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299+ Most Interesting Sports Research Topics For Students [2024]

Sure thing! Hey, welcome to Sports Research Topics! We’re all about digging deep into the world of sports from a research perspective. Whether you’re a sports nut or just curious.

We’ve got you covered with topics like analyzing player performance or looking at how sports impact our culture. So, kick back, relax, and let’s explore the exciting intersection of sports and research together! Sound good?

Table of Contents

What Are Sports Research Topics?

Sports are full of awesome research ideas! Whether you’re into fitness, psychology, tech, or culture, there’s something cool to explore. Check out these exciting areas:

Fitness and Health

• Check out how different workouts affect performance and injuries.
• Dive into nutrition for specific sports or athletes.
• Explore how wearable tech helps athletes and prevents injuries.
• Look into the long-term health impact of playing different sports.

Sports Psychology and Performance

• See how mental tricks like visualization boost performance.
• Study what drives success in sports teams.
• Find out how stress affects performance under pressure.
• Learn ways to improve focus and mental toughness in athletes.

Sports Analytics and Technology

Crunch data to uncover winning strategies and player strengths. Explore how AI is changing scouting and injury prediction. Debate the ethics of tech that enhances performance. See how technology changes the game for refs and fans.

Social and Cultural Aspects of Sports

• Look at how sports break down gender barriers.
• See how sports pump money into local economies.
• Check out how sports media shapes fan culture.
• Trace the history of your favorite sport or tradition.

Business of Sports

• Investigate how sponsorships and merch affect teams.
• Explore the cash flow of big events like the Olympics.
• Predict where sports broadcasting is heading.
• Weigh the fairness of player contracts and salaries.

Remember, these are just starting points! Narrow down your focus, think about practicalities like data and ethics, and get ready for a thrilling journey into the world of sports research!

List of Good Sports Research Topics

Check out sports research topics for students:-

Top-Rated Sports Research Topics To Write About

Good sports history research topics, great sports psychology research topics, athletic training research topics from experts, best exercise research paper topics, research paper topics on athletic training, sports management research topics, research ideas on sports marketing, sports theory research topics, research paper topics on sports sociology, sports nutrition research topics, research topics on sports medicine, water sports research topics, research paper topics on sports injuries, cool sports doping research topics, great argumentative sports research topics, brilliant sports research topics, hot & trending sports essay topics, latest sports research topics, benefits of sports research.

Let’s break it down:

Improving Health and Performance

• Better Training: Research helps coaches design workouts that make athletes stronger and safer.
• Eating Right: Studies show what foods make athletes perform their best and recover faster.
• Staying Safe: Research finds ways to prevent injuries and get players back in action quicker.
• Healing Faster: New treatments from research help injured athletes get back to 100%.

Getting Mentally Strong

Winning Minds: Research looks into how athletes can stay focused and handle pressure. Team Power: Studies show how teams can work together better for more wins. Feeling Good: Research helps athletes with mental health challenges like stress and anxiety.

Changing Sports for the Better

• Fair Play: Research fights for equal opportunities for all athletes and keeps sports honest.
• Money Matters: Studies show how sports can boost local economies and make communities stronger.
• Tech Magic: Research invents cool gadgets that help players play better and fans have more fun.

Making a Difference in Society

• Getting Moving: Research shows how playing sports can keep people healthier and happier.
• Breaking Barriers: Sports research fights for fairness and inclusion, making sure everyone gets a shot.
• Being a Hero: Studies prove how sports stars can inspire kids and make our communities better.

So next time you see a game, remember all the research that goes into making it awesome for everyone involved!

How to Choose a Sports Research Topics?

Crafting a captivating sports research topic boils down to blending your interests, feasibility, and potential impact. Here’s a roadmap to guide you through:

Ignite Your Passion

• What fires you up about sports?
• Whether it’s the science of performance, the psychology of competition, or the cultural influence, choose a topic that excites you.

Stay Current

• Keep an eye on recent breakthroughs and ongoing debates in sports.
• Dive into scientific journals, sports news, or reputable websites to spot gaps or unanswered questions ripe for research.

Be Practical

• Consider time, access to facilities, data availability, and ethics.
• Some topics may need surveys or experiments, while others can be tackled through literature reviews.

Hone Your Topic

• Get Specific: Instead of “sports injuries,” try “recovery methods for preventing overuse injuries in young athletes.”
• Blend Ideas: Explore “sleep quality’s impact on athlete mental performance under competition pressure.”
• Real-World Relevance: Investigate “promoting gender equality in sports leadership.”

300+ Unique Sports Research Topics For Students PDF

Here are the good sports research topics are given below for students in pdf:

What Are 3 Major Issues In Sports In Our Society?

Here are three big issues in sports:

1. Fair Play and Diversity

• Women still earn less and have fewer opportunities.
• Athletes of color face discrimination.
• Poorer athletes struggle to join in due to high costs.

2. Mental Well-being

• The pressure to perform and social media can be tough.
• Many athletes deal with anxiety, depression, and eating issues.

3 . Money Matters

• Winning often means everything, leading to cheating.
• Rich teams have unfair advantages.
• Young athletes sometimes sacrifice education for early careers.

Tackling these issues needs teamwork through research, awareness, and changes in the rules. Let’s make sports fairer and more enjoyable for everyone!

What is a good sports research topic?

Finding the perfect sports research topic depends on what excites you and what resources you have. Here’s how to find your ideal topic:

Follow Your Passion

• What part of sports do you love?
• Is it performance, the mind game, business, or how it affects society?
• Your interest will keep you motivated.

Stay Updated

• Check out the latest buzz in sports.
• Look for gaps or unanswered questions in articles or online.
• These can spark great research ideas.

Make It Doable

• Time: Pick a topic you can handle within your schedule.
• Data: Make sure you can get the info you need, like surveys or experiments.
• Facilities: If needed, see if you can access any special equipment or labs.
• Ethics: If people are involved, always play fair with consent and privacy

What is a sports research project?

Here’s how it works:

Choosing a Topic

• Pick What You Like: Explore areas in sports that you find interesting, like performance, psychology, or business.
• Spot a Gap: Look for questions that haven’t been answered yet, especially in recent sports news.
• Check What You Can Do: Make sure you can research your topic with the time and resources you have.

Developing a Research Question

• Get Specific: Narrow down your focus to something like “How does lack of sleep affect basketball players’ reaction time?”

Research Methodology

• Read Up: Check out what others have found in books, articles, or online.
• Get Data: Use surveys, interviews, or experiments to collect info.
• Ethics Matter: Make sure you’re treating people right if your research involves them.

Data Analysis and Interpretation

• Sort It Out: Use tools like spreadsheets or stats to make sense of your data.
• Make Conclusions: Figure out what your findings mean and why they matter.

Project Presentation

• Share Your Story: Tell others about your project in a report, presentation, or poster.
• Talk About the Future: Explain how your research can help understand sports better and what could be studied next.

With these steps, you’ll rock your sports research project!

What are some fun topics to research about?

Here we go:-

• Weird sports from around the world.
• Pirate or cowboy lifestyles.
• Crazy fashion trends in history.
• Life on other planets.
• Secrets of magic tricks.
• Animal communication.

Pop Culture

• Why memes go viral.
• Evolution of video games or music.
• Mysteries of reality TV.

Everyday Stuff

• History of everyday objects.
• Dream interpretation.
• How colors affect us.

These topics are just a starting point for your research journey!

And there you have it, the grand finale in our dive into sports research topics! We’ve sprinted through the fields of athletic performance, dissected the psychology behind the game, and even tackled the societal impact of sports. It’s been a slam dunk of a journey!

But hey, in the game of sports research, the final whistle isn’t a wrap-up; it’s a call to action. The challenges we’ve uncovered, from leveling the playing field to preventing those head-spinning injuries, are like opponents waiting for a worthy adversary.

And who’s that? It’s us – the sports community, researchers, fans, and everyone who’s ever felt the rush of a game-winning goal.

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A Qualitative Study of 11 World-Class Team-Sport Athletes’ Experiences Answering Subjective Questionnaires: A Key Ingredient for ‘Visible’ Health and Performance Monitoring?

Alan mccall.

1 Arsenal Performance and Research Team, Arsenal Football Club, London, UK

2 School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh, UK

3 School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW Australia

4 Medical Department, Football Australia, Sydney, NSW Australia

Adrian Wolfberg

5 Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH USA

Andreas Ivarsson

6 School of Health and Welfare, Halmstad University, Halmstad, Sweden

7 Department of Sport Science and Physical Education, University of Agder, Agder, Norway

Gregory Dupont

8 School of Sport and Exercise, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK

Amelie Larocque

9 University of Ottawa Law School, Ottawa, ON Canada

10 Geneva Graduate Institute of International Studies and Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights, Geneva, Switzerland

Johann Bilsborough

11 New England Patriots, National Football League, Foxborough, MA USA

Athlete monitoring trends appear to be favouring objective over subjective measures. One reason of potentially several is that subjective monitoring affords athletes to give dishonest responses. Indeed, athletes have never been systematically researched to understand why they are honest or not.

Because we do not know what motivates professional athletes to be honest or not when responding to subjective monitoring, our objective is to explore the motives for why the athlete may or may not respond honestly.

A qualitative and phenomenological approach was used, interviewing 11 world-class team-sport athletes (five women, six men) about their experiences when asked to respond to subjective monitoring questionnaires. Interview transcripts were read in full and significant quotations/statements extracted. Meanings were formulated for each interviewees’ story and assigned codes. Codes were reflected upon and labelled as categories, with similar categories grouped into an overall theme. Themes were examined, articulated, re-interpreted, re-formulated, and written as a thematic story, drawing on elements reported from different athletes creating a blended story, allowing readers a feel for what it is like to live the experience.

Overall, four key themes emerged: (i) pursuit of the ideal-self, (ii) individual barriers to athlete engagement, (iii) social facilitators to athlete engagement; and (iv) feeling compassion from performance staff.

Conclusions

Our main insight is that athletes’ emotions play a major role in whether they respond honestly or not, with these emotions being driven at least in part by the performance staff asking the questions.

Introduction

In 2023, athlete health and performance monitoring continues to be one of the hottest topics in sports science and medicine (referred to herein after as ‘performance’) research as well as one of the most commonly used strategies by performance staff, for example, scientists, fitness coaches, doctors, physiotherapists, psychologists, etc. Athlete monitoring can include either or both ‘ objective’ and ‘subjective’ measures. Objective monitoring typically involves the use of technology and wearables to measure various surrogates of, for example, athletic performance (such as sports-specific fitness assessments), physiological levels (including maximal oxygen uptake, muscle force and power, heart-rate, etc.,) and biochemical status (by extracting blood, saliva, urinary markers, etc.,) . In contradistinction, subjective monitoring provides insight into psychosocial and psychobiological factors internal to the athlete such as mental fatigue, effort, perceived stress symptoms, well-being, and motivation [ 1 ]. These factors are typically assessed using self-report tools like the Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE), wellness items, perceptions of pain, psychological readiness, etc.

Importantly, objective and subjective monitoring are not interchangeable and give very different information [ 1 ]. Objective measures typically fragment observations to allow quantitative precision of metrics in isolation, whereas subjective measures reflect the blended input of multiple channels of information internal to the athlete [ 2 ]. Unfortunately, in athlete monitoring, and particularly in our experience in professional team-sports, performance staff and researchers seem to be relying more and more on objective monitoring. This trend is worrisome because subjective information has been shown to reflect acute and chronic training loads with superior sensitivity and consistency compared with objective ones [ 3 ]. Even a concept referred to as ‘invisible monitoring’ has been proposed, albeit with well meaning, to “lessen the burden on athletes” [ 4 ]. However, the operational definition of invisible monitoring has been stated as “gathering as much information about the athlete, their performance and their current training status, without them even knowing you’re doing it, in order to answer coach or performance driven questions” [ 4 ]. Invisible monitoring implies removing the athlete entirely from the monitoring process, but with this approach the consequence could be amassing unnecessary data that does not even reflect how the athlete actually feels, thus, increasing the likelihood of making ill-informed decisions about athletes’ full spectrum of health and performance capabilities.

Literature Review

Literature on subjective monitoring of athletes mentions the likelihood of athletes’ not giving honest responses, but the current literature is limited in its empirical justification of such claims [ 1 , 2 ]. In a study by Neupert et al. [ 5 ] in which nine female sprint water-sport athletes were interviewed, the majority of interviewees said that they responded honestly to training-monitoring questions. On the other hand, interviews including eight athletes from various high-level individual and team sports by Saw et al. [ 6 ] revealed that half of the athletes admitted withholding the truth on occasions through fear of punishment for not filling subjective questionnaires. To our knowledge there are no studies investigating athletes from the world’s major professional team-sports, for example, association football, rugby, basketball, American football, and baseball.

While not in a sports context, psychotherapy research may offer some additional valuable insights to further explore this topic and extend the work by Neupert et al. [ 5 ] and Saw et al. [ 6 ]. Instead of ‘honesty or dishonesty’, psychotherapy typically discusses this as ‘patient/client disclosure’ and its counterparts, i.e., concealment, secrets and lies [ 7 ]. In a psychotherapy review, Farber [ 7 ] explains that all patients at least occasionally conceal information or lie, with concealment being far more common than outright lying, and most of the time patients are actually quite open and honest. Patients concealing information or lying tends to be spontaneous ‘of the moment’ reactions, with other factors affecting responses that include: patients’ general comfort level in revealing stressful information; the nature of the patients’ character type; therapists’ responsiveness to disclosures, their experiences of previous disclosures (i.e., were they helpful in the past), and demographic factors such as ethnicity and culture (i.e., different cultures with different norms about what is appropriate to disclose). These insights appear to correspond with the earlier work in sports [ 5 , 6 ], but require further investigation to advance knowledge in the sports domain.

In the area of sports performance, there are also anecdotal claims of athletes being dishonest in response to subjective monitoring questionnaires by performance staff and researchers at conferences and on social media. However, for claims of subjective monitoring ‘not being worth the effort because athletes tell lies’ there are also some anecdotal claims of the opposite experience, where staff and researchers’ perception and experiences are that the athletes they work with do provide open and honest responses. Hence, to our knowledge, the gap in the literature is that there are few, if any, systematic studies particularly in professional team-sports to shed light on why athletes do or do not tell the truth, nor what would drive them to be honest or dishonest. We have no advanced, a priori, theoretical or empirical knowledge as to what is going on in the context of the athletes’ minds regarding what is motivating them to answer honestly or not, and this should be investigated to better understand the phenomenon and to guide practical strategies.

Although sparsely investigated in sports performance literature, there are some studies [ 6 , 8 – 10 ] lending support to the notion that athlete monitoring strategies should ideally be easy and quick where athletes are educated on what is being done and why as well as being adequately communicated to in follow-ups about the information they provide. However, a survey published in 2022 by Neupert and colleagues [ 11 ] found that feedback processes from monitoring strategies were largely felt to be ineffective, with 44% of respondents stating that athletes did not receive sufficient feedback, and in some cases the collected data were never even discussed with the athletes and/or coaches. This further supports the literature gap about athletes being honest or not, as we do not why, only that they may be or may not be.

Given the clear gap in the literature about professional team-sport athletes being honest or not or indeed what motivates their level of honesty in response to subjective monitoring, the current debate in sports performance lacks scientific investigation, and, consequently, provides little value to performance staff and their team management. While it has also been suggested that athletes’ responses might be dependent upon the wording of the questions [ 12 ], we take a step back from questionnaire phraseology and the logistics of a protocol, and delve into athletes’ experiences of answering subjective monitoring questionnaires. Therefore, the focus for us is not on the data collection format of the monitoring process through the questionnaire itself, but rather it is an exploratory study about the perspective and experiences of the athlete at the receiving end of the process. What is it about the experiences of the athletes that makes them want to engage honestly or alternatively to withdraw and disengage? Hence, our research question is, why do athletes respond honestly or not when being asked to respond to subjective monitoring questionnaires? This should bring us more in direct contact with the athletes when being asked these questions.

To improve transparency, the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR) [ 13 ] (21 items) and the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Studies (COREQ) [ 14 ] (COREQ) (32-item checklist) were applied.

Research Team and Reflexivity

The present authors comprise one female (AL) and five males (AM, JB, AW, GD, AI). AL (Msc) is an experienced delegate working and researching in the humanitarian sector, skilled in international law, foreign affairs and human rights. AM, JB and GD are PhD sport scientists and researchers, each with over 20 years’ experience as staff and researchers in world-class-level team sports. This experience includes leading and/or consulting in performance and research departments, and being part of national and international championship winning teams including men’s French, Scottish, Spanish leagues, National cups, UEFA Champions League, FIFA World Cup and NFL Superbowl. AI is a PhD psychology researcher and sport psychology consultant practising in world class and elite level sports teams. AM, JB, GD and AI are all experienced in conducting and publishing quantitative research, while AI is also experienced in qualitative research methods. AW is a PhD phenomenologist and qualitative researcher with almost 20 years’ experience working in the field and research in the organizational behaviour area.

Authors AM, JB, GD and AI have experience with subjective monitoring, which has been overall positive in regards to obtaining engagement from athletes. However, we also clarify that in our experience this is not automatically positive; we have had to work hard and consistently to get the buy-in from athletes, some of whom can be particularly argumentative, dismissive or unengaging. However, our experience ‘selling’ subjective measures in practice has taught us that obtaining honest responses from athletes relies not only on the athletes answering but also how we as staff approach subjective monitoring. What drove the initial idea to investigate the phenomenon of subjective monitoring were the differences in AM’s typically eventual, overall positive experience with subjective athlete monitoring, while being aware of the constant reports of negative experiences and criticisms from different groups in practice, research, social media and, anecdotally, at conferences, etc.

Study Design

A phenomenological approach was chosen as the most appropriate using a series of one-to-one interviews to investigate the phenomenon of ‘athletes experiences when being asked to respond to subjective athlete monitoring questionnaires’, for example, s-RPE, wellness, sleep, fatigue, muscle soreness, psychological readiness, etc. Phenomenology is powerful in helping to understand a person’s experiences, which in this current study design involves the athletes’ experiences.

Sample Selection

Purposive sampling was chosen to identify and invite persons to be interviewed. To determine who to include in our sample, we used our own professional network and knowledge of team-sport athletes and sports staff—both performance staff and technical/tactical coaches—who we knew were working with athletes, and who would be willing to participate as interviewees. Because the study’s context is the application of the sports performance role in professional sports, we targeted athletes competing in the major professional team sports, i.e., Association Football, American Football, Basketball, Major League Baseball, Rugby Union and Rugby League. To achieve some diversity in the sample, we sought to include interviewees with varying experience levels by inviting those in any of the following three career stages: (1) world class youth level, i.e., competing at international team level; (2) world-class in the ‘prime’ of their careers, i.e., currently competing as first-team regulars in the best league and international competitions in the world, winning or at least being finalists in at least one major tournament defined as a “one time sporting event of an international scale organized by a ‘special authority’ and yielding extremely high levels of media coverage” [ 15 ]; and, (3) world-class but recently retired, i.e., having competed as first-team regulars in the best leagues and international competitions in the world, winning or at least being finalists in at least one major tournament and being chosen as the ‘best player’ in their sport at national or international level at least once. We therefore excluded athletes who did not have extensive experience in the phenomenon under study—responding to data collection efforts to assess subjective measures. We followed the criteria and decision-tree to qualify as a ‘world-class athlete’ defined by McKay and colleagues [ 16 ]. After identifying potential athletes, we either contacted them directly or via colleagues in our network. We aimed to continue athlete interviews until we deemed saturation was reached, i.e., when interviewees introduced no new perspectives on the topic [ 17 ].

Eighteen world-class team-sport athletes were invited for interview. Invited athletes included seven athletes from women’s sport teams and 11 from men’s sports teams, competing in the top leagues of countries covering six continents. Represented team-sports included association football (four female, four male), American football (one male), basketball (one female, one male), baseball (one male), rugby union (two female, two male), rugby league (two male). Four (one female, three male) invited athletes were recently retired (within 15 years), and two were youth athletes (one female, one male, both over 16 years old but less than 18 years old).

Altogether, 12 athletes accepted to be interviewed; however, one was excluded as the athlete’s level in English speaking made it difficult to conduct the interview in the same way as with the others. Therefore, in total, 11 athletes were interviewed and the transcriptions of their interviews included for thematic analysis. See Table ​ Table1 1 for athlete demographic profiles.

Overview of athletes’ profiles; demographics and athletic honours

Athletes were interviewed online using Microsoft Teams video call, and the appropriate day/time was negotiated to coincide with their schedule. The actual setting of athletes varied from in their own home to a training facility or team hotel prior the morning of a competitive match. Interviews were not audio or video recorded. The intention to record an interview can influence the decisions interviewees take about the information they share [ 18 ], and an effective interview is in part about enabling an environment in which interviewees feel comfortable to say what they want [ 19 ]. Indeed data quality with appropriately trained interviewers between audio-recorded transcripts and interview scripts written directly after an interview have been shown to be comparable in the detail captured [ 18 ]. Given the high-profile nature of the athletes—i.e., world-class with significant media attention surrounding them, and that, with the exception of one of them, they did not have any prior knowledge of or relationship with the interviewer(s)—it was decided by AM, JB and AI that athletes would likely be more open and willing to be ‘interviewed’ without a recording. Hand-written notes were taken during the interviews and typed up in their entirety within 30 min of completing the interviews. AM conducted nine out of the 11 interviews and two were performed by two alternative interviewers, not in the principal research group. While one athlete was proficient in English, this person requested to be interviewed in their mother tongue to ensure they fully understood and in return were understood by the interviewer and optimizing a two-way conversation. In the other instance, the athlete did not speak English. For these interviews, the additional interviewers performed a pilot interview with AM to ensure interviews and questions were structured, delivered and performed in as close a manner as AM would have done. These additional interviewers were fluent in English and translated from the native language to English after the cessation of the interview with the athletes. These two additional interviewers comprised a sport scientist and a sports physician experienced in working with world-class athletes and in scientific research. As with the principal research group, both had similar experiences and assumptions regarding subjective monitoring. Neither had any prior relationship with the athlete they interviewed. Interviews lasted between 30 and 45 min.

Data Collection Methods and Data Collection Instruments and Technologies

The interviews took place over a 1-year period from March 2021 to March 2022. An initial semi-structured interview guide was prepared taking into consideration aspects important for interview design [ 12 ]. The initial semi-structured interview was prepared by AM and AI and piloted with two athletes who were not involved in the study and known to AM. No changes were made to the initial interview guide.

Typed electronic records of the interviews were transferred onto Microsoft Excel. Files comprised separate columns where important full texts of interviews were winnowed to extract ‘quotations/statements’ deemed to be important and of interest, with additional columns prepared for the thematic analysis. Data analysis included (i) first pass : creating a code, (ii) second pass : converting the code to a category, and (iii) determination of each category into an overall theme , which is explained below, in data analysis. All raw interviews and participant information were de-identified and stored securely on Microsoft OneDrive by AM. Both AM and AI had access to a secure, private OneDrive shared folder.

Data Analysis

Deriving findings from the interviews requires recovering a theme(s) that is embodied and dramatized in the evolving meanings of the work [ 20 ]. The specific process performed by AM was based on accepted guidelines for qualitative research analysis [ 20 , 21 ]; First , the interviews were read in full to acquire a feeling for their ideas and to gain a deeper understanding. Second , significant quotations/statements were extracted by identifying key words and sentences relating to the phenomenon being investigated. Third , meanings for these statements were formulated. This process was repeated for each of the persons’ ‘stories’. Fourth , the quotations were re-read and reflected upon for each person separately, and a code assigned by writing a short sentence. Fifth , these short sentence codes were reflected upon to assign the most appropriate descriptive wording and labelled as a ‘category’. Sixth , a small number, typically five to eight, of overall ‘themes’ were generated to be shaped into a general description of the phenomenon, i.e., essence description [ 22 , 23 ], displaying the perspectives of the persons.

