Exercise Science Research Articles

Pain revolution in the public health system: Active coping strategies for chronic pain unit.

Chronic pain represents a global health challenge demanding a transition from traditional biomedical to patient-centered biopsychosocial models. This masterclass explores active coping strategies for effective chronic pain management within healthcare systems. It describes the Unit of Active Coping Strategies for Chronic Pain (UAAD - Unidad de Afrontamiento Activo para el Dolor) in Primary Care in Valladolid, Spain, as a successful example of implementing a biopsychosocial care model for treating chronic pain. To provide tools that allow the application of active coping strategies in the treatment of patients with chronic pain and how to implement the UAAD units in other healthcare systems. This masterclass describes the UAAD's innovative approach, starting with its comprehensive and personalized methodology. This includes a referral system, a thorough assessment encompassing biological, psychological, and social factors, and a functional categorization system. These elements guide personalized treatment plans delivered through group and individual programs grounded in therapeutic exercise and pain science education. Four key pillars are highlighted: clinical care, teaching, resource management, research and dissemination. Embracing this model empowers healthcare providers to address the growing burden of chronic pain. It also enables patients to take an active role in their recovery and self-management.

Supporting complex skill learning with digital tools in tertiary education: educator’s perspective

Introduction Skill acquisition is a multidisciplinary subdiscipline of sport and exercise science (Fransen, et. al. 2021). Understanding the principles underlying the learning of complex sports skills remains limited. This is partly due to challenges of applying rigorous scientific methods to complex real-life tasks outside laboratory environment and limited transferability of findings from simple laboratory-based tasks to real-life complex sports skills learned through years of practice (Yarrow, et. al., 2009). Best practices and experiences of practitioners therefore represent an important contribution in the development of the field. Educators teaching practical lessons in tertiary education play a crucial role in translating research into practice and sharing knowledge with future sports professionals. However, research into their practice approaches remains an underrepresented field. Main aim of this research was therefore to bridge this gap to support evidence-based research by investigating best practices of educators in tertiary education in skill acquisition and their support for students’ autonomous skill learning. Methods Following an invitation for participation, twenty educators from various European tertiary sport science institutions agreed to participate in semi-structured interviews. Interviews consisted of practical case of skill acquisition, followed by further discussion on educator’s general teaching approaches and how skill learning is implemented and supported. Educators were presented with a video of a student performing a sports skill in suboptimal manner to prompt a discussion on their approach to optimize student’s movement. This case specific discussion was followed by broader discussion of their overall teaching approaches. Interviews were transcribed and transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006), with an inductive approach. Results Results showed diverse teaching approaches with application of various traditional and contemporary approaches among the participants. Use of digital tools in teaching was widely reported and various experiences with their use cases, usability and barriers to implementation were described by the participants. Time limitations reflecting on contact time with individual students was the main constraint reported by educators. To counteract such time constraints in amount of practice, varied and innovative approaches in supporting student’s learning outside the lessons were reported among the participants. Learning resources in various forms such as infrastructure and materials availability, additional courses and online learning resources were main resources reported as added support for student’s learning. Discussion/Conclusion Our research obtained first-hand reports from underrepresented field of skilled educators in order to identify applied, practical solutions practitioners apply in their daily practice, contributing to development of the knowledge in the field and guiding further experimental exploration of best practices.

The role of bromelain as a natural remedy in reducing post-exercise muscle soreness

The role of bromelain as a natural remedy in reducing post-exercise muscle soreness

A Pilot Case-Study of Using Instructional and Demonstration Videos as a Supplementary Tool for Learning in an Exercise Science Course at a Minority-Serving Institution

Lecture recording is a practice several programs and courses (virtual and face-to-face) are employed to allow for students to have access to live self-paced lectures, to provide an additional study tool, and at times, recordings are provided as a source of engagement. Universal software programs such as Echo 360 allow instructors to record and monitor student engagement with video content such as view time. Research has explored student use of lecture recordings; however, this project explores how accessing the videos influenced the student aside from gaining content knowledge. Instructional and demonstration videos were included as supplemental materials within content-based modules on the learning management platform at the institution. Seventeen students were enrolled in the upper-level undergraduate exercise science course and had immediate access to the recordings. Situational motivation was analyzed and reported. On average, at mid-term and the final point in the semester, students were extrinsically motivated when choosing to watch the recording(s), however, positive shifts towards intrinsic motivation were noticed along the continuum of motivation. The significance of the change in motivation was not explored. This pilot case study recommends the addition of active assignments with supplementary materials such as relevant video instructions and demonstrations to guide students in understanding and applying hands-on concepts in upper-level exercise science programming courses to mentally prepare students for undergraduate internships in the field.

