Practical applications of research findings

Article Outline

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In many respects, research findings are only as valuable as how well they can be put into practice to improve outcomes. Whether the outcome is the elimination of a disease, the prevention of an injury, rehabilitation and return to sport and physical activity, or improving the efficiency and performance of sport and exercise skills, we often require guidance from the vast literature as to how to put rather complex findings into practice. With a rapidly increasing volume of published literature in many areas of sports medicine and sports science, some sense needs to be made of it through guiding statements and summaries that assist in the application to benefit those we work with. It is important, however, that such summaries are based on the best available evidence and are presented with a balanced perspective.

In recent times, a number of professional bodies have been commissioning and publishing position statements, consensus guidelines, and other similarly named guides to inform best practice. Whilst sometimes position statements are made specific to the needs and practices of particular countries, in many cases such guides are applicable more broadly. A burgeoning group of position statements in recent times relates to exercise and physical activity across a variety of population groups and pathologies (e.g., diabetes, bone health, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, weight loss, pregnancy, children, and older adults). Important to remember, is that position statements are based on best evidence, and as that evidence changes, so must position statements.

Whilst not totally new to the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, we will be publishing relevant position statements as they relate to important and topical sports medicine and sports science practices. In this issue of the journal we are pleased to publish the Australian Association for Exercise and Sports Science Position Statement on Exercise and Hypertension. The evidence in this statement supports a mix of moderate to vigorous aerobic activity (up to 5 days/week) in addition to resistance training on 2 or more non-consecutive days/week for those with hypertension. It is this up-to-date summative material that will be very attractive to the many sports medicine and sports science practitioners who access the journal for help and guidance through safe yet effective interventions for specific populations. Whilst not necessarily a regular feature of the journal, we plan to publish occasional position statements that will be of interest to our readership.

Also in this issue we include a range of other papers. Under Biomechanics we have a paper by Stuelcken and Sinclair examining ground reaction forces in fast bowlers in female cricket, and a validity study by Psycharakis and Sanders of intracycle velocity calculations in swimming. Still on the swimming theme, our Exercise Physiology section contains a paper on cardiac responses to swimming exercises (Rowland et al.). The study by Guilhem and colleagues addresses the impact of simulated training on ventilatory thresholds. We also include a paper by Pearce and Kidgell who investigated motor cortex excitability in visuomotor tasks of varying difficulty. In our Physical Activity section, a report by Hohepa et al. presents data on youth physical activity during various segments of the school day and identifies further physical activity opportunities in a school setting. The second physical activity paper by Eime and Payne argues the point for sports organisations to tailor their school-based programs using recognised health promotion planning principles (including community engagement) rather than continue with a standard “one-size-fits-all” approach. Under Sports Medicine, Bullock and colleagues studied resting salivary and plasma cortisol in elite athletes following long-haul air travel. This issue also includes several Sports Science papers. Houghton et al. investigated the effects of compression garments on thermoregulation, Levinger et al. report on the reliability of the 1RM strength test in untrained individuals, and Tomikawa and Nomura examine the relationship between swim performance, oxygen uptake and peak power output when wearing a wetsuit. Two further sports science papers look at the effects of different forms of exercise on blood lipids in endurance runners (Hernández-Torres et al.) and the effects of manipulating clock calibration time on cycle ergometer endurance (Morton).

After the tremendous feedback we received on our first issue for 2009, I am sure you will find this issue equally absorbing and useful. With contributions from authors spanning seven countries and four continents, the international perspective the journal is now providing is invaluable.