SOME PROBLEMATIC ISSUES IN VALIDATING RESEARCH IN SPORTS MEDICINE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32782/2522-1795.2026.20.1.13Keywords:
sports medicine, terminology and conceptual framework, research organization, trained athletes, morphometric assessmentAbstract
Introduction. Sports medicine plays a crucial role in preserving athletes' health and achieving high athletic performance, which necessitates increased requirements for scientific and methodological support of the training process and recovery. However, terminological ambiguity and methodological problems persist in domestic sports medicine, particularly insufficient consideration of the characteristics of the studied cohort, which complicates the interpretation of results and may lead to erroneous conclusions.
The aim of the study to identify and analyze terminological and methodological inconsistencies in domestic scientific publications on sports medicine in order to standardize research and improve the comparability of their results.
Material and methods. Based on the search and analysis of scientific publications on sports medicine in domestic and foreign peer-reviewed journals, as well as in specialized scientific and sports medical literature from 1966 to 2025, a critical analysis was conducted on problematic issues related to the use of certain specific terms in sports medicine, research on Masters category athletes, and the assessment of morphometric parameters. The search and analysis involved the use of concepts such as «trained» or «untrained», «successful» or «unsuccessful» athletes; the concept of «sprinter»; randomization of research among veteran athletes; and the use of morphometric parameters.
Results. Systemic terminological inconsistencies were identified in domestic sports medicine publications. Incorrect use of the term «untrained individuals» for persons who do not engage in sports was established; the appropriateness of applying this term exclusively to athletes in a state of detraining was substantiated, while for control groups the term «individuals who do not engage in sports» is recommended. The dichotomous classification of athletes as «successful» or «unsuccessful» was recognized as methodologically insufficient, as it does not account for the multifactorial nature of athletic performance and requires evaluation of competitive indicators over training periods. The definition of an «elite» athlete is characterized by the absence of internationally standardized criteria, which complicates the comparison of research results. In studies of veteran athletes, the necessity of correct formation of comparison groups taking into account sport, sex, sports qualification, distance, and weight category was emphasized. The absence of a unified definition of «sprinter» was established; comparisons between sprinters from different sports require consideration of competition duration and dominant metabolic systems. Significant limitations of traditional anthropometric indices (Quetelet, Pignet) for assessing physical development of athletes were identified due to their inability to account for sport-specific body composition and high muscle mass.
Conclusions. The work emphasizes attention to and indicates directions for resolving certain problematic issues regarding the use of terminology, conceptual framework, and organization of research in sports medicine.
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