Alex Hutchinson is a National Magazine Award-winning journalist and Outside’s Sweat Science columnist, covering the latest research on endurance and outdoor sports.
His most recent book is the New York Times bestseller Endure: Mind, Body, and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance. Before becoming a journalist, he completed a PhD in physics at the University of Cambridge and worked as a researcher in the National Security Agency’s Quantum Computing group. He also competed for the Canadian national team in track, cross-country, road, and mountain running. He lives (and runs) in Toronto.
Published
Losing weight doesn’t necessarily make you fitter, a new study finds.
Scientists explain why some of us benefit more than others from expert guidance.
Harder isn’t always better for interval training, according to a new study.
Spending less time sitting can keep your mitochondria healthier, which is good for both health and performance.
A new study puts Maurten’s hydrogel baking soda to the test in thin air, and finds (mostly) positive results.
New data sheds light on a longstanding debate.
Your metabolism adapts to save energy when you work out a lot, a new theory claims.
Harvard scientists find that exercise variety is good but not too much and only certain types. Take the findings with a grain of salt.
Staying healthy is key to the quest for glory in Milano Cortina, so athletes are deploying the latest science.
New research on drinking during exercise is challenging old beliefs.
Scientists confirm that your mileage may vary in how you respond to workouts, but everyone benefits in the end.
Choosing your pace based on the physiological transition from easy to hard is more effective than calculations based on maximum heart rate, research shows.
New research backs this approach to avoiding running injuries.
New research suggests that ketone drinks can raise oxygen levels in the blood.
New research suggests it’s actually not about your heart.
What to read (or buy) for fans of science, endurance, fitness, and adventure
Scientists propose a unified framework for describing how intense your workout is
Brain fatigue really does slow you down, new research suggests
A recent randomized trial on exercise for cancer patients breaks new ground in showing the life-extending powers of a workout
With winter on the way, here are some products that will help you stay active in the cold and plan adventures for next year
Scientists weigh in on the underlying causes of relative energy deficiency in sport
Nomio, a Swedish broccoli extract, claims to lower lactate levels, but its true benefits may go deeper
Scientists explore the links between how many calories you can digest and the ultimate limits of endurance
Turns out there’s a science to good cheering, and most of us have been doing it wrong
“Extreme environmental physiologists” weigh in on what the human body really needs
I took this lightweight, battery-free scope into the wilderness to test its stargazing potential
An expedition that summited Everest in less than a week sparked interest—and skepticism—about the benefits of the gas
The North Coast Trail, on Vancouver Island, takes you deep into the territory where several seasons of the reality show were set
New research around muscle elasticity offers some surprising insights for marathon runners—and could explain how "super shoes" actually work
Preliminary findings suggest marathoners and ultramarathoners may have a higher risk of abnormal colonoscopy findings, but previous studies paint a different picture
Top cyclists on the women’s World Tour do better when they rack up more easy training, a new analysis finds
Instead of a dedicated satellite messaging system for emergencies, I decided to trust the new feature on my phone—and it worked
A new study bolsters the claim that collagen supplements can help remodel your tendons and muscles
Now that the fastest marathoner in history, Ruth Chepngetich, has been caught, is it time give up and let athletes dope?
Scientists explore what’s happening in our brains during prolonged efforts
Physiologists track the calories burned and fluids consumed during a mountain ultra
Patterns emerge in a database of more than 100 trail-running fatalities
What we learned about the power of the mind, drafting, pacing, and more
At Nike’s Breaking4 event in Paris, the Kenyan star clocked the fastest ever mile by a woman. Here's how she did it—and why the 4-minute mark remains elusive.
Our Sweat Science columnist is on the ground in Paris for Nike’s Breaking4 race on Thursday
Six years ago, Nike orchestrated the world’s first sub-two-hour marathon. Now, the brand—and Faith Kipyegon—are going after the women’s mile with a high-tech suite of shoes, apparel, and race-day strategies.
A selection of (mostly) new titles for fans of science, endurance, fitness, and adventure
Your watch or wearable isn't actually the most accurate way to determine how hard your last workout was. This completely analog method is.
A new approach to endurance training involves inhaling carbon monoxide—and is reviving old debates about dying to win
It’s not just about big muscles: scientists now believe that protein is also a recovery aid and even a fuel.
According to new research, keeping two repetitions in reserve is almost as good as maxing out every set of your strength routine.
Lactic acid has long been vilified, but new research shows that it doesn't impair muscle function. In fact, it might actually be good for you.
A new study shows the once-popular marathon supplement could offer significant endurance gains.
The Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 claims to offer the biggest improvements in running economy since the Nike Vaporfly took the world by storm eight years ago.
Chronic inflammation increases as you age, but serious training can help you avoid it.
New data explores the complex links between your apps, mental fatigue, and athletic performance.
In an excerpt from his new book, Outside’s Sweat Science columnist digs into the emerging science of why we’re drawn to the unknown and what we get out of it
New data identifies two key risk factors for high-altitude pulmonary edema, a leading cause of death on the highest mountain in the Americas
The risks of training while depleted are finally getting lots of attention—maybe too much
Scientists tackle the challenge of maintaining qualities like high VO2 max and good running economy even when you’re tired
It’s either way more than you think or way less than you think, depending on which scientists you listen to
Two new studies add fresh data to the debate about exercise and brain function
The barrier is closer than it seems, researchers argue—if you fully optimize drafting and other logistical details.
New data suggests that the most efficient uphill slope is steeper than you think
Scientists take a closer look at the studies supporting links between physical activity and mental health and ask: is the evidence any good?
Understanding when and why men outperform women, and under what circumstances that can change, is suddenly a fraught topic.
A new study finds athletes with higher vitamin D levels are stronger, but the big picture remains murky
New data from 2.5 million marathon finishers finds that subtle changes in air quality can affect your race time
New data shows that the biggest difference between elite and middling runners is how much time they spend jogging
Everyone knows taking time off is good for you—in theory. Maybe these new results will convince you to actually do it.
Keeping your muscles cool will supercharge the benefits of aerobic training, new findings suggest
By triggering a diving reflex, athletes who perform breath-holds can increase red blood cells—and, possibly, endurance
Scientists crunched the numbers to come up with the single best predictor of how long you’ll live—and arrived at a surprisingly low-tech answer
A selection of (mostly) new titles for fans of science, endurance, fitness, and adventure
After years of rumors, new data suggests that real-time lactate sensors are finally ready to hit the market. But will athletes know what to do with them?
Do You Have More Slow-Twitch or Fast-Twitch Muscle Fiber? The Answer Could Change the Way You Train.
More evidence emerges that muscle-fiber type matters—if you can figure out which type you have
Scientists recently examined the physiology of the increasingly popular open-ended race format—running 4.167 miles every hour—pioneered by Gary Cantrell.
We lose power more quickly than strength as we get older. Researchers are trying to understand why—and how to fight back.
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.
Leading researcher Daniel Moore weighs in on myths, truths, and misconceptions about how much protein athletes need
Research on athletes who are experienced meditators finds better “response inhibition” and superior endurance
The latest wearables have gotten much more accurate at logging our Zzzs. Too bad researchers haven’t figured out how we should use the data.
A new study tests the performance claims of Omius’ unique looking headband worn by Olympic legends Sifan Hassan and Eliud Kipchoge.
Researchers were once convinced that some people have a bigger training response than others—but the data says otherwise
Sports nutritionists love to recommend high protein intake. Kidney specialists aren’t sure that’s a good idea.