On June 30, the A Question of Science podcast, presented by Professor Brian Cox and produced by BBC Studios for The Francis Crick Institute, featured Professor Vicky Tolfrey, Director of the Centre for Para and Disability Sport Innovation at Loughborough University, as an expert guest. Vicky, as part of an insightful live panel of sports scientists, discussed the UK’s top athletes and future directions in research. Discussions delved into enhancing muscle growth, the truth behind supplements, and how to differentiate genuine evidence from ‘hype’. The panel also explored the latest science and practice in Para athletics, and how lessons from this field are shaping health and sporting approaches for disabled people, including wheelchair users.
The conversation also spanned peak performance in elite athletes and how scientists are pushing the boundaries of human strength and endurance. As sports science has advanced, so has our understanding of how bodies train, adapt and recover, and the panel offered insights into what the general population can learn from those at the top of the performance curve.
Professor Vicky Tolfrey, Director for the Centre for Para and Disability Sport Innovation, is an applied physiologist specialising in Paralympic and disability sport, with expertise in wheelchair propulsion and athlete health/performance. She has worked extensively with Paralympic sport organisations and international federations, contributing evidence to improve performance, reduce injury risk and inform policy and classification systems in elite disability sport.
Commenting on her appearance, Professor Tolfrey, said:
“As a guest on A Question of Science, I got to see how world-class science and ideas are translated for wider communities, supported by an excellent BBC team who made the whole experience and preparation seamless. Sharing the stage with Andy Jones, Greg Whyte, Helen Glover, and Brian Cox was a real privilege and made for a fascinating evening”.
A Question of Science is a chart-topping podcast featuring insightful live panel discussions in which experts from different fields answer questions and share scientific perspectives on topical questions. The podcast aims to provide accurate, open, and engaging conversations on the latest scientific discoveries and their implications for society.
The podcast episode A Question of Science | Is sport science just for athletes? will be released in October 2026.