Bridging the Gap: Diamond Open Access in Sports Performance and Exercise Science

The International Journal of Strength and Conditioning (IJSC) stands as a beacon in the realm of Diamond Open Access academic journals. We're dedicated to unveiling the latest findings in sports performance and exercise science. Our core mission is to seamlessly connect academia with professionals, ensuring that the science behind sports performance is both understood and applied.

Why Choose Diamond Open Access?

Knowledge should be universally accessible. Our commitment to Diamond Open Access ensures that our research is freely available, devoid of any subscription barriers. This open model facilitates global collaboration and innovation in our field.

Our Research Spectrum

We delve into a myriad of topics within sports performance and exercise science, including but not limited to:

• Strength and Conditioning
• Biomechanics
• Exercise Physiology
• Sports Nutrition
• Sports Psychology
• Coaching and Leadership
• Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation
• Performance Analysis

Submission and Peer Review Process

We welcome contributions from a diverse range of professionals, from researchers to practitioners. Every article submitted undergoes a stringent peer-review process, ensuring the pinnacle of scientific integrity and quality. We accept:

1. Original Research Articles:

Traditional research articles that present new findings. Specifications include:

• Word count: 2000-4000 words.
• Abstract: 150-300 words.
• Figures/Tables: As appropriate.
• References: Up to 100.
• Structure: Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, (optional) Conclusion, and Future Recommendations.

2. Brief Reports:

Short articles highlighting novel ideas or innovations. Specifications include:

• Word count: Up to 2000 words (excluding abstract, tables, and references).
• Tables/Figures: Maximum of three.
• References: Up to 25.

3. Informed Perspectives:

Articles that synthesize and evaluate recent research findings in S&C. Specifications include:

• Word count: 4500-5000 words.
• Abstract: Around 400 words.
• References: As needed.

4. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis:

Comprehensive reviews that aggregate and analyze existing research on specific topics using statistical methods.

5. Narrative Reviews:

Descriptive reviews that focus on author-selected evidence. Prospective authors should consult the Editorial Panel before submission.

6. Case Studies:

Detailed accounts of specific interventions, rationalized using existing literature. These should provide comprehensive data and analysis.

7. Commentaries:

Evidence-based discussions on recent articles published within the Journal.

8. Book Reviews:

Critical evaluations of in-print books relevant to the field. Specifications include:

• Word count: 500-2000 words.

9. Ideas and Innovations:

Proposals for novel concepts to progress the S&C field. The title should reflect the innovative nature of the content.

10. Corrigenda:

Corrections to previously published papers. Note: Only applicable for final revised journal papers.

By choosing to contribute, you become a pivotal part of a global community, dedicated to advancing sports performance and exercise science.

Open Submissions from the Sport Science Community

At the International Journal of Strength and Conditioning (IJSC), we believe in the power of diverse voices and perspectives. Recognizing the vast and varied expertise within the sport science community, we warmly welcome submissions from everyone, regardless of their affiliation or professional background.

Why We Encourage Open Submissions:

1. Diverse Insights: The sport science community is vast, with professionals, researchers, and enthusiasts from different backgrounds and experiences. By accepting submissions from all, we aim to capture the richness of this diversity in our journal.
2. Bridging Gaps: Open submissions allow us to bridge the gap between academia and practice, ensuring that both cutting-edge research and real-world applications are represented in our pages.
3. Fostering Collaboration: By welcoming contributions from everyone, we hope to foster a spirit of collaboration and mutual respect within the sport science community, encouraging shared learning and growth.
4. Promoting Innovation: Fresh perspectives often lead to innovative ideas. By being inclusive in our submission policy, we aim to be at the forefront of new developments and discoveries in sport science.

If you're passionate about sport science, whether you're a seasoned researcher, a practitioner in the field, a student, or an enthusiast, we invite you to contribute to the IJSC. Share your insights, discoveries, and perspectives with a global audience and help shape the future of sport science.

Submission Guidelines

For a seamless submission process, authors are advised to:

1. Ensure the work is original and hasn't been published elsewhere.
2. Submit files in OpenOffice, Microsoft Word, or RTF formats.
3. Include URLs for references where applicable.
4. Use a consistent 12-point font, single spacing, and italics for emphasis.
5. Embed illustrations, figures, and tables within the text.
6. Ensure consistency in spelling, grammar, tone, and references.