After this six-step process was completed, the quotations, codes, categories and themes generated were reviewed by AI, who created notes where clarification and further discussion were needed. AM and AI then collaboratively reflected on and discussed each theme, category, code and quotation. Themes and their relevant categories were then further reviewed by AW, who collaboratively reflected with AM and AI to generate the final agreed upon themes. The themes were then examined, articulated, re-interpreted and re-formulated [ 22 ], and eventually written as a thematic story, drawing on elements reported from different athletes to create a blended story, allowing the reader to get a feel for what it is like to live the experience [ 24 ].

Steps have been taken by our research team to maximize and demonstrate the validity of the study [ 20 ]: (i) Member checking where a final report was returned to interviewees to determine whether or not they felt it accurately reflected their experiences and the insights they gave. (ii) Clarifying the bias of the researcher(s)— in the ‘reflexivity’ section of our article we clarify the potential bias that principal researcher AM and the research team may bring to the study through their own experiences and beliefs. (iii) By presenting negative/discrepant information , i.e., in the narrative we discuss ‘surprising’ codes that went contrary to our potential bias. (iv) Spending prolonged time in the field— we have provided earlier, a detailed overview of our credentials working in the practical setting, which demonstrate our in-depth understanding of the phenomenon under study. (v) Peer debriefing— where an independent person is located to review and ask questions about the qualitative study so that the account resonates with people other than the researcher. (vi) An external auditor— as distinct from a peer debriefer, the auditor is not familiar with the researcher or the project and provides an independent ‘peer’ review of the project.

Four themes emerged from the data analysis of the interviews. These were pursuit of ideal self, individual barriers to athlete engagement, social facilitators to athlete engagement, and experiencing compassion from the performance staff (see Figs. ​ Figs.1, 1 , ​ ,2, 2 , ​ ,3 3 and ​ and4). 4 ). The ensuing text describes each of these themes with quotations from athletes used to support the athletes’ claims, illustrate ideas, and illuminate experience [ 25 ].

Factors supporting the theme ‘pursuit of ideal self’

Factors supporting the theme ‘individual barriers to athlete engagement’

Factors supporting the theme ‘social facilitators to athlete engagement’

Factors supporting the theme ‘experiencing compassion from the performance staff’

Pursuit of Ideal Self

‘Ideal self’ is a driver for intentional change [ 26 ] and was a key theme of discussion by athletes, i.e., the athletes’ preferred future regarding their professional sporting goals. Their pursuit—their motivational drive to improve and become a better athlete and curiosity about what they can do to achieve this—was described by all of the interviewees as an important part of their reasoning when deciding how to respond to subjective monitoring questionnaires. The pursuit of the ideal-self theme is grouped into three categories: drive to be better; curiosity about new processes; and growing self-awareness. Quotes from three of the athletes expressing this motivational drive are:

• “ We are so competitive, if we think something will give us an edge and we don’t take it, then there is something seriously wrong” (A7).
• “I am a player who always took care of my body and I understood quickly that this type of information was for my benefit” (A5).
• “I'm an inquisitive person, I like to know why we are doing things. The more I know for myself, I can put it into my own regimen and learn how to care of myself” (A4).

Athletes also described the importance of recognizing that their real, current self evolves over a career as they become more aware of themselves, their bodies, and their goals. Several athletes discussed how, in general, their approach has been one of being willing to answer honestly. They understood that some athletes may be reluctant to give honest responses depending on each individual persons’ circumstances and past experiences, and acknowledged that they themselves had experienced similar reluctant feelings throughout their careers. One athlete said:

• ”How players respond depends on their experience and age, like the younger and older players…not everyone recognises that being tired or finding a session hard is just a normal part of training and being an athlete.. you learn this with experience” (A8).

Another athlete had a similar reflection:

• “I can see how some people could give a dishonest answer but it comes down to that person and being professional” (A1) .

Two athletes described the change in response pattern as:

• “How you respond to changes throughout your career, depending what stage you are at the more honest you will be” (A10).
• “I’m old enough now to know that they’re [staff] not going to make me run more [i.e., based on the response they give], as I get older I get to understand the process better, once we get to that point it’s easy to be honest” (A11).

Individual Barriers to Athlete Engagement

Individual barriers to athlete engagement can refer to intrapersonal aspects related to negative emotions, such as the negative effect of fear, and perceptions of doubt and scepticism about handing over personal subjective information about how they are feeling. More specifically, fear about mistreatment or dismissing of the athletes’ responses, i.e., their own data, is among the strongest mechanisms for the unwillingness to engage with honest responses to subjective monitoring questionnaires. The individual barriers theme is grouped into four categories: not being treated like human beings; feeling sceptical of intentions; fear of feelings being dismissed; and fear of overactive responses in response to feelings.

Athletes consistently described the importance of feeling like they are being considered and treated as human beings, where their own unique concerns, fears, desires and needs are considered, and the awareness that they are dealing with their own ‘things’ inside and outside of the sporting team. As an example, two athletes explained the importance of not being recognized as individual human beings:

• “Acknowledge who people are, recognise and celebrate people, their cultures, families, what’s important to them. We have a lot of nationalities, Pacific Islanders, English, Irish, Australians…, if you can make them feel important and that the organisation is a family, they will get a sense of belonging and buy in to what the organisation is trying to do” (A7).
• “Understand what else is going on and respond to the circumstances like travel and other stresses [family, social]….you can't tell different types of stress with the external load sensors, what about family, social stresses, travel, too” (A4).

The concept of ‘invisible monitoring’ came up in the interviews. Upon learning what this strategy entails, one athlete reacted with some confusion that this was actually used in teams:

• “I’d feel like a robot. You need to know people care for you. Don’t try and take the human out of it…. Human interaction is so important” (A2).

The second athlete discussing this concept reacted angrily:

• “I’m not a f**king science experiment, invisible monitoring to me, is cr*p, it’s my body, I need to know what is going on… these staff only care about themselves, making themselves look better and getting an increase in salary”. (A11).

Although treating athletes as the individual human beings that they are was described as being key to getting honest responses, it was acknowledged as a potential limitation in certain circumstances:

• “ The human aspect [to subjective monitoring] is definitely a limitation…. If we are angry, you’re more likely to get a short or very reactive reply… but human interaction is so important, especially when it’s someone I like to talk to" (A2).

There was a feeling of being sceptical about the intended use of the information, for example, being used against them before their contract negotiations, or match selection, when asked through subjective monitoring. This scepticism played prominently in athletes’ minds when deciding whether or not to respond honestly. Scepticism was particularly heightened when questionnaires were introduced without prior warning or consultation with the athletes themselves, for example, through formal or informal communications, education sessions, etc.

One athlete reflected,

• “I ask myself how honest should I be?…how is this going to be used?” (A4).

Another athlete described their thoughts when being asked;

• “I’m always trying to be honest, but I’m also thinking how trustable are the staff?” (A9).

A third athlete stated:

• ”If it’s something you’ve never asked me before or I don’t know you, I’ll be like ‘what the h*ll’… is ‘xxxx’[e.g. the coach] going to see this?… if you rock up randomly and ask me these questions, I’m going to think ‘this is a bit weird’, what are you going to do with my information? (A8).

Another reason for the scepticism, especially without information about how the results are used, was related to the perceived impact on the chance of playing. One athlete stated that:

• "We might think that we won’t train or play depending on how we answer” (A5).

Another athlete reflected:

• “ Some players might not be comfortable with them [the staff] because they are wary of them” (A10).

One athlete discussed a specific experience they had where their subjective information had been used against them:

• “I’m pretty good at keeping my cards close to my chest, in x [the league], people [performance staff] can be so variable across the league and other teams, not many are in it for us [i.e. to improve the players’ health and/or performance levels], those guys in [the team], they’re there to sell themselves first and then worry about me, they want a better contract so they used the information to make themselves look better… they definitely presented everything negatively about me at the end of the season, they used it to make them look better; ‘he’s lazy, he’s out of shape, he hasn’t been reporting properly… I’ll now go to the GM [General Manager] and tell them if I don’t trust the staff and that he [i.e. the staff] might not trust me but just so he’s [the GM] aware there might be some mismatches in what he’s told” (A11).

A fear of their feelings being dismissed or staff over-reacting also drove their thought process about whether or not to respond honestly. One athlete expressed:

• “Your reaction to our responses is important, if we can tell that you are not taking us seriously we won’t answer properly… don’t antagonise us and don’t judge our answers” (A2).

Another athlete described a specific experience of perceiving their feelings being dismissed at times when not in the starting squad for a match and being asked to rate how hard sessions were and how they were feeling:

• “If you’re in the practice squad, they [performance staff] wouldn’t give a s**t, they [performance staff] would only care about the guys who were going to be playing, so why even ask us because whatever we said it didn’t even matter” (A11).

Social Facilitators to Athlete Engagement

Social facilitators to athlete engagement was one distinct theme that emerged. Social facilitators refer to perceptions by the athletes based on their experiences and beliefs about what staff within the performance team do, and/or can do to improve athlete engagement through facilitating the provision of information/data. These social facilitators are grouped into four categories that reflect different types of preferred actions: being communicated to about what will change; feeling time and commitments as a pro athlete are respected; simple, fast and efficient methods of collection; and demonstrable change and impact to the training program.

Being informed prior to the implementation of subjective questionnaires and educated about what change(s) will happen based on their information was highlighted by athletes as a key element of obtaining honest and accurate responses. One athlete, for example, discussed this importance especially when players are not familiar with subjective questionnaires:

• “Professional players are not used to it [answering scales], if they didn’t start these when they were youth players… How players respond probably depends on their age and experience, like the young and older players… not everyone recognises that being tired or finding a session hard is just a normal part of training and being an athlete (A5).

About the relevance of educating the athletes another reflected:

• “Educating us on what you are doing and why would help us understand and more likely then to buy into it…expose the next generation to the methods, and the work you are doing” (A8) .

Similar reflections were provided by another two athletes who stated:

• “We want to know why we are doing things, to see how we are feeling and if something needs to be changed (A4).
• “Educate the players why you’re doing it, xxxx [the head of performance) did a lot of talking to everyone, as a group, to the individual players… It’s a lot of trial and error, trying to get the guys to do it… be persistent but you have to learn the persistence needed for each player… explaining on an individual level is important, explain to us the context, what it means to us [i.e. each individual player], how it will benefits us, you’re doing it to make our career better, little things like that” (A11).

Athletes discussed their feelings and reactions to either experiencing no impact or experiencing positive impact, for example, changes to the training programme, based on the information they provide in subjective monitoring questionnaires. Having a demonstrable meaning or purpose to the information they are providing was key to giving honest responses. One athlete said:

“The biggest thing is why? What changes are happening”? (A1) .

When there are no meaningful changes or a positive impact to the programme, athletes described the following scenarios;

• “ Poor quality information or lack of practical information in a simple way we can understand are the main reasons why in my opinion, players do not answer correctly [i.e. with deliberately misleading responses]” (A5).
• ”If you don’t come to see me, or I don’t see changes to my program or preparation I’ll just put anything. If you don’t react to the questionnaires, then I’m done…. I have experience where staff don’t follow the results… then I am not honest all of the time” (A3).
• “I need to see validation of what they [staff] are doing with the results, if nothing changes from 2 weeks before I can tell you don’t give a cr*p…I’ll then just give you a different score than I really feel, probably like 1 or 2 points different just because I know you are expecting something to be different, but it’s not really how I feel [i.e., deliberately misleading response]” (A11).

However, when positive changes are seen and felt by the athletes, they were more prone to buy in to the process and give honest responses. One athlete stated:

• “ If my information is acted upon [i.e. used to improve the training program] then I’ll tell the truth, regardless of the person” (A3).

Another athlete explained:

• “…we want to see that our workouts are adjusted based on our feedback… as soon as we understood that it’s impacting our personal programmes, we were much happier to buy in…. as it gets more consistent we become more likely to be honest” (A2).

A third athlete expressed:

• “The staff need to use the information and communicate it back to us… like 15 min pre-meeting in the morning. It would be good to get feedback from the coach if they change something based on how we are feeling, like ‘you boys are tired so we changed this or that'” (A9).

A strong desire for the subjective monitoring to be seamlessly integrated into the overall training programme was discussed by the athletes. In general, most athletes’ experiences centred around how quick, simple and timely the questionnaires are and that they believe the staff genuinely respect their time and other commitments they have as professional athletes. Three quotes from the athletes illustrating this:

• “ Overdoing it especially the wellness questionnaire can be a bad thing… if it’s too regular I would give the same answers or maybe only differ by one point” (A9).

Another athlete explained,

• “I don't want to be annoyed every morning by someone asking me all the time, like a nagging thing” (A1).
• “ The simpler you make things for us, the better, we have enough going on being a professional player” ( A10).
• “You maybe have about 5% of our time with our full attention, everyone’s trying to get to us, so make the most of it” (A11).

Interestingly, it also shone through that an ‘integrated process’ is subject to individual athlete preferences;

• “It definitely depends on the individual person ” [about how they will respond] (A1).

Although most athletes preferred to be asked subjective questionnaires in-person, this was not the case for everyone, as illustrated by three of the athletes below:

• “I prefer the phone [to answer wellness questionnaires], as we are always on our phones, and it’s easy” (A1).
• “I prefer the app, it’s in my own time, it becomes routine, it’s just me and I can be totally honest” (A10).
• “I like when people talk to me, I feel like they care” (A2).

Experiencing Compassion from the Performance Staff.

Athletes expressed feelings about needing and experiencing compassion from the performance staff to be key to getting honest responses to subjective monitoring. The theme of compassion is grouped into three categories: feeling genuinely cared for by performance staff; feeling genuine passion and effort from the performance staff; and feeling actively involved by the performance staff, in particular, where the sports staff are able to demonstrate their passion, work ethic, commitment and authenticity to the individual athletes and the group as a whole. One athlete expressed the importance of relationships:

• “ Build relationships with us, we want to see how passionate you are about your role in the organisation…. then you will gain our respect” (A7).

Another athlete highlighted the importance of empathy:

• ”Build relationships and convince us that you have our best interests at heart” (A10).

The importance of empathy and recognizing the emotional state of the athletes at the time of being asked and how these questions may stir specific emotions was emphasized by two athletes:

• “ Emotions talk… if we are angry, you’re more likely to get a short or reactive reply” (A2). “One negative thing is that for wellness questionnaires it can bring the athletes mind to a particular soreness, all of a sudden I’d be drawn to focus on that hammy [hamstring] soreness and amplify it.. does it feel worse because I am focusing on it now?” (A7).

A feeling of consistency was often described by athletes as a key part of their decision to be accurate and honest with regard to subjective questionnaires as well as their experience and growing self-awareness. This same consistency was highlighted as also being able to recognise potentially negative emotions and to answer without giving in to these.

• “Emotions talk, as it gets more consistent [i.e. the whole subjective monitoring process] we become more likely to be honest” (A2).

The susceptibility of responding to someone with whom you do not have a good relationship was exemplified by one of the athletes:

• “I’ll be honest with my national team coach because I trust him, but I’ll ask if he is giving the data to [name] in my club team, because I don’t want him to see it, I don’t know what he does with my information” (A7).

The ability of the staff to create an environment where the athletes feel at ease, genuinely cared for, and involved in a conversation about their subjective feelings helps athletes to believe that the persons asking the questions have their best interests at heart. This was stated by several of the athletes:

• “It’s nice to know people care for you, don’t try and take the human out of it” (A2).

Another athlete expressed:

• “I appreciated that staff were listening and taking an interest in how I was feeling or any complaints I had….this made me feel comfortable to invest and answer honestly” (A5).

One athlete explained that, as long as a trusting relationship had been built with the main person responsible for acting on the information, they would be honest, no matter who asked them the subjective questions:

• “I would tell anyone [an honest response] because I knew they would tell xxxx [the head of performance] anyway and I knew he was in it for us and would use the information to make us better” (A11).

Also the importance of involving the athletes in the process was stressed. One athlete said:

• ”Other factors are involved, like a big game coming up.. if my hammies are sore I’ll probably want to water it down a bit, but if you speak to me, involve me in the process like saying ‘ok, how can we modify this training session to keep you fresh for the game” (A7)

How staff can work to establish a high-quality relationship was illustrated by one of the athletes:

• ”Build person to person relationships, have a conversation while you’re in the gym, like ‘how did you feel there mate?.. it’s like you’re having a coffee with them’” (A7).

The purpose of this study was to understand why world-class professional team-sport athletes—both men and women—are honest or not when asked to respond to subjective monitoring questionnaires. In our findings, we identified four themes regarding why athletes are honest or not in responding to subjective monitoring instruments. All four are related to the athletes’ emotions. Just because performance staff must deal with emotions does not mean that subjective monitoring cannot be valid indicators of performance. These emotional needs provide insight into what performance staff can do to address these needs and achieve meaningful results from subjective monitoring.

What our study reveals is that not only are athletes driven by emotion, but, just as importantly, these can be the direct result of the relationship between the performance staff and the athlete, highlighting the importance of this interaction. Table ​ Table2 2 and the section below divide the emotional needs into temporal and spatial ones that athletes possess and how performance staff can respond in order to be responsive to these emotions.

Attending to athletes’ temporal and spatial needs

Attending to Athletes’ Temporal Needs

Athletes have emotional needs that occur temporally, in the present and are targeted towards the future, which need to be fulfilled to facilitate honesty in responding to subjective monitoring instruments.

Performance Staff Encouragement in Athletes’ Achieving their Future Ideal Self

The athletes interviewed described their pursuit to become the best athlete they can, which aligns with the concept of the ‘ideal self’. The ideal self represents the preferred future and importance of a person’s dreams or aspirations in motivating change or the development driver of intentional change in one’s behaviour, emotions, perceptions and attitudes [ 27 ]. Creating a positive vision can facilitate perceptions of hope [ 27 – 29 ], which in turn stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, resulting in increased openness, cognitive power, and flexibility [ 27 ]. When the ideal self is envisioned by the individual, it can guide actions and decisions in a direction that facilitates improved self-satisfaction through articulation and direction towards the emergence of a new state of being with self-actualization as a core quality [ 26 ]. The athletes interviewed consistently described their own growing self-awareness as important in their evolution of becoming the athlete they want to become, i.e. realizing who they actually are at that present moment in time. In accordance with the ideal self, acknowledging the current, i.e., real, self, and the discrepancy between this and the ideal self, is a powerful motivator for change [ 26 ]. Feeling and believing that performance staff are doing their best to genuinely help them achieve their ideal self appears to be a strong motivator for honest engagement in subjective monitoring practices.

Performance Staff Mitigation of Athletes’ Fear in the Present

The athletes interviewed stated their own internal barriers that negatively affect their ability to be open and honest when responding to subjective monitoring questionnaires [ 26 ]. These barriers included feelings of fear that the information they provide may be misused and/or their responses may be dismissed as trivial, made fun of or misinterpreted, for example, performance staff over-reacting, as well as scepticism about the overall intentions of performance staff. Such feelings led athletes to describe potential but significant trust issues with performance staff. A major issue for performance staff is trying to obtain honest responses from athletes who have perceptions of fear. Such fear can alter a person’s perception of the environment to be more threatening than it really is, resulting in defensive or hostile actions, in the person being more likely to withdraw or inhibit new thoughts and alternative ways to approach a situation [ 26 ]. The feelings described by the athletes in our study correspond to a fear that links closely with the psychotherapy literature, where the most common self-reported motives for lies and concealment of information are to avoid both shame and the therapist’s over-reaction or that the therapist will not understand a particular issue [ 7 ]. The person’s—for example in our study, the athlete’s—experience, either good or bad, will drive how the person reacts in future [ 7 ]. Our findings demonstrate that claims of the proper wording of questions in subjective monitoring questionnaires as the basis for inaccurate responses due to misinterpretation is not the entire explanation for why answers may be dishonest, but rather that they relate to an intentional dishonest response. Our findings extend those by Neurpert et al. [ 5 ] that emergence of emotions such as fear may result in deliberate dishonesty and strongly suggest that a consideration must include the emotions invoked in athletes through the performance staff’s communication behaviours and actions with them.

Attending to Athletes’ Spatial Needs

Athletes also have emotional needs that, when fulfilled, support honesty in responding to subjective monitoring instruments that occur spatially in the information flow and in the interaction between performance staff and athletes.

Performance Staff Transparency and Information Flow Feedback with Athletes

The theme ‘social facilitators for athlete engagement’ described by our athletes centred around their experiences and subsequent emotions invoked about how subjective monitoring is implemented and facilitated in their team. Athletes explained how the performance staff’s methods and approaches to subjective monitoring can drive concealment, honesty or outright lying, i.e., how performance staff affect athlete ‘engagement’ in the process. Engagement can be described as the simultaneous employment and expression of a person’s preferred, i.e., ideal, self in task behaviours promoting connections to work and to others, and personal presence, whether physical, cognitive, or emotional [ 30 ]. ‘Disengagement’ refers to the uncoupling of selves from work roles where people withdraw and defend themselves physically, cognitively, and/or emotionally [ 30 , 31 ]. The athletes’ experiences suggest that performance staff do not always facilitate—intentionally or unintentionally—an engaging process, and/or an environment that fosters honest and open responses. Our findings support previous research that a process facilitating subjective monitoring should be simple, efficient and, by design, engaging. However, our study provides additional insight into ‘why’ it should be this way, i.e., it is an opportunity to elicit positive emotions that actually motivate athletes’ to be honest. Additionally, we demonstrate a deeper appreciation of the impact that transparency can have in convincing athletes to be honest. While research has suggested the importance of educating and communicating with athletes on what is being done in regards to subjective monitoring questionnaires, we show ‘why’ this is actually important. Specifically, a two-step process must occur: first, athletes need to experience and therefore believe that there is meaning/purpose to what they are being asked to do; and second, once they are convinced of the meaning, this then needs to be demonstrated through consistent behaviour and action of the performance staff through feedback and impact to training. Meaningfulness specifically refers to the extent that people derive meaning from their work and feel that they are receiving a return on investment, where they feel worthwhile, useful, valuable and not taken for granted [ 31 ]. This is essentially what the athletes in our study are seeking, and by doing so, the return on investment for the efforts of the performance staff themselves will be honest engagement; in other words, everybody wins.

Performance Staff Development of an Interpersonal, Cooperative Relationship with Athletes

Athletes' desire that performance staff treat them with compassion, represents an important behaviour of the performance staff that can elicit positive emotions through feeling convinced about staff intentions and therefore opening up athletes’ honesty. Compassion can be described as consisting of three principal components: (1) empathizing with the other, (2) caring for the other, and (3) acting in response to the other’s feelings [ 32 , 33 ]. Essentially, compassion can be viewed as noticing another’s need or desire, and by ‘coaching them with compassion’, we are focusing on invoking the ideal self to initiate and guide the change process [ 33 ]. Compassion’s function is the maintenance of cooperative relationships [ 34 ], and to be successful, the coach, i.e., performance practitioner in our example, must establish and cultivate a trusting relationship with the athlete so they discuss their hopes and dreams openly, and develop in them a sense of safety to explore new thinking and development [ 35 ]. For the athletes in this study, an essential part of feeling compassion from performance staff was being actively involved in both the subjective and the overall monitoring process. While getting buy-in from players is not always easy, the trend to remove the athlete from the process, for example, through ‘invisible monitoring’, does not appear to correspond with how athletes see the full benefits of a health and performance monitoring program. Based on our results, it is more likely that ‘visible’ monitoring where athletes are actively involved, for example, through coaching with compassion, will arouse positive emotions and healthy psychophysiological systems helping them become more open to new possibilities, grow and renew themselves, leading to favourable outcomes at the individual, dyad, group and organizational levels [ 33 ].

