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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
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
Sleep
Menopause
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 weeklyEpisodes314Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Sports

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Artwork for The Real Science of Sport Podcast

Latest Episodes

Don't spend millions on a podcast, like AI did recently. Rather spend the price of a coffee and become a Supporter of The Real Science of Sport. Click the link, make a monthly pledge, and get access to the conversations that happen before and after t... more

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Norway is one of the most advanced sporting nations in the world, thanks to a unique structure which allows athletes to access the latest science and coaching. The team speak to Oyvind Sandbakk, the Sports Director at the Norwegian School of Elite Sp... more

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Become a Science of Sport Supporter by making a small monthly pledge. You'll show your support, help us stay "athletic-greens-free", and get access to our world-class discussion forums

In this Spotlight, we start on the cobbled roads of Belgium to e... more

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Support the Science of Sport - become a supporter, show your support, keep us ad free, and you get access to the best sports science community around!

Show Notes

In this Spotlight, we kick off with cycling, and wonder whether we're seeing a tactica... more

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Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

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
Travis T. Tygart
Chief Executive Officer of the United States Anti-Doping Agency
USADA
Episode: US Anti-Doping Chief Travis T. Tygart: Inside The Politics and Fight Against Doping

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
    Canada18 days 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 Kingdoma month 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 Statesa month 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 Africaa month ago
  • Bigots

    Transphobic

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    S-Jas
    Canada2 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
#171
United Kingdom/Sports
Apple Podcasts
#227
Canada/Sports
Apple Podcasts
#102
Italy/Sports
Apple Podcasts
#115
Australia/Sports
Apple Podcasts
#196
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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Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Real Science of Sport Podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Real Science of Sport Podcast and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

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. Inside Running Podcast
2. Fast Talk
3. The Cycling Podcast
4. That Triathlon Show
5. Some Work, All Play

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

The Real Science of Sport Podcast launched 7 years ago and published 314 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?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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

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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