Mental Muscle tackles the science behind the sport. Join Julia Ravey as she takes an in-depth look.
How can we make sport more inclusive?
Julia Ravey tackles the science behind sport. World-class research and grassroots initiatives are creating level playing fields for participants, so Julia asks: "how can we make sport more inclusive?"
1/11/2024 • 18 minutes, 41 seconds
How can you take the perfect penalty?
Julia Ravey tackles the science behind sport. Games, tournaments and trophies can rest on one kick, so Julia asks: "how can you take the perfect penalty?"
12/10/2023 • 15 minutes, 56 seconds
How do goalkeepers see the world?
Julia Ravey tackles the science behind sport. Goalies mix split second decisions with lightning reflexes, so Julia asks: "How do goalkeepers see the world?"
11/23/2023 • 16 minutes, 6 seconds
Is being a perfectionist a problem in sport?
Julia Ravey tackles the science behind sport. Athletes always strive for that extra 1%, so Julia asks: "Is being a perfectionist a problem in sport?"
11/6/2023 • 17 minutes, 22 seconds
What makes the perfect pitch?
Julia Ravey tackles the science behind sport. Groundskeepers say 'the grass speaks to you', so Julia asks: "What makes the perfect pitch?"
10/17/2023 • 13 minutes, 29 seconds
How do you keep swimming for 29 hours?
Julia Ravey tackles the science behind sport. Sophie Etheridge set a record for the longest time to swim the English Channel so Julia asks: how did she keep going?
10/5/2023 • 21 minutes, 14 seconds
How can brain waves improve your golf putt?
Julia Ravey tackles the science behind sport. From posture to power, Julia asks: How can brain waves improve your golf putt?
9/17/2023 • 17 minutes, 43 seconds
What can we learn from coaching legends?
Julia Ravey tackles the science behind sport. Either top of the league or sacked after a season, Julia asks: "What can we learn from coaching legends?"
9/12/2023 • 15 minutes, 52 seconds
Is it better to be an underdog?
Julia Ravey tackles the science behind sport. Since we love to support the 'little guy' Julia asks: "Is it better to be an underdog?"
8/6/2023 • 17 minutes, 22 seconds
How do you win the egg and spoon race?
Julia Ravey tackles the science behind sport. On behalf of children and parents, Julia asks: "How do you win the egg and spoon race?"
7/20/2023 • 20 minutes, 34 seconds
Can science improve your golf swing?
Julia Ravey tackles the science behind sport. CGI film techniques are used by pro golfers so Julia asks: "Can science improve your golf swing?"
7/9/2023 • 17 minutes, 36 seconds
Does the pitch impact performance?
Julia Ravey tackles the science behind sport by pitching real grass against fake. Julia asks: "Does the pitch impact performance?"
6/25/2023 • 15 minutes, 38 seconds
Ep34: How can judo help your nana?
Julia Ravey tackles the science behind sport. An ancient Japanese discipline is being taught to the elderly, so Julia asks: "How can judo help your nana?"
6/11/2023 • 15 minutes, 56 seconds
Ep33: When is the best time of day to exercise?
Julia Ravey tackles the science behind sport. If you're an early bird or night owl, Julia asks: "When is the best time of day to exercise?"
5/28/2023 • 20 minutes, 28 seconds
Ep32: Can dancing benefit your brain?
Julia Ravey tackles the science behind sport. In the name of science, Julie braves a beach-side boogie and asks: "Can dancing benefit your brain?"
5/14/2023 • 18 minutes, 8 seconds
Ep31: Why does a curling stone curl?
Julia Ravey tackles the science behind sport. Curling has a curious scientific quirk, so Julia steps onto the ice to ask: "Why does a curling stone curl?"
4/30/2023 • 17 minutes, 26 seconds
Ep30: What makes an athlete successful?
Julia Ravey tackles the science behind sport. Julia teams up with the hosts of the For Fitness Sake podcast to ask: "What makes an athlete successful?"
4/23/2023 • 20 minutes, 44 seconds
Ep29: How can I run further?
Julia Ravey tackles the science behind sport. As the days draw out and more people get their kit on Julia asks: "How can I run further?"
4/16/2023 • 18 minutes, 22 seconds
Ep28: How can you keep moving through menopause?
Julia Ravey tackles the science behind sport. As running becomes inclusive Julia asks: "How can you keep moving through menopause?"
4/9/2023 • 20 minutes, 36 seconds
Ep27: How can you pick a winning horse?
Julia Ravey tackles the science behind sport. The horses are in the starting gate, the crowd have binoculars ready so Julia asks: "How can you pick a winning horse?"
4/2/2023 • 19 minutes, 41 seconds
Ep26: How can I get better at snooker?
Julia Ravey tackles the science behind sport. Julia chalks her cue and talks to a champion to ask: "How can I get better at snooker?"
3/26/2023 • 23 minutes, 3 seconds
Ep25: How has tech changed The Boat Race?
Julia Ravey tackles the science behind sport. As rowing crews prepare for The Boat Race Julia asks: "How has tech changed The Boat Race?"
3/20/2023 • 20 minutes, 36 seconds
Ep24: What makes a champion boat?
Julia Ravey tackles the science behind sport. As rowing crews line up for The Boat Race Julia asks: "What makes a champion boat?"
3/13/2023 • 26 minutes, 34 seconds
Ep23: What helps athletes be resilient?