Limitations

For the reasons stated in the Methods section, the authors of this study made the intentional decision not to record interviews. It is always a risk doing so because not all information will be captured by the interviewer. However, the benefits outweigh this risk by acquiring thick descriptions of the phenomenon of interest. Consequently, we have taken several steps to maximize and demonstrate the qualitative validity of our findings and our interpretive discussion. We implemented ‘member checking’ to ensure the athletes interviewed felt our account of their experiences was accurate. We clarified researcher bias based on our own personal views and experience in the reflexivity section earlier in our article. Additionally, we included both a peer debriefer and an external auditor to review and provide feedback on the manuscript prior to submission. We also acknowledge that we focused specifically on world-class professional team sport athletes and the experiences of amateur or semi-professional team sport athletes as well as individual sport athletes and/or athletes competing at elite, amateur or recreational levels may have different and/or unique experiences that relate specifically to them. We also realise that we have interviewed athletes only, and interviewing of performance staff to understand their experiences and the potential mutual role that both parties might play should be explored.

Practical Application

This study does not prescribe generalized methodologies, sets of techniques, or rules for acting as seen in ‘typical’ practical applications; rather, through an analytic way of thinking, we provide performance staff with insights that can strengthen the relationship between thoughtfulness and tact.

Cultivating trusting relationships with athletes and creating an environment that facilitates openness and honesty appear to be what athletes are seeking from performance staff. As performance staff we clearly need to have self-awareness around how athletes might perceive and experience our behaviours and actions toward them and our power to invoke either negative or positive emotions in them. We can elicit positive emotions through helping athletes to become the best athlete they can, i.e., to be their ‘ideal self’, by behaving and acting genuinely and with consistency in a way that convinces athletes that we are genuinely there to help them and not just in it for ourselves.

We should reflect on our subjective monitoring protocols, being aware about which questionnaire(s) we use, how we implement them and when we ask questions. These are more than purely ‘logistical’ matters, but rather correspond to how an athlete will react emotionally and dictate their responses. Ultimately, we should ask ourselves, are we truly caring for the athlete? Are we really acting in response to how each individual person is feeling in the present and caring for their future? Are we coaching them with compassion? Overall, performance staff being aware of and tapping into athletes’ pursuit of their ideal selves and accompanying them on their journey to bridge the gap between their real and ideal self may represent a potentially powerful strategy for staff to get honest buy-in from athletes.

Future Directions

Our insights open up new and exciting areas for scientific investigation, in particular towards a deeper understanding of athletes’ pursuit of their ideal selves and how we can most effectively help them to transition toward their preferred future including their dreams, hopes and desires. This represents an exciting area for future research into athlete engagement and the role of emotions in providing honest responses. The implications are not only to be found in subjective monitoring but could be extended to the entire athlete preparation domain, and how we engage and build relationships with athletes throughout the entire health and performance process.

While other qualitative methodological studies cited in this article have studied athlete perceptions, our study is one of the few, to our knowledge, to describe and attempt to understand the “why” of whether athletes respond honestly to subjective monitoring questionnaires. Our findings revealed that the honesty of athlete responses may be largely driven by the emotions invoked within them in response to the behaviours and actions of performance staff asking the questions, with negative emotions fostering dishonesty and positive ones encouraging honesty. Positive emotions are experienced by athletes when they are convinced that performance staff are genuinely doing their best to help them to become the best athlete that they can be, that their time and effort is being respected, and that there is demonstrable meaning to them participating in subjective monitoring processes.

Acknowledgements

There are several people who have been integral to the successful completion of this project. We have decided not to name each person as this could open up the possibility of identifying potential athletes who have participated, for example, people linked to teams, nationalities, etc. We acknowledge and express our gratitude to everyone who has helped in this study and have sent them individual notes to explain why we will not include their names in the acknowledgments, but thank them on a personal basis.

Declarations

No funding was received for this project.

Alan McCall, Andreas Ivarsson, Gregory Dupont and Johann Bilsborough acknowledge their overall positive experience with implementing subjective monitoring questionnaires with athletes (albeit not necessarily easy). Adrian Wolfberg and Amelie Laroque declare no conflicts of interest.

Verbal informed consent was obtained from the athletes and ethical approval was granted through Edinburgh Napier University Ethics Committee (SAS/0080). Participants gave verbal informed consent after receiving a detailed explanation of the project. The study complied with the latest guidelines set out in the Declaration of Helsinki, apart from registration in a publicly accessible database.

AM and JB conceived the idea for the project and prepared the initial design drafts. AI and AW reviewed and provided feedback on the initial design and AM, JB, AI and AW worked on various versions including the version following feedback from peer debriefer until a final protocol was developed. AM and AW prepared the data collation sheet. AM conducted the interviews. JB was present for two interviews. AM piloted the interview with athletes and with two additional interviewers for the interviews conducted in other languages ( n  = 2). AM performed the initial thematic analysis. AI reviewed and AM and AI collaborated to define first full themes. AW reviewed this and together AM, AI, AW prepared the final thematic analysis for review by JB, GD and AL. AM drafted the first version of a manuscript, JB and AI provided input into this first version. Thereafter AM, AI and AW worked on five drafts of a manuscript. Draft 6 was reviewed by all authors who were involved until the final manuscript was submitted.

Adrian Wolfberg and Andreas Ivarsson are joint second authors.

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Sports Research Topics Ideas: Inspiring Questions

June 16, 2023

Sports always attract public attention and interest, which is why they make for fascinating subjects of research. Whether you’re studying sports psychology, marketing, or sociology, or any other related field, there’s no shortage of topics to investigate. However, it can be challenging to come up with creative and inspiring research topics that will stand out from the rest. In this article, we’ll explore some sports research topics ideas to help you get started on your next research project.

Sport Research: What It Comprises

Unfortunately, many people think sports are not a serious subject in school. They only see it as a way to have fun and relax. However, there is more to sports than meets the eye. Sports are a discipline that requires great strength, endurance, and determination.

Sports research may be defined as the process of examining the different aspects of sports, comprising their history, rules and regulations, techniques used by various players, and other related issues. It can also be referred to as sport or athletics studies, usually conducted by experts in this field.

Researchers are interested in all aspects of sports such as:

• Participation and performance
• Sport for health and well-being
• Sport as a business
• Sporting cultures
• Sporting events and their organization

How to Choose a Topic for Your Sports Study?

Sports research is a wide and varied field. There are many different sports and activities that can be studied, and there are many different topics within each sport studied.

What makes a good sports research topic? Is there a formula for choosing the right one? Or should it just be something that you are passionate about? How do you know if youths selected topic is going to be interesting to others?

Let’s take a look at some of the factors that go into choosing the right topic:

• Is it something that interests you?
• Do you have access to information about it?
• Can you find people who will talk to you about it?
• Is it connected with the current situation?

Research Topics in Sports Theory

• The impact of different factors on athletes
• Investigating athlete personality traits and team dynamics in competitive games
• The effectiveness of coaching strategies for optimizing athlete productivity
• The role of physical conditioning and nutrition in preventing injuries during games
• A comparison of sports policies and practices in various countries
• The intersection of race, gender, and sports
• Understanding the role of motivation for athlete productivity
• Technology and sports performance interconnection
• Investigating the role of sports in promoting social inclusion and community progress
• Examining the ethics of sports competition: a critical analysis of controversies and dilemmas
• The use of sports as a tool for conflict resolution and peace building
• Investigating the impact of sponsorship on team dynamics, and fan engagement
• The role of sports in promoting health and wellbeing
• Thel effects of doping during games
• Investigating the role of sports in promoting environmental sustainability
• The role of media in shaping sports discourse and public perception
• Examining the role of sports in promoting cultural heritage and identity
• Sports tourism in local economies and communities
• A critical analysis of the philosophy of sports
• Examining the meaning and purpose of sports from various theoretical perspectives

Sports Nutrition Topics

• Does nutrition affect performance?
• Dietary supplements and sportsmen`s health
• Macronutrients applying for optimizing sports results
• Investigating the effects of hydration on performance
• The effects of carbohydrate and fat intake on exercise metabolism
• Analyzing different diets for sportsmen
• The impact of timing of nutrient intake on sports performance
• The effectiveness of various nutritional interventions in improving sports achievements
• Examining the impact of micronutrient status on athlete’s performance
• Nutrition for preventing and managing sports-related traumas
• Analyzing the effects of nutritional interventions on bone health in sportsmen
• The impact of caffeine on sports performance and exercise metabolism
• Examining the role of probiotics in sports nutrition
• The effects of nutritional interventions on immune function in athletes
• The impact of nutrition on recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage
• Analyzing the effects of carbohydrate and protein co-ingestion on muscle glycogen resynthesis
• The role of omega-3 fatty acids in sports nutrition
• The impact of nutrition on cognitive function and mood in sportsmen
• Examining the effects of nutrition on gut health in athletes
• The influence of individualized nutrition interventions on sports and health outcomes

Inspiring Research Topics in Athletics

• The Impact of Mental Training on Performance in Track and Field Athletes
• The effects of altitude training on endurance running performance
• Investigating the role of genetics in athletic performance
• Analyzing the biomechanics of a successful high jump: a case study
• Nutritional strategies for optimizing athletic performance in long distance runners
• Investigating the effects of different warm-up protocols on athletic performance in sprinters
• Examining the psychological factors involved in overcoming performance slumps in athletics
• Investigating the physiological and biomechanical demands of pole vaulting
• The effects of plyometric training on vertical jump performance in track and field athletes
• Analyzing the impact of footwear on the performance of long jump athletes

Football Research Topics 

• The impact of tactical innovations on football performance
• Investigating the effects of home advantage on footballers’ productivity
• The influence of physical and technical attributes on football performance
• Analyzing the effects of playing surface on injury rates
• Investigating the relationship between psychological factors and footballers’ results
• The impact of football on physical and mental health outcomes
• Examining the effects of different training methodologies on football performance
• The influence of VAR on football performance and decision-making
• The role of leadership in football team playing
• Analyzing the effects of football fan behavior on players’ mental health and well-being
• Investigating the relationship between team cohesion and footballers productivity
• The impact of football sponsorship on team performance and behavior
• Examining the effects of nutritional interventions on footballers’ success
• Investigating the impact of social media on football performance and behavior
• The role of match officials in decision-making
• The effects of fatigue on football performance
• The impact of football academies on player development
• The influence of playing style on football games
• Examining the impact of football on community development and social change
• Investigating the effects of football on cognitive function and brain health in retired players

Tennis Research Topics

• The impact of racquet technology on tennis
• The effects of psychological factors on tennis performance
• Physical fitness and tennis: A comparative study of male and female players.
• The role of nutrition in optimizing tennis performance
• The effects of different playing surfaces on tennis injury rates
• Analyzing the effects of pre-match routines on tennis performance
• Investigating the impact of equipment customization on tennis playing
• Examining the effects of match format on tennis behavior
• The role of coach-player relationships in tennis playing
• Investigating the impact of playing style on tennis performance
• The effects of fatigue on tennis players’ productivity
• Injuries and tennis: A longitudinal study of professional players.
• The influence of altitude on tennis performance
• Examining the impact of video analysis on tennis performance
• The role of sleep in tennis recovery
• The impact of tennis on bone health and risk of osteoporosis
• Analyzing the effects of grip style on tennis playing
• Investigating the impact of player behavior on tennis spectator experience
• The effects of gender on tennis performance
• The role of parent-child relationships in tennis perfomance

Research Topics in Sports Injury 

• Rehabilitation interventions and sports injury recovery: A systematic review
• Investigating the prevalence and risk factors of ACL injuries in football players
• The impact of concussion on athlete health and performance
• The effects of psychological factors on sports injury occurrence and recovery
• The effectiveness of injury prevention programs in reducing injury rates in sports
• Analyzing the impact of footwear on sports injury rates and prevention
• Physical conditioning and sports injury prevention and recovery: A case study of rugby
• The effects of gender on sports injury occurrence and recovery
• Examining the impact of weather conditions on sports injury
• Nutrition for sports injury prevention and recovery
• The impact of training load on sports injury occurrence and recovery
• Investigating the effects of different warm-up protocols on sports injury prevention and performance
• The influence of sports specialization on injury occurrence and recovery
• Analyzing the effects of playing surface on sports injury rates and prevention
• Investigating the impact of sports rules and regulations on injury occurrence and prevention
• The role of sports officials in injury occurrence and prevention
• The effectiveness of physical therapy interventions on sports injury recovery
• The effects of sleep on sports injury occurrence and recovery
• Analyzing the influence of biomechanical factors on sports injury occurrence and recovery
• Investigating the impact of sports injury on athletes’ psychological well-being and mental health

Sports Doping Research Topics 

• The prevalence and motivations of doping in professional sports
• Analyzing the effectiveness of anti-doping policies and regulations in preventing doping in sports
• The effects of different doping substances on sports performance
• The role of genetics in doping susceptibility and detection
• The impact of social and cultural factors on doping in sports
• Analyzing the effects of doping on athletes’ health and well-being
• Investigating the impact of doping on the integrity and fairness of sports competitions
• Examining the effectiveness of doping detection methods and technologies
• Sports organizations for preventing and detecting doping in sports
• The effects of doping on athletes’ mental health and well-being
• The influence of media coverage on doping in sports
• The role of supplements and sports nutrition in doping
• Doping and athletes’ post-career health and well-being
• Examining the impact of national policies and cultural differences on doping in sports
• Education and prevention programs in preventing doping in sports
• Analyzing the impact of doping on athletes’ career trajectories and success
• Investigating the effectiveness of rehabilitation and treatment programs for athletes who have used doping substances
• Doping and athletes’ relationships with their coaches and teammates
• The influence of new doping substances and technologies on sports doping
• The ethics and philosophical implications of doping in sports

Sports research is an important part of any sport. It can help you to understand the game better, learn new skills, and improve the performance. This type of study is also important for those who want to pursue a career in the sports industry.

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Sports Research Paper Topics and Ideas

Table of contents

• 0.1 Key Points
• 1.1 You Don’t Have To Rehash The Same Old Ideas
• 1.2 Choose A Topic With Plenty Of Sources
• 1.3 A Sports Research Paper Needs To Be Relevant
• 1.4 Use Evidence For Your Sports Paper
• 1.5 Bring Something New To The Table
• 2 Sports Management Research Topics
• 3 Sports Psychology Research Topics
• 4 Research Topics About Sports Medicine
• 5 Research Topics on Exercise
• 6 Research Topics on the History of Sports
• 7 Research Topics on Sports Marketing
• 8 Sports Research Topics on Sociology
• 9 Research Paper Topics About Soccer
• 10 Research Paper Topics about Basketball
• 11 Research Topics on Athletic Training
• 12 Sports Research Paper Topics: Key Takeaway

Writing about sports is as fun as playing it if you choose the right topic. But what to do if you’ve run out of ideas? No worries, we’ve got you covered with our selection of the most engaging sports research paper topics. One of them will help you to reveal your writing potential. Keep reading to find inspiration for an A-grade sports research paper.

• Sports research paper topics include major league baseball, football fans, and mental health. Even topics like sports celebrities, extreme sports, science, and doping
• Write about something that you’re passionate about and is in line with your essay brief
• Make sure your research paper topic allows you to present useful content and narrow it down if it is too broad

Tips for Selecting Ideal Sports Research Topics

Good sports research topics make putting your essay together more enjoyable. When that happens, your writing flows better, and your readers will enjoy it too. Take a look at these tips that college students can use to select the perfect research paper topics.

You Don’t Have To Rehash The Same Old Ideas

Let’s be honest – researching and following methodology in a research paper is tedious. But if you’re doing it on a subject you enjoy, your passion for the topic should keep you motivated and engaged. And you’ll likely produce high-quality work.

Choose A Topic With Plenty Of Sources

At the same time, make sure it’s narrow enough to get specific and provide insight. You have to find the right balance. You want to have enough information to get stuck into the topic, but not so much that it’s overwhelming.

A Sports Research Paper Needs To Be Relevant

A trending or hot topic is much easier to write about. And your readers are going to thank you for it. As long as they relate to what you’re saying, you’re halfway there. Take a look at news coverage of the industry. Are there any current discussions or debates? Or has a particular sports personality tweeted something viral?

Use Evidence For Your Sports Paper

You’re going to need sources to back up your claims. Are there enough articles, books, and other sources on hand to conduct an extensive study? You’ll need research papers, journals, documentaries, or interviews with experts in the field.

Bring Something New To The Table

Instead of writing on something already well-covered, try and contribute something new. Think about finding practical applications or implications for the sporting industry. If originality isn’t your strong suit, there’s an option to buy a research paper to get excellent results. That way, you’re guaranteed high-quality, well-researched work created by experts in the field. The result will be a unique perspective that makes your sports paper stand out.

Sports Management Research Topics

Sports management degree matter looks at effective leadership, athlete management, and marketing. They provide valuable insights into global sports culture today. You’ll also get the chance to learn more and develop critical thinking skills.

• Are Sports News Media Firms Necessary?
• Management In Promoting Social Inclusion
• Technology’s Impact on Management
• The Evolution Of Management: From Amateur To Professional
• Evaluating The Efficiency Of Management In Collegiate Athletics
• The Effect Of Gender Equality In Management
• Implications Of Mental Health Awareness In Management
• Strategic Management In Professional Sports: A Case Study Approach
• Ethics And Integrity In Management
• A Comparative Study Of Management Practices Across Different Countries
• An Overview Of Sports Management Duties
• Sustainability In Management: A Road To Environmental Consciousness
• The Economic Impact Of Major Sporting Events: A Management Perspective
• Leadership Styles In Successful Management
• The Future Of Management: Trends And Predictions

Sports Psychology Research Topics

Research paper topics on psychology explore human behavior and experiences. Write about any of the following sports topics, and you’ll have an impact. How? By understanding the psychological and physical factors that affect athletes. Ethical issues among college athletes are also on the rise. Making character development a vital aspect of research paper topics.

• A Study Of Coaching Styles On Athletes’ Psychological Well-Being
• Achieving Peak Performance And Self-Confidence
• Psychological Techniques For Stress Management Physical Activity
• Considering Group Dynamics On Sports Team Performance
• The Psychological Effects Of Injury On A Sports Person
• Psychology In The Rehabilitation Of Injured Athletes
• The Cognitive And Behavioral Characteristics Of Mental Toughness
• Psychological Impact Of Competitive Pressure On Athletes
• Visualization Techniques In Enhancing Performance
• Athletes’ Experiences With Mindfulness Training
• Taking A Look At Physical Activity Participation On Mental Wellbeing
• Should We Push Young Athletes To Do Better?
• Psychological Aspects Of Retirement
• A Team Approach: Psychologists In Promoting Positive Mental Health
• The Effect Of Social Support On Athletes’ Performance And Well-Being

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Research Topics About Sports Medicine

In sports medicine research paper topics, you’ll look at the health of athletes. It includes diagnosing and treating injuries and training programs. Provide an in-depth analysis of how physical education sessions prevent sports related injuries. And if you want something juicier, how about drinking and drug abuse? Plus, such research paper topics address the specific needs of female athletes.

• Medicine In Injury Prevention
• Aspects Of Injuries On Young Athletes’ Long-Term Health
• The Advancement Of Injury Treatments
• The Use Of Platelet-Rich Plasma In Injury Recovery
• Nutrition In Sports Injury Treatments And Prevention
• A Look At Concussions On Athlete Health
• Physiotherapy In Injury Rehabilitation
• Evaluation Of Different Pain Management Techniques In Medicine
• Medicine In Enhancing Athletes’ Performance
• Health Effects Of Steroids On Athletes
• Genetic Testing in Medicine: Implications
• How Important Is Sleep For Athlete Performance And Recovery
• Effects Of Overtraining On Athlete Health And Performance
• Technology Advances In Injury Treatment
• How Doping Affects Physical And Cognitive Functions

Research Topics on Exercise

Try writing a research paper about why exercise is good for you. You’ll look at how working out benefits physical, mental, and emotional well-being. The following interesting sports research paper topics promote understanding and healthy lifestyle habits. If you write about exercise, offer valuable evidence-based resources. You never know, your peers could use your research paper to educate others.

• Benefits Of Regular Exercise On Mental Health
• Chronic Diseases and Exercise
• The Effects of Exercise on Stress Levels
• Exercise Capacity and Age
• The Impact of Exercise on Body Image
• Cognitive Function In Elderly People: The Benefits Of Exercise
• Exercise In Preventing Obesity
• The Importance Of Physical Education In Schools
• Insights Into Group Exercise’s Psychological Benefits
• A Study On Exercise On Sleep Quality
• Exercise As A Treatment For Depression
• Do Personal Physical Exercises Improve Athletic Performance
• A Review Of Exercise On Cardiovascular Health
• High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) Vs. Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training (MICT)
• How Exercise Has An Impact On Women’s Health

Research Topics on the History of Sports

A great way to understand the impact of sports on society is to examine its evolution over time. Sports history research topics look at the origins of it. As well as contexts and the changes in equipment, rules, and player abilities. Through them, you’ll learn more about the sport you love. You’ll also learn what the sport is like today and the efforts of athletes and organizers over the years.

• How Have Sports Developed In The Olympic Games
•  Women in Athletics: A History
•  Taking A Look At Racial Integration
•  How Equipment Has Evolved Through The Ages
•  Doping In Athletics: Then And Now
•  How Transgender Affects Sporting Activities
•  Changing Shapes Of Competition On National Identity
•  Banned Dangerous Ritual Sports
•  Why Do People Want To Ban Fighting In Ice Hockey?
•  Historical Analysis Of The Paralympic Movement
•  Aspects Of Competition In Cultural Exchange
•  Insights From Playing Cricket In The Creation Of Softball Sports
•  Incorporating Technology Into Competition
•  Coaching Techniques: An Evolution
•  The History Of Martial Arts As A Sports Competition

Research Topics on Sports Marketing

Sports research paper topics on marketing study advertising techniques in the sports industry. You’ll write about market structure, consumer behavior, sponsorship, and branding. All while evaluating the impact of different approaches in attracting and engaging fans. It’s a fascinating subject that goes into sport psychology. As well as the promotional events that drive revenue.

For those times when inspiration runs low, experts help save the day. Luckily, professionals at the research paper writing service are ready to advise on effective writing. They’ll guide you toward crafting a well-thought-out and relevant academic paper.

• Using Social Media In Marketing
•  Considering Brand Endorsements On Athletes’ Public Image
•  How Marketing Has Evolved In The Digital Age
•  Observations On The Effects Of Marketing On Consumer Behavior
•  The Effectiveness Of Celebrity Sports Personalities In Advertising Campaigns
•  An Overview Of Marketing In Promoting Diversity And Inclusion
•  A Study On Sponsorship On Brand Recognition
•  The Challenges Of Marketing In The Era Of Esports
•  Strategies For Marketing To Generation Z
•  The Ethical Implications Of Using Athletes In Advertising
•  A Study Of Marketing On Youth Sports Participation
•  Taking A Look At International Sports Events On Tourism Marketing
•  Insights Into Viral Marketing
•  Marketing’s Impact On The Popularity Of Lesser-Known Games
•  A Look At Data Analytics In Sports Marketing Strategies

Sports Research Topics on Sociology

Sports research topics examine the relationship between sports and society. Here’s where ethical research topics come into play. Think about things like culture, values, media, politics, race, religion, and gender.

And by studying the connections, you’ll notice how competition shapes society. The reason is that physical games aren’t only about competition – they play a larger societal role. They help communicate cultural values, relieve stress, and contribute to social mobility.

• How Competition Promotes Social Cohesion
•  Taking Stock Of Societal Norms On Gender Roles
•  Bringing Out The Best In Youth: Youth Development And Socialization
•  Does Physical Competition Perpetuate Or Challenge Social Inequalities
•  Bringing Race, Culture, And Athletics Together
•  The Sociological Impact Of Sports Injuries
•  A Study Of The Social Perception Of Professional Athletes
•  A Look At How Games Foster Patriotism
•  Incorporating Social Media Into Sporting Culture
•  Doping in Physical Competitions: Societal Implications
•  How Community Development Grows Through Games
•  The Impact Of Athletics On Body Image And Self-Esteem
•  Sports Rituals And Traditions Have Cultural Importance
•  Commercialization and Societal Effects
•  Taking A Closer Look At The Effects Of Celebrity Competition On Societal Values

Research Paper Topics About Soccer

A well-written research paper on soccer shows how well you assimilate knowledge. This means researching, analyzing, and explaining your conclusions. If you love soccer, then the following sports topics are for you. It’s amazing how easy it is to produce a good essay on something you’re interested in.

