Abstract
The premise of research in human physiology is to explore a multifaceted system whilst identifying one or a few outcomes of interest. Therefore, the control of potentially confounding variables requires careful thought regarding the extent of control and complexity of standardisation. One common factor to control prior to testing is diet, as food and fluid provision may deviate from participants' habitual diets, yet a self-report and replication method can be flawed by under-reporting. Researchers may also need to consider standardisation of physical activity, whether it be through familiarisation trials, wash-out periods, or guidance on levels of physical activity to be achieved before trials. In terms of pharmacological agents, the ethical implications of standardisation require researchers to carefully consider how medications, caffeine consumption and oral contraceptive prescriptions may affect the study. For research in females, it should be considered whether standardisation between- or within-participants in regards to menstrual cycle phase is most relevant. The timing of measurements relative to various other daily events is relevant to all physiological research and so it can be important to standardise when measurements are made. This review summarises the areas of standardisation which we hope will be considered useful to anyone involved in human physiology research, including when and how one can apply standardisation to various contexts.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 242-250 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | International journal of sport nutrition and exercise metabolism |
Volume | 34 |
Issue number | 4 |
Early online date | 19 May 2024 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Jul 2024 |
Funding
This article has been simultaneously co-published by Experimental Physiology and International Journal of Sport Nutrition & Exercise Metabolism. The articles are identical except for minor stylistic and spelling differences in keeping with each journal\u2019s style. Either citation can be used when citing this article. Author Contributions: Food and fluid section written by Lucy H. Merrell, Anna P. Nicholas, Lewis J. James and Sophie Davies; Physical activity section written by Oliver J. Perkin, Adam J. Collins and James A. Hickman; Pharmacological agents section written by James E. Turner, Harrison D. Collier-Bain and Bruno Spellanzon; Menstrual cycle section written by Alannah K. A. McKay, Jennifer Maher, Louise Bradshaw and Rachel Eddy; Timing section written by James A. Betts, Harry A. Smith and Daniel Rees. Reviewing and editing of final version by Lucy H. Merrell, Oliver J. Perkin, Francoise Koumanov, Dylan Thompson, Javier T. Gonzalez and James A. Betts. All authors have read and approved the final version of this manuscript and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved. All persons designated as authors qualify for authorship, and all those who qualify for authorship are listed. Conflict of Interest: A.K.A.M. has received research funding from the Australian Institute of Sport, Boston Children\u2019s Hospital\u2019s Female Athlete Program, Amazentis Life Sciences and the Swiss National Science Foundation; and has completed paid consultancy for PepsiCo. L.J.J. has current/previous funding from Entrinsic Beverage Company LLC, Entrinsic Bioscience LLC, Herbalife Europe Ltd, Bridge Farm Nurseries, Decathlon SA, PepsiCo Inc., Volac International; has performed consultancy for PepsiCo Inc. and Lucozade Ribena Suntory; and has received conference fees from PepsiCo Inc. and Danone Nutricia. In all cases, monies have been paid to L.J.J.\u2019s institution and not directly to L.J.J. J.T.G. has received research funding from BBSRC, MRC, British Heart Foundation, Clasado Biosciences, Lucozade Ribena Suntory, ARLA Foods Ingredients and Cosun Nutrition Center; is a scientific advisory board member to ZOE and 6d Sports Nutrition; and has completed paid consultancy for The Dairy Council, PepsiCo, Violicom Medical, Tour Racing Ltd, and SVGC. J.A.B. is a named investigator on research grants funded by BBSRC, MRC, British Heart Foundation, Rare Disease Foundation, EU Hydration Institute, GlaxoSmithKline, Nestl\u00E9, Lucozade Ribena Suntory, ARLA foods, Cosun Nutrition Center, American Academy of Sleep Medicine Foundation and Salus Optima (L3M Technologies Ltd); has completed paid consultancy for PepsiCo, Kellogg\u2019s, SVGC and Salus Optima (L3M Technologies Ltd); is Company Director of Metabolic Solutions Ltd; receives an annual honorarium as a member of the academic advisory board for the International Olympic Committee Diploma in Sports Nutrition; and receives an annual
Funders | Funder number |
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Rare Disease Foundation | |
Australian Institute of Sport | |
International Olympic Committee Diploma in Sports Nutrition | |
American Academy of Sleep Medicine Foundation | |
Medical Research Council | |
SVGC | |
Salus Optima | |
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council | |
Entrinsic Bioscience LLC | |
Boston Children's Hospital's Female Athlete Program | |
Herbalife Europe Ltd | |
British Heart Foundation | |
PepsiCo | |
Entrinsic Beverage Company LLC | |
Cosun Nutrition Center | |
Danone Nutricia | |
GlaxoSmithKline | |
Amazentis Life Sciences | |
Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung | |
EU Hydration Institute |
Keywords
- control
- physiology
- standardisation
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Medicine (miscellaneous)
- Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
- Nutrition and Dietetics