Lab reports and projects in sport and exercise science : a guide for students

259 Pages·2022·2.252 MB·English

by  Mike Price

Lab Reports and Projects in Sport
and Exercise Science
Most science degrees will have a practical or laboratory-based component
which will require some sort of fnal report, whether this be a conventional
laboratory report or a fnal-year dissertation. All of these formats require
students to be able to analyse their data in an appropriate way and subsequently
convey their key thoughts and information to a third party. Therefore, writing
laboratory reports is an essential part of any science degree.
This new revised edition sees the expansion of statistical examples including
initial data checks and assumptions, increased awareness of critical appraisal
tools and resources, project planning and a range of ‘Challenge yourself’
activities to supplement understanding and provides a comprehensive overview
of what should be contained within each section of a scientifc report, and
clearly explains how it should be presented. Written in a friendly and engaging
style, it guides the reader through abstracts, literature reviews, methodology,
reporting discussions and referencing and contains a wealth of examples and
practical advice on how to improve and refne your own writing. From writing
a frst lab report to preparing a fnal-year dissertation or postgraduate thesis,
sports and exercise science students at all levels will fnd this book a valuable
resource in developing both skill and confdence in scientifc communication.
Key features include:
• The layout of the book is designed to refect that of a typical scientifc
report to help students plan their own projects.
• Each chapter includes numerous examples, exercises and activities to engage
students and develop their skills in each aspect of report writing.
• The book includes discussion of critical appraisal techniques to help
students refne their research questions.
• All data sets and illustrations used are drawn from the key disciplines
in sport and exercise science, including physiology, psychology and
biomechanics.
Mike Price, PhD, is Reader in Exercise Physiology at Coventry University. He
has taught exercise physiology and research methods at undergraduate and
postgraduate levels for over 20 years and supervised numerous postgraduate
research students. He acts as an external examiner for taught courses and
PhD examinations and reviews many key journals within sport and exercise
science.

Lab Reports and Projects in
Sport and Exercise Science
A Guide for Students
Second Edition
Mike Price
Cover image: © SolStock / Getty images
Second edition published 2022
by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 4RN
and by Routledge
605 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10158
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2022 Mike Price
The right of Mike Price to be identifed as author of this work has been
asserted in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs
and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced
or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other
means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and
recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without
permission in writing from the publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks
or registered trademarks and are used only for identifcation and
explanation without intent to infringe.
First edition published by Routledge 2013
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Price, Mike, 1971– author.
Title: Lab reports and projects in sport and exercise science : a guide for
students / Mike Price.
Description: Second edition. | New York, NY : Routledge, 2022. |
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifers: LCCN 2021045865 (print) | LCCN 2021045866 (ebook) |
ISBN 9780367631826 (hardback) | ISBN 9780367631819 (paperback) |
ISBN 9781003112426 (ebook)
Subjects: LCSH: Sports sciences—Study and teaching. | Exercise—Study and
teaching. | Educational reports—Study and teaching.
Classifcation: LCC GV558 .P75 2022 (print) | LCC GV558 (ebook) |
DDC 613.71—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021045865
LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021045866
ISBN: 978-0-367-63182-6 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-0-367-63181-9 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-003-11242-6 (ebk)
DOI: 10.4324/9781003112426
Typeset in Times
by Apex CoVantage, LLC
For my girls Kerri and Lilly, and my boy Harry

Contents
List of fgures viii
List of tables x
Introduction 1
1 Abstracts 6
2 Introductions and literature reviews 19
3 Methods 61
4 Results 90
5 Discussion 156
6 Planning, referencing and general writing tips 177
Appendices 197
References 231
Index 242
Figures
1.1 Annotated abstract for Exercise 1.2a 15
1.2 Annotated abstract for Exercise 1.2b 15
2.1 General format of introduction 21
2.2 Example introduction for a hypothetical lab report
examining energy expenditure 21
2.3 Introductions in lab reports and dissertations 24
2.4 Summary of PRISMA checklist for systematic reviews
and meta-analyses 26
2.5 Schematic representation of literature searching and
writing 28
2.6 Schematic representation of literature searching 29
2.7 Three potential sections for a literature review 42
3.1 Four levels of reporting methods 73
3.2 Typical schematic diagram for an intermittent exercise
protocol.PT = performance trial 83
4.1 Peak power output for games players and endurance
trained runners during treadmill running 93
4.2 Maximal oxygen uptake (V̇ O ) for triathletes during
2max
treadmill running, cycle ergometry and arm crank
ergometry 93
4.3 Pre- and post-competition anxiety scores (Speilberger
trait questionnaire) in male runners 94
4.4 Energy intake calculated from two different methods 96
4.5 Energy intake calculated from two different methods for
males and females 98
4.6 Heart rate during exercise for fuid replacement and non-
fuid replacement trials 100
4.7 Heart rate during exercise and recovery 101
4.8 Exercise intensity over a twelve-month training cycle 102
4.9 Oxygen consumption during incremental exercise 102
4.10 Data distribution for peak power during 10-second
sprints (n=23, 230 data points) 109
4.11 Maximal oxygen uptake during two exercise protocols 122
Figures ix
4.12 Bland–Altman plot for V̇ O achieved in two different
2max
exercise protocols 126
4.13 Blood lactate concentration during continuous (CON)
and interval (INT) training 140
4.14 Rating of perceived exertion during continuous exercise
in the presence of fast or slow tempo music 151
5.1 Three- and four-component models for discussions 158
6.1 Hypothetical Gantt chart considering typical fnal-year
project components 179
6.2 Organisation of chapter subheadings 193