The TriDoc Podcast, triathlon and health in one place

Triathlons are great for the mind and on the whole for health and well being but long distance events can definitely take a toll on our bodies. Researchers have known for some time that markers of tissue injury and even death rise after races but what this means remains unclear. I review some of the recent data on this subject and give some insights on what it all might mean for the longterm healt...

While women can do pretty much anything men can athletically this doesn't mean that there aren't important differences between the sexes. The most important of those relates to the female menstrual cycle with its complex interplay of hormones and their effects on various systems and cells. As scientists and physiologists have learned more about those effects, some have suggested that women may per...

Returning to training after Covid-19 seems like it should only be a matter of waiting for symptoms to resolve. Unfortunately for many this takes a really long time and for others, an insidious, underlying issue may remain even when other symptoms have all disappeared. Myocarditis or inflammation of the heart is a recognized complication of Covid infection and can be fatal in athletes in whom it is...

We often hear of overtraining but it seems quite nebulous. Is it really a thing? How is it defined and diagnosed and treated and most importantly can it be prevented? These are surprisingly tough questions to answer and I explain why as well as the current state of understanding of this complex issue. Endurance athletes and triathletes spend a lot of time preparing their bodies for competition but...

Since it's appearance at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing kinesiotape has become all the rage among amateur athletes as a means of rehabilitating injury, preventing new injuries and enhancing performance. But aside from accessorizing the athlete's look with colorful racing stripes, is kinesiotaping really all that? What does the science say about these claims? I take a look and fill you in. Bill Plock...

Epsom salts have been advocated as a cure all for most anything that ails you for more than four hundred years. Despite that, there is almost no science to either support or refute the claims that many make in recommending baths with Epsom salts as treatment. I look at the history behind this folk remedy and explore the rationale for its widespread use and whether or not it is something that you s...

Triathlon Taren posted a pretty grim status update in which he shared his frustrations related to weight gain and difficulties with maintaining fitness. But what he attributed this to has led many physician triathletes including myself to be disappointed that someone with so much influence would be so reckless in propagating unsubstantiated theories. I look at his assertions and provide my own uns...

Long hours in the saddle can be uncomfortable but made even more so if you develop a saddle sore. For some people these painful lesions are recurrent and can be a significant problem during the summer months. What are saddle sores, how are they treated and most importantly how can they be prevented? In part 3 of my series on diversity in triathlon, I speak with Linus Pagusera, an Asian American wi...

The TriDoc Podcast is a bi-weekly show that gives answers to triathletes' questions on all matters related to health, wellness and medicine as it pertains to multi-sport. With interesting guests from around the world, the TriDoc provides an entertaining and educational 40 minutes or so for athletes at all levels, from newbie to Kona qualifier.

A special episode of the TriDoc podcast with a crossover debut of another podcast! Dead and Slaughter visit the Bates Motel to discuss the impact that Hitchcocks's classic film had on the horror genre. While it may not be the scariest film that Sam has seen given how things have changed in the intervening decades, she still appreciates it as a masterpiece and Dad might have a few things to point o...

Bicarbonate has been advocated as a means of enhancing performance for many years by virtue of its ability to neutralize lactic acid in muscle cells but the evidence has been lacking to really support its use. A relatively new product purports to deliver bicarbonate in a novel manner-through the skin and makes claims to have some pretty impressive impacts on training for cyclists and triathletes....

USAT released guidelines for a phased approach to a return to racing. Do these guidelines make sense? Will they adequately protect participants from infection with Covid if races do return in 2020? Dr. David Wyles, an infectious disease specialist joins me for a discussion. In the first part of my series on the lack of diversity in triathlon, Marcus Fitts, a USAT certified coach and founder of Dis...

Wearing a mask reduces the spread of Covid-19. This is not debatable. Some have suggested that wearing a mask is necessary when exercising because heavy breathing while exercising by asymptomatic infected individuals can result in significant spread of the virus. Is this true? And what of all the naysayers (aka Karens) who insist that wearing a mask makes it harder to breathe and impairs oxygenati...

