Hi Folks!

Welcome to episode #1 of The Strength of Evidence Podcast. Our first episode lays the ground-work for future episodes, as we discuss important topics such as the scientific method, what it means to be “evidence-based,” and logical fallacies. We will draw from these methodologies as we hash out topics pertaining to strength, conditioning, and rehabilitation in subsequent podcasts. Here is the link to the mp3:

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD OR JUST LISTEN

Here are the show notes:

Purpose of the Podcast

• Help teach critical thinking skills
• Evaluate the evidence pertaining to various topics in fitness

About Us

• About Jon
• About Bret

What is Evidence-Based Decision Making?

“A systematic approach to the training of athletes and clients based on the current best evidence from peer-reviewed research and professional reasoning.” – English et al., SCJ, June 2012

1. Develop a question
2. Find evidence
3. Evaluate the evidence
4. Incorporate the evidence into practice
5. Reevaluate the evidence

The Hierarchy of Knowledge

Portney & Watkins 2007

1. The Scientific Method
2. Logical Reasoning
3. Trial and Error
4. Authority
5. Tradition

Logical Fallacies

1. Ad Hominem
2. Appeal to Authority
3. Appeal to Fear
4. Strawman
5. Cherrypicking
6. Hasty Generalization
7. Red Herring
8. Proof by Verbosity
9. Nirvana Fallacy
10. Bandwagon
11. Anecdotal
12. Confusing Correlation with Causation

Placebo Effect

“The beneficial effect in a patient following a particular treatment that arises from the patient’s expectations concerning the treatment rather than from the treatment itself.”

Pitfalls of Research

1. Overgeneralization
2. Limitations
3. Methodology
4. Sample Size
5. Experimenter Effects
6. Fudging/Fraud
7. Confirmation Bias

Good Video: Science for Smart People

Last, we leave you with a video by Tom Naughton, where he discusses many similar topics that we did in our podcast. We think you’ll really enjoy it as he injects a good deal of humor into the presentation.

That’s all for episode #1. In episode #2, Jon and Bret will be discussing “To Squat or Not to Squat;” a popular debate in certain Strength & Conditioning circles.