Welcome to the Science of Sport where we bring you the second, third, and fourth level of analysis you will not find anywhere else.
Be it doping in sport, hot topics like Caster Semenya or Oscar Pistorius, or the dehydration myth, we try to translate the science behind sports and sports performance. Consider a donation if you like what you see here!
2014 // Posts published in 2014
2014 Wrap Part 2: The science of sport review
In the second part of my 2014 Review series, I look at three of the sports science stories that made news - the sub-2 hour marathon, doping in the marathon & Justin Gatlin's great year
2014 Wrap Part 1: Week by week musings
A look back at 2014, using my weekly "Times" newspaper column to cover some of the biggest sporting stories and their management and scientific implications.
The 2-hour marathon and the 4-min mile
A recently launched group plans to help runners go under 2 hours for the marathon in five years. is it feasible? For many reasons, I say no. The 4-min mile analogy is often used - here's my response to that particular thought.
A stragetic and tactical talent management perspective: The viable athlete
The identification and management of talent is primarily a strategic and tactical function. Too often it is approached as operational, the what and how taking precedence over the why. That leads to ineffective delivery. This post explores the balance between purpose and practice.
High performance: Complex simplicity
At the recent BASES conference in the UK, Team GB's track cycling team presented their high performance philosophy. It boils down to "complex simplicity", and its principles are relevant to any coach or HP manager, even beyond sport
2014 New York Marathon: Live coverage
Live coverage, splits and thoughts from the 2014 New York Marathon
What (not) to say when doping accusations come knocking
What should you say when you're falsely accused of doping? In the climate of cynicism and mistrust, there's a fine line between protesting too much and defending yourself. What would people believe? Your thoughts on doping responses.
“177” – The Sub-2 hour marathon and East Africa’s super-runners
Marathon running is in a golden era, the 2-hour barrier approaching. Kenyans in particular have led the charge, raising some of the most fascinating physiological questions of the era. This presentation describes the history, physiology, and implications for the 2-hour marathon.
Tinkov’s 3 Grand Tour challenge: Physiological, or folly?
Oleg Tinkov has dangled a 1 million Euro purse to entice cycling's big four - Contador, Nibali, Quintana and Froome - into racing all three Grand Tours. Is it physiological? Or Folly?