Sports Research Paper

From an academic perspective, there are now multiple scientific journals and international conferences dedicated solely to the dissemination of nutrition-related research, whilst applied sport nutrition research studies continue to be published in mainstream and high-impact physiology journals [].From an applied perspective, it is also common practice for sport governing bodies, national institutes, professional sports and Olympic/Paralympic sports to now employ sport nutritionists or dieticians on a full-time or part-time basis.Exercise protocol not representative of the relevant exercise modality nor valid to real-world context Inclusion of familiarisation trial and citation of reliability data and measurement tool error.

In contrast, continual improvements in the practical application of existing science are likely to lead to improved performance outcomes (Quadrant 3).

Finally, the pursuit of research-informed practice and development of research-active practitioners (who also possess the skill attributes outlined in Quadrant 3) alongside continual improvements in quality of practical application may deliver transformational improvements in performance outcomes (Quadrant 4).

To this end, we present an operational framework (the “Paper-2-Podium Matrix”) that provides a checklist of criteria for which to prompt the critical evaluation of performance nutrition-related research papers.

In considering the (1) research context, (2) participant characteristics, (3) research design, (4) dietary and exercise controls, (5) validity and reliability of exercise performance tests, (6) data analytics, (7) feasibility of application, (8) risk/reward and (9) timing of the intervention, we aimed to provide a time-efficient framework to aid practitioners in their scientific appraisal of research.

With this in mind, the aim of the present paper was to provide an operational framework for applied sport nutrition practitioners to critically evaluate the translational potential of research to their chosen sporting arena.

Using the “Paper-2-Podium (P-2-P) Matrix” (see Table ), we provide a checklist of nine criteria with which to evaluate the translational potential of research studies.

In the absence of developments in research and innovation or alterations to the practical application of the existing science, performance remains as status quo (Quadrant 1).

Developments in research and innovation (especially research with translational potential) but without concomitant changes to practical application merely lead to an ‘increased potential’ to deliver improved performance outcomes (Quadrant 2).

Translation of science to practice: a map of delivery towards improved performance outcomes.

In this model, the quality of research is ranked according to the degree of innovation and translational potential whilst practical application is ranked according to the development, delivery and ease of administration of practical strategies.