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Threats to internal validity in exercise science : A review of overlooked confounding variables
Halperin, Israel Pyne, David B. Martin, David T.
Halperin, Israel
Pyne, David B.
Martin, David T.
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.
Keywords
experimental design, reliability, scientific process
Date
2015
Type
Journal article
Journal
International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance
Book
Volume
10
Issue
7
Page Range
823-829
Article Number
ACU Department
Faculty of Health Sciences
Collections
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
All rights reserved
File Access
Controlled
Notes
© 2015 Human Kinetics, Inc.