Where Are All the Female Participants in Sports and Exercise Medicine Research? A Decade Later.

In 2014, Costello and colleagues published a sentinel paper spotlighting the large disparity of female versus male representation within sports science and sports medicine (SSSM) research. To (1) revisit the method published by Costello et al a decade later to evaluate female representation and (2) ascertain whether study designs account for menstrual status. Systematic Review; Level of evidence, 4. All original and epidemiologic research of live human participants from the journals Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, British Journal of Sports Medicine, and the American Journal of Sports Medicine were included from January 2021 to August 2023. Number of male and female participants for each study was analyzed. A menstrual-status tiering system published by Smith et al was used to classify the consideration of female participants' menstrual status in study design. A total of 1441 studies and 40,152,860 participants were included in this analysis. This included 17,648,509 (43.95%) female participants. The mean proportion of female participants per study was 40.22%, and 103 (7.15%) studies included only female participants compared with 268 (18.6%) male-only studies. A total of 66 (5.6%) studies included menstrual-status considerations in their study design with 7.7 (0.7%) and 5.5 (0.5%) receiving a silver or gold classification, respectively, for design considerations. Our investigation into the representation of female athletes in SSSM research found an increase in female participation from 39% to 43.95% of total participants over the past decade. While the overall number of female participants rose in the years 2021 to 2023, there remains a significant disparity in female representation in SSSM research compared with male participants. Additionally, we found that the inclusion of menstrual status in study designs has been limited, with few studies considering this crucial variable.

Challenges and perspectives with understanding the concept of mental fatigue.

Mental fatigue is referred to as a psychophysiological or neurobiological state caused by prolonged periods of demanding cognitive activity. Sports and exercise science research have investigated the effects of experimentally induced mental fatigue on cognitive performance, with mixed results. It has been suggested that negative effects of mental fatigue on cognition performance in laboratory studies could translate to impaired sport performance. However, it remains unclear if impairments in sport performance are due to mental fatigue and how mental fatigue may differ from physical fatigue. Fatigue is well understood as a complex multifactorial construct involving interactions between physiological and neuropsychological responses across brain regions. It may be prudent for researchers to return to the origins of fatigue and cognition before attempting to connect mental fatigue and sport cognition. This article reviews the concept of mental fatigue, its mechanisms and neuroanatomical basis, models of cognition relevant to sports science, how mental fatigue may influence cognition, and suggests future research directions. Mental fatigue as a construct separate from fatigue could be an oversight that has hindered the development of our understanding of mental fatigue. Future sports science research could work to enhance our knowledge of our definitions of fatigue.

What do Canadian universities suggest on their webpages as future career and educational pathways following completion of a kinesiology or exercise science undergraduate program?

Kinesiology undergraduate programs are multidisciplinary, and graduates may navigate several post-graduate education and career pathways. This study summarized the pathways currently listed online by Canadian undergraduate programs following completion of a kinesiology or 'exercise science' degree. An environmental scan was completed by reviewing Canadian undergraduate program (n= 59) webpages and their list of future pathways (n=845). A content analysis summarized pathways into 46 common categories. The most mentioned pathway was education (n=60), with coaching, health promotion and physiotherapy next (n=46-48). Additional pathways included medical, allied health professions, business and exercise training (n=24-44). Most listed pathways likely require further training post-graduation.

Becoming Future Health Professionals: The Role of Experiential Learning on Exercise Science Students’ Pre-Professional Identity

Pre-Professional Identity (PPI) forms by internalizing professional skills, knowledge, and values of the intended future profession into one’s identity. This process enables individuals to act, think, and feel like professionals. Upon graduation, the majority of students in exercise science pursue careers in various health professions, and their undergraduate experiences significantly influence the formation of PPI. Future health professionals who develop a strong PPI are better equipped to navigate their professional careers with purpose and meaning, contributing to both stability and longevity in their profession. This study explores the impact of an experiential learning course on PPI formation among exercise science major students. Eleven students participated in this study and the data were collected through semi-structured individual interviews and reflection papers. Four key themes were identified in this study: Experiencing and Reflecting, Acting and Thinking Like a Professional, Feeling Like a Professional, and Constructing a Pre-Professional Identity as a Health Professional. Through experiential learning, followed by guided reflection, exercise science students were able to apply their knowledge and skills in real-world situations and embody professional values, influencing the development of PPI as future health professionals. This study provides insights into how experiential learning can shape the PPI of future health professionals. Also, this study highlights the importance of intentionally integrating various strategies that contribute to the formation of PPI among exercise science students.

