Publicação
Outside the Lab: a practical perspective transition in sports science research
| Resumo: | Exercise and sports sciences continue to grow as a collective of disciplines exploring a broad array of basic and applied research questions (1, 2) with a notable shift from traditional laboratory settings to data collection in real-world sports environments (1-4). This transition is determined by the recognition that lab-based studies, while valuable, often do not fully capture the complexities and dynamics of contextual parameters of sports performance (3-6). Real world data offers a comfortable, more nuanced understanding of the factors influencing athletic performance. For instance, studying athletes in their natural training environments can provide insights into how different training regimens affect performance, or how athletes respond to environmental stressors (4, 7). Applied research utilizing the Real-world data methodology explores physical performance and health in depth, leading to novel methods for improving athletic talents. A new paradigm has emerged that emphasizes the analysis of data obtained from training to make inferences and identify practical applications (3, 4). This paradigm advocates for a multidisciplinary approach to sports research (1). Unfortunately, this approach is not without its difficulties and challenges (4). Collecting data in the field requires careful consideration of methodological rigor, ensuring that the data gathered is both accurate and relevant (4, 5, 8). For example, when monitoring an athlete’s response during a competition or training, researchers must consider factors like the invasiveness of data collection methods and their potential impact on performance (2, 8). Additionally, the variability of external conditions and covariables such as weather, and equipment differences can introduce complexities in data interpretation (9). It's essential to account for these factors to ensure the conclusions drawn are valid and reflect the true performance dynamics (2, 8, 9). This editorial aimed to (i) establish a comprehensive framework for research methodology in applied exercise and sports sciences, (ii) discuss the benefits of field-based data collection for providing contextually relevant insights into athletic performance, and (iii) address the practical and ethical challenges in this research area, offering strategies to manage these issues and advocating for realistic, multidisciplinary applied research in sports science. |
|---|---|
| Autores principais: | Fessi, Mohamed Saifeddin |
| Outros Autores: | Oliveira, Rafael |
| Assunto: | athletic performance data integration empirical research field studies methodology performance analysis research innovation training optimization |
| Ano: | 2023 |
| País: | Portugal |
| Tipo de documento: | artigo |
| Tipo de acesso: | acesso aberto |
| Instituição associada: | Instituto Politécnico de Santarém |
| Idioma: | inglês |
| Origem: | Repositório Científico do Instituto Politécnico de Santarém |
| Resumo: | Exercise and sports sciences continue to grow as a collective of disciplines exploring a broad array of basic and applied research questions (1, 2) with a notable shift from traditional laboratory settings to data collection in real-world sports environments (1-4). This transition is determined by the recognition that lab-based studies, while valuable, often do not fully capture the complexities and dynamics of contextual parameters of sports performance (3-6). Real world data offers a comfortable, more nuanced understanding of the factors influencing athletic performance. For instance, studying athletes in their natural training environments can provide insights into how different training regimens affect performance, or how athletes respond to environmental stressors (4, 7). Applied research utilizing the Real-world data methodology explores physical performance and health in depth, leading to novel methods for improving athletic talents. A new paradigm has emerged that emphasizes the analysis of data obtained from training to make inferences and identify practical applications (3, 4). This paradigm advocates for a multidisciplinary approach to sports research (1). Unfortunately, this approach is not without its difficulties and challenges (4). Collecting data in the field requires careful consideration of methodological rigor, ensuring that the data gathered is both accurate and relevant (4, 5, 8). For example, when monitoring an athlete’s response during a competition or training, researchers must consider factors like the invasiveness of data collection methods and their potential impact on performance (2, 8). Additionally, the variability of external conditions and covariables such as weather, and equipment differences can introduce complexities in data interpretation (9). It's essential to account for these factors to ensure the conclusions drawn are valid and reflect the true performance dynamics (2, 8, 9). This editorial aimed to (i) establish a comprehensive framework for research methodology in applied exercise and sports sciences, (ii) discuss the benefits of field-based data collection for providing contextually relevant insights into athletic performance, and (iii) address the practical and ethical challenges in this research area, offering strategies to manage these issues and advocating for realistic, multidisciplinary applied research in sports science. |
|---|