Julia Ravey tackles the science behind sport. When the going gets tough, how do the tough get going? Julia asks: "What helps athletes be resilient?"
2/24/2023 • 18 minutes, 25 seconds
Ep22: When will I see results?
Julia Ravey tackles the science behind sport. Motivation to exercise can be hard to maintain, Julia asks: "When will I see results?"
2/6/2023 • 16 minutes, 46 seconds
Ep21: Why is tackle height changing in rugby?
Julia Ravey tackles the science behind sport. As debates continue about head injuries in sport, Julia asks: "Why is tackle height changing in rugby?"
1/30/2023 • 13 minutes, 8 seconds
Ep20: Can food make you faster?
Julia Ravey tackles the science behind sport. Carb loading, protein shakes and beetroot, Julia asks: "Can food make you faster?"
1/23/2023 • 17 minutes, 1 second
Ep19: Can exercise banish your winter blues?
Julia Ravey tackles the science behind sport. As cold and rainy weather leaves many of us in a low mood, Julia asks: "Can exercise banish your winter blues?"
1/16/2023 • 18 minutes, 34 seconds
Ep18: What is the secret to building a routine?
Julia Ravey tackles the science behind sport. If you're planning a 'new you' this year, Julia asks: "What is the secret to building a routine?"
1/9/2023 • 20 minutes, 4 seconds
Ep17: How can athletes navigate retirement from their sport?
Julia Ravey tackles the science behind sport. Athletes' careers can't last forever but what next after a life of competition? Julia asks: "How can athletes navigate retirement from their sport?"
12/12/2022 • 18 minutes, 20 seconds
Ep16: How can coaches create results?
Julia Ravey tackles the science behind sport. What are the best techniques for motivating athletes? Julia asks: "How can coaches create results?"
12/5/2022 • 15 minutes, 29 seconds
Ep15: How far do footballers run?
Julia Ravey tackles the science behind sport. Week in, week out we all watch our teams pound the pitch. Julia asks: "How far do footballers run?"
11/28/2022 • 15 minutes, 12 seconds
Ep14: What technology is being used at the 2022 World Cup?
Julia Ravey tackles the science behind sport. As footballers and fans head to Qatar, Julia asks: "What technology is being used at the 2022 World Cup?"
11/21/2022 • 13 minutes, 29 seconds
Ep13: How does walking boost your mood?
Julia Ravey tackles the science behind sport. As Pudsey bear encourages us to walk and talk for BBC Children in Need 2022, Julia asks: "How does walking boost your mood?"
11/14/2022 • 14 minutes, 20 seconds
Ep12: What makes a champion gymnast?
Julia Ravey tackles the science behind sport. Cambridgeshire is home to world-class gymnastics so, Julia asks: "What makes a champion gymnast?"
11/7/2022 • 16 minutes, 42 seconds
Ep11: Can you beat the bookies?
Julia Ravey tackles the science behind sport. If you fancy a flutter on your favourite sport, Julia asks: "Can you beat the bookies?"
10/23/2022 • 18 minutes, 29 seconds
Ep10: Can an athlete fully recover from long Covid?
Julia Ravey tackles the science behind sport. As the world adjusts to a 'new normal', Julia asks: "Can an athlete fully recover from long Covid?"
10/16/2022 • 17 minutes, 22 seconds
Ep09: How do periods impact performance?
Julia Ravey tackles the science behind sport. After making recent sporting headlines, Julia asks: "How do periods impact performance?"
10/9/2022 • 17 minutes, 44 seconds
Ep08: Does ice aid recovery?
Julia Ravey tackles the science behind sport. After a busy sporting season, Julia asks: "Does ice aid recovery?"
10/2/2022 • 19 minutes, 52 seconds
Ep07: What happens when runners hit 'the wall'?
Julia Ravey tackles the science behind sport. As runners head to the start line, Julia asks: "What happens when runners hit 'the wall'?"
9/25/2022 • 18 minutes, 15 seconds
Ep06: Why does a cricket ball swing?
Julia Ravey tackles the science behind sport. She asks: "Why does a cricket ball swing, and can she do it?"
9/18/2022 • 18 minutes, 12 seconds
Ep05: Is it safe to head a football?
Julia Ravey tackles the science behind sport. With a heading ban for the under 12's being trialed by the FA, Julia asks: "Is it safe to head a football?"
9/4/2022 • 16 minutes, 12 seconds
Ep04: Can AI win fantasy football?
Julia Ravey tackles the science behind sport. As football fever grips the nation, Julia asks: "Can AI win fantasy football?"
8/28/2022 • 19 minutes, 38 seconds
Ep03: Are any world records unbreakable?
Julia Ravey tackles the science behind sport. Already in 2022, seven new outdoor athletics world records have been set. Julia asks: "Are any world records unbreakable?"
8/21/2022 • 19 minutes, 10 seconds
Ep02: When is it too hot to play sport?
Julia Ravey tackles the science behind sport. As temperatures rise, athletes face more game time in the heat. Julia asks: "When is it too hot to play sport?"
8/14/2022 • 20 minutes, 45 seconds
Ep01: How has the sports bra revolutionised women’s sport?
Julia Ravey tackles the science behind sport. After iconic scenes at the Euro 2022 football final, she asks the question: "How has the sports bra revolutionised women’s sport?"