In part 2 of my series on muscle cramps I look at the science behind the neuromuscular theory of exercise associated muscle cramps. Is this the real reason for cramps? Is there anything that can be done about it? What is the best method to avoid cramps? Michelle Lund is the co-owner and the face of BBSC endurance sports. She joins me to talk about the impact that the pandemic has had on small race...

Exercise associated muscle cramps are the bane of many athlete's existence and cause so much havoc to even the best laid plans. Despite more than a hundred years of research, the reason for cramping is still hotly debated and not well understood. In part 1 of a 2 part series, I take a look at one of the two most likely underlying causes of cramping; electrolyte imbalances. Jay Weber has a long tim...

Morton's Neuroma is a common cause of foot pain especially in middle age and more so in women. What is it and how can it be treated? George Cespedes has a long history in triathlon and is now a coach but more importantly is the driving force behind the Tri Animals group on FaceBook. He joins me to talk about what drew him to the sport and how he has developed the Animals into a worldwide influence...

Blood donation is the ultimate selfless gift to those in need. But how does the gift of life interfere with endurance sport? Does a pint of blood result in significant losses in hemoglobin that can impact exercise performance? Can triathletes be blood donors and still effectively train? Kevin Koskella is the TriSwimCoach and has a podcast of the same name. He has made a career out of helping triat...

The Covid-19 pandemic has shaken the world in ways that we can barely begin to comprehend. Why all the fuss? The TriDoc brings a triathlete's perspective to understanding this disease and why we need to take it so seriously. How long will all this last and what can we do to stay safe? Mikael Ericksson preaches the science behind triathlon and has a podcast dedicated to the same. He joins me to giv...

Hydration during training and racing is important but can you get by on plain water alone? Laurel Graham is an Ironman athlete racing in the physically challenged division with Charcot-Marie-Tooth muscular dystrophy. She talks about her journey and how to not piss her off because you don't want to make her stabby. The triathlete routard is off to the Buckeye state to review the Ohio 70.3 race

Beetroot juice has been theorized and advocated to improve endurance sports performance for years. There are plentiful options of supplements to choose from but does the science support their use? Peter Sankoff is a professor of law and the co-founder of Animal Justice, a Canadian animal rights advocacy group. He is well positioned to discuss the Game Changers and the moral and ethical issues arou...

Photobiomodulation is the application of red or near infrared light to muscles to enhance performance or recovery. The devices that do this are pricey and marketed as having pretty consistent benefits across a wide breadth of applications. But are they worth the investment and do they actually do what their makers claim? Dr. Rolf Halden is an environmental engineer and professor at Arizona State U...

Electrical muscle stimulators in the form of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulators (TENS) or neuromuscular electrical stimulators (NMES) are expensive devices with manufacturers who justify their costs based on claims that they can improve strength, recovery and healing from injury. Are those claims backed by science? I look at the evidence and weigh in on whether or not these devices make f...

The Halo Sport employs transcranial direct current stimulation to prime your brain to train more effectively and at higher intensity than otherwise possible. Or at least that's what its makers would have you believe. Is it true? What does the evidence really say and is it worth $400 for this device? Casey Poe Campbell is a nutritional consultant who has a viewpoint that was not represented on the...

The StaminaPro aims to be a recovery aid with a difference. By wearing it during exercise its makers claim that you can benefit from 'active recovery'. What does this mean? Is there any evidence to support these claims and should you consider this patch for your own recovery toolbox? For part 3 of my series exploring the issues raised by the Game Changers film, I speak with Daniel Reintjes, aka th...

The TriDoc Podcast is one year old! In this episodes a look at the science behind compression garments? Sure they make you look great but how well do they affect performance and recovery? In the second part of my series exploring the issues and controversies raised by The Game Changers I am joined by Simin Levinson, a nutritionist and sports dietician from Arizona State University. What are her th...