Methodology for promoting equity-informed research in sport and exercise medicine: recommendations from the AMSSM Collaborative Research Network

BACKGROUND: Limited guidance exists for conducting research on health disparities within the field of sport and exercise medicine (SEM). This review aimed to identify and summarise existing best practices for conducting equitable, diverse and inclusive research within SEM. METHODS: A narrative review with evidence synthesis was conducted using electronic databases, reference lists, manual searches and relevant publications from other organisations. Search terms associated with steps of the research process were used in tandem with 'equity', 'inclusion' and 'health disparities'. RESULTS: We developed a research roadmap for SEM researchers with methodological recommendations to develop and conduct equity-informed and equity-focused research. This roadmap serves as a tool for SEM researchers and clinicians to design, execute and disseminate research with a health disparities lens. We recommend SEM researchers should build an equitable, diverse and inclusive research team and include community members; apply a multilevel, intersectional framework; minimise and acknowledge potential biases in the study design and incorporate qualitative or mixed-methods approaches if appropriate; apply multiple inclusive strategies for recruiting and retaining diverse populations; collect accurate and representative data using inclusive data collection methods and tools with validity and reliability in the populations of interest; apply measures with evidence of validity and reliability in the populations of interest; implement a data analysis plan that reflects the conceptual and theoretical frameworks; and promote broad dissemination and interventions that ultimately address and reduce health inequities. CONCLUSION: SEM researchers should consider these methodological recommendations to conduct equity-informed and equity-focused research to address health disparities in SEM.