To make things a bit more exciting, narrow down your topic by choosing a niche soccer area to explore. Consider the impact of technology or the sports psychology of soccer moms.

• Over The Decades: Soccer Strategies Over The Decades
•  Incorporating Technology Into Soccer Officiating
• Soccer Vs. American Football
•  Considering International Politics On Soccer
•  Youth Soccer Participation and Socio-Economic Factors
•  The Effects Of Sports Nutrition And A Balanced Diet On Soccer Performance
•  World Cup History And Significance
•  Soccer Fan Behavior And Sports Club Culture
•  The Dynamics Of Team Sports In Soccer Success
•  An Analysis Of Coaching Style On Player Development In Soccer
•  Insights Into Gender Equality Initiatives In Soccer
•  Performance Of Soccer At Different Altitudes And Climates
•  Incorporating Medicine In Soccer Injury Prevention
•  The Commercialization Of Soccer: Benefits And Drawbacks
•  Soccer’s Influence on International Diplomacy

Research Paper Topics about Basketball

Basketball research paper topics cover many subjects related to the sport. Its history, rules, psychology, sociology, and physiology are among them. Writing an essay on such a subject is an excellent way to explore the game and its impact on society.

And don’t think these topics won’t help you excel. You’ll still develop critical thinking skills and elevate your writing. Plus, basketball is very popular. In other words, there are plenty of resources for research and finding relevant info.

• Basketball Rule Changes On The Evolution Of The Game
•  Using Analytics In Modern Basketball Strategies
•  Basketball Culture Around The World As Influenced By The NBA
•  Basketball Performance And Physical Conditioning
•  Basketball Participation And Socio-Economic Factors
•  Insights Into Coaching And Mentorship In Basketball Player Development
•  Physiotherapy And Medicine On Injury Prevention In Basketball
•  Social Issues And Basketball
•  College Basketball’s Growing Commercialization
•  Basketball Success Depends On Team Chemistry
•  The History And Significance Of The NBA Draft
•  Basketball Performance And Nutrition
•  Youth Development And Socialization Through Basketball
•  A Study Of Gender And Race Within Basketball Culture
•  Taking A Look At International Basketball Events On Global Diplomacy

Research Topics on Athletic Training

With training in sports research topics, you’ll be a part of something ground-breaking. Writing about the subject explores scientific advances and adds knowledge to the field. You’ll have the chance to prove your research, analytical, and communication skills. Skills that employers and academic programs appreciate.

Athletic training subjects are also a great way to develop your reasoning abilities. And another bonus is you’ll learn about the science behind competitive performance. Sports topics for research papers on athletic training cover medicine and athlete healthcare. Consider ideas you have on sports injury relief, performance enhancement, and sports nutrition.

• A Look Sports Training In Injury Prevention
•  How Nutrition Has Evolved In The Sporting Industry
•  Different Training Regimens and Their Physiological Effects
•  The Role Of Athletic Training Facility Units
•  Coaching and Athletic Training Ethical Issues
•  Incorporating Technology In Enhancing Athletic Training
•  Effects Of Athletic Training On Long-Term Health And Wellness
•  Athletes Need Recovery Strategies
•  Athletic Training Methods Based On Age And Gender
•  A Review Of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) Benefits And Risks
•  Introducing Medicine In Athletic Training
•  Mental Health Effects Of Athletic Training
•  Athlete Development: Strength And Conditioning
•  Insights Into Athletic Training On Career Longevity In Professional Competition
•  An Integrative Approach To Athletic Training Based On Sports Psychology

Sports Research Paper Topics: Key Takeaway

Whenever you choose research paper topics, make sure it’s something you’re enthusiastic about. Find out if there’s enough information available on Google and work from there. Remember that you’re still going to need relevant sources for your argument.

As for sports paper topics, there are so many to pick from. You can explore the psychological and physiological aspects of competition. And if you want to go more in-depth, think about the significance of volleyball injuries. With the right approach and a bit of creativity, you’ll find a topic to produce a paper you’re proud of.

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484 Sports Research Topics & Good Ideas

• Icon Calendar 18 May 2024
• Icon Page 4564 words
• Icon Clock 21 min read

Sports research paper topics encompass many interesting themes, each captivating in its own field. Some themes span from physical performance enhancement, delving into nutrition, training regimes, and physiological limits, to the mental aspects of sports psychology, focusing on motivation, team dynamics, and coping with pressure. Then, sociocultural implications are equally significant, examining gender equality, racial representation, and the societal impacts of sporting events. Another intriguing area is sports economics, discussing team franchise values, player salaries, and the economic effects of sports tourism. Finally, people have the domain of sports technology, exploring how advancements, like wearables, analytics, and virtual reality, are revolutionizing the field. The spectrum of sports research paper topics is vast and multidimensional, a reflection of the dynamic nature of sports itself.

Best Sports Research Topics

• Influence of Nutrition on Athletic Performance: An In-Depth Study
• Doping in Sports: The Persistent Moral Dilemma
• Roles of Sports Psychology in Enhancing Player Performance
• The Impact of Concussions on American Football
• Dissecting the Relationship Between Sports and Nationalism
• Effects of Technological Advancements on Modern Sports
• Unveiling the Economic Aspects of Major League Sports
• Gender Inequality in Professional Sports: A Comprehensive Analysis
• The Paradox of Violence in Contact Sports
• Performance Anxiety Among Young Athletes: Causes and Solutions
• The Role of Media in Shaping Sports Culture
• eSports Phenomenon: A Sociological Perspective
• Long-Term Health Consequences of High-Intensity Sports
• Underrepresentation of Minority Groups in Major Sports Leagues
• Benefits of Physical Activity for Children’s Mental Health
• Cultural Factors Influencing Popular Sports in Different Countries
• Steroids in Bodybuilding: Unveiling the Hidden Dangers
• Roles of Sports in Promoting Inclusive Societies
• Challenges and Successes in Women’s Professional Football
• Ethical Implications of Genetic Engineering in Sports
• Olympic Games: The Evolution of Modern Sportsmanship
• Economic Impact of Hosting Mega Sporting Events
• Extreme Sports and Risk-Taking Behavior: A Psychological Perspective
• Professional Athletes as Role Models: A Societal Impact Analysis
• Impacts of Climate Change on Outdoor Sports

Easy Sports Research Topics

• How Do Sports Influence Youth Development and Social Skills?
• Comparative Analysis of Training Techniques in Different Sports
• Rehabilitation Techniques in Sports Medicine: A Detailed Review
• Social Issues in Sports: Racism, Sexism, and Homophobia
• Evolution and Impact of Sports Marketing
• Exploring the Concept of ‘Home Advantage’ in Sports
• Impacts of Globalization on the Sports Industry
• Sports Law and Its Implications: A Comprehensive Review
• Fan Culture in Sports: The Influence on Players’ Performance
• Roles of Innovation in Sports Equipment Design
• Psychological Resilience in Elite Athletes: Unveiling the Secrets
• Sports Sponsorships: The Impact on Brand Awareness
• Understanding the Paralympic Movement: History and Evolution
• Emergence and Growth of Mixed Martial Arts: An Analysis
• Effects of Physical Training on Mental Well-Being
• Roles of Video Technology in Modern Sports Adjudication
• Importance of Good Sleep Habits for Athlete Performance
• Assessing the Sustainability of Major Sports Events
• Science Behind Hydration and Sports Performance
• Dealing With Injuries: Mental Health of Athletes
• Sports Careers: Beyond Being an Athlete

Interesting Sports Research Paper Topics

• Comparative Study of Traditional and Online Sports Betting
• Advent of Virtual Reality in Sports Training
• Stress Management Strategies for High-Performance Athletes
• Analysis of Leadership Styles in Sports Coaching
• Sociocultural Impact of Sports on Community Development
• The Future of Sports Broadcasting: Trends and Predictions
• Transformation of Public Perception Toward Female Athletes
• Examining the Role of Ethics in Sports Journalism
• Impacts of High Altitude Training on Athlete Performance
• Sports-Based Rehabilitation Programs for Incarcerated Individuals
• Examining the Phenomenon of Superstition in Sports
• Youth Sports Specialization: Risks and Benefits
• Comparative Study of Fan Loyalty in Different Sports
• Roles of Mental Imagery in Enhancing Athletic Performance
• Effects of Climate Conditions on Athlete Performance
• Impacts of Sports-Based Interventions in Conflict Resolution
• Aging Athletes and Longevity in Professional Sports
• The Impact of Family Support on Young Athletes
• Sports Tourism: Its Economic and Social Effects
• Cognitive Skills Development through Competitive Sports: A Study
• Emerging Trends in Sports Nutrition: A Health Perspective
• Roles of Strength and Conditioning in Injury Prevention
• The Influence of Music on Athletic Performance

Sports Research Topics on History

• Evolution of the Olympic Games: From Ancient Greece to Modern Era
• Impacts of World Wars on the Progression of Sports
• Rise of Women’s Participation in Competitive Sports: A Historical Perspective
• Transformation of Boxing: From Bare-Knuckle Bouts to Regulated Matches
• Analysis of the FIFA World Cup: Its Origins and Influences
• Pivotal Moments in the History of American Baseball
• The Socioeconomic Influences of Football’s Popularity in Europe
• Development and Evolution of Motor Racing Sports
• Cricket’s Journey: From the British Empire to Global Phenomenon
• Integration of Technology in Sports: A Retrospective Review
• Influential Figures in the Growth of Basketball: A Historical Analysis
• Cultural Shifts in Traditional Martial Arts: East Meets West
• Impacts of Racial Segregation on the History of American Sports
• Modernization of the Paralympic Games: Overcoming Adversity
• Expansion of the National Hockey League: A Century-Long Journey
• Golf’s Transformation: From Elitist Leisure Activity to Global Sport
• Rise of Extreme Sports in the Late 20th Century
• Influence of Rugby on Global Sports Culture
• Tennis: The Evolution of the Modern Game
• Historical Shifts in the Perception of Physical Fitness and Bodybuilding
• Roles of Professional Wrestling in Pop Culture: An Historical Overview
• Cycling’s Journey: From Basic Transportation to Competitive Sport

Psychology Sports Research Topics

• Psychological Impact of Injuries on Athletes: A Comprehensive Study
• Embracing Defeat: Mental Resilience in Professional Sport
• Roles of Sports Psychology in Enhancing Team Performance
• Influence of Mental Conditioning on Athletes’ Success Rates
• Gender Differences in Competitive Stress Responses
• Sports Psychology: Applications in Youth Development Programs
• Cognitive Processes Underlying Decision-Making in Team Sports
• Understanding the Psychological Preparation of Olympic Athletes
• Impacts of Spectator Behavior on Athlete Performance: An Exploration
• Motivational Strategies in Professional Sports Coaching
• Mindfulness and its Role in Athletes’ Stress Management
• Exploring Psychological Trauma in Retired Athletes
• Impacts of Psychological Interventions on Athletic Injury Recovery
• Psychological Factors Contributing to Athlete Burnout
• Roles of Self-efficacy in Athletic Performance: A Detailed Study
• Analysis of Personality Traits Among Successful Athletes
• Stressors in Elite Sports: An Examination of Coping Mechanisms
• Influence of Team Dynamics on Individual Performance in Sports
• Exploring the Psychology of Endurance Sports
• Impacts of Coach-Athlete Relationships on Athlete Psychology
• Mental Health in Sports: Stigma, Support, and Solutions

Research Paper Topics About Women in Sports

• Pioneering Female Athletes: A Historical Perspective
• Challenges and Opportunities in Women’s Professional Basketball
• Advancements in Women’s Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation
• Intersectionality of Gender, Race, and Culture in Women’s Sports
• Achieving Parity: An Analysis of Pay Inequality in Women’s Sports
• Evolution of Women’s Roles in the Olympics: 1896 to Present
• Impacts of Title IX on American Women’s Sports Participation
• Female Sports Representation in Media: Progress and Remaining Challenges
• Investigating Sociocultural Barriers to Women’s Sports Participation Worldwide
• Psychological Impacts of Competitive Stress on Female Athletes
• Understanding Body Image Issues Among Female Athletes
• Analysis of Leadership Roles: Women in Sports Management
• Biomechanical Differences Between Male and Female Athletes: Implications for Training
• Role Models and Mentoring in Women’s Sports: A Comparative Study
• Promoting Inclusion: The LGBTQ+ Community in Women’s Sports
• Influence of Female Athletes on Fashion and Lifestyle Trends
• Advancement in Equipment and Gear Designed Specifically for Female Athletes
• A Study on the Prevalence and Prevention of Eating Disorders in Women’s Sports
• Exploring the Notion of ‘Femininity’ in the Context of Women’s Sports
• Women’s Participation in Extreme and Non-Traditional Sports: A Growing Trend
• Effects of Maternity Leave Policies on Professional Female Athletes’ Careers
• Recognizing the Unsung Heroes: Contributions of Women in Sports Science

Sports Research Topics on Training

• Exploring the Impacts of High-Intensity Interval Training on Athletic Performance
• The Role of Strength Training in Injury Prevention for Athletes
• Effectiveness of Sport-Specific Training vs. Generic Training Programs
• Nutrition and Training: Understanding the Link in Athletic Performance
• Influence of Altitude Training on Endurance Sports Performance
• Mental Training and Its Effects on Sports Performance: A Comprehensive Review
• The Role of Cross Training in Enhancing Skills of Multi-Sport Athletes
• Periodization in Training: A Modern Approach for Optimizing Athlete Performance
• Sleep’s Impacts on Athletic Recovery and Performance
• Diving Into the Science of Flexibility Training for Athletes
• Understanding the Biochemical Responses to Resistance Training in Athletes
• The Importance of Balance Training in the Prevention of Sports Injuries
• Ergogenic Aids in Training: The Science and the Ethics
• How Does Overtraining Affect Athlete Performance and Health?
• The Role of Plyometric Training in Improving Power and Agility in Athletes
• Techniques for Mental Toughness Training: Impact on Athlete Success
• Roles of Core Training in Enhancing Athletic Performance
• Hydration Strategies in Training and Performance: A Critical Review
• Neurological Adaptations to Sports Training: A Deeper Dive
• Optimizing Interval Training for Enhanced Cardiovascular Fitness in Athletes

Research Paper Topics on Sports Science

• The Impact of High-Intensity Interval Training on Endurance Performance in Soccer Players
• Evaluating the Effects of Nutrition Interventions on Muscle Recovery in Weightlifters
• Investigating the Role of Biomechanics in Enhancing Golf Swing Performance
• Analyzing the Effects of Plyometric Training on Vertical Jump Height in Basketball Players
• Exploring the Relationship Between Sleep Quality and Athletic Performance in Elite Athletes
• Effects of Altitude Training on Oxygen Utilization in Distance Runners
• Examining the Impact of Sports Psychology Techniques on Mental Toughness in Tennis Players
• Investigating the Influence of Sports Supplements on Muscle Strength and Power in Rugby Players
• Analyzing the Effects of Heat Acclimatization on Performance and Thermoregulation in Marathon Runners
• Exploring the Role of Visual Perception and Reaction Time in Baseball Batting Performance
• Effects of Cold-Water Immersion on Muscle Recovery in Soccer Players
• Analyzing the Effects of Dynamic Stretching on Agility Performance in Football Players
• Exploring the Impact of Mindfulness-Based Interventions on Stress and Performance in Athletes
• Analyzing the Relationship Between Vitamin D Levels and Muscular Strength in Athletes
• Exploring the Influence of Mental Imagery Techniques on Skill Acquisition in Divers
• Examining the Impact of Gender on Injury Patterns in Collegiate Soccer Players
• Investigating the Relationship Between Personality Traits and Motivation in Team Sports
• Analyzing the Effects of Music Tempo on Performance and Perceived Effort in Cyclists
• Exploring the Influence of Biofeedback Training on Heart Rate Variability in Swimmers
• The Impact of Recovery Strategies on Fatigue and Performance in Triathletes
• Investigating the Role of Genetic Factors in Athletic Performance and Injury Susceptibility

Sports Research Paper Topics on Exercise

• Comparative Analysis of Different Training Methods for Enhancing Strength and Power in Athletes
• Investigating the Relationship Between Sports Injuries and Exercise Techniques
• The Impact of Nutrition and Hydration on Endurance Training
• Exploring the Psychological Benefits of Regular Physical Exercise in Sports
• Evaluating the Role of Stretching Exercises in Injury Prevention for Athletes
• Analyzing the Effectiveness of CrossFit Training Programs in Enhancing Overall Fitness
• Investigating the Role of Physical Exercise in Enhancing Cognitive Function in Athletes
• The Relationship Between Sleep Quality and Athletic Performance in Sports
• Benefits of Plyometric Training in Enhancing Explosive Power for Athletes
• Evaluating the Influence of Sports Supplements on Muscle Recovery and Performance
• Analyzing the Impact of Exercise Intensity and Duration on Weight Loss in Sports
• Effects of Resistance Training on Bone Density and Injury Prevention in Athletes
• Investigating the Role of Yoga and Pilates in Improving Flexibility and Balance for Athletes
• Analyzing the Impact of Altitude Training on Endurance Performance in Athletes
• The Effects of Sport-Specific Training on Skill Acquisition and Performance Enhancement
• Examining the Influence of Gender on Athletic Performance in Different Sports
• Investigating the Effects of Sports Massage on Muscle Recovery and Performance
• Evaluating the Effects of Different Cooling Strategies on Exercise Performance and Recovery
• The Relationship Between Exercise and Aging: Implications for Sports Performance
• Analyzing the Effects of Heat Acclimation on Exercise Tolerance and Performance

Athletic Sports Research Topics

• The Power of Sports Psychology in Enhancing Athlete Performance
• Nutrition’s Impact on Athletic Endurance: A Comprehensive Study
• High-Intensity Interval Training: Boosting Athletic Performance
• Unraveling the Connection Between Sleep and Athletic Recovery
• Performance-Enhancing Drugs in Sports: Examining Efficacy
• Weather Conditions and Outdoor Sporting Events: Exploring the Relationship
• Cross-Training: Maximizing Athletic Abilities and Potential
• Age: Its Influence on Athletic Performance and Injury Risk
• Genetics and Athletic Performance: Unveiling the Link
• Gender’s Roles in Sports Performance and Participation: An Investigation
• Psychological Factors in Injury Rehabilitation: A Critical Analysis
• Virtual Reality in Athletic Training and Performance: An Innovative Approach
• Biomechanics: Enhancing Athletic Technique and Performance
• Sports Massage: An Effective Tool for Recovery and Performance
• Athlete Burnout: The Psychological Impact on Performance
• Mindfulness and Meditation: Enhancing Athlete Well-Being and Focus
• Altitude and Endurance Performance: An In-Depth Study
• Sports Analytics: Optimizing Performance through Data Analysis
• Coach-Athlete Relationships: Impact on Athletic Success
• Pre-Competition Rituals: Their Effectiveness in Enhancing Performance
• Strength and Conditioning Programs: Benefits for Athletes

Sports Management Research Topics

• The Impact of Data Analytics on Sports Management
• Enhancing Fan Engagement Strategies for Sports Management
• Sustainable Practices in Sports Facility Management
• Leveraging Social Media for Sports Marketing and Management
• The Role of Sports Agents in Athlete Management
• Leadership in Sports Team Management
• Ethical Issues in Sports Management
• Effective Sponsorship Strategies in Sports Management
• Technology in Sports Event Management
• Enhancing Athlete Performance Through Sports Science Management
• Economic Impacts of Major Sporting Events on Local Communities
• Diversity and Inclusion in Sports Management
• Evolution of Sports Broadcasting and Its Impact on Management
• Challenges of Sports Facility Operations and Management
• Roles of Sports Psychology in Athlete Management
• Risk Management Strategies in Sports Organizations
• Sports Law and Regulations in Management Practices
• Branding and Merchandising in Sports Management
• Roles of Sports Medicine in Athlete Management
• Financial Management in Sports Organizations

Marketing Sports Research Topics

• The Impact of Social Media Marketing on Sports Sponsorships
• Evaluating Athlete Endorsements in Sports Marketing Effectiveness
• Analyzing the Role of Branding in Sports Merchandise Marketing
• Exploring Fan Engagement and Its Relationship With Sports Marketing Strategies
• Investigating the Influence of Sports Events on Local Economic Development
• Examining the Use of Influencer Marketing in the Sports Industry
• Assessing Sports Marketing Campaigns Targeting Gen Z Effectiveness
• Data Analytics in Sports Marketing and Fan Engagement
• Athlete Personalities and Their Impact on Sports Marketing Success
• Analyzing Sports Marketing Strategies’ Use of Gamification
• Fan Loyalty Programs’ Role in Sports Marketing
• Evaluating Sports Sponsorship Activation Strategies’ Effectiveness
• Investigating Sports Advertising Influence on Consumer Behavior
• Fan Communities’ Role in Sports Marketing and Brand Building
• Analyzing the Use of Virtual Reality for Enhanced Sports Marketing Experiences
• Examining Sports Celebrity Endorsements’ Influence on Consumer Buying Decisions
• eSports Impact on Traditional Sports Marketing Strategies
• Assessing Cause Marketing Effectiveness in the Sports Industry
• Augmented Reality in Enhancing Sports Marketing Engagement
• Analyzing Emotional Branding in Sports Marketing Campaigns
• Investigating Sports Betting’s Influence on Sports Marketing Strategies

Research Paper Topics on Sports Theory

• The Influence of Psychological Factors on Performance in Competitive Sports
• Motivation’s Role in Sports Performance: A Theoretical Perspective
• Personality Traits’ Impacts on Sports Success
• Analysis of Effective Sports Training Methods for Skill Acquisition
• Leadership Styles’ Effect on Team Performance in Sports
• The Application of Sports Psychology in Injury Rehabilitation
• Evaluating Sports Nutrition’s Impacts on Athlete Performance and Recovery
• Understanding Sports Biomechanics’ Role in Enhancing Athletic Performance
• Mental Imagery’s Effects on Sports Performance and Skill Execution
• Effects of Pre-Competition Rituals on Sports Performance
• Communication Between Coach and Athlete and Its Relationship With Team Cohesion
• The Impact of Sports Technology on Performance Enhancement
• Psychological Skills Training and Athletes’ Mental Toughness
• The Role of Sports Sociology in Shaping Sporting Cultures
• Sports Injuries and Psychological Well-Being: Exploring the Relationship
• Performance-Enhancing Drugs and Their Effects on Sports Performance
• Gender’s Roles in Sports Participation and Performance
• Environmental Factors and Their Influence on Sports Performance
• The Effect of Goal Setting on Athlete Motivation and Performance
• Sports Specialization and Long-Term Athletic Development

Research Paper Topics About Sports Sociology

• The Impact of Gender Roles on Sports Participation and Performance
• Media Influence on the Perception of Athletes and Sports Culture
• Social Class and Its Effects on Sports Opportunities and Success
• Racial Inequality in Professional Sports: Challenges and Progress
• The Role of Sports in Building Social Networks and Communities
• Sports and National Identity: Exploring the Connection
• Education and Sports: Examining the Benefits and Challenges
• The Role of Sports in Promoting Health and Well-Being in Society
• Sociology of Sports Fandom: Identity, Rituals, and Belonging
• Sports and Youth Development: Socialization and Empowerment
• Disability and Inclusivity in Sports: Breaking Barriers and Challenging Stereotypes
• Deviance in Sports: Examining the Relationship Between Rule-Breaking and Social Order
• Activism in Sports: Exploring Social Movements Within Athletic Contexts
• Commercialization of Sports: Impacts on Athletes, Fans, and Society
• Politics and Sports: Analyzing the Intersections and Controversies
• Influence of Sports on Body Image and Self-Esteem
• Sports and Aging: Promoting Healthy Aging and Social Engagement
• Construction of Heroes and Villains in Sports
• Sports and Religion: Exploring the Connections and Conflicts
• Sociology of Sports Injury: Understanding Recovery and Rehabilitation Processes
• Nationalism and Sports: Examining the Role of Sports in Shaping Patriotism

