‑quality and credible, contributing to trust in the show.
Listeners praise the depth of science and clear explanations.
Hosts are described as knowledgeable and well‑balanced by many reviewers.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#156
United Kingdom/Sports
Apple Podcasts
#186
Australia/Sports
Apple Podcasts
#179
South Africa/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#4
South Africa/Sports
Apple Podcasts
#33
Finland/Sports
Apple Podcasts
#43
Chile/Sports

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Norwegian Way: What We Can Learn From Their Success
Q: How would you define the Norwegian method if you were going to give us a lesson in what that means?
The method is not a single rigid protocol; it's a dynamic framework that translates the sport's demands into tailored training signals, with athletes adapting through high-quality practices, current science, and continuous feedback between coaches and scientists to optimize adaptation.
Alex Hutchinson: The Battle For Credibility
Q: What is the relationship between perceived limits and actual physiological limits in athletic performance?
Both hosts discuss how context and mental factors influence performance, stressing that many athletes effectively leave a safety margin in their exertion levels.
Alex Hutchinson: The Battle For Credibility
Q: What challenges do you face in communicating complex sports science topics to the general public?
Alex reflects on the tension between creating engaging content and accurately conveying scientific nuances without losing credibility.
Alex Hutchinson: The Battle For Credibility
Q: How do you differentiate credible sports science from misinformation in today's media landscape?
Alex emphasizes the need for rigorous research and contextual understanding, warning against oversimplified conclusions based on single studies.
AIU's Brett Clothier: Catching Athletics' Doping Cheats
Q: What gets you up in the morning and motivates you to keep doing this job?
Clothier highlighted that the most motivating factor is the desire to see athletics succeed and maintain its integrity, ensuring a level playing field for all athletes.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

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 Sports science show that breaks down performance, training, and policy across a wide range of sports—from rugby head injuries to doping, endurance events, and Olympic action. Hosts fuse current research with practical insights, interviewing leading researchers, journalists, and practitioners to demystify complex topics and examine how science translates into real world sport. A standout pattern is the mix of rigorous analysis, accessible explanations, and timely debates about fairness, technology, and athlete welfare that keeps discussions relevant for practitioners, sponsors, and curious listeners alike.

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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. Watts Occurring
4. The Roadman Cycling Podcast
5. The Cycling Podcast

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

The Real Science of Sport Podcast launched 7 years ago and published 319 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Real Science of Sport Podcast?

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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. Josie Perry
2. Mike Posthumus
3. Kirsty Coventry
4. Lesley McKenna
5. Professor Fleur Hettinga
6. Oyvind Sandbakk
7. Jackie Wong
8. Alex Hutchinson

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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