I do base some of my opinions on scientific research, but there are problems with relying too heavily on scientific research. First, research often lags behind training methodology, and it often represents an incomplete understanding of the subject matter that can be misleading. While on-going research generally improves that understanding over time, on subjects as complex as human physiology, and biomechanics, there is still a long way to go before they are completely understood.
Second, there is also another issue with quoting research on a venue such as this blog, most people do not have the training to interpret scientific studies in the proper context. Some common mistakes people make with scientific studies are the following:
- There is a tendency to over generalize the results and conclusions.
- There is a tendency to see a study as proving something, and that is rarely the case with an individual study.
- There is a tendency to assume the study was well designed and the data was collected and analyzed correctly. Not all studies are created equal, and most people without the proper academic background will not necessarily be able to tell the difference.
Here are some blogs I like that are more about science and the research:
- http://www.scienceofrunning.com/
- http://www.mattmetzgar.com/matt_metzgar/
- http://conditioningresearch.blogspot.com/
- http://www.sportsscientists.com/
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