Nutrition Sports Research Topics

• The Impact of Protein Supplementation on Athletic Performance
• The Role of Carbohydrates in Post-Exercise Recovery
• Assessing the Effects of Hydration on Endurance Athletes
• Benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Sports Performance
• Analyzing the Impact of Caffeine on Exercise Endurance
• Investigating the Effects of Antioxidants on Exercise-Induced Oxidative Stress
• Evaluating the Influence of Vitamin D on Muscle Strength and Power
• Understanding the Importance of Electrolyte Balance in Sports Nutrition
• Exploring the Role of Pre-Workout Supplements in Enhancing Performance
• Analyzing the Effectiveness of High-Intensity Interval Training in Fat Loss and Muscle Gain
• The Relationship Between Nutrition and Bone Health in Athletes
• Examining the Use of Probiotics for Gut Health in Sports Performance
• Investigating the Impact of Plant-Based Diets on Athletic Performance
• The Role of Micronutrients in Immune Function for Athletes
• Evaluating the Effects of Dietary Fiber on Digestive Health in Athletes
• Analyzing the Benefits of Branched-Chain Amino Acids for Muscle Recovery
• Understanding the Impact of Iron Deficiency on Female Athletes
• The Effect of Creatine Supplementation on Strength and Power in Athletes
• Assessing the Role of Glycogen in Endurance Exercise Performance
• Exploring the Effects of Sports Drinks on Hydration and Performance

Sports Research Topics on Medicine

• The Impact of Sports-Related Concussions on Brain Health: An In-Depth Analysis
• Evaluating the Efficacy of Performance-Enhancing Drugs in Sports Medicine
• The Role of Sports Medicine in Preventing and Treating Musculoskeletal Injuries
• Exploring the Effects of Exercise on Mental Health and Well-Being in Athletes
• Enhancing Performance through Sports Nutrition: A Comprehensive Review
• Examining the Relationship Between Sports Participation and Cardiovascular Health
• The Role of Sports Medicine in Managing and Preventing Chronic Diseases
• Analyzing the Impact of Sports Medicine on Female Athletes’ Health and Performance
• Evaluating the Effectiveness of Rehabilitation Programs in Sports Medicine
• The Use of Biomechanics in Sports Medicine: Advancements and Applications
• Investigating the Benefits of Sports Massage Therapy in Injury Recovery and Performance Enhancement
• Assessing the Role of Sports Medicine in Preventing and Managing Overuse Injuries
• Understanding the Role of Sports Medicine in Enhancing Respiratory Health in Athletes
• Examining the Impact of Exercise on Metabolic Disorders and Obesity
• The Use of Sports Medicine in Optimizing Performance for Elite Athletes
• Exploring the Role of Sports Medicine in Youth Sports: Injury Prevention and Health Promotion
• Investigating the Effectiveness of Cryotherapy in Sports Medicine
• Analyzing the Impact of Sports Medicine on Psychological Factors in Athletes
• The Role of Sports Medicine in Managing and Preventing Exercise-Induced Asthma
• Evaluating the Effectiveness of Sports Medicine Programs in Enhancing Flexibility and Mobility
• Understanding the Benefits and Risks of Sports Supplements in Athletes

Sports Research Topics About Injuries

• Exploring Gender Disparities in ACL Injuries Among Collegiate Soccer Players
• Assessing Preventive Measures to Reduce Baseball Pitching-Related Injuries
• Comprehensive Evaluation of Basketball Injuries and Rehabilitation Techniques
• Long-Term Consequences of Head Injuries in Youth Ice Hockey: An Investigation
• Tennis Elbow among Professional Players: Prevalence and Causes
• Effectiveness of Protective Equipment in Minimizing Combat Sports Injuries
• Psychological Rehabilitation of Athletes Following Sports-Related Injuries: An Analysis
• Roles of Nutrition in Promoting Healing and Recovery From Sports Injuries
• Incidence of Ankle Sprains in High School Basketball Players: A Study
• Overtraining and Musculoskeletal Injuries in Marathon Runners: Analyzing the Relationship
• Impacts of Environmental Factors on Heat-Related Illnesses in Outdoor Sports
• Rehabilitation Programs for Shoulder Injuries in Baseball Pitchers: Evaluating Efficacy
• Mechanisms and Risk Factors of Hamstring Injuries in Soccer Players: An Investigation
• Artificial Turf and Knee Injuries in Football: Examining the Relationship
• Psychological Effects of Season-Ending Injuries on Professional Athletes: Analysis and Implications
• Prevalence and Prevention of Volleyball-Related Ankle Injuries: A Comprehensive Study
• Biomechanics and ACL Tears in Female Athletes: Assessing the Risk
• Effectiveness of Sport-Specific Conditioning Programs in Reducing Injuries: An Evaluation
• Equipment Design and Head Injuries in Snowboarding: Analyzing the Relationship
• Physiotherapy in Treating Tennis-Related Shoulder Injuries: Evaluating Efficacy

Sports Research Topics on Doping

• Impacts of Performance-Enhancing Drugs on Athletic Performance
• Ethics of Doping in Professional Sports
• Long-Term Health Effects of Doping on Athletes
• Effectiveness of Anti-Doping Policies in Sports
• Roles of Drug Testing in Preventing Doping in Athletics
• Psychological Factors Driving Athletes to Dope
• Use of Designer Drugs in Sports
• Influence of Doping on Gender Equality in Athletics
• Economic Implications of Doping in Professional Sports
• Relationship Between Doping and Sports Sponsorship
• Impacts of Doping Scandals on Athletes’ Legacies
• Roles of Athlete Education in Preventing Doping
• Influence of Social Media on Doping Culture in Sports
• Use of Doping in Amateur and Youth Sports
• Roles of Coaches and Trainers in Encouraging or Discouraging Doping
• Effectiveness of Doping Detection Methods in Sports
• Influence of Peer Pressure on Doping Practices
• Roles of Sports Organizations in Combating Doping
• Relationship Between Doping and Sports Injuries
• Impacts of Doping on Fair Play and Sporting Integrity
• Use of Gene Doping in Enhancing Athletic Performance

Argumentative Sports Research Topics

• Impacts of Performance-Enhancing Drugs on Athletes’ Long-Term Health
• Ethics of Using Genetic Engineering in Enhancing Athletic Abilities
• Inequality in Prize Money Distribution in Male and Female Sports
• The True Cost of Hosting the Olympic Games: An Economic Analysis
• Should eSports Be Recognized as Legitimate Competitive Sports?
• Dangers of Early Specialization in Youth Sports: A Comprehensive Review
• How Does Media Coverage Affect Female Athletes’ Perception?
• Analyzing the Effect of Mental Health on Athletic Performance
• Collegiate Athletes and Compensation: Should They Be Paid?
• Evolution of Technology in Sports: Boon or Bane?
• The Role of Race and Racism in Professional Sports
• The Influence of Role Models in Sports on Youth Development
• Exploring the Connection Between Sports Participation and Academic Achievement
• Violence in Sports: Societal Implications and Solutions
• Effects of Sponsorship on Athletes’ Performance and Branding
• Importance of Fair Play in Sports: A Philosophical Perspective
• Understanding the Impact of Climate Change on Outdoor Sports
• Professional Athletes’ Wages: Justified or Overrated?
• Doping Controls in Sports: Are Current Methods Effective?
• Roles of Sports in Promoting Social Inclusion and Unity
• Impacts of Sports-Related Concussions on Cognitive Functioning
• Perspectives on Body Image Issues Among Female Athletes

Sports Research Paper Topics About Running

• Enhancing Long-Distance Running Performance Through Endurance Training
• Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training on Sprint Performance in Runners
• Psychological Factors Influencing Marathon Running Performance
• Nutrition and Hydration: Key Factors in Running Performance
• Age and Running Performance: A Comparative Analysis of Masters Athletes
• Strength Training: Improving Running Efficiency
• Altitude Training and Its Impact on Endurance Running Performance
• Genetics: A Determining Factor in Running Ability and Performance
• The Influence of Running Surfaces on Injury Risk and Performance
• Power Development in Runners: The Role of Plyometric Training
• Warm-Up and Cool-Down Protocols: Impact on Running Performance
• Psychological Strategies of Elite Runners: Performance Enhancement Techniques
• Sleep, Recovery, and Running Performance: Exploring the Connection
• Footwear Technology: Effects on Running Performance and Injury Prevention
• Cross-Training: Enhancing Running Performance Through Variation
• Anaerobic Capacity in Runners: Effects of Interval Training
• Running Economy and Performance: An Analysis of Distance Runners
• Stretching and Flexibility Training: Influence on Running Performance
• Physiological Adaptations in Long-Term Endurance Running Training
• Fatigue and Overtraining in Runners: Contributing Factors

Water Sports Research Topics

• The Impact of Water Sports on Physical Fitness and Health
• Exploring the Economic Benefits of Water Sports Tourism
• Environmental Conservation in Water Sports: Practices and Challenges
• Investigating the Psychological Benefits of Water Sports
• The Role of Gender in Water Sports Participation and Performance
• Exploring the History and Evolution of Water Sports
• Analyzing the Safety Measures in Water Sports Activities
• The Influence of Technology on Water Sports Performance
• Assessing the Social and Cultural Impacts of Water Sports Events
• Understanding the Physiology of Water Sports Athletes
• Investigating the Role of Nutrition in Enhancing Water Sports Performance
• Exploring the Role of Coaching in Water Sports Training
• The Effect of Water Sports on Cognitive Function and Mental Well-Being
• Analyzing the Economic Viability of Water Sports Facilities
• Investigating the Environmental Effects of Water Sports Equipment and Gear
• The Impact of Water Sports on Coastal Ecosystems and Marine Life
• Understanding the Psychological Challenges Faced by Water Sports Athletes
• Exploring the Influence of Water Sports on Youth Development
• Assessing the Role of Media in Promoting Water Sports
• Analyzing the Cultural Significance of Traditional Water Sports
• The Influence of Weather Conditions on Water Sports Activities

Soccer Sports Research Topics

• Soccer Tactics Evolution: Analyzing the Impact of Formations on Team Performance
• Influence of Home Field Advantage in Soccer: A Statistical Analysis
• Roles of Mental Training in Enhancing Soccer Performance: A Case Study of Professional Players
• Player Positioning and Goal-Scoring Efficiency in Soccer: An Analytical Study
• Effectiveness of Different Training Methods for Developing Soccer Skills
• Impacts of Playing Surface on Soccer Performance and Injury Rates: A Comparative Study
• Psychological Factors Affecting Penalty Shootout Performance in Soccer: An Analysis
• Nutrition and Diet: Enhancing Soccer Players’ Performance and Recovery
• Relationship Between Soccer Team Diversity and Success: A Case Study of Professional Leagues
• Impacts of Weather Conditions on Soccer Matches: A Comparative Analysis
• Influence of Managerial Styles on Team Performance in Soccer: Exploring the Link
• Technology’s Role in Enhancing Soccer Fan Engagement and Experience: An Overview
• Economic Impacts of Major Soccer Events on Host Countries: Analyzing the Effects
• Impact of Player Transfers on Team Performance in Professional Soccer: An Investigation
• Relationship Between Soccer and National Identity: A Comparative Study
• Soccer-Specific Physical Conditioning Programs: Effectiveness in Injury Prevention
• Role of Soccer Academies in Player Development: A Comparative Analysis
• Effectiveness of Video Analysis in Improving Soccer Tactics and Strategy: A Study
• Impacts of Fan Behavior on Soccer Match Atmosphere and Player Performance: An Examination
• Influence of Soccer Broadcasts on Fan Engagement and Support: Analyzing the Effects

Extreme Sports Research Topics

• Exploration: Psychological Benefits of Extreme Sports
• Analysis: Impact of Extreme Sports on Physical Fitness
• Examining the Role of Risk-Taking in Extreme Sports
• Investigating the Evolution of Equipment in Extreme Sports
• Understanding the Sociocultural Significance of Extreme Sports
• Exploring the Environmental Impact of Extreme Sports
• Assessing the Role of Technology in Extreme Sports
• Analyzing Economic Aspects of the Extreme Sports Industry
• Investigating the Relationship Between Gender and Extreme Sports Participation
• Examining the Influence of Extreme Sports on Youth Culture
• Role of Media in Promoting Extreme Sports
• Analyzing the Impact of Sponsorship in Extreme Sports
• Physiology of Athletes in Extreme Sports
• Understanding Roles of Fear and Adrenaline in Extreme Sports
• Examining the Role of Extreme Sports in Overcoming Personal Challenges
• Investigating the Impact of Extreme Sports on Mental Well-Being
• Analyzing Cultural Appropriation in Extreme Sports
• Exploring the Relationship between Extreme Sports and Natural Landscapes
• Examining Safety Measures and Risk Management in Extreme Sports
• Investigating the Impact of Extreme Sports on Tourism
• Exploring Ethics of Extreme Sports

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The impact of sports participation on mental health and social outcomes in adults: a systematic review and the ‘Mental Health through Sport’ conceptual model

• Narelle Eather   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-6320-4540 1 , 2 ,
• Levi Wade   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-4007-5336 1 , 3 ,
• Aurélie Pankowiak   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-0178-513X 4 &
• Rochelle Eime   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-8614-2813 4 , 5  

Systematic Reviews volume  12 , Article number:  102 ( 2023 ) Cite this article

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Sport is a subset of physical activity that can be particularly beneficial for short-and-long-term physical and mental health, and social outcomes in adults. This study presents the results of an updated systematic review of the mental health and social outcomes of community and elite-level sport participation for adults. The findings have informed the development of the ‘Mental Health through Sport’ conceptual model for adults.

Nine electronic databases were searched, with studies published between 2012 and March 2020 screened for inclusion. Eligible qualitative and quantitative studies reported on the relationship between sport participation and mental health and/or social outcomes in adult populations. Risk of bias (ROB) was determined using the Quality Assessment Tool (quantitative studies) or Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (qualitative studies).

The search strategy located 8528 articles, of which, 29 involving adults 18–84 years were included for analysis. Data was extracted for demographics, methodology, and study outcomes, and results presented according to study design. The evidence indicates that participation in sport (community and elite) is related to better mental health, including improved psychological well-being (for example, higher self-esteem and life satisfaction) and lower psychological ill-being (for example, reduced levels of depression, anxiety, and stress), and improved social outcomes (for example, improved self-control, pro-social behavior, interpersonal communication, and fostering a sense of belonging). Overall, adults participating in team sport had more favorable health outcomes than those participating in individual sport, and those participating in sports more often generally report the greatest benefits; however, some evidence suggests that adults in elite sport may experience higher levels of psychological distress. Low ROB was observed for qualitative studies, but quantitative studies demonstrated inconsistencies in methodological quality.

Conclusions

The findings of this review confirm that participation in sport of any form (team or individual) is beneficial for improving mental health and social outcomes amongst adults. Team sports, however, may provide more potent and additional benefits for mental and social outcomes across adulthood. This review also provides preliminary evidence for the Mental Health through Sport model, though further experimental and longitudinal evidence is needed to establish the mechanisms responsible for sports effect on mental health and moderators of intervention effects. Additional qualitative work is also required to gain a better understanding of the relationship between specific elements of the sporting environment and mental health and social outcomes in adult participants.

Peer Review reports

Introduction

The organizational structure of sport and the performance demands characteristic of sport training and competition provide a unique opportunity for participants to engage in health-enhancing physical activity of varied intensity, duration, and mode; and the opportunity to do so with other people as part of a team and/or club. Participation in individual and team sports have shown to be beneficial to physical, social, psychological, and cognitive health outcomes [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]. Often, the social and mental health benefits facilitated through participation in sport exceed those achieved through participation in other leisure-time or recreational activities [ 8 , 9 , 10 ]. Notably, these benefits are observed across different sports and sub-populations (including youth, adults, older adults, males, and females) [ 11 ]. However, the evidence regarding sports participation at the elite level is limited, with available research indicating that elite athletes may be more susceptible to mental health problems, potentially due to the intense mental and physical demands placed on elite athletes [ 12 ].

Participation in sport varies across the lifespan, with children representing the largest cohort to engage in organized community sport [ 13 ]. Across adolescence and into young adulthood, dropout from organized sport is common, and especially for females [ 14 , 15 , 16 ], and adults are shifting from organized sports towards leisure and fitness activities, where individual activities (including swimming, walking, and cycling) are the most popular [ 13 , 17 , 18 , 19 ]. Despite the general decline in sport participation with age [ 13 ], the most recent (pre-COVID) global data highlights that a range of organized team sports (such as, basketball, netball volleyball, and tennis) continue to rank highly amongst adult sport participants, with soccer remaining a popular choice across all regions of the world [ 13 ]. It is encouraging many adults continue to participate in sport and physical activities throughout their lives; however, high rates of dropout in youth sport and non-participation amongst adults means that many individuals may be missing the opportunity to reap the potential health benefits associated with participation in sport.

According to the World Health Organization, mental health refers to a state of well-being and effective functioning in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, is resilient to the stresses of life, and is able to make a positive contribution to his or her community [ 20 ]. Mental health covers three main components, including psychological, emotional and social health [ 21 ]. Further, psychological health has two distinct indicators, psychological well-being (e.g., self-esteem and quality of life) and psychological ill-being (e.g., pre-clinical psychological states such as psychological difficulties and high levels of stress) [ 22 ]. Emotional well-being describes how an individual feels about themselves (including life satisfaction, interest in life, loneliness, and happiness); and social well–being includes an individual’s contribution to, and integration in society [ 23 ].

Mental illnesses are common among adults and incidence rates have remained consistently high over the past 25 years (~ 10% of people affected globally) [ 24 ]. Recent statistics released by the World Health Organization indicate that depression and anxiety are the most common mental disorders, affecting an estimated 264 million people, ranking as one of the main causes of disability worldwide [ 25 , 26 ]. Specific elements of social health, including high levels of isolation and loneliness among adults, are now also considered a serious public health concern due to the strong connections with ill-health [ 27 ]. Participation in sport has shown to positively impact mental and social health status, with a previous systematic review by Eime et al. (2013) indicated that sports participation was associated with lower levels of perceived stress, and improved vitality, social functioning, mental health, and life satisfaction [ 1 ]. Based on their findings, the authors developed a conceptual model (health through sport) depicting the relationship between determinants of adult sports participation and physical, psychological, and social health benefits of participation. In support of Eime’s review findings, Malm and colleagues (2019) recently described how sport aids in preventing or alleviating mental illness, including depressive symptoms and anxiety or stress-related disease [ 7 ]. Andersen (2019) also highlighted that team sports participation is associated with decreased rates of depression and anxiety [ 11 ]. In general, these reviews report stronger effects for sports participation compared to other types of physical activity, and a dose–response relationship between sports participation and mental health outcomes (i.e., higher volume and/or intensity of participation being associated with greater health benefits) when adults participate in sports they enjoy and choose [ 1 , 7 ]. Sport is typically more social than other forms of physical activity, including enhanced social connectedness, social support, peer bonding, and club support, which may provide some explanation as to why sport appears to be especially beneficial to mental and social health [ 28 ].

Thoits (2011) proposed several potential mechanisms through which social relationships and social support improve physical and psychological well-being [ 29 ]; however, these mechanisms have yet to be explored in the context of sports participation at any level in adults. The identification of the mechanisms responsible for such effects may direct future research in this area and help inform future policy and practice in the delivery of sport to enhance mental health and social outcomes amongst adult participants. Therefore, the primary objective of this review was to examine and synthesize all research findings regarding the relationship between sports participation, mental health and social outcomes at the community and elite level in adults. Based on the review findings, the secondary objective was to develop the ‘Mental Health through Sport’ conceptual model.

This review has been registered in the PROSPERO systematic review database and assigned the identifier: CRD42020185412. The conduct and reporting of this systematic review also follows the Preferred Reporting for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines [ 30 ] (PRISMA flow diagram and PRISMA Checklist available in supplementary files ). This review is an update of a previous review of the same topic [ 31 ], published in 2012.

Identification of studies

Nine electronic databases (CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, Informit, Medline, PsychINFO, Psychology and Behavioural Sciences Collection, Scopus, and SPORTDiscus) were systematically searched for relevant records published from 2012 to March 10, 2020. The following key terms were developed by all members of the research team (and guided by previous reviews) and entered into these databases by author LW: sport* AND health AND value OR benefit* OR effect* OR outcome* OR impact* AND psych* OR depress* OR stress OR anxiety OR happiness OR mood OR ‘quality of life’ OR ‘social health’ OR ‘social relation*’ OR well* OR ‘social connect*’ OR ‘social functioning’ OR ‘life satisfac*’ OR ‘mental health’ OR social OR sociolog* OR affect* OR enjoy* OR fun. Where possible, Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) were also used.

Criteria for inclusion/exclusion

The titles of studies identified using this method were screened by LW. Abstract and full text of the articles were reviewed independently by LW and NE. To be included in the current review, each study needed to meet each of the following criteria: (1) published in English from 2012 to 2020; (2) full-text available online; (3) original research or report published in a peer-reviewed journal; (4) provides data on the psychological or social effects of participation in sport (with sport defined as a subset of exercise that can be undertaken individually or as a part of a team, where participants adhere to a common set of rules or expectations, and a defined goal exists); (5) the population of interest were adults (18 years and older) and were apparently healthy. All papers retrieved in the initial search were assessed for eligibility by title and abstract. In cases where a study could not be included or excluded via their title and abstract, the full text of the article was reviewed independently by two of the authors.

Data extraction

For the included studies, the following data was extracted independently by LW and checked by NE using a customized Google Docs spreadsheet: author name, year of publication, country, study design, aim, type of sport (e.g., tennis, hockey, team, individual), study conditions/comparisons, sample size, where participants were recruited from, mean age of participants, measure of sports participation, measure of physical activity, psychological and/or social outcome/s, measure of psychological and/or social outcome/s, statistical method of analysis, changes in physical activity or sports participation, and the psychological and/or social results.

Risk of bias (ROB) assessment

A risk of bias was performed by LW and AP independently using the ‘Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies’ OR the ‘Quality Assessment of Controlled Intervention Studies’ for the included quantitative studies, and the ‘Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) Checklist for the included qualitative studies [ 32 , 33 ]. Any discrepancies in the ROB assessments were discussed between the two reviewers, and a consensus reached.

The search yielded 8528 studies, with a total of 29 studies included in the systematic review (Fig.  1 ). Tables  1 and 2 provide a summary of the included studies. The research included adults from 18 to 84 years old, with most of the evidence coming from studies targeting young adults (18–25 years). Study samples ranged from 14 to 131, 962, with the most reported psychological outcomes being self-rated mental health ( n  = 5) and depression ( n  = 5). Most studies did not investigate or report the link between a particular sport and a specific mental health or social outcome; instead, the authors’ focused on comparing the impact of sport to physical activity, and/or individual sports compared to team sports. The results of this review are summarized in the following section, with findings presented by study design (cross-sectional, experimental, and longitudinal).

Flow of studies through the review process

Effects of sports participation on psychological well-being, ill-being, and social outcomes

Cross-sectional evidence.

This review included 14 studies reporting on the cross-sectional relationship between sports participation and psychological and/or social outcomes. Sample sizes range from n  = 414 to n  = 131,962 with a total of n  = 239,394 adults included across the cross-sectional studies.

The cross-sectional evidence generally supports that participation in sport, and especially team sports, is associated with greater mental health and psychological wellbeing in adults compared to non-participants [ 36 , 59 ]; and that higher frequency of sports participation and/or sport played at a higher level of competition, are also linked to lower levels of mental distress in adults . This was not the case for one specific study involving ice hockey players aged 35 and over, with Kitchen and Chowhan (2016) Kitchen and Chowhan (2016) reporting no relationship between participation in ice hockey and either mental health, or perceived life stress [ 54 ]. There is also some evidence to support that previous participation in sports (e.g., during childhood or young adulthood) is linked to better mental health outcomes later in life, including improved mental well-being and lower mental distress [ 59 ], even after controlling for age and current physical activity.

