Ruth Chepngetich’s New Marathon Record Was Outrageous. Was It Fair?
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Author
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.
My Stories
We’re Finally Learning More About VO2 Max in Women
A new study from researchers at the Federal University of São Paulo in Brazil focused on women’s aerobic capacity suggests that the mechanisms of VO2 max decline—and thus perhaps the best countermeasures—are different in men and women
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
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.
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
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?
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?
Age may be just a number—but so is your weekly mileage
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
Has Maurten finally figured out how to harness the power of baking soda without paying the gastrointestinal price?
Why Ladders Are the Best Interval Workouts
Moving from long to short efforts during a workout maximizes the training stimulus
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
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
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
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?
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?
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
Different workout styles can get you equally fit, but they affect your body differently—which suggests that you should mix it up