Alex Hutchinson

Alex Hutchinson is Outside’s Sweat Science columnist and the author of Endure: Mind, Body, and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance. He lives (and runs) in Toronto.

Latest Stories

Ruth Chepngetich’s New Marathon Record Was Outrageous. Was It Fair?

Culture

Ruth Chepngetich’s New Marathon Record Was Outrageous. Was It Fair?

Critics say the first sub-2:10 marathon was impossible—and fueled by doping. Our columnist examines the science as he tries to make sense of the backlash.

September 10, 2025

We’re Finally Learning More About VO2 Max in Women

Training

We’re Finally Learning More About VO2 Max in Women

A new study suggests men and women should address age-related declines in aerobic capacity quite differently

How Little Strength Training Can You Get Away With?

Cross-Training

How Little Strength Training Can You Get Away With?

New research explores the minimum effective dose of resistance training and the health effects of overdoing it

January 15, 2024

VO2 Max Just Turned 100. Here’s What It Means.

Training

VO2 Max Just Turned 100. Here’s What It Means.

Over the past century, “maximal oxygen uptake” has turned out to be a valuable marker of both endurance and health.

January 8, 2024

A Deep Dive into the Science of Marathon Recovery

Culture

A Deep Dive into the Science of Marathon Recovery

A high-tech approach called metabolomics offers a new perspective on how your body bounces back from 26.2 miles

September 28, 2023

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How Your Menstrual Cycle Affects Recovery from Training

Wellness

How Your Menstrual Cycle Affects Recovery from Training

A rigorous new study finds small changes in heart rate and subjective feelings of recovery. Do they matter?

September 27, 2023

The Quest for a Simpler Way to Boost Running Efficiency

Cross-Training

The Quest for a Simpler Way to Boost Running Efficiency

Plyometrics can make you a more efficient runner, and it turns out they don’t need to be complicated or risky

Most People Get Slower with Age. But Is That Inevitable?

Wellness

Most People Get Slower with Age. But Is That Inevitable?

Age may be just a number—but so is your weekly mileage

There’s New Evidence That Collagen Might Help Your Tendons

Wellness

There’s New Evidence That Collagen Might Help Your Tendons

With the right building blocks, connective tissue might just repair itself after all.

The Next Big Performance-Booster Is Already in Your Kitchen

Wellness

The Next Big Performance-Booster Is Already in Your Kitchen

Has Maurten finally figured out how to harness the power of baking soda without paying the gastrointestinal price?

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Why Ladders Are the Best Interval Workouts

Road

Why Ladders Are the Best Interval Workouts

Moving from long to short efforts during a workout maximizes the training stimulus

January 3, 2023

The Salt in Sports Drinks May Not Be As Crucial As You Think

Food

The Salt in Sports Drinks May Not Be As Crucial As You Think

Replacing lost salt is a pillar of sports nutrition, but new research suggests more isn’t always better

November 9, 2022

How Elite Runners Train When They’re Pregnant

Wellness

How Elite Runners Train When They’re Pregnant

New data outlines how much they run, how long it takes to resume training after giving birth, and how well they return to competition

October 6, 2022

How Caffeine Boosts Endurance

Food

How Caffeine Boosts Endurance

A new twist in the old debate about caffeine's performance-enhancing powers suggests it helps maintain oxygen levels in the blood

September 20, 2022

An Unconventional Training Idea for Older Women

Health

An Unconventional Training Idea for Older Women

Mounting evidence suggests that women respond differently to endurance training after menopause. Could donating blood be the solution?

August 10, 2022

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How Pregnancy Affects Your Marathon Time

Health

How Pregnancy Affects Your Marathon Time

A new study assesses how childbirth altered the career trajectories of the fastest marathoners in history, with encouraging results

Do Endurance Athletes Get More Cavities?

Health

Do Endurance Athletes Get More Cavities?

The oral health risks associated with heavy sports-drink use seem clear, but the evidence remains murky

Long Runs Train Your Heart, Sprints Train Your Muscles

Training

Long Runs Train Your Heart, Sprints Train Your Muscles

Different workout styles can get you equally fit, but they affect your body differently—which suggests that you should mix it up

February 8, 2022

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