Racial and Gender Differences in Factors Associated with Research Engagement and Research Mistrust in a Gait Analysis Study

ABSTRACT Introduction There is a history of research mistrust and lack of engagement in clinical research among Black people due to centuries of racism and medical neglect. However, it is critical that Black people are included in research, especially in gait analysis research, because we know there are racial differences in gait. Thus, the purpose of this study is to determine if Black research participants have the same attitudes toward research engagement and research mistrust as their White counterparts while participating in gait analysis research. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted. This work focuses on one portion of a larger study in which individuals were asked to complete two surveys related to research participation and mistrust and complete a gait assessment. Data were collected from 106 participants, 44 of whom identified as Black or African American. Wilcoxon rank sum and Kruskal–Wallis tests were used to determine if significant differences existed in responses by racial and racial–gender groups. Results Wilcoxon rank sum tests found that factors associated with research engagement and feelings of research mistrust differed significantly between Black and White research participants. Additionally, Kruskal–Wallis tests and Dunn tests found significant differences among the racial–gender groups, especially when comparing White men and Black women. Conclusion The findings show that in a gait analysis study, Black people have higher feelings of mistrust in medical research than White people and will likely be less willing to participate. These results could improve our understanding of why Black people are less likely to participate in research than White people, even in a gait analysis study. This work can provide insights into how to modify recruitment practices to increase participation of underrepresented groups in exercise science and biomechanics, such as racial concordance and promoting transparency.

Classification Segmentation and Visualization of Intracranial Hemorrhage in CT Brain Images

Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) poses a large chance to affected person fitness, regularly modern requiring set off diagnosis and intervention. In latest years, the medical imaging techniques, specifically computed tomography (CT) scanning, have end up critical tools for detecting and characterizing ICH. This paper offers a complete evaluate comprehensive review of the state-of-the-art techniques for the segmentation, category, and visualization cutting-edge intracranial hemorrhage in CT mind pics. The evaluate encompasses numerous methodologies, consisting of conventional picture processing strategies, system cutting-edge algorithms, and deep brand new strategies, highlighting their strengths, limitations, and capability applications in scientific exercise. Additionally, it discusses the challenges associated with correct ICH detection and quantification, inclusive of the presence modern day artifacts, anatomical variations, and sophistication imbalance. Furthermore, the paper explores emerging tendencies in ICH research, which includes the combination trendy multimodal imaging information and the improvement trendy interactive visualization gear for enhanced medical choice-making. The segmented portion from each CT image is constructed into a single 3D volumetric structure and essential information such as region Area, volume and location are provided. Further the classification accuracy between normal brain and ICH brain is 95.8%. Such a 3D visualization, Classification and volumetric analysis of ICH can provide the exact and necessary information to the neurologist which is essential for the treatment of ICH.

Skeletal age assessed by Greulich-Pyle: Intra-observer and inter-observer agreement among male pubertal tennis players.

The assessment of biological maturation is a central topic in pediatric exercise sciences. Skeletal age (SA) reflects changes in each bone of the hand and wrist from initial ossification to the adult state. This study examined intra-observer and inter-examiner agreement is Greulich-Pyle (GP) assessments of SA in 97 male tennis players 8.6-16.8 years of age. Two observers independently examined all films on two occasions using the GP method. The SA of each bone was evaluated. The mean and median of SAs assigned for each bone was the individual SA for each participant. The calculation was exclusively based on the bones that were not skeletally mature. Intra-observer mean differences were significant for several bones with better results by the experienced examiner (observer B). Comparisons between SA values of the two independent observers indicated significant differences for the ulna, metacarpals II and III, and distal phalanx V. Nevertheless, the magnitude of the bone-specific differences was small, perhaps trivial. Differences in individual SA values of the tennis players based on the non-mature bones of the hand-wrist were negligible based on the mean (0.04±0.39, t = 0.321, p = 0.749) or the median (0.05±0.58, t = 0.007, p = 0.994). Nevertheless, the current study confirmed examiners as a source of error in the estimation of SA using the Greulich-Pyle method and highlighted the importance of calculating SAs based on non-mature bones among adolescent players.

Blood Lactate as a Metabolic Biomarker of Anaerobic Vocal Capacity: A Pilot Study.

