Power, precision, and sample size estimation in sport and exercise science research

Abt, Grant; Boreham, Colin; Davison, Gareth W.; Jackson, Robin C.; Nevill, Alan M.; Wallace, Eric S.; Williams, Mark

doi:10.1080/02640414.2020.1776002

Cited by 136 publications

(139 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…As Ploutz-Snyder et al (2014, p. 1251 suggest, in "scientifically amazing settings, " we may need to challenge the precept that only "big-n" studies are worthwhile. As such, when considering athletes in the highest echelons of expertise, it may be necessary to appraise our criteria of statistical significance, power, effect size metrics, and "acceptable" levels of tolerances for type I and II error rates (Bacchetti, 2010;Bacchetti et al, 2011;Abt et al, 2020).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Talent Research in Sport 1990–2018: A Scoping Review

et al. 2020

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Several recent systematic and targeted reviews have highlighted limitations in our understanding of talent in sport. However, a comprehensive profile of where the scientific research has focused would help identify gaps in current knowledge. Our goal in this scoping review was (a) to better understand what others have done in the field of research (e.g., what groups have been examined using what research designs and in what areas), (b) to summarize the constituent areas of research in a meaningful way, (c) to help identify gaps in the research, and (d) to encourage future research to address these gaps. Peer-reviewed articles written in English that met several inclusion criteria were analyzed. A total of 1,899 articles were identified, and the descriptive findings revealed a relatively narrow focus of research on talent in sport. Specifically, the majority of examined articles focused on (a) males only, (b) the sport of soccer, (c) perceptual cognitive variables, (d) developing athletes, (e) adult samples, and (f) cross-sectional designs. For better or worse, the concept of talent remains a central element of how coaches, practitioners, and scientists think about athlete development. Findings from this scoping review highlight the continued need to explore issues related to talent identification, selection, and development in more diverse samples (e.g., female athletes and younger ages) and contexts (e.g., from Africa, Asia, and South America). There is also a clear necessity to focus on under-researched areas using alternative methodologies.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Talent Research in Sport 1990–2018: A Scoping Review

et al. 2020

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“…not), rather than critical interpretation of data is likely a contributing factor to the poor reproducibility rate of scientific findings (Open Science Collaboration, 2015). These recommendations therefore add to growing calls to improve practices in the field (Abt et al., 2020; Borg et al., 2020; Caldwell et al., 2020), but extend these commentaries to highlight the role of measurement error (and reliability) to aid in robust research design, and critical evaluation of data.…”

Section: Discussion and Practical Recommendationsmentioning

confidence: 88%

“…Factors associated with measurement error are associated with, but also independent of, the statistical significance of any study. Unfortunately, most research in human physiology and many other fields (likely) suffer from low statistical power (Abt et al., 2020; Button et al., 2013; Fraley & Vazire, 2014; Ioannidis, 2005), and – counter to many researchers’ intuitions – statistically significant effect sizes reported in underpowered research are highly variable, and wildly exaggerated when compared to the ‘true’ underlying effect (Gelman & Carlin, 2014; Loken & Gelman, 2017; Vul, Harris, Winkielman, & Pashler, 2009). When these observed effects are interpreted as an accurate representation of the ‘true’ effect, we may unintentionally misrepresent the strength of evidence for a given phenomenon, and lead future research down a path destined to fail.…”

Section: Discussion and Practical Recommendationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Myths and methodologies: Reliability of non‐invasive estimates of cardiac autonomic modulation during whole‐body passive heating

