Identifying and Minimizing Incentives for Competing Interests in Sports Medicine Publications.

Academics in sports medicine as well as other medical fields are generally expected to publish research and opinions in peer-reviewed journals. The peer-review process is intended to protect against the publication of flawed research and unsubstantiated claims. However, both financial and non-financial competing interests may result in sub-optimal results by affecting investigators, editors, peer reviewers, academic institutions, and publishers. In this article, we focus on the non-financial competing interests created in our current academic system. Because these competing interests are embedded in our current scholastic framework, the potential biases are difficult to quantify. To minimize the effect of these competing interests, we review and highlight some underlying incentives for each stakeholder and some potential solutions to mitigate their effects.

Target trial framework for determining the effect of changes in training load on injury risk using observational data: a methodological commentary.

In recent years, a large focus has been placed on managing training load for injury prevention. To minimise injuries, training recommendations should be based on research that examines causal relationships between load and injury risk. While observational studies can be used to estimate causal effects, conventional methods to study the relationship between load and injury are prone to bias. The target trial framework is a valuable tool that requires researchers to emulate a hypothetical randomised trial using observational data. This framework helps to explicitly define research questions and design studies in a way that estimates causal effects. This article provides an overview of the components of the target trial framework as applied to studies on load and injury and describes various considerations that should be made in study design and analyses to minimise bias.

What do we know about Objective Structured Clinical Examination in Sport and Exercise Medicine? A scoping review.

Background and objectives: Despite the importance of the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) in Sport and Exercise Medicine, the literature on the topic is fragmented and has been poorly developed. The goal of this review was to map current knowledge about how the OSCE is used in Sport and Exercise Medicine, and to identify knowledge gaps for future research. Method: The authors conducted a scoping review. They searched PubMed and Scopus for articles using key terms related to 'OSCE' and 'sport medicine' with no limit on search start date and up to July 2022. Retrieved records were imported, abstracts were screened, and full-text articles were reviewed. A forward and backward citation tracking was conducted. Data was extracted and a qualitative meta-summary of the studies was conducted. Results: A total of 469 records were screened, and 22 studies were included. The objectives of the studies included using OSCEs to assess knowledge/skills after a training program (n = 11), to assess an intervention (n = 8), and to assess and improve the OSCE itself (n = 3). Thirteen studies reported validity and/or reliability of the OSCE. Conclusion: Despite the widespread use of OSCEs in the examination of Sport and Exercise Medicine trainees, only a handful of scholarly works have been published. More research is needed to support the use of OSCE in Sport and Exercise Medicine for its initial purpose. We highlight avenues for future research such as assessing the need for a deeper exploration of the relationship between candidate characteristics and OSCE scores.

Contexte et objectifs: Malgré l'importance de l'examen clinique objectif structuré (ECOS) en médecine du sport et de l'exercice, la littérature sur le sujet est fragmentée et peu développée. L'objectif de cette étude était de cartographier les connaissances actuelles sur l'utilisation de l'ECOS en médecine du sport et de l'exercice, et d'identifier les lacunes en matière de connaissances en vue de recherches futures. Méthode: Les auteurs ont procédé à un examen approfondi. Ils ont recherché dans PubMed et Scopus des articles utilisant des termes clés liés à "OSCE" et "médecine du sport" sans limite de date de début de recherche et jusqu'en juillet 2022. Les enregistrements trouvés ont été importés, les résumés ont été examinés et les articles en texte intégral ont été examinés. Un suivi des citations en avant et en arrière a été effectué. Les données ont été extraites et un méta-résumé qualitatif des études a été réalisé. Résultats: Au total, 469 dossiers ont été examinés et 22 études ont été incluses. Les objectifs des études comprenaient l'utilisation des ECOS pour évaluer les connaissances/compétences après un programme de formation (n = 11), pour évaluer une intervention (n = 8), et pour évaluer et améliorer l'ECOS lui-même (n = 3). Treize études ont fait état de la validité et/ou de la fiabilité des ECOS. Conclusion: Malgré l'utilisation répandue des ECOS dans l'examen des stagiaires en médecine du sport et de l'exercice, seuls quelques travaux scientifiques ont été publiés. Des recherches supplémentaires sont nécessaires pour soutenir l'utilisation de l'OSCE en médecine du sport et de l'exercice pour son objectif initial. Nous mettons en évidence des pistes de recherche futures telles que l'évaluation de la nécessité d'une exploration plus approfondie de la relation entre les caractéristiques des candidats et les résultats des ECOS.

Principles of musculoskeletal sport injuries for epidemiologists: a review.

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal injuries are a common occurrence in sport. The goal of sport injury epidemiology is to study these injuries at a population level to inform their prevention and treatment. MAIN BODY: This review provides an overview of musculoskeletal sport injuries and the musculoskeletal system from a biological and epidemiologic perspective, including injury mechanism, categorizations and types of sport injuries, healing, and subsequent injuries. It is meant to provide a concise introductory substantive background of musculoskeletal sport injuries for epidemiologists who may not have formal training in the underlying anatomy and pathophysiology. CONCLUSION: An understanding of sport injuries is important for researchers in sport injury epidemiology when determining how to best define and assess their research questions and measures.