Blood lactate concentration is commonly used to assess metabolic demand and skeletal muscle training response. The objective of the pilot study was to investigate if a change in blood lactate was detectable in an anaerobically designed vocal demand task vocal capacity anaerobic task (VCAT60) and determine if the developed vocal demand task may assess the anaerobic capacity of the voice musculature, like anaerobic power tests commonly used in applied exercise science. A prospective repeated measures study quantified blood lactate concentration preVCAT and postVCAT60 in vocally healthy adults. The secondary outcomes included determining correlations and predictors of the change in lactate including aerodynamic, leg anaerobic capacity and anthropometric measures as well as participant reported vocal fatigue. A significant positive change in lactate pre and post VCAT60 was observed (P=0.003). Regression analyses showed that Body mass index (P=0.003) was a predictor of the lactate concentration shift. There was no evidence of additional measured variables or their interactions being predictors of the blood lactate concentration levels detected via the vocal demand task. Evidence supports the hypothesis that blood lactate may be an effective metabolic biomarker in investigating voice physiology in vivo. The VCAT60, via the shift in systemic blood lactate concentration, may provide a means from which to understand metabolic adaptations that occur in the peripheral muscles of the voice mechanism during behavioral voice intervention. Further investigations are needed to determine the clinical significance of the measured blood lactate as well as to refine the proposed anaerobic vocal demand task.

Physiology Sport Approaches: The Role of Walking in Dopamine Stimulation for Transforming Habits and Mental Health

This study investigates the connection between dopamine stimulation, negative habit management, and mental health improvements through walking. Dopamine, a key neurotransmitter in the brain's reward system, plays a crucial role in motivation, self-control, and emotional regulation. This study aims to evaluate whether walking, as a form of altruistic behavior and social commitment, can stimulate dopamine release that promotes positive emotions, better self-regulation, and the reduction of negative habits. This descriptive quantitative study involved 250 respondents aged 20–50 who regularly walked 3 to 5 times per week. This study measured mental health parameters, including stress, anxiety, and depression, as well as negative habits, including overthinking and poor sleep patterns. The findings demonstrated significant improvements, including reductions in stress (-58%), anxiety (-53%), and depression (-54%), along with increases in happiness (+24%) and calmness (+20%). Behavioral changes were also observed, such as decreased overthinking (-45%) and poor sleep patterns (-46%), alongside enhancements in positive thinking (+27%), social awareness (+28%), and optimism (+29%). These changes suggest an increase in dopamine production associated with regular walking activities. This study highlights that walking is an accessible physical intervention that can enhance psychological well-being, reduce destructive behaviors, and strengthen dopamine-related neurobiological pathways. Additionally, this study contributes to positive psychology and exercise science by providing insights into the role of walking in supporting mental health and building personal resilience.

Effects of neuromuscular exercise plus Pain Science Education on Resting-state EEG, clinical, and psychosocial outcomes in knee osteoarthritis: a randomised controlled trial protocol

Objective To compare the effect of Neuromuscular Exercise (NME) plus Pain Science Education (PSE), Isolated NME, and usual care on brain function measured by electroencephalography (EEG), clinical, and psychosocial outcomes in patients with chronic pain due to knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Methods A three-arm randomised controlled trial will be conducted. Fifty-seven participants with KOA will be recruited in a 1:1:1 ratio. Outcome assessor, and statistician will be blinded to group allocation. One experimental group (n = 19) will receive NME plus PSE (24 sessions, 60-90 min each), the other experimental group (n = 19) will receive isolated NME (24 sessions, 60-90 min each) and the control group (n = 19) will continue with usual care. The PSE will be adapted to the context of the participants. Primary outcome measures will be brain activity, and secondary outcomes will be pressure pain threshold, pain intensity, disability, fear-avoidance beliefs, self-efficacy, and pain catastrophizing. Outcome measures will be evaluated pre-intervention, immediately post-intervention, and four-month post-intervention. Conclusion The NME plus PSE intervention approach proposed in this trial could expand multimodal intervention strategies for patients with KOA. Impact NME plus PSE applied by a physical therapist could be essential in improving brain function, clinical, and psychosocial outcomes of patients with KOA. This could have a positive impact on the use of these therapeutic modalities from a multidimensional approach, and this combined protocol could potentially be a guide for health professionals.

The segmental-based approach during anatomy coursework presents better results than the systems-based approach.

