Show Notes
In a groundbreaking study - commissioned by the British Heart Foundation and published in July 2025 (see details below) - Dr Peter Swoboda led a team from the University of Leeds to establish whether prolonged endurance exercise could be a risk factor for heart health in older athletes. The results offer revealing insight into the role of exercise in long-term heart health and whether endurance training carries any risks. Dr Swoboda also explains the basics of what exercise does for heart health, which types of exercise work best, why sudden death can happen in sporting events, and how best to look after your heart in the long term. Swoboda is an Associate Professor of Cardiology and Consultant Cardiologist at the University of Leeds with over 100 peer-reviewed publications.
Become a Supporter of The Real Science of Sport HERE, and get access to the exclusive post-credit content, ad-free listening and exclusive member-only shows, as well as our Discourse community where listeners share thoughts and insights on sport and sports science topics.
SHOW NOTES
The VENTOUX Study led by our guest, Dr Peter Swoboda The British Heart Foundation write up of that study's first finding A recent review article that looks at the overall picture of heart health in endurance trained athletes, discussing the three risk factors we explore on the show One of those risk factors is Coronary Artery Disease, which is studied in this paper Going back some time, this is one of the papers that first raised the fear that endurance training in large doses could be harmful to the heart One of a few studies that showed progressive improvements in life expectancy and health with more exercise Alex Hutchinson has done a great deal to explain the risks, and misplaced fears, of endurance training. Here is one such article Another by Hutchinson, from 2021, providing a good overview of the three purported risks of endurance training on the heart Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
More from The Real Science of Sport Podcast
Become a Supporter for less than the price of one lactate gel a month, and get ad-free shows, a members-only Applied show every week, and Discourse. We promise it is a better investment than the lactate gel, and it won't cause gut issues either!
SHOW NOTES From the evidence on early specialisation to the formula most likely to produce a champion sportsperson, talent specialist Stuart Armstrong breaks down the science and data on identifying and developing young talent. For parents everywhere with a child showing sporting promise, Armstrong offers practical advice on how to sustain motivation and decide whether to pursue a pro sporting career or foster a lifelong love of sport. Armstrong also breaks down the path most likely to produce a champion, and it's not what you think. Armstrong is the managing director at Future Coach, a Learning Innovation Architect, Skill Acquisition Specialist and host of the Talent Equation Podcast and has spent most of his career working in the talent ID field, having previously worked for Sport England.
Become a Supporter for ad-free shows, a members-only Applied show every week (durability, this week), and Discourse, where Ironman collapses and other topics are being explored with insight and experience!
Become a Supporter for ad-free shows, a members-only Applied episode every week, and Discourse, where Steve Hennings asked one of this week's best questions!
Episode guest Dr Ian Gallen is an award-winning Consultant Endocrinologist at Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading. He is a consultant physician, endocrinologist, and diabetologist whose career has included clinical medicine, research, medical education, and work relating to diabetes, exercise, and sport. His particular expertise is in diabetes, exercise and sport, including the practical challenges of managing diabetes during physical activity and competitive sport.