Compared to published community data for adults, elite or high-performance adult athletes demonstrated higher levels of body satisfaction, self-esteem, and overall life satisfaction [ 39 ]; and reported reduced tendency to respond to distress with anger and depression. However, rates of psychological distress were higher in the elite sport cohort (compared to community norms), with nearly 1 in 5 athletes reporting ‘high to very high’ distress, and 1 in 3 reporting poor mental health symptoms at a level warranting treatment by a health professional in one study ( n  = 749) [ 39 ].

Four studies focused on the associations between physical activity and sports participation and mental health outcomes in older adults. Physical activity was associated with greater quality of life [ 56 ], with the relationship strongest for those participating in sport in middle age, and for those who cycled in later life (> 65) [ 56 ]. Group physical activities (e.g., walking groups) and sports (e.g., golf) were also significantly related to excellent self-rated health, low depressive symptoms, high health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and a high frequency of laughter in males and females [ 60 , 61 ]. No participation or irregular participation in sport was associated with symptoms of mild to severe depression in older adults [ 62 ].

Several cross-sectional studies examined whether the effects of physical activity varied by type (e.g., total physical activity vs. sports participation). In an analysis of 1446 young adults (mean age = 18), total physical activity, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, and team sport were independently associated with mental health [ 46 ]. Relative to individual physical activity, after adjusting for covariates and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), only team sport was significantly associated with improved mental health. Similarly, in a cross-sectional analysis of Australian women, Eime, Harvey, Payne (2014) reported that women who engaged in club and team-based sports (tennis or netball) reported better mental health and life satisfaction than those who engaged in individual types of physical activity [ 47 ]. Interestingly, there was no relationship between the amount of physical activity and either of these outcomes, suggesting that other qualities of sports participation contribute to its relationship to mental health and life satisfaction. There was also some evidence to support a relationship between exercise type (ball sports, aerobic activity, weightlifting, and dancing), and mental health amongst young adults (mean age 22 years) [ 48 ], with ball sports and dancing related to fewer symptoms of depression in students with high stress; and weightlifting related to fewer depressive symptoms in weightlifters exhibiting low stress.

Longitudinal evidence

Eight studies examined the longitudinal relationship between sports participation and either mental health and/or social outcomes. Sample sizes range from n  = 113 to n  = 1679 with a total of n  = 7022 adults included across the longitudinal studies.

Five of the included longitudinal studies focused on the relationship between sports participation in childhood or adolescence and mental health in young adulthood. There is evidence that participation in sport in high-school is protective of future symptoms of anxiety (including panic disorder, generalised anxiety disorder, social phobia, and agoraphobia) [ 42 ]. Specifically, after controlling for covariates (including current physical activity), the number of years of sports participation in high school was shown to be protective of symptoms of panic and agoraphobia in young adulthood, but not protective of symptoms of social phobia or generalized anxiety disorder [ 42 ]. A comparison of individual or team sports participation also revealed that participation in either context was protective of panic disorder symptoms, while only team sport was protective of agoraphobia symptoms, and only individual sport was protective of social phobia symptoms. Furthermore, current and past sports team participation was shown to negatively relate to adult depressive symptoms [ 43 ]; drop out of sport was linked to higher depressive symptoms in adulthood compared to those with maintained participation [ 9 , 22 , 63 ]; and consistent participation in team sports (but not individual sport) in adolescence was linked to higher self-rated mental health, lower perceived stress and depressive symptoms, and lower depression scores in early adulthood [ 53 , 58 ].

Two longitudinal studies [ 35 , 55 ], also investigated the association between team and individual playing context and mental health. Dore and colleagues [ 35 ] reported that compared to individual activities, being active in informal groups (e.g., yoga, running groups) or team sports was associated with better mental health, fewer depressive symptoms and higher social connectedness – and that involvement in team sports was related to better mental health regardless of physical activity volume. Kim and James [ 55 ] discovered that sports participation led to both short and long-term improvements in positive affect and life satisfaction.

A study on social outcomes related to mixed martial-arts (MMA) and Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) showed that both sports improved practitioners’ self-control and pro-social behavior, with greater improvements seen in the BJJ group [ 62 ]. Notably, while BJJ reduced participants’ reported aggression, there was a slight increase in MMA practitioners, though it is worth mentioning that individuals who sought out MMA had higher levels of baseline aggression.

Experimental evidence

Six of the included studies were experimental or quasi-experimental. Sample sizes ranged from n  = 28 to n  = 55 with a total of n  = 239 adults included across six longitudinal studies. Three studies involved a form of martial arts (such as judo and karate) [ 45 , 51 , 52 ], one involved a variety of team sports (such as netball, soccer, and cricket) [ 34 ], and the remaining two focused on badminton [ 57 ] and handball [ 49 ].

Brinkley and colleagues [ 34 ] reported significant effects on interpersonal communication (but not vitality, social cohesion, quality of life, stress, or interpersonal relationships) for participants ( n  = 40) engaging in a 12-week workplace team sports intervention. Also using a 12-week intervention, Hornstrup et al. [ 49 ] reported a significant improvement in mental energy (but not well-being or anxiety) in young women (mean age = 24; n  = 28) playing in a handball program. Patterns et al. [ 57 ] showed that in comparison to no exercise, participation in an 8-week badminton or running program had no significant improvement on self-esteem, despite improvements in perceived and actual fitness levels.

Three studies examined the effect of martial arts on the mental health of older adults (mean ages 79 [ 52 ], 64 [ 51 ], and 70 [ 45 ] years). Participation in Karate-Do had positive effects on overall mental health, emotional wellbeing, depression and anxiety when compared to other activities (physical, cognitive, mindfulness) and a control group [ 51 , 52 ]. Ciaccioni et al. [ 45 ] found that a Judo program did not affect either the participants’ mental health or their body satisfaction, citing a small sample size, and the limited length of the intervention as possible contributors to the findings.

Qualitative evidence

Three studies interviewed current or former sports players regarding their experiences with sport. Chinkov and Holt [ 41 ] reported that jiu-jitsu practitioners (mean age 35 years) were more self-confident in their lives outside of the gym, including improved self-confidence in their interactions with others because of their training. McGraw and colleagues [ 37 ] interviewed former and current National Football League (NFL) players and their families about its impact on the emotional and mental health of the players. Most of the players reported that their NFL career provided them with social and emotional benefits, as well as improvements to their self-esteem even after retiring. Though, despite these benefits, almost all the players experienced at least one mental health challenge during their career, including depression, anxiety, or difficulty controlling their temper. Some of the players and their families reported that they felt socially isolated from people outside of the national football league.

Through a series of semi-structured interviews and focus groups, Thorpe, Anders [ 40 ] investigated the impact of an Aboriginal male community sporting team on the health of its players. The players reported they felt a sense of belonging when playing in the team, further noting that the social and community aspects were as important as the physical health benefits. Participating in the club strengthened the cultural identity of the players, enhancing their well-being. The players further noted that participation provided them with enjoyment, stress relief, a sense of purpose, peer support, and improved self-esteem. Though they also noted challenges, including the presence of racism, community conflict, and peer-pressure.

Quality of studies

Full details of our risk of bias (ROB) results are provided in Supplementary Material A . Of the three qualitative studies assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP), all three were deemed to have utilised and reported appropriate methodological standards on at least 8 of the 10 criteria. Twenty studies were assessed using the Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies, with all studies clearly reporting the research question/s or objective/s and study population. However, only four studies provided a justification for sample size, and less than half of the studies met quality criteria for items 6, 7, 9, or 10 (and items 12 and 13 were largely not applicable). Of concern, only four of the observational or cohort studies were deemed to have used clearly defined, valid, and reliable exposure measures (independent variables) and implemented them consistently across all study participants. Six studies were assessed using the Quality Assessment of Controlled Intervention Studies, with three studies described as a randomized trial (but none of the three reported a suitable method of randomization, concealment of treatment allocation, or blinding to treatment group assignment). Three studies showed evidence that study groups were similar at baseline for important characteristics and an overall drop-out rate from the study < 20%. Four studies reported high adherence to intervention protocols (with two not reporting) and five demonstrated that.study outcomes were assessed using valid and reliable measures and implemented consistently across all study participants. Importantly, researchers did not report or have access to validated instruments for assessing sport participation or physical activity amongst adults, though most studies provided psychometrics for their mental health outcome measure/s. Only one study reported that the sample size was sufficiently powered to detect a difference in the main outcome between groups (with ≥ 80% power) and that all participants were included in the analysis of results (intention-to-treat analysis). In general, the methodological quality of the six randomised studies was deemed low.

Initially, our discussion will focus on the review findings regarding sports participation and well-being, ill-being, and psychological health. However, the heterogeneity and methodological quality of the included research (especially controlled trials) should be considered during the interpretation of our results. Considering our findings, the Mental Health through Sport conceptual model for adults will then be presented and discussed and study limitations outlined.

Sports participation and psychological well-being

In summary, the evidence presented here indicates that for adults, sports participation is associated with better overall mental health [ 36 , 46 , 47 , 59 ], mood [ 56 ], higher life satisfaction [ 39 , 47 ], self-esteem [ 39 ], body satisfaction [ 39 ], HRQoL [ 60 ], self-rated health [ 61 ], and frequency of laughter [ 61 ]. Sports participation has also shown to be predictive of better psychological wellbeing over time [ 35 , 53 ], higher positive affect [ 55 ], and greater life satisfaction [ 55 ]. Furthermore, higher frequency of sports participation and/or sport played at a higher level of competition, have been linked to lower levels of mental distress, higher levels of body satisfaction, self-esteem, and overall life satisfaction in adults [ 39 ].

Despite considerable heterogeneity of sports type, cross-sectional and experimental research indicate that team-based sports participation, compared to individual sports and informal group physical activity, has a more positive effect on mental energy [ 49 ], physical self-perception [ 57 ], and overall psychological health and well-being in adults, regardless of physical activity volume [ 35 , 46 , 47 ]. And, karate-do benefits the subjective well-being of elderly practitioners [ 51 , 52 ]. Qualitative research in this area has queried participants’ experiences of jiu-jitsu, Australian football, and former and current American footballers. Participants in these sports reported that their participation was beneficial for psychological well-being [ 37 , 40 , 41 ], improved self-esteem [ 37 , 40 , 41 ], and enjoyment [ 37 ].

Sports participation and psychological ill-being

Of the included studies, n  = 19 examined the relationship between participating in sport and psychological ill-being. In summary, there is consistent evidence that sports participation is related to lower depression scores [ 43 , 48 , 61 , 62 ]. There were mixed findings regarding psychological stress, where participation in childhood (retrospectively assessed) was related to lower stress in young adulthood [ 41 ], but no relationship was identified between recreational hockey in adulthood and stress [ 54 ]. Concerning the potential impact of competing at an elite level, there is evidence of higher stress in elite athletes compared to community norms [ 39 ]. Further, there is qualitative evidence that many current or former national football league players experienced at least one mental health challenge, including depression, anxiety, difficulty controlling their temper, during their career [ 37 ].

Evidence from longitudinal research provided consistent evidence that participating in sport in adolescence is protective of symptoms of depression in young adulthood [ 43 , 53 , 58 , 63 ], and further evidence that participating in young adulthood is related to lower depressive symptoms over time (6 months) [ 35 ]. Participation in adolescence was also protective of manifestations of anxiety (panic disorder and agoraphobia) and stress in young adulthood [ 42 ], though participation in young adulthood was not related to a more general measure of anxiety [ 35 ] nor to changes in negative affect [ 55 ]). The findings from experimental research were mixed. Two studies examined the effect of karate-do on markers of psychological ill-being, demonstrating its capacity to reduce anxiety [ 52 ], with some evidence of its effectiveness on depression [ 51 ]. The other studies examined small-sided team-based games but showed no effect on stress or anxiety [ 34 , 49 ]. Most studies did not differentiate between team and individual sports, though one study found that adolescents who participated in team sports (not individual sports) in secondary school has lower depression scores in young adulthood [ 58 ].

Sports participation and social outcomes

Seven of the included studies examined the relationship between sports participation and social outcomes. However, very few studies examined social outcomes or tested a social outcome as a potential mediator of the relationship between sport and mental health. It should also be noted that this body of evidence comes from a wide range of sport types, including martial arts, professional football, and workplace team-sport, as well as different methodologies. Taken as a whole, the evidence shows that participating in sport is beneficial for several social outcomes, including self-control [ 50 ], pro-social behavior [ 50 ], interpersonal communication [ 34 ], and fostering a sense of belonging [ 40 ]. Further, there is evidence that group activity, for example team sport or informal group activity, is related to higher social connectedness over time, though analyses showed that social connectedness was not a mediator for mental health [ 35 ].

There were conflicting findings regarding social effects at the elite level, with current and former NFL players reporting that they felt socially isolated during their career [ 37 ], whilst another study reported no relationship between participation at the elite level and social dysfunction [ 39 ]. Conversely, interviews with a group of indigenous men revealed that they felt as though participating in an all-indigenous Australian football team provided them with a sense of purpose, and they felt as though the social aspect of the game was as important as the physical benefits it provides [ 40 ].

Mental health through sport conceptual model for adults

The ‘Health through Sport’ model provides a depiction of the determinants and benefits of sports participation [ 31 ]. The model recognises that the physical, mental, and social benefits of sports participation vary by the context of sport (e.g., individual vs. team, organized vs. informal). To identify the elements of sport which contribute to its effect on mental health outcomes, we describe the ‘Mental Health through Sport’ model (Fig.  2 ). The model proposes that the social and physical elements of sport each provide independent, and likely synergistic contributions to its overall influence on mental health.

The Mental Health through Sport conceptual model

The model describes two key pathways through which sport may influence mental health: physical activity, and social relationships and support. Several likely moderators of this effect are also provided, including sport type, intensity, frequency, context (team vs. individual), environment (e.g., indoor vs. outdoor), as well as the level of competition (e.g., elite vs. amateur).

The means by which the physical activity component of sport may influence mental health stems from the work of Lubans et al., who propose three key groups of mechanisms: neurobiological, psychosocial, and behavioral [ 64 ]. Processes whereby physical activity may enhance psychological outcomes via changes in the structural and functional composition of the brain are referred to as neurobiological mechanisms [ 65 , 66 ]. Processes whereby physical activity provides opportunities for the development of self-efficacy, opportunity for mastery, changes in self-perceptions, the development of independence, and for interaction with the environment are considered psychosocial mechanisms. Lastly, processes by which physical activity may influence behaviors which ultimately affect psychological health, including changes in sleep duration, self-regulation, and coping skills, are described as behavioral mechanisms.

Playing sport offers the opportunity to form relationships and to develop a social support network, both of which are likely to influence mental health. Thoits [ 29 ] describes 7 key mechanisms by which social relationships and support may influence mental health: social influence/social comparison; social control; role-based purpose and meaning (mattering); self-esteem; sense of control; belonging and companionship; and perceived support availability [ 29 ]. These mechanisms and their presence within a sporting context are elaborated below.

Subjective to the attitudes and behaviors of individuals in a group, social influence and comparison may facilitate protective or harmful effects on mental health. Participants in individual or team sport will be influenced and perhaps steered by the behaviors, expectations, and norms of other players and teams. When individual’s compare their capabilities, attitudes, and values to those of other participants, their own behaviors and subsequent health outcomes may be affected. When others attempt to encourage or discourage an individual to adopt or reject certain health practices, social control is displayed [ 29 ]. This may evolve as strategies between players (or between players and coach) are discussion and implemented. Likewise, teammates may try to motivate each another during a match to work harder, or to engage in specific events or routines off-field (fitness programs, after game celebrations, attending club events) which may impact current and future physical and mental health.

Sport may also provide behavioral guidance, purpose, and meaning to its participants. Role identities (positions within a social structure that come with reciprocal obligations), often formed as a consequence of social ties formed through sport. Particularly in team sports, participants come to understand they form an integral part of the larger whole, and consequently, they hold certain responsibility in ensuring the team’s success. They have a commitment to the team to, train and play, communicate with the team and a potential responsibility to maintain a high level of health, perform to their capacity, and support other players. As a source of behavioral guidance and of purpose and meaning in life, these identities are likely to influence mental health outcomes amongst sport participants.

An individual’s level of self-esteem may be affected by the social relationships and social support provided through sport; with improved perceptions of capability (or value within a team) in the sporting domain likely to have positive impact on global self-esteem and sense of worth [ 64 ]. The unique opportunities provided through participation in sport, also allow individuals to develop new skills, overcome challenges, and develop their sense of self-control or mastery . Working towards and finding creative solutions to challenges in sport facilitates a sense of mastery in participants. This sense of mastery may translate to other areas of life, with individual’s developing the confidence to cope with varied life challenges. For example, developing a sense of mastery regarding capacity to formulate new / creative solutions when taking on an opponent in sport may result in greater confidence to be creative at work. Social relationships and social support provided through sport may also provide participants with a source of belonging and companionship. The development of connections (on and off the field) to others who share common interests, can build a sense of belonging that may mediate improvements in mental health outcomes. Social support is often provided emotionally during expressions of trust and care; instrumentally via tangible assistance; through information such as advice and suggestions; or as appraisal such feedback. All forms of social support provided on and off the field contribute to a more generalised sense of perceived support that may mediate the effect of social interaction on mental health outcomes.

Participation in sport may influence mental health via some combination of the social mechanisms identified by Thoits, and the neurobiological, psychosocial, and behavioral mechanisms stemming from physical activity identified by Lubans [ 29 , 64 ]. The exact mechanisms through which sport may confer psychological benefit is likely to vary between sports, as each sport varies in its physical and social requirements. One must also consider the social effects of sports participation both on and off the field. For instance, membership of a sporting team and/or club may provide a sense of identity and belonging—an effect that persists beyond the immediacy of playing the sport and may have a persistent effect on their psychological health. Furthermore, the potential for team-based activity to provide additional benefit to psychological outcomes may not just be attributable to the differences in social interactions, there are also physiological differences in the requirements for sport both within (team vs. team) and between (team vs. individual) categories that may elicit additional improvements in psychological outcomes. For example, evidence supports that exercise intensity moderates the relationship between physical activity and several psychological outcomes—supporting that sports performed at higher intensity will be more beneficial for psychological health.

Limitations and recommendations

There are several limitations of this review worthy of consideration. Firstly, amongst the included studies there was considerable heterogeneity in study outcomes and study methodology, and self-selection bias (especially in non-experimental studies) is likely to influence study findings and reduce the likelihood that study participants and results are representative of the overall population. Secondly, the predominately observational evidence included in this and Eime’s prior review enabled us to identify the positive relationship between sports participation and social and psychological health (and examine directionality)—but more experimental and longitudinal research is required to determine causality and explore potential mechanisms responsible for the effect of sports participation on participant outcomes. Additional qualitative work would also help researchers gain a better understanding of the relationship between specific elements of the sporting environment and mental health and social outcomes in adult participants. Thirdly, there were no studies identified in the literature where sports participation involved animals (such as equestrian sports) or guns (such as shooting sports). Such studies may present novel and important variables in the assessment of mental health benefits for participants when compared to non-participants or participants in sports not involving animals/guns—further research is needed in this area. Our proposed conceptual model also identifies several pathways through which sport may lead to improvements in mental health—but excludes some potentially negative influences (such as poor coaching behaviors and injury). And our model is not designed to capture all possible mechanisms, creating the likelihood that other mechanisms exist but are not included in this review. Additionally, an interrelationship exits between physical activity, mental health, and social relationships, whereby changes in one area may facilitate changes in the other/s; but for the purpose of this study, we have focused on how the physical and social elements of sport may mediate improvements in psychological outcomes. Consequently, our conceptual model is not all-encompassing, but designed to inform and guide future research investigating the impact of sport participation on mental health.

The findings of this review endorse that participation in sport is beneficial for psychological well-being, indicators of psychological ill-being, and social outcomes in adults. Furthermore, participation in team sports is associated with better psychological and social outcomes compared to individual sports or other physical activities. Our findings support and add to previous review findings [ 1 ]; and have informed the development of our ‘Mental Health through Sport’ conceptual model for adults which presents the potential mechanisms by which participation in sport may affect mental health.

Availability of data and materials

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge the work of the original systematic review conducted by Eime, R. M., Young, J. A., Harvey, J. T., Charity, M. J., and Payne, W. R. (2013).

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Narelle Eather

College of Health, Medicine, and Wellbeing, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia

Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Ballarat Road, Footscray, VIC, 3011, Australia

Aurélie Pankowiak & Rochelle Eime

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All authors contributed to the conducting of this study and reporting the findings. The titles of studies identified were screened by LW, and abstracts and full text articles reviewed independently by LW and NE. For the included studies, data was extracted independently by LW and checked by NE, and the risk of bias assessment was performed by LW and AP independently. All authors have read and approved the final version of the manuscript and agree with the order of presentation of the authors.

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Eather, N., Wade, L., Pankowiak, A. et al. The impact of sports participation on mental health and social outcomes in adults: a systematic review and the ‘Mental Health through Sport’ conceptual model. Syst Rev 12 , 102 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-023-02264-8

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Sports Management Topics for Dissertation

Published by Owen Ingram at January 2nd, 2023 , Revised On May 31, 2024

There is a wide range of dissertation topics in sports management that can be researched at the college and university levels. International sports are extremely popular worldwide, making sports management research issues very prominent.

The importance of finding solid sports management research topics cannot be overstated because if your chosen topic lacks focus and clarity, you will not be able to achieve the highest possible academic grade.

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Below, you will find a comprehensive list of sports management dissertation topics we have compiled for the benefit of our clients and students.

Best Sports Management Dissertation Ideas

• An investigation of cases of corruption in the field of international sports management.
• The part that a nation’s reputation plays in sports management.
• Why do most sports focus on a younger audience, and how does it help them make money? A case study of Southern Asian cricket management.
• A correlational analysis is being done to investigate the connection between event management and sports management.
• Sports management in X countries and key sustainable practices.
• Focus on the difficulties and methods when determining the moral foundation of sports management.
• Comparison research to determine the benefits and drawbacks of well-known football players switching teams on sports business management tactics.
• The impact of international laws on how international athletic events are run.
• A qualitative investigation of the correlations between sports management, seating capacity, and ticket prices.
• A correlational investigation of international sports management and athletes’ reputations abroad.
• A quantitative investigation of elite sports management and performance.
• Investigating how sports management and sports administration interact.
• Concentrating on the moral guidelines for experts in sports management: a qualitative approach.
• Investigating the connection between the fields of intellectual property and sports management.
• Effects of the theories of human and social capital in sports management.
• Sports organisations in industrialised versus poor nations have different management techniques.
• A descriptive approach to the association of marketing and management domains in international sporting events.
• A correlational examination of human resource management and sports management.
• Review of empirical data on the impacts of management, optimization, and economics on international sports.
• An in-depth examination of elite achievement in sports in the United Kingdom
• Examining the Effect of Corporate Social Responsibility on Fan Loyalty in Collegiate Sports Innovative research avenues in sport management
• The part that decision-making plays in managing the global sports industry.
• Concentrate on identifying, assessing, and managing concussions in sports-related injuries.
• An international viewpoint on the connection between sports management and sports finance.
• Understanding Consumer Motivations and Engagement with Professional Sports Teams
• Exploratory research of sporting events looks into how the physical environment affects the consumption of hedonic services.
• Measures of professional sports fan happiness and the quality of the services provided
• International sports management historical analysis: tying the past, present, and future together.
• Investigating the possibilities for career advancement in the field of sports management.
• The contribution of business administration to sports management.
• The influence of esports on traditional sports viewership and fan engagement.
• The impact of sports streaming services on broadcast rights and revenue models.
• Developing sustainable fan engagement strategies in the post-pandemic era.
• The ethical considerations of data use in modern athlete performance analysis.
• The role of artificial intelligence in talent scouting and player development within professional sports.
• Analysing the economic impact of legalised sports betting on professional leagues and franchises.
• The growing role of sports philanthropy in addressing social and environmental issues.
• Optimising sponsorship activation strategies for maximum brand exposure and fan engagement.
• The impact of globalisation on player transfer markets and international athlete movement.
• Developing effective diversity and inclusion initiatives within sports organisations and leagues.
• The impact of fantasy sports on fan engagement and secondary ticket markets.
• Analysing the effectiveness of salary caps and revenue sharing models in professional sports leagues.
• The importance of data security and privacy within sports organisations in the digital age.
• Exploring the potential of virtual reality and augmented reality technology for enhanced fan experiences.
• The role of sports tourism in promoting regional economic development and cultural exchange.
• The challenges and opportunities of hosting mega-sporting events in developing nations.
• Examining the ethical implications of performance-enhancing drugs in professional sports.
• The role of sports governing bodies in promoting fair play and combating corruption.
• Developing effective anti-doping strategies to maintain the integrity of sport.
• The impact of technological advancements on athlete training methods and injury prevention.
• Exploring the potential of blockchain technology to improve ticketing systems and game day security.
• Developing strategies for fan engagement in a data-driven sports marketing environment.
• The impact of COVID-19 on the financial sustainability of professional sports organisations.
• The ethical considerations of using wearable technology to monitor athlete performance and health data.
• Developing strategies to combat match-fixing and other forms of corruption in professional sports.
• The role of sports organisations in promoting environmental sustainability through green initiatives.
• The impact of sports diplomacy on building bridges and promoting international cooperation.
• The economic and social impact of hosting the Olympic Games in a developing nation.
• The ethical considerations of using data analytics to predict game outcomes and player performance.
• Exploring the potential of virtual reality technology for athlete training and rehabilitation.
• The impact of social media on fan behaviour and the potential for negative outcomes like cyberbullying.
• Analysing the effectiveness of marketing campaigns targeting international fanbases.
• Developing a successful merchandise strategy for sports teams and leagues.