Traditionally, there are two pedagogical approaches to teaching human anatomy. The first is the systems-based approach (study of body systems - bones, muscles, organs - separately) gross anatomy courses and the second is the segmental-based approach (study of body segments - upper and lower limbs and trunk - separately); both are highly recommended. However, to the best of our knowledge, less is known about academic performance comparing the two approaches. Thus, in this study, we evaluate undergraduate students' academic performance in human anatomy courses using systems- or segmental approaches, also, evaluate attendance, the impact of missing class on performance, the course evaluations (specific to the professor) and the student perceptions of the different coursework. The final grade and class attendance of 141 undergraduate students, from the sports and exercise science program, undertaking the anatomy course, were evaluated. Seventy students participated in the systems-based gross human anatomy approach (SYS), and 71 students participated in the segmental-based gross human anatomy approach (SEG). Students in SEG (median [interquartile range (IQR]: 7.3 [2.0]) performed better academically, with higher final grades (U = 1,804.5, p = 0.005; rB = 0.274 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.09-0.44]; medium effect) than SYS (median [IQR]: 6.6 [1.6]). SEG had higher class attendance (median [IQR]: 60 [8]) than SYS (median [IQR]: 60 [7]; U = 1,919.5, p = 0.015; rB = 0.228 [95%CI: 0.040-0.399]; small effect). Students in SEG rated the professor's performance more highly than SYS (U = 78.0, p = 0.001; rB = 0.616 [95%CI: 0.332-0.797]; large effect). The segmental-based gross human anatomy approach leads to better academic performance and higher attendance in the gross anatomy course than SYS.

Comment on: “Explosive is not a Term Defined in the International System of Units and Should not be Used to Describe Neuromuscular Performance”

We read with great interest the article “Explosive is not a Term Defined in the International System of Units and Should not be Used to Describe Neuromuscular Performance”, which aims to discuss the potential misuse of the term “explosive” in the sports science literature to describe neuromuscular performance. We would like to thank the authors for initiating this important discussion on the appropriate use of terminologies to describe human movement, particularly in the field of strength and conditioning. In fact, disagreement and debate are common to all scientific disciplines, including sport and exercise science, and serve to improve our understanding. This debate also provides an opportunity to clarify and specify the use of the term “explosive” in the scientific literature.

Wait a Minute? Uniting Physical Exercise and Data Science in Higher Learning

Purpose: This study explores the design and implementation of a novel Data Science course that integrates physical activity and physiological data collection. The course, scheduled twice weekly, combines a 30-minute physical exercise session with data collection activities focusing on metrics such as temperature, three separate heart rates, blood pressure, Functional Movement Screening (FMS), nutritional assessment using MyPlate.gov categories, urinalysis, and other metrics. The primary objective was to provide students with practical experience in data science by engaging them in real-time physiological data collection and analysis. Methods: This study involved a structured course format where students engaged in physical activities and recorded physiological data using standardized measurement tools and techniques. The course structure included instructional sessions on data science principles, data collection procedures, and statistical analysis. Students then applied their knowledge by undertaking a project that involved analyzing the collected data to address specific research questions or hypotheses related to physical health and performance. Each student presented their findings through a PowerPoint presentation, fostering peer review and collaborative learning. Results: Findings indicated that students successfully developed data science skills while gaining insights into the relationship between physical activity and physiological metrics. The projects revealed varied patterns and correlations, demonstrating the practical applicability of data science in health and fitness contexts. Discussion/Conclusions: The study highlights the effectiveness of integrating physical activity with data science education, enhancing both engagement and learning outcomes. The course equips students with technical skills while emphasizing the importance of holistic health data analysis.

Cumulative Evidence Synthesis and Consideration of “Research Waste” Using Bayesian Methods

In the present paper we demonstrate the application of methods for cumulative evidence synthesis including Bayesian meta-analysis, and exploration of questionable research practices such as publication bias or p-hacking, in the sport and exercise sciences for the evaluation of experimental interventions. The use of such methods can aid in study planning and avoid “research waste”. In demonstrating and discussing these methods we use the example of self-talk interventions and their effects upon sport/motor performance given a quantitative evidence synthesis has not been conducted on this topic, to the best of our knowledge, since 2011 when Hatzigeorgiadis et al. (2011) conducted their systematic review and meta-analysis. As such, this topic is ripe to use in demonstrating cumulative methods such as Bayesian updating. Therefore, our aim was to conduct an updated systematic review and Bayesian meta-analysis replicating the search, inclusion, and models of Hatzigeorgiadis et al. (2011) and demonstrate the application of cumulative evidence synthesis methods including; consideration of the initial probability that a new study of the effects of self-talk interventions would shift our prior belief in their effectiveness, the application of priors taken from the previous meta-analysis to be updated by new studies identified to a new posterior estimate of effect, and consideration of other possible sources of research waste from questionable research practices such as publication bias and p-hacking. Such methods as those demonstrated here, when used prospectively, can aid researchers in determining whether further research of a particular experimental intervention is in fact warranted. Considering the limited resources and time for conducting research we hope that highlighting the application of these methods might help researchers in the field to avoid research waste and more productively direct their research efforts.