Ethical Guidelines for Authors

The International Journal of Strength and Conditioning (IJSC) is committed to upholding the highest standards of ethics in academic publishing. Authors submitting to IJSC are expected to adhere to the following ethical guidelines:

1. Originality and Plagiarism:

• All submissions must be original work and not previously published elsewhere.
• Authors must ensure that they have written entirely original works. If authors have used the work and/or words of others, this must be appropriately cited or quoted.
• Plagiarism in any form, including the tautological submission of the author's own work, is unacceptable and will result in immediate rejection of the submission.

2. Data Accuracy:

• Authors must ensure that data presented in submitted articles is accurate and represents genuine research findings.
• Fabrication or falsification of data is a serious ethical breach and will result in rejection of the submission.

3. Multiple or Concurrent Publication:

• Submitting the same manuscript to more than one journal concurrently is unethical and unacceptable.
• Authors should not submit articles describing essentially the same research to multiple journals.

4. Acknowledgment of Sources:

• Proper acknowledgment of the work of others must always be given.
• Authors should cite publications that have influenced the reported work and that give the work appropriate context within the larger scholarly record.

5. Authorship of the Paper:

• Authorship should be limited to those who have made a significant contribution to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the reported study.
• All those who have made significant contributions should be listed as co-authors.
• Where there are others who have participated in certain substantive aspects of the research project, they should be acknowledged or listed as contributors.
• We recommend all listed authors have a registered ORCID account.

6. Conflicts of Interest:

• All authors must disclose any financial and personal relationships with other people or organizations that could inappropriately influence (bias) their work.
• Examples of potential conflicts of interest include employment, consultancies, stock ownership, honoraria, paid expert testimony, patent applications/registrations, and grants or other funding.

7. Human and Animal Rights:

• If the work involves the use of human participants, authors should ensure that all procedures were performed in compliance with relevant laws and institutional guidelines and that the appropriate institutional committee(s) have approved them.
• For research involving animals, authors should state that guidelines for their care and use were followed, and permission was obtained from the appropriate institutional or licensing committee(s).

8. Reporting Standards:

• Authors should present an accurate account of the work performed as well as an objective discussion of its significance.
• The manuscript should contain sufficient detail and references to permit others to replicate the work.

9. Retractions, Corrections, and Clarifications:

• Authors have a duty to correct any errors they discover in their published work.
• If the editorial board is informed or discovers a significant error or inaccuracy in a published work, the author(s) must promptly retract or correct the paper or provide evidence of the accuracy of the original paper.

10. Confidentiality:

• Information obtained privately, as in conversation, correspondence, or discussion with third parties, must not be used or reported without explicit, written permission from the source.

11. Use of Patient Images or Case Details:

• Studies on patients or volunteers require ethics committee approval and informed consent, which should be documented in the paper.

Peer Review Process

All submissions to IJSC undergo a rigorous peer review process. Manuscripts are first screened for relevance and adherence to guidelines. Approved manuscripts are then reviewed by at least two experts in the field. Reviewers are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest and maintain confidentiality during the review process. For full details regarding the Peer Review process, please click here.

Copyright and Licensing

All contributions are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. While authors retain copyright, IJSC is granted the license to publish and distribute the work.

Archiving

For preservation, all articles are stored in two distinct locations: the publisher's hard drive and an independent server.

Ownership and Management

IJSC is proudly owned and managed by the International Universities Strength and Conditioning Association (IUSCA), a nonprofit organization championing the interests of the university community.

Supporting IJSC

Our Diamond Open Access model thrives on the support of academic institutions. We urge you to request your university library or subject librarian to pledge support through community open access schemes like JISC and LYRASIS. Your support propels the dissemination of knowledge in sports performance and exercise science.

Stay Connected

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Contact Us

For queries or assistance, our dedicated editorial team is at your service. Reach out to us at journal@iusca.org.

Together, let's illuminate the world of sports performance and exercise science through Diamond Open Access.