Want to know how to read, understand, and use scientific research to optimize your health, fitness, and happiness?
This book is the shortcut.
Have you ever wondered why science can appear so contradictory and confusing?
Why it seems like there’s a study to “prove” or “disprove” just about any claim about diet, exercise, and lifestyle?
And what it really takes to protect yourself from bad science and benefit from good science?
If so, then Fitness Science Explained is for you.
It’s a crash course in reading, understanding, and applying scientific research to get fitter, healthier, and happier, and it’ll get you up to speed quickly regardless of your educational background.
Whether you want to discover and use evidence-based methods for building muscle or losing fat faster, reducing your risk of disease and dysfunction, or maximizing some other aspect of your body, mind, or life, this book will show you the way.
Author(s): Michael Matthews; James Krieger
Series: Muscle for Life Book 9
Publisher: Oculus Publishers
Year: 2020
Language: English
Pages: 182
Tags: A Practical Guide to Using Science to Optimize Your Health, Fitness, and Lifestyle
Also by Michael Matthews
Free Bonus Material (Takeaways, Workout Plans, Research Reviews, and More!)
Contents
Introduction
1 Good Science, Bad Science: The Difference and Why It Matters
1. Media Misrepresentation
Confusing Correlation with Causation
Oversimplification and Sensationalism
Why Can the Media Get Away With This?
2. Cherry Picking Versus Going by the Weight of the Evidence
3. Different Quality Levels of Studies
4. Science Moves Slowly
5. Science Often Deals in Shades of Grey Rather Than Black and White
6. Lack of Reproducibility/Replication
7. Poor Research Design/Execution
8. Unpublished Research
9. Fabricated Research
2 How to Think About Science
What Is Science?
The Limitations of Science
External Validity
Sample Size
Animal vs. Human Research
Lack of Control in Free-Living People and Inaccuracy of Self-Reporting
3 Welcome to the Hierarchy (of Evidence)
Anecdote and Tradition
Observational Research
Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs)
Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses of RCTs
4 The Anatomy of Research
Research Terminology
Population
Sample
Prospective Study
Retrospective Study
In Vitro Study
Control Group
Placebo
Double-Blind
Single-Blind
Randomized
Matched
Crossover Design
Washout Period
Mean
Standard Deviation (SD)
Standard Error
Confidence Interval
Effect Size
Cohort
Cohort Study
Cross-Sectional Study
The Anatomy of a Scientific Study
Abstract
Introduction/Background
Methods
Statistical Analyses
Results
Discussion
Conclusion
Funding/Competing Interests
5 The Anatomy of Statistics
Statistical Inference
Estimating Error
Comparing Groups
Type I and II Errors
The Multiple Comparison Problem
It’s Important to Be Normal
Examples of Good and Not-So-Good Statistics in Research
The Not-So-Good Study
The Better Study
6 How to Rapidly Evaluate Research
Putting It All Together: Evaluating Two Studies
Study #1 Low-Carb vs. High-Carb For Fat Loss
Study #2 BCAA vs. Carbohydrate Supplementation on Body Composition
7 The Complete Beginner’s Guide to Scientific Journals
What Are Scientific Journals?
Some Journals Are Higher Quality Than Others
Journal Impact Factor
How to Get Access to Journals and Studies
The Most Popular Fitness Journals
Exercise
Nutrition
Supplementation
How to Find Studies on Topics You’re Interested In
PubMed Search Examples
Conclusion
Frequently Asked Questions
Would You Do Us a Favor?
Free Bonus Material (Takeaways, Workout Plans, Research Reviews, and More!)
Glossary
Endnotes