Operative Treatment of Nonprimary Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus: A Systematic Review.

Nonprimary osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT) pose a significant challenge in orthopaedics, with no definitive consensus on optimal surgical treatment. To consolidate the most recent evidence on operative treatments for nonprimary OLT by assessing patient-reported outcomes (PROs), postoperative complications, and clinical failures. Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4. This review adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 and PRISMA in Exercise, Rehabilitation, Sport medicine and Sports science guidelines. Searches were conducted in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases through June 2023. Eligible studies evaluated operative outcomes in skeletally mature patients with nonprimary OLT after failed previous surgeries. Primary outcomes included clinical and functional PROs. Secondary outcomes included postoperative complications and clinical failures. Quantitative analyses involved weighted means, mean differences, minimal clinically important differences, success rates (95% binomial proportion confidence interval), and a pre-to-postoperative meta-analysis. Out of 3992 identified records, 50 studies involving 806 ankles from 794 patients were included. All operative treatments significantly improved PROs (P < .05), except osteochondral allograft transplantation (OCA) for American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society and pain (visual analog scale/numeric rating scale [VAS/NRS]) scores and HemiCAP for pain (VAS/NRS) scores. Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) and osteochondral autologous transplantation (OAT) demonstrated the greatest PRO success rates, exceeding 80%. Postoperative complications occurred in 4% of cases, most frequently with HemiCAP. Clinical failures affected 22% of cases, particularly with autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis, OAT, OCA, and HemiCAP. Our systematic review demonstrated that ACI and OAT are promising treatments for nonprimary OLT, with ACI showing fewer clinical failures than OAT. Conversely, OCA and HemiCAP exhibited lower effectiveness and higher clinical failure rates, suggesting a need for reassessment.

Redundancy in systematic research of exercise interventions for older adults with cognitive impairment: Is more better?

AbstractBackgroundExercise as an intervention to impact cognition in older adults with mild cognitive impairment and dementia is a well‐studied phenomenon. Recent proliferation of synthesis studies on this topic might be perceived as a positive contribution to the science of exercise as medicine, but research redundancy (defined here as multiple overlapping review studies utilizing the same randomized controlled trials [RCTs]) is not only unnecessary but can be harmful. Redundancy can create research waste and be detrimental to the ability to draw confident conclusions from the evidence. The purposes of this meta‐research are to (1) evaluate redundant representation of RCTs across published meta‐analyses (MAs) on the effects of exercise on older adults with cognitive impairment, and (2) discuss implications for interpretation of the evidence.MethodThis study was borne of a living evidence synthesis project, following standard synthesis methodology including PROSPERO registration, PRISMA guidelines, librarian‐assisted search strategy using multiple databases, and recurrent searches in 2015, 2018, 2020, and 2023.ResultThirty‐eight MAs met our inclusion criteria, referencing a total of 692 RCTs. Of the 692 studies cited in the MAs, only 267 (38.6%) are unique studies. One‐hundred‐forty‐nine of those unique studies were cited in only one MA, and 118 were cited in anywhere between 2‐17 different MAs. Thus, 425 (61.4%) of the total 692 RCTs recognized across the 38 MAs were redundant. Categorized by the number of MAs in which a study was represented, 37 RCTs (13.9%) were included in 2 MAs, 48 (18%) were represented in 3‐5 MAs, 26 (9.7%) were in 6‐10 MAs, and 7 of the unique studies (2.6%) were represented in 11‐17 MAs.ConclusionThe impact of exercise on cognition of older adults with cognitive impairment is an important topic being extensively researched. While replication is a common practice in research, excessive redundancy in research does not provide new contributions and may be wasteful. Additionally, there are negative implications for meaningful interpretation of evidence when there is significant redundancy across publications. Efforts to reduce research waste might include rigorous research protocol registration requirements and the use of artificial intelligence to aid in monitoring protocols and publications.