Piecing together the sports science puzzle

An ode to the Cochrane Library ❤️

A considerable amount of time and effort goes into a well conducted research project. You have the planning, the data collection, analysis, write up, peer review, revisions right through to the glorious final paper you end up with in all its gleaming, knowledge filled glory. But it’s only ever one small piece in a much larger scientific puzzle that only comes into focus the more pieces are added.

And that is a bedrock in any scientific pursuit; validation.

To build an understanding on something there must be consistency in results, validated through different research studies that slowly over time builds a body of empirical evidence, which becomes more accepted as knowledge before being translated and applied in practice.

Perhaps even more painful, is this journey in sports science.

Unlike some fields where research findings can be swiftly translated into practice, sports science often faces a prolonged validation process. Samples are often small, collaboration difficult due to the competitive nature of elite sport, and so there is an inherent challenge for studies to replicate findings across diverse populations and conditions to ensure reliability. Without such validation though, promising interventions and insight can remain theoretical rather than practical solutions for athletes and sports professionals.

For example, a study that may yield promising findings to prevent hamstring injuries needs to be understood with the context of how it aligns (or not!) with other literature and studies of its kind. In isolation there is little confidence in how it can inform practice and guide decision making for practitioners (unless it’s a huge sample with gold standard methodology, but even then it’s only 1 study, plus these are understandably rare in sport science. But I digress). And even if there are multiple studies in a similar area,

inconsistencies and varying methodologies can complicate interpretation.

Now in health research, this is where the Cochrane Library steps in.

The Cochrane Library, aims to synthesise evidence on a particular topic through systematic reviews and meta-analyses, guiding healthcare decisions globally. However, a parallel resource tailored to sports science is notably absent. Although there are systematic reviews and meta analyses that happen on particular topics within sports science (and are so welcome and needed), there is not a concerted central repository for such reviews. Such a resource would aggregate and evaluate research findings on topics like injury prevention and performance enhancement, providing a trusted foundation for evidence-based practices in sports. What’s more it’s not necessarily the collection and organising of research findings, but considerable work then in ensuring the insights are engaging and accessible for practitioners.

No matter how long you spend on a research project, it’s use is limited if it sits in a peer review journal behind a paywall. Communication is key.

By advocating for systematic validation and evidence-based practices, we can elevate standards and foster a healthier, more informed sporting community.