Main description:

Exercise science practitioners have access to mountains of research findings, expert opinions, novel techniques, and program plans via blogs, fitness magazines, conference presentations, and peer-reviewed journals. To facilitate effective practice, practitioners must sift through this information and retain only the best evidence to form a sound base of knowledge. Evidence-Based Practice in Exercise Science: The Six-Step Approach equips readers with the basic skills and competencies for discerning the value of scientific research. Using a methodical approach, students and professionals will learn to identify appropriate evidence to support novel interventions and avoid counterproductive or dangerous information to eliminate ineffective exercise options.

The authors, well-known advocates in the study and application of evidence-based practice in the field of exercise science, take the five-step method of evidence-based practice that has been established in medicine, adapt it specifically for exercise science, and expand it to embrace individuality in exercise training. The content is accessible for students in a variety of courses in exercise science curricula; those seeking certification through professional organizations; and practitioners in the fields of exercise, nutrition, sports medicine, and sport science.

This text is an instruction manual in understanding and applying evidence-based practice. The process is divided into six steps that begin with asking a question and then finding, evaluating, implementing, confirming, and re-evaluating the evidence. Readers of Evidence-Based Practice in Exercise Science will explore these aspects:

* The philosophy of science and design of scientific studies

* The use of search tools like PubMed and Google Scholar and how to rank or define the strength of the evidence

* Practical suggestions for implementing evidence-based practice in the field to better advise and serve athletes, clients, and patients

* Case studies that demonstrate realistic scenarios of how the evidence-based process may be used in a variety of sport and exercise settings

Each chapter opens with chapter objectives that provide a road map for learning, and a chapter conclusion summarizes main points and ensures understanding. The case studies cover topics including exercise prescription; exercise for special populations; nutrition and supplementation; and exercise devices, equipment, and apparel. Each case presents a realistic scenario that an exercise practitioner may experience, presents background information, formulates a question for investigation, describes a search of the literature, discusses the findings, and provides a recommendation for practice based on the best current evidence.

Evidence-Based Practice in Exercise Science is grouped into four sections that assist readers in gaining a better understanding of the evidence-based practice paradigm, learning the step-by-step method, and acquiring experience in the evidence-based approach by working through practical examples using real-world scenarios. Part I offers foundational knowledge of evidence-based practice in exercise sciences. Part II introduces the six-step method of evidence-based practice with chapters that explore each step of the process in depth. Part III presents 16 case studies grouped into chapters by generaal topics. Part IV concludes the text with chapters on disseminating and sharing knowledge and the future of evidence-based practice in exercise science.

By understanding the concepts and process of evidence-based practice, current and future sport, exercise, and health professionals will prescribe individualized programs and treatments that improve athletic performance and lead individuals toward better health. Embracing evidence-based practice will ultimately advance the field and produce optimal outcomes for clients, patients, and athletes.

Contents:

Part I: Overview and Historical Background of Evidence-Based Practice

Chapter 1. The Need for Evidence-Based Practice in Exercise Science

Evidence-Based Practice in Action

Defining Evidence-Based Practice

Applying Evidence-Based Practice in Exercise Science

Team Approach to Evidence-Based Practice

Becoming an Evidence-Based Practitioner

Conclusion

Chapter 2. The Process of Evidence-Based Practice

The Importance of Evidence in Exercise Science

Applying the Five Steps of Evidence-Based Practice

The Case for Evidence-Based Practice

Criticisms of Evidence-Based Practice

Conclusion

Chapter 3. Philosophy, Science, and Evidence-Based Practice

Epistemology

Epistemology of Modern Science

The Paradigm of Evidence-Based Practice

Conclusions

Chapter 4. Sources of Evidence

Sources of Knowledge

Types of Evidence

Conclusion

Chapter 5. Reading and Interpreting Research Evidence

Consumers of Research

What is Research?

Components of a Research Paper

Steps to Critically Reading Research

Conclusion

Part II: The Six Steps of Evidence-Based Practice

Chapter 6. Developing a Question

Question Development Areas

Types of Questions

Components of a Foreground Question

Conclusion

Chapter 7. Searching for Evidence

Searching for Preliminary Information

Finding Peer-Reviewed Sources

Searching a Research Database

Conducting a Secondary Search From Reference Lists

Conclusion

Chapter 8. Evaluating the Evidence

Why is it Important to Rank the Evidence?

Critically Appraising the Literature

Levels of Evidence

Conclusion

Chapter 9. Incorporating Evidence into Practice

Translating Research Into Practice

Deciding When to Act on Evidence

The Influence of Evidence

Implementing Research-Based Evidence

Conclusion

Chapter 10. Confirming the Evidence in the Individual

Generalizability of Research

n-of-1 as a Model for Confirming the Evidence

Confirming the Evidence in the Individual in Exercise Science

Basic Principles in Testing and Measurement

Deciding to Continue or Discontinue an Intervention

Collaboration in Evidence-Based Practice

Conclusion

Chapter 11. Reevaluating the Evidence

Prompts to Reevaluate

Techniques to Stay Current

Conclusion

Part III: Case Studies in Evidence-Based Practice

Chapter 12. Exercise Prescription

Case Study 1: Strength Training and Cycling

Case Study 2: Static Stretching and Soccer

Case Study 3: ACL Injury Prevention in Female Athletes

Case Study 4: Single Versus Multiple Sets for Strength Improvement

Case Study 5: Models of Periodization

Conclusion

Chapter 13. Exercise for Special Populations

Case Study 1: Resistance Exercise and Functional Outcomes in Those Who Are Elderly

Case Study 2: Exercise and Cancer Cachexia

Case Study 3: Exercise and Traumatic Brain Injury

Conclusion

Chapter 14. Nutrition and Supplementation

Case Study 1: Creatine Monohydrate and Cycling

Case Study 2: Caffeine, Coffee, and Performance Enhancement

Case Study 3: Protein Intake for Endurance Athletes

Case Study 4: HMB and Strength-Power Athletes

Conclusion

Chapter 15. Exercise Devices, Equipment, and Apparel

Case Study 1: Chains

Case Study 2: Vibration and Muscle Strength and Power

Case Study 3: Instability Training and Muscle Strength

Case Study 4: Minimalist or Barefoot Running and Running Economy

Conclusion

Part IV: Integrating Evidence-Based Practice into Exercise Science

Chapter 16. Disseminating and Sharing Knowledge

Local Discussion and Networking

Conferences

Formal and Informal Publications

Conclusion

Chapter 17. The Future of Evidence-based Practice in Exercise Science

Ability, Judgment, and Evidence

Review of the Rationale for Evidence-Based Practice

The Future of Exercise and Science

Spreading the Evidence-Based Practice Philosophy

Working With Scientists

Becoming an Evidence-Based Practitioner

Conclusion