Evidence Based & Peer Reviewed - Does it Matter?

Is it evidence based? Do you have peer-reviewed research to back that up? These are questions I get constantly. I certainly understand that point of view, but coaching is about performance. I know the science, I study the research but coaching is about producing measureable results in the competitive arena. I do not know a coach who is worth their salt who will wait for peer-reviewed research to design their training programs. The ultimate validation of training is: Does it work, Does the athlete improve and Are they injury free? Science and research are important, don’t get me wrong, but in my experience they follow, they do not lead. So much of what happens in development and preparation of the athlete is not quantifiable; it is a subjective process, a nurturing to get the athlete ready. Just because you can count it or measure it does not mean it counts. Without the context the coach can provide so much of sport science research and monitoring are random numbers. Coaches and athletes lead change out of necessity to stay on top of their game. We can learn the science but we must practice the art to make our athletes better. Each has a place. Winston Churchill summed it up quite succinctly: “Science should be on tap, not on top.”