Alex Hutchinson (Sweat Science)
Journalist and endurance science analyst; evidence-based takes on cadence, training psychology, physiology.
Stiff Runners Run More Efficiently, Study Shows
When I started running, everyone said you have to be able to touch your toes… or else. But (luckily for me) research has found that *less* flexible runners actually tend to be *more* efficient. “Running economy is negatively related to sit-and-reach test performance in international-standard distance runners,” Jones, IJSM 2002.
Only 90% of Consumed Calories Are Truly Metabolizable
“Digestible energy intake” tells you the difference between how many calories you ingest and how many you actually burn. A typical number: 90%. “Digestible and Metabolizable Energy Intake in Humans: a Systematic Review,” Yoshimura et al, Advances in Nutrition, 2026.
Park Walks Boost Cognition, Even if You Dislike Them
The foundational study in environmental neuroscience, from 2008: the “Walk in the Park” study found that cognitive performance is boosted by (wait for it) a walk in the park, regardless of whether or not you enjoy it. For more, check out...
Runners Overdo Uphills, Underuse Downhills, Disrupt VO2 Balance
Most runners push too hard on uphills and don’t push hard enough on downhills, relative to the goal of maintaining an even VO2. “Spontaneous pacing during overground hill running,” Townshend et al., MSSE 2010.
Fast Marathoners Lose More Weight than Slower Runners
I grew believing that any amount of dehydration is too much. A simple study changed my mind: faster finishers at a marathon lost more weight than slower finishers. “Inverse relationship between percentage body weight change and finishing time in 643 forty-two-kilometre...
Tricking Temperature Perception Boosts Cycling Performance in Heat
Coming from Toronto and trying do mile reps in the middle of a heat wave in Tucson, I keep this study in mind: “Deception of ambient and body core temperature improves self paced cycling in hot, humid conditions,” Castle et al.,...