You can choose from any of these sports management dissertation ideas . Feel free to contact us if you experience any trouble choosing a topic for your dissertation.

Sports management is a field that has attracted a lot of academic attention in recent times thanks to the growing popularity of sporting events worldwide. If you need help with topic selection or writing your research proposal or the full dissertation paper, ResearchProspect provides all the necessary thesis writing solutions. Read about our research proposal writing service and thesis writing service to see how we can help you manage your workload.

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List 5 best sports management topics for dissertation.

Certainly! Here are 5 great Sports Management dissertation topics: 1. Athlete Branding Strategies 2. Sports Sponsorship ROI Analysis 3. Ethical Issues in Sports Governance 4. Fan Engagement in the Digital Era 5. Sports Analytics for Performance Optimisation.

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How To Choose A Research Topic

Step-By-Step Tutorial With Examples + Free Topic Evaluator

By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Expert Reviewer: Dr Eunice Rautenbach | April 2024

Choosing the right research topic is likely the  most important decision you’ll make on your dissertation or thesis journey. To make the right choice, you need to take a systematic approach and evaluate each of your candidate ideas across a consistent set of criteria. In this tutorial, we’ll unpack five essential criteria that will help you evaluate your prospective research ideas and choose a winner.

Overview: The “Big 5” Key Criteria

• Topic originality or novelty
• Value and significance
• Access to data and equipment
• Time limitations and implications
• Ethical requirements and constraints

Criterion #1: Originality & Novelty

As we’ve discussed extensively on this blog, originality in a research topic is essential. In other words, you need a clear research gap . The uniqueness of your topic determines its contribution to the field and its potential to stand out in the academic community. So, for each of your prospective topics, ask yourself the following questions:

• What research gap and research problem am I filling?
• Does my topic offer new insights?
• Am I combining existing ideas in a unique way?
• Am I taking a unique methodological approach?

To objectively evaluate the originality of each of your topic candidates, rate them on these aspects. This process will not only help in choosing a topic that stands out, but also one that can capture the interest of your audience and possibly contribute significantly to the field of study – which brings us to our next criterion.

Criterion #2: Value & Significance

Next, you’ll need to assess the value and significance of each prospective topic. To do this, you’ll need to ask some hard questions.

• Why is it important to explore these research questions?
• Who stands to benefit from this study?
• How will they benefit, specifically?

By clearly understanding and outlining the significance of each potential topic, you’ll not only be justifying your final choice – you’ll essentially be laying the groundwork for a persuasive research proposal , which is equally important.

Criterion #3: Access to Data & Equipment

Naturally, access to relevant data and equipment is crucial for the success of your research project. So, for each of your prospective topic ideas, you’ll need to evaluate whether you have the necessary resources to collect data and conduct your study.

Here are some questions to ask for each potential topic:

• Will I be able to access the sample of interest (e.g., people, animals, etc.)?
• Do I have (or can I get) access to the required equipment, at the time that I need it?
• Are there costs associated with any of this? If so, what are they?

Keep in mind that getting access to certain types of data may also require special permissions and legalities, especially if your topic involves vulnerable groups (patients, youths, etc.). You may also need to adhere to specific data protection laws, depending on the country. So, be sure to evaluate these aspects thoroughly for each topic. Overlooking any of these can lead to significant complications down the line.

Criterion #4: Time Requirements & Implications

Naturally, having a realistic timeline for each potential research idea is crucial. So, consider the scope of each potential topic and estimate how long each phase of the research will take — from literature review to data collection and analysis, to writing and revisions. Underestimating the time needed for a research project is extremely common , so it’s important to include buffer time for unforeseen delays.

Remember, efficient time management is not just about the duration but also about the timing . For example, if your research involves fieldwork, there may specific times of the year when this is most doable (or not doable at all).  So, be sure to consider both time and timing for each of your prospective topics.

Criterion #5: Ethical Compliance

Failing to adhere to your university’s research ethics policy is a surefire way to get your proposal rejected . So, you’ll need to evaluate each topic for potential ethical issues, especially if your research involves human subjects, sensitive data, or has any potential environmental impact.

Remember that ethical compliance is not just a formality – it’s a responsibility to ensure the integrity and social responsibility of your research. Topics that pose significant ethical challenges are typically the first to be rejected, so you need to take this seriously. It’s also useful to keep in mind that some topics are more “ethically sensitive” than others , which usually means that they’ll require multiple levels of approval. Ideally, you want to avoid this additional admin, so mark down any prospective topics that fall into an ethical “grey zone”.

If you’re unsure about the details of your university’s ethics policy, ask for a copy or speak directly to your course coordinator. Don’t make any assumptions when it comes to research ethics!

Key Takeaways

In this post, we’ve explored how to choose a research topic using a systematic approach. To recap, the “Big 5” assessment criteria include:

• Topic originality and novelty
• Time requirements
• Ethical compliance

Be sure to grab a copy of our free research topic evaluator sheet here to fast-track your topic selection process. If you need hands-on help finding and refining a high-quality research topic for your dissertation or thesis, you can also check out our private coaching service .

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Home » Research Topics – Ideas and Examples

Research Topics – Ideas and Examples

Table of Contents

Research Topic

Definition:

Research topic is a specific subject or area of interest that a researcher wants to investigate or explore in-depth through research. It is the overarching theme or question that guides a research project and helps to focus the research activities towards a clear objective.

How to Choose Research Topic

You can Choose a Research Topic by following the below guide:

Identify your Interests

One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a research topic is your personal interest. This is because you will be spending a considerable amount of time researching and writing about the topic, so it’s essential that you are genuinely interested and passionate about it. Start by brainstorming a list of potential research topics based on your interests, hobbies, or areas of expertise. You can also consider the courses that you’ve enjoyed the most or the topics that have stood out to you in your readings.

Review the Literature

Before deciding on a research topic, you need to understand what has already been written about it. Conducting a preliminary review of the existing literature in your field can help you identify gaps in knowledge, inconsistencies in findings, or unanswered questions that you can explore further. You can do this by reading academic articles, books, and other relevant sources in your field. Make notes of the themes or topics that emerge and use this information to guide your research question.

Consult with your Advisor

Your academic advisor or a mentor in your field can provide you with valuable insights and guidance on choosing a research topic. They can help you identify areas of interest, suggest potential research questions, and provide feedback on the feasibility of your research proposal. They can also direct you towards relevant literature and resources that can help you develop your research further.

Consider the Scope and Feasibility

The research topic you choose should be manageable within the time and resource constraints of your project. Be mindful of the scope of your research and ensure that you are not trying to tackle a topic that is too broad or too narrow. If your topic is too broad, you may find it challenging to conduct a comprehensive analysis, while if it’s too narrow, you may struggle to find enough material to support your research.

Brainstorm with Peers

Discussing potential research topics with your peers or colleagues can help you generate new ideas and perspectives. They may have insights or expertise that you haven’t considered, and their feedback can help you refine your research question. You can also join academic groups or attend conferences in your field to network with other researchers and get inspiration for your research.

Consider the Relevance

Choose a research topic that is relevant to your field of study and has the potential to contribute to the existing knowledge. You can consider the latest trends and emerging issues in your field to identify topics that are both relevant and interesting. Conducting research on a topic that is timely and relevant can also increase the likelihood of getting published or presenting your research at conferences.

Keep an Open Mind

While it’s essential to choose a research topic that aligns with your interests and expertise, you should also be open to exploring new ideas or topics that may be outside of your comfort zone. Consider researching a topic that challenges your assumptions or introduces new perspectives that you haven’t considered before. You may discover new insights or perspectives that can enrich your research and contribute to your growth as a researcher.

Components of Research Topic

A research topic typically consists of several components that help to define and clarify the subject matter of the research project. These components include:

• Research problem or question: This is the central issue or inquiry that the research seeks to address. It should be well-defined and focused, with clear boundaries that limit the scope of the research.
• Background and context: This component provides the necessary background information and context for the research topic. It explains why the research problem or question is important, relevant, and timely. It may also include a literature review that summarizes the existing research on the topic.
• Objectives or goals : This component outlines the specific objectives or goals that the research seeks to achieve. It should be clear and concise, and should align with the research problem or question.
• Methodology : This component describes the research methods and techniques that will be used to collect and analyze data. It should be detailed enough to provide a clear understanding of how the research will be conducted, including the sampling method, data collection tools, and statistical analyses.
• Significance or contribution : This component explains the significance or contribution of the research topic. It should demonstrate how the research will add to the existing knowledge in the field, and how it will benefit practitioners, policymakers, or society at large.
• Limitations: This component outlines the limitations of the research, including any potential biases, assumptions, or constraints. It should be transparent and honest about the potential shortcomings of the research, and how these limitations will be addressed.
• Expected outcomes or findings : This component provides an overview of the expected outcomes or findings of the research project. It should be realistic and based on the research objectives and methodology.

Purpose of Research Topic

The purpose of a research topic is to identify a specific area of inquiry that the researcher wants to explore and investigate. A research topic is typically a broad area of interest that requires further exploration and refinement through the research process. It provides a clear focus and direction for the research project, and helps to define the research questions and objectives. A well-defined research topic also helps to ensure that the research is relevant and useful, and can contribute to the existing body of knowledge in the field. Ultimately, the purpose of a research topic is to generate new insights, knowledge, and understanding about a particular phenomenon, issue, or problem.

Characteristics of Research Topic

some common characteristics of a well-defined research topic include:

• Relevance : A research topic should be relevant and significant to the field of study and address a current issue, problem, or gap in knowledge.
• Specificity : A research topic should be specific enough to allow for a focused investigation and clear understanding of the research question.
• Feasibility : A research topic should be feasible, meaning it should be possible to carry out the research within the given constraints of time, resources, and expertise.
• Novelty : A research topic should add to the existing body of knowledge by introducing new ideas, concepts, or theories.
• Clarity : A research topic should be clearly articulated and easy to understand, both for the researcher and for potential readers of the research.
• Importance : A research topic should be important and have practical implications for the field or society as a whole.
• Significance : A research topic should be significant and have the potential to generate new insights and understanding in the field.

Examples of Research Topics

Here are some examples of research topics that are currently relevant and in-demand in various fields:

• The impact of social media on mental health: With the rise of social media use, this topic has gained significant attention in recent years. Researchers could investigate how social media affects self-esteem, body image, and other mental health concerns.
• The use of artificial intelligence in healthcare: As healthcare becomes increasingly digitalized, researchers could explore the use of AI algorithms to predict and prevent disease, optimize treatment plans, and improve patient outcomes.
• Renewable energy and sustainable development: As the world seeks to reduce its carbon footprint, researchers could investigate the potential of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power, and how these technologies can be integrated into existing infrastructure.
• The impact of workplace diversity and inclusion on employee productivity: With an increasing focus on diversity and inclusion in the workplace, researchers could investigate how these factors affect employee morale, productivity, and retention.
• Cybersecurity and data privacy: As data breaches and cyber attacks become more common, researchers could explore new methods of protecting sensitive information and preventing malicious attacks.
• T he impact of mindfulness and meditation on stress reduction: As stress-related health issues become more prevalent, researchers could investigate the effectiveness of mindfulness and meditation practices on reducing stress and improving overall well-being.

Research Topics Ideas

Here are some Research Topics Ideas from different fields:

• The impact of social media on mental health and well-being.
• The effectiveness of various teaching methods in improving academic performance in high schools.
• The role of AI and machine learning in healthcare: current applications and future potentials.
• The impact of climate change on wildlife habitats and conservation efforts.
• The effects of video game violence on aggressive behavior in young adults.
• The effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques in reducing anxiety and depression.
• The impact of technology on human relationships and social interactions.
• The role of exercise in promoting physical and mental health in older adults.
• The causes and consequences of income inequality in developed and developing countries.
• The effects of cultural diversity in the workplace on job satisfaction and productivity.
• The impact of remote work on employee productivity and work-life balance.
• The relationship between sleep patterns and cognitive functioning.
• The effectiveness of online learning versus traditional classroom learning.
• The role of government policies in promoting renewable energy adoption.
• The effects of childhood trauma on mental health in adulthood.
• The impact of social media on political participation and civic engagement.
• The effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy in treating anxiety disorders.
• The relationship between nutrition and cognitive functioning.
• The impact of gentrification on urban communities.
• The effects of music on mood and emotional regulation.
• The impact of microplastics on marine ecosystems and food webs.
• The role of artificial intelligence in detecting and preventing cyberattacks.
• The effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions in managing chronic pain.
• The relationship between personality traits and job satisfaction.
• The effects of social isolation on mental and physical health in older adults.
• The impact of cultural and linguistic diversity on healthcare access and outcomes.
• The effectiveness of psychotherapy in treating depression and anxiety in adolescents.
• The relationship between exercise and cognitive aging.
• The effects of social media on body image and self-esteem.
• The role of corporate social responsibility in promoting sustainable business practices.
• The impact of mindfulness meditation on attention and focus in children.
• The relationship between political polarization and media consumption habits.
• The effects of urbanization on mental health and well-being.
• The role of social support in managing chronic illness.
• The impact of social media on romantic relationships and dating behaviors.
• The effectiveness of behavioral interventions in promoting physical activity in sedentary adults.
• The relationship between sleep quality and immune function.
• The effects of workplace diversity and inclusion programs on employee retention.
• The impact of climate change on global food security.
• The role of music therapy in improving communication and social skills in individuals with autism spectrum disorder.
• The impact of cultural values on the development of mental health stigma.
• The effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques in reducing burnout in healthcare professionals.
• The relationship between social media use and body dissatisfaction among adolescents.
• The effects of nature exposure on cognitive functioning and well-being.
• The role of peer mentoring in promoting academic success in underrepresented student populations.
• The impact of neighborhood characteristics on physical activity and obesity.
• The effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation interventions in improving cognitive functioning in individuals with traumatic brain injury.
• The relationship between organizational culture and employee job satisfaction.
• The effects of cultural immersion experiences on intercultural competence development.
• The role of assistive technology in promoting independence and quality of life for individuals with disabilities.
• The impact of workplace design on employee productivity and well-being.
• The impact of digital technologies on the music industry and artist revenues.
• The effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy in treating insomnia.
• The relationship between social media use and body weight perception among young adults.
• The effects of green spaces on mental health and well-being in urban areas.
• The role of mindfulness-based interventions in reducing substance use disorders.
• The impact of workplace bullying on employee turnover and job satisfaction.
• The effectiveness of animal-assisted therapy in treating mental health disorders.
• The relationship between teacher-student relationships and academic achievement.
• The effects of social support on resilience in individuals experiencing adversity.
• The role of cognitive aging in driving safety and mobility.
• The effectiveness of psychotherapy in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• The relationship between social media use and sleep quality.
• The effects of cultural competency training on healthcare providers’ attitudes and behaviors towards diverse patient populations.
• The role of exercise in preventing chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
• The impact of the gig economy on job security and worker rights.
• The effectiveness of art therapy in promoting emotional regulation and coping skills in children and adolescents.
• The relationship between parenting styles and child academic achievement.
• The effects of social comparison on well-being and self-esteem.
• The role of nutrition in promoting healthy aging and longevity.
• The impact of gender diversity in leadership on organizational performance.
• The effectiveness of family-based interventions in treating eating disorders.
• The relationship between social media use and perceived loneliness among older adults.
• The effects of mindfulness-based interventions on pain management in chronic pain patients.
• The role of physical activity in preventing and treating depression.
• The impact of cultural differences on communication and conflict resolution in international business.
• The effectiveness of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) in treating anxiety disorders.
• The relationship between student engagement and academic success in higher education.
• The effects of discrimination on mental health outcomes in minority populations.
• The role of virtual reality in enhancing learning experiences.
• The impact of social media influencers on consumer behavior and brand loyalty.
• The effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) in treating chronic pain.
• The relationship between social media use and body image dissatisfaction among men.
• The effects of exposure to nature on cognitive functioning and creativity.
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• The effects of mindfulness-based interventions on workplace stress and burnout.
• The role of exercise in promoting cognitive functioning and brain health in older adults.
• The impact of diversity and inclusion initiatives on organizational innovation and creativity.
• The effectiveness of cognitive remediation therapy in treating schizophrenia.
• The relationship between social media use and body dissatisfaction among women.
• The effects of exposure to natural light on mood and sleep quality.
• The role of spirituality in enhancing well-being and resilience in military personnel.
• The impact of artificial intelligence on job training and skill development.
• The effectiveness of interpersonal therapy (IPT) in treating depression.
• The relationship between parental involvement and academic achievement among low-income students.
• The effects of mindfulness-based interventions on emotional regulation and coping skills in trauma survivors.
• The role of nutrition in preventing and treating mental health disorders.

About the author

Muhammad Hassan

Researcher, Academic Writer, Web developer

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EDITORIAL article

Editorial: coronavirus disease (covid-19): the impact and role of mass media during the pandemic.

• 1 Department of Social and Organizational Psychology, Iscte-University Institute of Lisbon, CIS-IUL, Lisbon, Portugal
• 2 Department of Psychology and Social Work, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden
• 3 Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School and University Hospital, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany

Editorial on the Research Topic Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19): The Impact and Role of Mass Media During the Pandemic

The outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has created a global health crisis that had a deep impact on the way we perceive our world and our everyday lives. Not only has the rate of contagion and patterns of transmission threatened our sense of agency, but the safety measures to contain the spread of the virus also required social and physical distancing, preventing us from finding solace in the company of others. Within this context, we launched our Research Topic on March 27th, 2020, and invited researchers to address the Impact and Role of Mass Media During the Pandemic on our lives at individual and social levels.

Despite all the hardships, disruption, and uncertainty brought by the pandemic, we received diverse and insightful manuscript proposals. Frontiers in Psychology published 15 articles, involving 61 authors from 8 countries, which were included in distinct specialized sections, including Health Psychology, Personality and Social Psychology, Emotion Science, and Organizational Psychology. Despite the diversity of this collective endeavor, the contributions fall into four areas of research: (1) the use of media in public health communication; (2) the diffusion of false information; (3) the compliance with the health recommendations; and (4) how media use relates to mental health and well-being.

A first line of research includes contributions examining the use of media in public health communication. Drawing on media messages used in previous health crises, such as Ebola and Zika, Hauer and Sood describe how health organizations use media. They offer a set of recommendations for COVID-19 related media messages, including the importance of message framing, interactive public forums with up-to-date information, and an honest communication about what is known and unknown about the pandemic and the virus. Following a content analysis approach, Parvin et al. studied the representations of COVID-19 in the opinion section of five Asian e-newspapers. The authors identified eight main issues (health and drugs, preparedness and awareness, social welfare and humanity, governance and institutions, the environment and wildlife, politics, innovation and technology, and the economy) and examined how e-newspapers from these countries attributed different weights to these issues and how this relates to the countries' cultural specificity. Raccanello et al. show how the internet can be a platform to disseminate a public campaign devised to inform adults about coping strategies that could help children and teenagers deal with the challenges of the pandemic. The authors examined the dissemination of the program through the analysis of website traffic, showing that in the 40 days following publication, the website reached 6,090 visits.

A second related line of research that drew the concern of researchers was the diffusion of false information about COVID-19 through the media. Lobato et al. examined the role of distinct individual differences (political orientation, social dominance orientation, traditionalism, conspiracy ideation, attitudes about science) on the willingness to share misinformation about COVID-19 over social media. The misinformation topics varied between the severity and spread of COVID-19, treatment and prevention, conspiracy theories, and miscellaneous unverifiable claims. Their results from 296 adult participants (Mage = 36.23; 117 women) suggest two different profiles. One indicating that those reporting more liberal positions and lower social dominance were less willing to share conspiracy misinformation. The other profile indicated that participants scoring high on social dominance and low in traditionalism were more willing to share both conspiracy and other miscellaneous claims, but less willing to share misinformation about the severity and spread of COVID-19. Their findings can have relevant contributions for the identification of specific individual profiles related to the widespread of distinct types of misinformation. Dhanani and Franz examined a sample of 1,141 adults (Mage = 44.66; 46.9% female, 74.7% White ethnic identity) living in the United States in March 2020. The authors examined how media consumption and information source were related to knowledge about COVID-19, the endorsement of misinformation about COVID-19, and prejudice toward Asian Americans. Higher levels of trust in informational sources such as public health organizations (e.g., Center for Disease Control) was associated with greater knowledge, lower endorsement of misinformation, and less prejudice toward Asian Americans. Media source was associated with distinct levels of knowledge, willingness to endorsement misinformation and prejudice toward American Asians, with social media use (e.g., Twitter, Facebook) being related with a lower knowledge about COVID-19, higher endorsement of misinformation, and stronger prejudice toward Asian Americans.