Akerman

Meade

Notley

et al. 2020

Experimental Physiology

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Observed individual variability in cardiac baroreflex sensitivity (cBRS) and heart rate variability (HRV) is extensive, especially during exposure to stressors such as heat. A large part of the observed variation may be related to the reliability (consistency) of the measurement. We therefore examined the test–retest reliability of cBRS and HRV measurements on three separate occasions in 14 young men (age: 24 (SD 5) years), at rest and during whole‐body heating (water‐perfused suit) to raise and clamp oesophageal temperature 0.6°C, 1.2°C and 1.8°C above baseline. Beat‐to‐beat measurements of RR interval and systolic blood pressure (BP) were obtained for deriving HRV (from RR), and cBRS calculated via (i) the spontaneous method, α coefficients and transfer function analysis at each level of heat strain, and (ii) during forced oscillations via squat–stand manoeuvres (0.1 Hz) before and after heating. Absolute values and changes in all cBRS estimates were variable but generally consistent with reductions in parasympathetic activity. cBRS estimates demonstrated poor absolute reliability (coefficient of variation ≥25%), but relative reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient; ICC) of some frequency estimates was acceptable (ICC ≥0.70) during low‐heat strain (ICC: 0.56–0.74). After heating, forced oscillations in BP demonstrated more favourable responses than spontaneous oscillations (better reliability, lower minimum detectable change). Absolute reliability of HRV estimates were poor, but relative reliability estimates were often acceptable (≥0.70). Our findings illustrate how measurement consistency of cardiac autonomic modulation estimates are altered during heat stress, and we demonstrate the possible implications on research design and data interpretation.

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“…In addition, it is tempting to speculate that post-activation potentiation is more affected in type I muscle fibers by the intake of New Zealand blackcurrant. Future work on the effects of anthocyanin-rich supplements on muscle fiber-specific functional effects with adequate power [ 37 ] is warranted. In the present study, the post-hoc computed achieved power for the first quartile iMVC force values for the group was 0.31 and 0.86 for participants with fiber type II predominant typology.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of New Zealand Blackcurrant Extract on Isometric Contraction-Induced Fatigue and Recovery: Potential Muscle-Fiber Specific Effects

Willems

Bradley

Blacker

et al. 2020

Sports

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New Zealand blackcurrant (NZBC) extract has shown performance-enhancing effects during cycling, running and sport climbing. We examined effects of NZBC extract on (1) voluntary and twitch force of the quadriceps femoris muscles during repeated isometric contraction-induced fatigue, (2) twitch force during recovery and (3) muscle fiber-specific effects. Familiarized recreationally active males (n = 12, age: 24 ± 5 yrs; height: 180 ± 5 cm; body mass: 89 ± 11 kg) performed sixteen, 5-s voluntary maximal isometric contractions (iMVC) separated by 3-s rest. Twitch force was recorded before, during the 3-s rests and 5-min recovery. Supplementation consisted of 7-days intake of NZBC extract (600 mg∙day−1 containing 210 mg anthocyanin) in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover design with a 14-days washout. NZBC extract allowed for greater force in the first quartile of the iMVCs. Twitch force at baseline was 12% higher with NZBC extract (p = 0.05). However, there was no effect of NZBC for twitch force during the 16-iMVCs and recovery. Based on the maximum post-activation potentiation during the placebo 16-iMVCs, four subjects were classified of having a predominant type I or II muscle fiber typology. In type II, NZBC extract provided a trend for increased MVC force (~14%) in the first quartile and for type I in the fourth quartile (~10%). In type I, NZBC extract seemed to have higher twitch forces during the fatiguing exercise protocol and recovery, indicating increased fatigue resistance. New Zealand blackcurrant extract affects force during repeated maximal isometric contractions. Future work on mechanisms by NZBC extract for muscle fiber-specific fatigue-induced force responses is warranted.

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Power, precision, and sample size estimation in sport and exercise science research

Cited by 136 publications

References 32 publications

Talent Research in Sport 1990–2018: A Scoping Review

Talent Research in Sport 1990–2018: A Scoping Review

Myths and methodologies: Reliability of non‐invasive estimates of cardiac autonomic modulation during whole‐body passive heating

Effect of New Zealand Blackcurrant Extract on Isometric Contraction-Induced Fatigue and Recovery: Potential Muscle-Fiber Specific Effects

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