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The Real Science of Sport Podcast

Professor Ross Tucker and Mike Finch
Cycling
Allergic Reactions
Sleep Quality
VO2 Max
Zwift Academy
House Dust Mites
House Dust Mite Allergy
Pet Allergens
High Intensity Interval Training
Asthma
Endurance Sports
Running Economy
Training Structure
Mental Health
Mold Allergens
Menopause
Sleep
Sports Nutrition
Marathon
South Africa

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 weeklyEpisodes309Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Sports

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Artwork for The Real Science of Sport Podcast

Latest Episodes

THIS IS A REPUBLICATION OF THE SAME PODCAST AS THURSDAY 26 MARCH ON THE IOC FEMALE SPORT POLICY

With apologies for confusion, after we published our most recent podcast on the IOC's new policy for women's sport, we realized the original file had an ... more

The International Olympic Committee, under its new President Kirsty Coventry, has announced new guidelines for eligibility in women's sport. The central decision is clear: the boundaries around women's sport will be protected, with no males — whether... more

Become a member, keep us ad free! Plus, you get access to our world-class community chat, and live sport chat groups. Become a supporter for a small monthly pledge at Patreon.

Show notes

Today the Spotlight falls on Therapeutic Use Exemptions, or T... more

YouTube

Join our Science of Sport Supporters Club, and get all the perks mentioned on the show, including access to our listener community and their great questions and insights, and also our Live Sport chat, which resume this weekend with the Milan San Remo... more

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Recent Guests

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
Andrew Feather
Four-time hill climbing champion in the UK, amateur cyclist
Episode: The World's Most Famous Amateur Cyclist on Training and Racing
Drew Ginn
Three-time Olympic gold medalist and five-time world champion rower
Olympics
Episode: Inside the Astonishing World of Elite Rowing
Malcolm Gladwell
Author, journalist, and host of the podcast Revisionist History
Podcaster and journalist
Episode: Malcolm Gladwell Talks Sport

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
  • 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 States20 days 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 Africa21 days ago
  • Bigots

    Transphobic

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    S-Jas
    Canada2 months ago
  • A great sports science podcast

    I’ve listened to a lot RSSP episodes over the years and I have to say, hands down the best sports science podcast, and perhaps the best for any runne, cyclist or triathlete (etc) who wants to learn about sports science. Great mix of knowledge and approachability.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    emf1995oslo
    Norway3 months ago
  • Great podcast!

    Fascinating insights, great hosts. Thanks for your work guys!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jason6492
    South Africa4 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
#103
United Kingdom/Sports
Apple Podcasts
#211
Canada/Sports
Apple Podcasts
#113
Australia/Sports
Apple Podcasts
#165
Italy/Sports
Apple Podcasts
#123
South Africa/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#3
South Africa/Sports

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Mediocre Male Beats Strong Women, But Justice Prevails / Should XC Running Be In The Winter Games? / Concussion Prevention Illusions
Q: What are the implications of the Guardian Caps for NFL players?
There is skepticism about the effectiveness of Guardian Caps in reducing concussions despite claims of their success, raising questions about their real impact.

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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How many listeners does The Real Science of Sport Podcast get?

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What are the audience demographics for The Real Science of Sport Podcast?

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How many subscribers and views does The Real Science of Sport Podcast have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Real Science of Sport Podcast has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

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. That Triathlon Show
5. Watts Occurring

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

The Real Science of Sport Podcast launched 7 years ago and published 309 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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Where can I see ratings and reviews for 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. Lesley McKenna
2. Professor Fleur Hettinga
3. Oyvind Sandbakk
4. Jackie Wong
5. Alex Hutchinson
6. Brett Clothier
7. Andrew Feather
8. Drew Ginn

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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