A third line of research addressed the factors that could contribute to compliance with the health recommendations to avoid the spread of the disease. Vai et al. studied early pre-lockdown risk perceptions about COVID-19 and the trust in media sources among 2,223 Italians (Mage = 36.4, 69.2% female). They found that the perceived usefulness of the containment measures (e.g., social distancing) was related to threat perception and efficacy beliefs. Lower threat perception was associated with less perception of utility of the containment measures. Although most participants considered themselves and others capable of taking preventive measures, they saw the measures as generally ineffective. Participants acknowledged using the internet as their main source of information and considered health organizations' websites as the most trustworthy source. Albeit frequently used, social media was in general considered an unreliable source of information. Tomczyk et al. studied knowledge about preventive behaviors, risk perception, stigmatizing attitudes (support for discrimination and blame), and sociodemographic data (e.g., age, gender, country of origin, education level, region, persons per household) as predictors of compliance with the behavioral recommendations among 157 Germans, (age range: 18–77 years, 80% female). Low compliance was associated with male gender, younger age, and lower public stigma. Regarding stigmatizing attitudes, the authors only found a relation between support for discrimination (i.e., support for compulsory measures) and higher intention to comply with recommendations. Mahmood et al. studied the relation between social media use, risk perception, preventive behaviors, and self-efficacy in a sample of 310 Pakistani adults (54.2% female). The authors found social media use to be positively related to self-efficacy and perceived threat, which were both positively related to preventive behaviors (e.g., hand hygiene, social distancing). Information credibility was also related to compliance with health recommendations. Lep et al. examined the relationship between information source perceived credibility and trust, and participants' levels of self-protective behavior among 1,718 Slovenians (age range: 18–81 years, 81.7% female). The authors found that scientists, general practitioners (family doctors), and the National Institute of Public Health were perceived as the more credible source of information, while social media and government officials received the lowest ratings. Perceived information credibility was found to be associated with lower levels of negative emotional responses (e.g., nervousness, helplessness) and a higher level of observance of self-protective measures (e.g., hand washing). Siebenhaar et al. also studied the link between compliance, distress by information, and information avoidance. They examined the online survey responses of 1,059 adults living in Germany (Mage = 39.53, 79.4% female). Their results suggested that distress by information could lead to higher compliance with preventive measures. Distress by information was also associated with higher information avoidance, which in turn is related to less compliance. Gantiva et al. studied the effectiveness of different messages regarding the intentions toward self-care behaviors, perceived efficacy to motivate self-care behaviors in others, perceived risk, and perceived message strength, in a sample of 319 Colombians (age range: 18–60 years, 69.9% female). Their experiment included the manipulation of message framing (gain vs. loss) and message content (economy vs. health). Participants judged gain-frame health related messages to be stronger and more effective in changing self-behavior, whereas loss-framed health messages resulted in increased perceived risk. Rahn et al. offer a comparative view of compliance and risk perception, examining three hazard types: COVID-19 pandemic, violent acts, and severe weather. With a sample of 403 Germans (age range: 18–89 years, 72% female), they studied how age, gender, previous hazard experience and different components of risk appraisal (perceived severity, anticipated negative emotions, anticipatory worry, and risk perception) were related to the intention to comply with behavioral recommendations. They found that higher age predicted compliance with health recommendations to prevent COVID-19, anticipatory worry predicted compliance with warning messages regarding violent acts, and women complied more often with severe weather recommendations than men.

A fourth line of research examined media use, mental health and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gabbiadini et al. addressed the use of digital technology (e.g., voice/video calls, online games, watching movies in party mode) to stay connected with others during lockdown. Participants, 465 Italians (age range: 18–73 years, 348 female), reported more perceived social support associated with the use of these digital technologies, which in turn was associated with fewer feelings of loneliness, boredom, anger, and higher sense of belongingness. Muñiz-Velázquez et al. compared the media habits of 249 Spanish adults (Mage = 42.06, 53.8% female) before and during confinement. They compared the type of media consumed (e.g., watching TV series, listening to radio, watching news) and found the increased consumption of TV and social networking sites during confinement to be negatively associated with reported level of happiness. People who reported higher levels of well-being also reported watching less TV and less use of social networking sites. Majeed et al. , on the other hand, examined the relation between problematic social media use, fear of COVID-19, depression, and mindfulness. Their study, involving 267 Pakistani adults (90 female), suggested trait mindfulness had a buffer effect, reducing the impact of problematic media use and fear of COVID-19 on depression.

Taken together, these findings highlight how using different frames for mass media gives a more expansive view of its positive and negative roles, but also showcase the major concerns in the context of a pandemic crisis. As limitations we highlight the use of cross-sectional designs in most studies, not allowing to establish true inferences of causal relationships. The outcome of some studies may also be limited by the unbalanced number of female and male participants, by the non-probability sampling method used, and by the restricted time frame in which the research occurred. Nevertheless, we are confident that all the selected studies in our Research Topic bring important and enduring contributions to the understanding of how media, individual differences, and social factors intertwine to shape our lives, which can also be useful to guide public policies during these challenging times.

Author Contributions

PA: conceptualization, writing the original draft, funding acquisition, writing—review, and editing. FE: conceptualization, writing—review, and editing. MP: writing—review and editing. NP: conceptualization, writing the original draft, writing—review, and editing. All authors approved the submitted version.

PA and NP received partial support to work on this Research Topic through Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) with reference to the project PTDC/CCI-INF/29234/2017. MP contribution was supported by the German Research Foundation (DFG, PA847/22-1 and PA847/25-1). The authors are independent of the funders.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Publisher's Note

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

Acknowledgments

We would like to express our gratitude to all the authors who proposed their work, all the researchers who reviewed the submissions to this Research Topic, and to Rob Richards for proofreading the Editorial manuscript.

Keywords: COVID-19, coronavirus disease, mass media, health communication, prevention, intervention, social behavioral changes

Citation: Arriaga P, Esteves F, Pavlova MA and Piçarra N (2021) Editorial: Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19): The Impact and Role of Mass Media During the Pandemic. Front. Psychol. 12:729238. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.729238

Received: 22 June 2021; Accepted: 30 July 2021; Published: 23 August 2021.

Edited and reviewed by: Eduard Brandstätter , Johannes Kepler University of Linz, Austria

Copyright © 2021 Arriaga, Esteves, Pavlova and Piçarra. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY) . The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

*Correspondence: Patrícia Arriaga, patricia.arriaga@iscte-iul.pt

Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

• USC Libraries
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Organizing Your Social Sciences Research Paper

• 5. The Literature Review
• Purpose of Guide
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A literature review surveys prior research published in books, scholarly articles, and any other sources relevant to a particular issue, area of research, or theory, and by so doing, provides a description, summary, and critical evaluation of these works in relation to the research problem being investigated. Literature reviews are designed to provide an overview of sources you have used in researching a particular topic and to demonstrate to your readers how your research fits within existing scholarship about the topic.

Fink, Arlene. Conducting Research Literature Reviews: From the Internet to Paper . Fourth edition. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE, 2014.

Importance of a Good Literature Review

A literature review may consist of simply a summary of key sources, but in the social sciences, a literature review usually has an organizational pattern and combines both summary and synthesis, often within specific conceptual categories . A summary is a recap of the important information of the source, but a synthesis is a re-organization, or a reshuffling, of that information in a way that informs how you are planning to investigate a research problem. The analytical features of a literature review might:

• Give a new interpretation of old material or combine new with old interpretations,
• Trace the intellectual progression of the field, including major debates,
• Depending on the situation, evaluate the sources and advise the reader on the most pertinent or relevant research, or
• Usually in the conclusion of a literature review, identify where gaps exist in how a problem has been researched to date.

Given this, the purpose of a literature review is to:

• Place each work in the context of its contribution to understanding the research problem being studied.
• Describe the relationship of each work to the others under consideration.
• Identify new ways to interpret prior research.
• Reveal any gaps that exist in the literature.
• Resolve conflicts amongst seemingly contradictory previous studies.
• Identify areas of prior scholarship to prevent duplication of effort.
• Point the way in fulfilling a need for additional research.
• Locate your own research within the context of existing literature [very important].

Fink, Arlene. Conducting Research Literature Reviews: From the Internet to Paper. 2nd ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2005; Hart, Chris. Doing a Literature Review: Releasing the Social Science Research Imagination . Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 1998; Jesson, Jill. Doing Your Literature Review: Traditional and Systematic Techniques . Los Angeles, CA: SAGE, 2011; Knopf, Jeffrey W. "Doing a Literature Review." PS: Political Science and Politics 39 (January 2006): 127-132; Ridley, Diana. The Literature Review: A Step-by-Step Guide for Students . 2nd ed. Los Angeles, CA: SAGE, 2012.

Types of Literature Reviews

It is important to think of knowledge in a given field as consisting of three layers. First, there are the primary studies that researchers conduct and publish. Second are the reviews of those studies that summarize and offer new interpretations built from and often extending beyond the primary studies. Third, there are the perceptions, conclusions, opinion, and interpretations that are shared informally among scholars that become part of the body of epistemological traditions within the field.

In composing a literature review, it is important to note that it is often this third layer of knowledge that is cited as "true" even though it often has only a loose relationship to the primary studies and secondary literature reviews. Given this, while literature reviews are designed to provide an overview and synthesis of pertinent sources you have explored, there are a number of approaches you could adopt depending upon the type of analysis underpinning your study.

Argumentative Review This form examines literature selectively in order to support or refute an argument, deeply embedded assumption, or philosophical problem already established in the literature. The purpose is to develop a body of literature that establishes a contrarian viewpoint. Given the value-laden nature of some social science research [e.g., educational reform; immigration control], argumentative approaches to analyzing the literature can be a legitimate and important form of discourse. However, note that they can also introduce problems of bias when they are used to make summary claims of the sort found in systematic reviews [see below].

Integrative Review Considered a form of research that reviews, critiques, and synthesizes representative literature on a topic in an integrated way such that new frameworks and perspectives on the topic are generated. The body of literature includes all studies that address related or identical hypotheses or research problems. A well-done integrative review meets the same standards as primary research in regard to clarity, rigor, and replication. This is the most common form of review in the social sciences.

Historical Review Few things rest in isolation from historical precedent. Historical literature reviews focus on examining research throughout a period of time, often starting with the first time an issue, concept, theory, phenomena emerged in the literature, then tracing its evolution within the scholarship of a discipline. The purpose is to place research in a historical context to show familiarity with state-of-the-art developments and to identify the likely directions for future research.

Methodological Review A review does not always focus on what someone said [findings], but how they came about saying what they say [method of analysis]. Reviewing methods of analysis provides a framework of understanding at different levels [i.e. those of theory, substantive fields, research approaches, and data collection and analysis techniques], how researchers draw upon a wide variety of knowledge ranging from the conceptual level to practical documents for use in fieldwork in the areas of ontological and epistemological consideration, quantitative and qualitative integration, sampling, interviewing, data collection, and data analysis. This approach helps highlight ethical issues which you should be aware of and consider as you go through your own study.

Systematic Review This form consists of an overview of existing evidence pertinent to a clearly formulated research question, which uses pre-specified and standardized methods to identify and critically appraise relevant research, and to collect, report, and analyze data from the studies that are included in the review. The goal is to deliberately document, critically evaluate, and summarize scientifically all of the research about a clearly defined research problem . Typically it focuses on a very specific empirical question, often posed in a cause-and-effect form, such as "To what extent does A contribute to B?" This type of literature review is primarily applied to examining prior research studies in clinical medicine and allied health fields, but it is increasingly being used in the social sciences.

Theoretical Review The purpose of this form is to examine the corpus of theory that has accumulated in regard to an issue, concept, theory, phenomena. The theoretical literature review helps to establish what theories already exist, the relationships between them, to what degree the existing theories have been investigated, and to develop new hypotheses to be tested. Often this form is used to help establish a lack of appropriate theories or reveal that current theories are inadequate for explaining new or emerging research problems. The unit of analysis can focus on a theoretical concept or a whole theory or framework.

NOTE: Most often the literature review will incorporate some combination of types. For example, a review that examines literature supporting or refuting an argument, assumption, or philosophical problem related to the research problem will also need to include writing supported by sources that establish the history of these arguments in the literature.

Baumeister, Roy F. and Mark R. Leary. "Writing Narrative Literature Reviews."  Review of General Psychology 1 (September 1997): 311-320; Mark R. Fink, Arlene. Conducting Research Literature Reviews: From the Internet to Paper . 2nd ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2005; Hart, Chris. Doing a Literature Review: Releasing the Social Science Research Imagination . Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 1998; Kennedy, Mary M. "Defining a Literature." Educational Researcher 36 (April 2007): 139-147; Petticrew, Mark and Helen Roberts. Systematic Reviews in the Social Sciences: A Practical Guide . Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishers, 2006; Torracro, Richard. "Writing Integrative Literature Reviews: Guidelines and Examples." Human Resource Development Review 4 (September 2005): 356-367; Rocco, Tonette S. and Maria S. Plakhotnik. "Literature Reviews, Conceptual Frameworks, and Theoretical Frameworks: Terms, Functions, and Distinctions." Human Ressource Development Review 8 (March 2008): 120-130; Sutton, Anthea. Systematic Approaches to a Successful Literature Review . Los Angeles, CA: Sage Publications, 2016.

Structure and Writing Style

I.  Thinking About Your Literature Review

The structure of a literature review should include the following in support of understanding the research problem :

• An overview of the subject, issue, or theory under consideration, along with the objectives of the literature review,
• Division of works under review into themes or categories [e.g. works that support a particular position, those against, and those offering alternative approaches entirely],
• An explanation of how each work is similar to and how it varies from the others,
• Conclusions as to which pieces are best considered in their argument, are most convincing of their opinions, and make the greatest contribution to the understanding and development of their area of research.

The critical evaluation of each work should consider :

• Provenance -- what are the author's credentials? Are the author's arguments supported by evidence [e.g. primary historical material, case studies, narratives, statistics, recent scientific findings]?
• Methodology -- were the techniques used to identify, gather, and analyze the data appropriate to addressing the research problem? Was the sample size appropriate? Were the results effectively interpreted and reported?
• Objectivity -- is the author's perspective even-handed or prejudicial? Is contrary data considered or is certain pertinent information ignored to prove the author's point?
• Persuasiveness -- which of the author's theses are most convincing or least convincing?
• Validity -- are the author's arguments and conclusions convincing? Does the work ultimately contribute in any significant way to an understanding of the subject?

II.  Development of the Literature Review

Four Basic Stages of Writing 1.  Problem formulation -- which topic or field is being examined and what are its component issues? 2.  Literature search -- finding materials relevant to the subject being explored. 3.  Data evaluation -- determining which literature makes a significant contribution to the understanding of the topic. 4.  Analysis and interpretation -- discussing the findings and conclusions of pertinent literature.

Consider the following issues before writing the literature review: Clarify If your assignment is not specific about what form your literature review should take, seek clarification from your professor by asking these questions: 1.  Roughly how many sources would be appropriate to include? 2.  What types of sources should I review (books, journal articles, websites; scholarly versus popular sources)? 3.  Should I summarize, synthesize, or critique sources by discussing a common theme or issue? 4.  Should I evaluate the sources in any way beyond evaluating how they relate to understanding the research problem? 5.  Should I provide subheadings and other background information, such as definitions and/or a history? Find Models Use the exercise of reviewing the literature to examine how authors in your discipline or area of interest have composed their literature review sections. Read them to get a sense of the types of themes you might want to look for in your own research or to identify ways to organize your final review. The bibliography or reference section of sources you've already read, such as required readings in the course syllabus, are also excellent entry points into your own research. Narrow the Topic The narrower your topic, the easier it will be to limit the number of sources you need to read in order to obtain a good survey of relevant resources. Your professor will probably not expect you to read everything that's available about the topic, but you'll make the act of reviewing easier if you first limit scope of the research problem. A good strategy is to begin by searching the USC Libraries Catalog for recent books about the topic and review the table of contents for chapters that focuses on specific issues. You can also review the indexes of books to find references to specific issues that can serve as the focus of your research. For example, a book surveying the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict may include a chapter on the role Egypt has played in mediating the conflict, or look in the index for the pages where Egypt is mentioned in the text. Consider Whether Your Sources are Current Some disciplines require that you use information that is as current as possible. This is particularly true in disciplines in medicine and the sciences where research conducted becomes obsolete very quickly as new discoveries are made. However, when writing a review in the social sciences, a survey of the history of the literature may be required. In other words, a complete understanding the research problem requires you to deliberately examine how knowledge and perspectives have changed over time. Sort through other current bibliographies or literature reviews in the field to get a sense of what your discipline expects. You can also use this method to explore what is considered by scholars to be a "hot topic" and what is not.

III.  Ways to Organize Your Literature Review

Chronology of Events If your review follows the chronological method, you could write about the materials according to when they were published. This approach should only be followed if a clear path of research building on previous research can be identified and that these trends follow a clear chronological order of development. For example, a literature review that focuses on continuing research about the emergence of German economic power after the fall of the Soviet Union. By Publication Order your sources by publication chronology, then, only if the order demonstrates a more important trend. For instance, you could order a review of literature on environmental studies of brown fields if the progression revealed, for example, a change in the soil collection practices of the researchers who wrote and/or conducted the studies. Thematic [“conceptual categories”] A thematic literature review is the most common approach to summarizing prior research in the social and behavioral sciences. Thematic reviews are organized around a topic or issue, rather than the progression of time, although the progression of time may still be incorporated into a thematic review. For example, a review of the Internet’s impact on American presidential politics could focus on the development of online political satire. While the study focuses on one topic, the Internet’s impact on American presidential politics, it would still be organized chronologically reflecting technological developments in media. The difference in this example between a "chronological" and a "thematic" approach is what is emphasized the most: themes related to the role of the Internet in presidential politics. Note that more authentic thematic reviews tend to break away from chronological order. A review organized in this manner would shift between time periods within each section according to the point being made. Methodological A methodological approach focuses on the methods utilized by the researcher. For the Internet in American presidential politics project, one methodological approach would be to look at cultural differences between the portrayal of American presidents on American, British, and French websites. Or the review might focus on the fundraising impact of the Internet on a particular political party. A methodological scope will influence either the types of documents in the review or the way in which these documents are discussed.

Other Sections of Your Literature Review Once you've decided on the organizational method for your literature review, the sections you need to include in the paper should be easy to figure out because they arise from your organizational strategy. In other words, a chronological review would have subsections for each vital time period; a thematic review would have subtopics based upon factors that relate to the theme or issue. However, sometimes you may need to add additional sections that are necessary for your study, but do not fit in the organizational strategy of the body. What other sections you include in the body is up to you. However, only include what is necessary for the reader to locate your study within the larger scholarship about the research problem.

Here are examples of other sections, usually in the form of a single paragraph, you may need to include depending on the type of review you write:

• Current Situation : Information necessary to understand the current topic or focus of the literature review.
• Sources Used : Describes the methods and resources [e.g., databases] you used to identify the literature you reviewed.
• History : The chronological progression of the field, the research literature, or an idea that is necessary to understand the literature review, if the body of the literature review is not already a chronology.
• Selection Methods : Criteria you used to select (and perhaps exclude) sources in your literature review. For instance, you might explain that your review includes only peer-reviewed [i.e., scholarly] sources.
• Standards : Description of the way in which you present your information.
• Questions for Further Research : What questions about the field has the review sparked? How will you further your research as a result of the review?

IV.  Writing Your Literature Review

Once you've settled on how to organize your literature review, you're ready to write each section. When writing your review, keep in mind these issues.

Use Evidence A literature review section is, in this sense, just like any other academic research paper. Your interpretation of the available sources must be backed up with evidence [citations] that demonstrates that what you are saying is valid. Be Selective Select only the most important points in each source to highlight in the review. The type of information you choose to mention should relate directly to the research problem, whether it is thematic, methodological, or chronological. Related items that provide additional information, but that are not key to understanding the research problem, can be included in a list of further readings . Use Quotes Sparingly Some short quotes are appropriate if you want to emphasize a point, or if what an author stated cannot be easily paraphrased. Sometimes you may need to quote certain terminology that was coined by the author, is not common knowledge, or taken directly from the study. Do not use extensive quotes as a substitute for using your own words in reviewing the literature. Summarize and Synthesize Remember to summarize and synthesize your sources within each thematic paragraph as well as throughout the review. Recapitulate important features of a research study, but then synthesize it by rephrasing the study's significance and relating it to your own work and the work of others. Keep Your Own Voice While the literature review presents others' ideas, your voice [the writer's] should remain front and center. For example, weave references to other sources into what you are writing but maintain your own voice by starting and ending the paragraph with your own ideas and wording. Use Caution When Paraphrasing When paraphrasing a source that is not your own, be sure to represent the author's information or opinions accurately and in your own words. Even when paraphrasing an author’s work, you still must provide a citation to that work.

V.  Common Mistakes to Avoid

These are the most common mistakes made in reviewing social science research literature.

• Sources in your literature review do not clearly relate to the research problem;
• You do not take sufficient time to define and identify the most relevant sources to use in the literature review related to the research problem;
• Relies exclusively on secondary analytical sources rather than including relevant primary research studies or data;
• Uncritically accepts another researcher's findings and interpretations as valid, rather than examining critically all aspects of the research design and analysis;
• Does not describe the search procedures that were used in identifying the literature to review;
• Reports isolated statistical results rather than synthesizing them in chi-squared or meta-analytic methods; and,
• Only includes research that validates assumptions and does not consider contrary findings and alternative interpretations found in the literature.

Cook, Kathleen E. and Elise Murowchick. “Do Literature Review Skills Transfer from One Course to Another?” Psychology Learning and Teaching 13 (March 2014): 3-11; Fink, Arlene. Conducting Research Literature Reviews: From the Internet to Paper . 2nd ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2005; Hart, Chris. Doing a Literature Review: Releasing the Social Science Research Imagination . Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 1998; Jesson, Jill. Doing Your Literature Review: Traditional and Systematic Techniques . London: SAGE, 2011; Literature Review Handout. Online Writing Center. Liberty University; Literature Reviews. The Writing Center. University of North Carolina; Onwuegbuzie, Anthony J. and Rebecca Frels. Seven Steps to a Comprehensive Literature Review: A Multimodal and Cultural Approach . Los Angeles, CA: SAGE, 2016; Ridley, Diana. The Literature Review: A Step-by-Step Guide for Students . 2nd ed. Los Angeles, CA: SAGE, 2012; Randolph, Justus J. “A Guide to Writing the Dissertation Literature Review." Practical Assessment, Research, and Evaluation. vol. 14, June 2009; Sutton, Anthea. Systematic Approaches to a Successful Literature Review . Los Angeles, CA: Sage Publications, 2016; Taylor, Dena. The Literature Review: A Few Tips On Conducting It. University College Writing Centre. University of Toronto; Writing a Literature Review. Academic Skills Centre. University of Canberra.

Writing Tip

Break Out of Your Disciplinary Box!

Thinking interdisciplinarily about a research problem can be a rewarding exercise in applying new ideas, theories, or concepts to an old problem. For example, what might cultural anthropologists say about the continuing conflict in the Middle East? In what ways might geographers view the need for better distribution of social service agencies in large cities than how social workers might study the issue? You don’t want to substitute a thorough review of core research literature in your discipline for studies conducted in other fields of study. However, particularly in the social sciences, thinking about research problems from multiple vectors is a key strategy for finding new solutions to a problem or gaining a new perspective. Consult with a librarian about identifying research databases in other disciplines; almost every field of study has at least one comprehensive database devoted to indexing its research literature.

Frodeman, Robert. The Oxford Handbook of Interdisciplinarity . New York: Oxford University Press, 2010.

Another Writing Tip

Don't Just Review for Content!

While conducting a review of the literature, maximize the time you devote to writing this part of your paper by thinking broadly about what you should be looking for and evaluating. Review not just what scholars are saying, but how are they saying it. Some questions to ask:

• How are they organizing their ideas?
• What methods have they used to study the problem?
• What theories have been used to explain, predict, or understand their research problem?
• What sources have they cited to support their conclusions?
• How have they used non-textual elements [e.g., charts, graphs, figures, etc.] to illustrate key points?

When you begin to write your literature review section, you'll be glad you dug deeper into how the research was designed and constructed because it establishes a means for developing more substantial analysis and interpretation of the research problem.

Hart, Chris. Doing a Literature Review: Releasing the Social Science Research Imagination . Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 1 998.

Yet Another Writing Tip

When Do I Know I Can Stop Looking and Move On?

Here are several strategies you can utilize to assess whether you've thoroughly reviewed the literature:

• Look for repeating patterns in the research findings . If the same thing is being said, just by different people, then this likely demonstrates that the research problem has hit a conceptual dead end. At this point consider: Does your study extend current research?  Does it forge a new path? Or, does is merely add more of the same thing being said?
• Look at sources the authors cite to in their work . If you begin to see the same researchers cited again and again, then this is often an indication that no new ideas have been generated to address the research problem.
• Search Google Scholar to identify who has subsequently cited leading scholars already identified in your literature review [see next sub-tab]. This is called citation tracking and there are a number of sources that can help you identify who has cited whom, particularly scholars from outside of your discipline. Here again, if the same authors are being cited again and again, this may indicate no new literature has been written on the topic.

Onwuegbuzie, Anthony J. and Rebecca Frels. Seven Steps to a Comprehensive Literature Review: A Multimodal and Cultural Approach . Los Angeles, CA: Sage, 2016; Sutton, Anthea. Systematic Approaches to a Successful Literature Review . Los Angeles, CA: Sage Publications, 2016.

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