Threats to Internal Validity in Exercise Science: A Review of Overlooked Confounding Variables

International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance
Israel HalperinDavid T Martin

Abstract

Internal validity refers to the degree of control exerted over potential confounding variables to reduce alternative explanations for the effects of various treatments. In exercise and sports-science research and routine testing, internal validity is commonly achieved by controlling variables such as exercise and warm-up protocols, prior training, nutritional intake before testing, ambient temperature, time of testing, hours of sleep, age, and gender. However, a number of other potential confounding variables often do not receive adequate attention in sports physiology and performance research. These confounding variables include instructions on how to perform the test, volume and frequency of verbal encouragement, knowledge of exercise endpoint, number and gender of observers in the room, influence of music played before and during testing, and the effects of mental fatigue on performance. In this review the authors discuss these variables in relation to common testing environments in exercise and sports science and present some recommendations with the goal of reducing possible threats to internal validity.

Citations

Sep 4, 2015·European Journal of Applied Physiology·Israel HalperinDavid G Behm
Jul 29, 2016·Psychological Research·Israel HalperinGabriele Wulf
Oct 18, 2016·Journal of Sports Sciences·Matthew J Stork, Kathleen A Martin Ginis
Jul 25, 2017·Clinical Physiology and Functional Imaging·Adrian W MidgleyAndrew R Levy
Feb 23, 2018·International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism·Louise M Burke, Peter Peeling
Aug 22, 2017·Research in Sports Medicine·Adrian W MidgleyFiona Earle
Sep 27, 2018·Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport·David C MarchantJared M Porter
Nov 30, 2018·Journal of Applied Physiology·James L NuzzoSimon C Gandevia
Dec 28, 2018·Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research·Nicole K RendosJoseph F Signorile
Jan 25, 2019·International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance·Michael J DaviesKevin G Thompson
Aug 9, 2017·International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance·Israel HalperinDavid B Pyne
Mar 1, 2018·Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research·Andrew D VigotskyBrad J Schoenfeld
Sep 10, 2020·Obesity Reviews : an Official Journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity·Stephen S HoldenCarolina Werle
Nov 16, 2019·Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise·Mark EvansBrendan Egan
Jun 10, 2018·Sports Medicine - Open·Lewis J MacgregorAngus M Hunter
Sep 19, 2020·Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation·Nicole K RendosTrisha M Kesar
Aug 11, 2018·Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research·Antonio Dello IaconoIsrael Halperin

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