The Real Science of Sport Podcast

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This week’s Spotlight opens in Melbourne, where brutal heat nearly derailed Jannik Sinner’s title defence. The Italian was hobbled by cramps and looked down and out before the heat index policy triggered a delay, a roof closure, and some much-needed air con. That leads us into a deep dive on cramping: why it happens, what Sinner could be doing to address this weakness, and some of the less than credible methods tennis players are using to prevent them. We also unpack another Australian Open storyline — the request for players to remove Whoop devices — exploring both credible and dubious motives for such a ban.

Carbohydrates are in the news again, though this time, it's not about how much athletes are consuming, but rather how little they actually need - 10g per hour. That, according to a review headed by Prof Tim Noakes, is all that is required to prevent fatigue during exercise. We break down the paper, question its scientific robustness, explore some of the gaping holes, and explain why it diverges so sharply from real-world practice, and even from Noakes' own previous work on fatigue and performance.

A rapid-fire round sweeps through listener feedback on whether ChatGPT could ever replace a coach, the retesting of decade-old samples that’s led to bans for seven athletes, more eye-catching performances from teenage phenoms, a pair of world records, and a winter Olympic controversy.

And finally, we turn to Alex Honnold’s jaw-dropping, rope-free ascent of Taipei 101 — a climb that lit up the internet. Where does it sit in the history of the sport, and what made it so utterly unmissable?

Links

Article on heat issues in Melbourne
Reaction to the Whoop ban Down Under
Noakes et al's review article on carbohydrate requirements during exercise
One of many articles that suggest that muscle glycogen is also important for performance, this time not as part of failure, but rather regulation. Noakes was himself an author on this one
Another article where Noakes correctly identifies the role of glycogen in the muscle as part of how performance is regulated and improved
We mentioned the efforts of Dr James diNicolantonio to rebut some of the poor science of the low carb review. Here is one of many threads that offer counterpoints
A good study from friends of the pod Louise Burke and Jaime Whitfield on what actually happens to performance on a low carb diet
One of a few systematic reviews on the low carb vs high carb nutrition models for exercise performance
Athletes test positive ten years after the 'crime'
"I'm going to burn the whole of track and field down". Well, do it already, stop hinting
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Journalist, author, and speaker Alex Hutchinson is passionate in his search for truth. As the author of three books ('Which Comes First, Cardio or Weights?, 2011; 'Endure', 2021 and 'The Explorers Gene', 2025) and writer of the popular Sweat Science blog, the former Physics graduate is at the forefront of modern science journalism. Hutchinson, a former Canadian national team miler, explains his journey to becoming one of the most respected voices in his field, how he balances credibility and relevance in a cluttered social media landscape, and how he conducts research for his books and columns. Together with Ross and Mike, Hutchinson also delves into his favourite topics, including a discussion on how endurance is defined by perceived versus actual limits.

For the discussion that continues long after the podcast, become a member of the Real Science of Sport Supporters club by making a small monthly or annual donation and get access to our Discourse community.

SHOW NOTES

Alex's Sweat Science Website

Alex's website

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Become a Supporter of the Real Science of Sport podcast - a small monthly donation via Patreon is how you do it, and then you'll get access to our listener community who share insights, advice, and opinions of their own, all of which make up shows like this one!

In this Spotlight, Gareth and Ross get philosophical as they cast their eyes over a few topics, starting with Gareth's thoughts on 2026 and our recent podcast where Sean Ingle joined us to look ahead at the sporting year. It's a sporting year that won't include Ross finishing the mountain bike race he planned to, and we talk briefly about goals, burn-out and knowing when to cut your losses!

Then we indulge a passion of the pod - talent ID. This after New Zealand's teen sensation Sam Ruthe broke another national record, this time in the 800m. But how often do these world class middle distance teens kick on and improve? The answer may be surprising, but it does reveal how fraught the talent prediction is, and we discuss whether talent is easier to spot in some sports than others?

Staying on the philosophical theme, Gareth's recent forays into the principles of fitness and his attempts to simplify fitness, have led to fascinating conversations with our Science of Sport Supporters about the potential role of Artificial Intelligence in coaching and performance. Will AI take over from coaches? Can you plan and execute an effective training programme using nothing but AI prompts? Do we need human coaches when the knowledge of the whole world is at our disposal? Who has successfully capitalized on the AI hype, and who has contributed to the growing pile of "AI slop" in the world of sport and sports science? We discuss.

And finally, one of our listeners and a three time guest, Dr Jamie Whitfield, is looking for participants in his latest research trial - if you're in and around Melbourne, here's your chance, details in the pod, links in the show notes!

01:50 Who Tires first? Attack or Defence
11:00 Ross makes his predictions - I will remember
15:34 Sam Ruthe & Talent ID
35:00 Ross & the MTB Race that never was plus heat and fatigue
54:20 AI and can it replace coaching?
01:11:20 Jamie Whitfield invites you to a study - If you live near Melbourne

Links
The Sam Ruthe Youtube video that got Gareth excited
DCRainmakers video on the awful Strava Workout feature
The 5KRunner article on the "Digital God of Fitness"
Sale Sharks plan to use AI, they just aren't quite sure why yet
Interested in the Melbourne study with Jamie Whitfield and Louise Burke?

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Join Mike, Ross and the chief sportswriter at The Guardian, Sean Ingle, as we look ahead to the biggest events in 2026. From the Winter Olympics to the World Cup in football, 2026 will be packed with plenty of drama and, no doubt, controversy. The team discusses the inclusion of new events at the Winter Games, how the three-country host format at the World Cup may affect results, whether the Commonwealth Games have a future beyond this year, and whether the Enhanced Games will live up to the hype. Plus, we talk about the biggest stories in track and field, cycling, swimming and golf and offer some predictions. It's the perfect way to start your sporting year.

For the discussion that continues long after the podcast, become a member of the Real Science of Sport Supporters club by making a small monthly or annual donation and get access to our Discourse community

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There's a lot to catch up on today's Spotlight. Four weeks of Festive season sport means a range of topics from technology failures in the Ashes to the "Battle of the Sexes" debacle, thoughts on cyclo-cross dominance and excitement, Biathlon's appeal, Luke Littler's darts revolution, and some Enhanced Games ruminations as more athletes are announced. We also tease a few 2026 sports events, and hope you'll join us throughout the year for sports science insights and discussions.

For the discussion that continues long after the podcast, become a member of the Real Science of Sport Supporters club by making a small monthly or annual donation and get access to our Discourse community

Links

Article on the Kyrgios-Sabalenka reactions
Luke Littler's moment and the growth of darts
Technology fails England at the Ashes
Gareth's fascinating exploration of the not-so-simple guide to fitness (Supporters Club Members access)
Stuart Phillips' paper on resistance training - just do it, and don't get stuck on the details
Michael Ashenden on the Enhanced Games - the source of our philosophical discussion on doping in the show
The sad death of Sivert Guttorm Bakken of Norway
USA-Canada relations are not looking good - this time thanks to a skeleton controversy

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