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
Unraveling how a carbon fiber plate and space-age foam combine to make a more efficient shoe turns out to be trickier than expected
Colin O’Brady thinks it’s possible—but just barely—to haul enough calories to traverse the continent. Here’s how.
A new study suggests that hitting the gym more than twice a week is counterproductive. That seems unlikely.
A new study suggests that running on autopilot is the most efficient approach.
A new study finds that having “elite” levels of aerobic fitness increases longevity relative to merely “high” levels.
Research on a pro cycling team suggests that subjective training metrics can match high-tech ones
Evolutionary biologists weigh in on the eternal training dilemma of how to allocate time and energy to three different disciplines
A crowdfunding project promises to bring smoother pack-carrying experiences to the masses
A new study explores attitudes toward performance-enhancing drugs in the ultrarunning world
Falls put 3,000 climbers a year in hospital, costing more than $20 million, according to a new study
The man who raised the possibility of the feat back in 1991 takes another look into the crystal ball
A stunning world record of 2:01:39 resets our understanding of what it means to run 26.2 miles.
New research zeroes in on an unlikely culprit for why running gets less efficient as you fatigue.
A new study bolsters the claim that afternoon or evening workouts can mess with sleep. But don’t panic just yet.
The optimal number of sets in the weight room depends on whether you want to get big or strong
An Italian cyclist takes aim at the sport’s most storied record, with the aid of a controversial fuel.
Elite athletes are turning up the thermostat in pursuit of an edge
A massive new study confirms the mental health benefits of exercise. Don’t let the negative spin get you down.
Exactly how much power can a human produce? Scientists want to know.
Four years of race data from a professional cycling team unveils some differences between the sexes
Using machine learning to recognize who’s a serious competitive runner and who’s not could teach us something useful about avoiding injuries
New research finds that those who can identify and regulate their emotions keep pushing when the going gets tough
An in-depth biomechanical analysis of nearly everyone at the world track championships yields unexpected results
You don’t train the same way every day. Here’s why you should periodize everything else, too.
You’ve heard the hype about meditation and other "non-judgemental awareness" practices. Now check out the data.
A survey of backpackers' tactics on the 220-mile high-country route offers insights on what works and what doesn’t
Scientists point the finger at the brain chemical adenosine for the endurance-sapping effects of mental fatigue.
The doctors who scrambled to rescue and triage survivors in 2015 look back in search of lessons.
A study of the stress-reducing powers of wilderness explores “levels of nature.”
Conventional wisdom says that drafting doesn’t matter when cycling up steep hills. It’s wrong.
It feels good, but does it boost performance? Only randomized controlled trials can tell us.
New research compares men’s and women’s pacing patterns, and finds some telling differences
Researchers explore the psychology of running injuries
Military researchers have spent years calculating the energy cost of hauling a pack in various conditions. Here's how to use what they’ve found.
The myth that running causes osteoarthritis and ruins your knees has long been debunked. But what if your joints are already ruined?
Keep getting your eight hours, but the science is more complicated than you might expect
It's called accidentology. Yes, that's a real word.
You'd think the fittest men and women on the planet would outlive the most sedentary ones. But you'd be wrong.
The post-exercise recovery trend has produced mountains of new research. But can you trust the results?
Thanks to smartphones and watches, athletes can track more data than ever. But is HRV all that really matters?
A long-standing debate on how to optimize your endurance efficiency gets a new infusion of data
A new study probes why athletes like Callum Hawkins sometimes push themselves to collapse
A mathematical approach to flagging suspicious race times shows its worth
A new study explores why we're stronger and faster when someone is watching
Pain psychologists explore the differences between those who finish ultra-endurance races and those who don't
An analysis of five decades of world records reveals a surprising shift in pacing approach
A seasoned biomechanics expert offers his top insights on running-form danger signs
The effort paradox explains everything from mountain climbing to buying IKEA furniture
New research explores how ultraviolet light can trigger the production of health- and performance-boosting nitric oxide
It's the most reliable performance booster in the world—unless you have the wrong genes
A comprehensive research review finds that "neuromuscular" gains boost your speed and efficiency
The world’s first four-minute miler has died, but his approach to the sport should live on
In an era of specialization, a new study argues for diversifying your interests.
With the arrival of a long-rumored drink, endurance athletes want to know
For long-term health in endurance athletes, when you eat is nearly as important as how much you eat
Scientists make the case for a new real-time measure of endurance effort
Athletes have been shattering "expert" forecasts for the ultimate limits of our species for more than a century
Testing the idea that you can improve your ability to eat on the run
In an exclusive excerpt from his book 'Endure,' Outside's Sweat Science columnist explores the brain's role in setting our physical limits.
Can a controversial new form of statistical profiling weed out cheaters?
The hype around a new breed of running tech is raising the ire of biomechanists. Here's why.
A new case study digs into the medical records of a lost diver's incredible survival story
Forget training load and biomechanics. A surprising new study suggests that avoiding injury might come down to something far simpler.
A new study wades into the controversy, with unexpected results
Get the formula right and you'll never have to resort to the treadmill again
With a few adjustments, you can minimize the “interference effect” between high mileage and your ability to build muscle
After several years of conflicting results, new evidence shows that endurance is at least partly in your head
You can tweak your workout to minimize the downsides of sucking on a tailpipe
To get a clear picture of where research is headed, you have to look beyond the easy headlines
You can't be super-lean all the time, so pick your moments—and watch your health
Two new studies remind us of what we already know but sometimes forget
It’s official: Nike’s Vaporfly shoes improve efficiency by 4 percent. What does that actually mean for racing?
The protein and muscle guru Luc van Loon wants you to bulk up—and keep what you've got
It sounds hokey, but it works in the lab—and for the greatest marathoner in the world
A cycling study finds that the lure of a reward throws off pacing instincts
Comparing 26.2 to shorter distances to see if Eliud Kipchoge was robbed by the weather in Berlin
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Scientists investigate hip straps—the benefits aren’t as obvious as you think
Exploring the riddles of endurance and adventure, but only after peer review