The TriDoc Podcast, triathlon and health in one place

In this episode: Dr. Kristen Lund, OB/GYN joins me to discuss all matters related to menopause; what it is, why it happens, what the symptoms are, how it can be managed, how it affects endurance training, recovery and performance and much more. She also helps me understand some of the controversies and misunderstandings that permeate popular culture on this subject and spends a lot of time answeri...

In this episode: Over more than three and a half years and fifty thousand plus downloads, the TriDoc podcast has delivered entertaining interviews and informative reviews of the science behind all manner of products marketed to endurance athletes. Now, in my one hundredth episode it is time for me to pause and take a look back in order to once again help you see through the advertising ploys and r...

In this episode: Sudden cardiac death (SCD) continues to be a fearsome specter for athletes in all endurance sports but especially for triathletes who have the highest rates of SCD during the swim than for any other activity. To date, no screening programs have proven successful or practical to lower the risk. With improvements in genetic testing, could this avenue offer a possible solution? I loo...

In this episode: The CORE body temperature monitor promises to make you perform better by allowing you to know when you are overheating and better perform heat acclimation protocols in preparation for events in warmer climates. There is a lot of science on their website but not a whole lot in the way of proof of concept. I review what is known on heat acclimation and try to understand how this tec...

In this episode: BOA is a new novel way of getting your salt supplements via transmucosal delivery and the product promises a LOT. How much of what they are selling is based on science and how much is just the usual hype? I take a look and give you an overview of what you can expect. Joe Wilson is a successful age grouper and YouTuber he is also well know on the socials as an affable, fun loving g...

In this episode: The AIRWAAV is an oral appliance that repositions the tongue and is supposed to improve respiratory mechanics and possibly athletic performance. As always, the product's website is full of big claims but what does the science say? Jordan Bryden is the current World Champion of the Ultraman a three day event that encompasses a 10k open water swim, a 260 plus mile bike over two days...

In this episode: Gastrointestinal (GI) distress is an exceedingly common complaint among endurance athletes but despite years of research the actual reason for why this occurs remains mostly speculative. Recent research looked at whether or not what an athlete eats and how much of it can play a role in the development of GI issues during a race and the authors set out to determine if the underlyin...

In this episode: Hydration status is an important factor for performance especially in warmer environments. Recently though, research has emerged suggesting that as you become dehydrated it not only becomes harder to perform at the same level but the perception of effort is also affected. I look at the science and evaluate how much the effect is, when it becomes an issue and what can be done to pr...

In this episode: Alkaline water has been promoted for all manner of health benefits but is there any rationale for why this would work and any science to support the claims that it does? I look at what this basic solution is, what it is supposed to be able to do and whether or not there is any supporting evidence. Plus an interview with ageless DeDe Griesbauer. DeDe has been a professional triathl...

In this episode: Overuse injuries are very common amongst professional triathletes and high performing age groupers alike. The conventional wisdom has always been that these are due to overloading training combined with insufficient recovery. New research now also suggests an important role for psychological and psychosocial stressors as well. I review the published evidence. Also, a discussion wi...

In this episode: Covid numbers have dropped and we may be in to a new phase of the pandemic but for millions of people symptoms persist in the form of long Covid. Worse, there may be as yet unknown long term consequences for young people as they age. Researchers at the University of Massachusetts recently published a paper that summarizes what is known about long covid in athletes and why some of...

In this episode: Staying hydrated is an important contributor to success in endurance racing especially in warmer environments. A product that has been around in Oceania and is now available in the US has it's roots as an oral rehydration solution for children with cholera. It's makers claim that the same technology that works to improve outcomes in diarrheal illness make it a 'revolutionary hydra...

In this episode: There is a longstanding belief that living and maybe training at altitude confers benefits on performance especially when an athlete goes to compete at a lower level. The science on this matter is a little less certain. Yes, there are physiological adaptations that occur but do these actually translate in to better results? I review the evidence. Plus, an interview with Skye Moenc...

In this episode: The impact that good quality sleep has on exercise performance has been pretty well understood for some time now. What is becoming clearer is how exercise also has a role in improving the quality of sleep. In addition, there is a growing consensus that both sleep and exercise are beneficial to cognitive function and memory. I explore what is known about this and speak to some prom...

In this episode: Spirulina is the name given to the extract of two species of blue green algae. Easy to cultivate and harvest, the plant is a remarkable source of nutrients and was once touted by NASA as the 'food of the future' and has even been grown in space for that purpose. Spirulina has gained popularity as a supplement as well and not just for nutrition but also for its purported effects on...

In this episode: Osteostrong is a program aimed at women that promises to build bone strength and prevent mineral loss in a way that is far more efficient than anything else out there and with results that seem far too good to be true. While not specifically targeted at athletes, the marketers of Osteostrong employ all of the same tired methods to induce customers to spend their money on something...

In this episode: The Omicron variant of Covid-19 has swept across the globe infecting record numbers of people including those with vaccinations. A question for many of those who are also endurance athletes is 'when and how can I safely return to training?' I am joined by Dr. Spencer Tomberg to review some recent guidelines in order to try and answer this important and timely question. Plus, an in...

In this episode: The New Year is a time for resolutions and one that is frequently made involves losing weight in order to be healthier. But as obesity rates continue to rise unabated researchers have started to question the wisdom of making weight loss the goal and instead are starting to promote being active and fit instead. I take a look at the science in this area and report on how being activ...

In this episode: When transitioning from high volume and intensity endurance training to lower volume and supplementing with strength training, what are the changes that take place in the body? Why do so many coaches promote this kind of philosophy and is there a sound rationale for its use? This was the basis of a question submitted by a listener and I take a look at both the science and the coac...

In this episode: We all know that our genes are the blueprint for who we are but has genetic testing reached the point that we can find out who we are meant to be? Several companies now offer DNA tests that purport to inform users of their athletic potential and specific abilities. Is this based on science or is this just another example of putting the cart way ahead of the horse? I investigate. P...

In this episode: Inside Tracker has been on a major advertising blitz of late making a huge push for new customers in an effort to get more athletes to spend hundreds of dollars on their blood testing services. I reviewed Inside Tracker a long time ago but given the surge in advertising and the promise of improved health and even performance to those who might be seduced in to signing up, I though...

In this episode: Iron deficiency is a common concern amongst athletes but is it a commonly occurring problem in this group? I review iron metabolism, dietary sources and the evidence on how frequently iron deficiency is found in the athlete population. I also look at what is known about iron deficiency and athletic performance as well as whether or not there is any benefit to iron supplementation....

In this episode: Through 78 episodes the TriDoc podcast has been a resource for athletes trying to make sense of the advertising and marketing that accompanies products aimed at them promising to improve performance. On this episode, joined by the podcast intern Maddy Pesch, I review the ways that such marketing is often deceiving and how consumers can be better attuned to the kinds of common ways...

In this episode: training with a running injury is often impossible and can be a real issue if a race is coming up. A new device called the Lever Movement advertises itself as a potential solution allowing runners to 'unweight' themselves and train through injury getting the benefits of improved fitness while allowing for injuries to heal. Similar but much more complicated and expensive technology...

In this episode: Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) has been around for more than three decades but is only now becoming more widely known among endurance athletes. What is it? How does it work? Does it really offer benefits that make it something that triathletes and other endurance athletes should consider? I look at the science. Plus, a conversation with John Duquette the owner of Blue70 sports on th...