Welcome to
International Journal of Sports and Health
Stay Informed, Stay Inspired: Your Source for Sports and Health Insights
About the journal
International Journal of Sports and Health (IJSH) is a free, open-access, peer-reviewed, international, and fully online multidisciplinary journal that considers high-quality, short, and concise research as well as technical reports in the advancement of sport, exercise, psychology, medical, and health sciences. The journal places meticulous emphasis on hypothesis formation, research methodology, data interpretation, and conclusions derived from both positive and negative findings, orphaned studies, or neglected observations in related fields of research. The journal publishes original research, topical mini-reviews, editorials, technical notes, case studies, data articles, hypothetical papers, news and views, as well as errata and corrigenda.
FROM SCIENTISTS TO SCIENTISTS
The International Journal of Sports and Health (IJSH) is the brainchild of the founding editors, aiming to keep article submission and accessibility (open access) free of charge for anyone in the field. Scientific publishing has become an integral part of research communication, essential for sharing experimental findings. Unfortunately, many studies remain unpublished due to the current trend favouring positive and comprehensive results. Numerous single-experiment observations are important but often do not find a place in many journals, particularly highly cited or high-impact publications. Additionally, most institutions do not provide financial support for publication charges, creating a deadlock where many valuable studies remain unseen. IJSH aims to serve as a platform for these findings, while maintaining the fundamental principles of hypothesis formation and testing in science, particularly in sport, exercise, psychology, medical, and health sciences. Our publication criteria are based on high ethical standards and rigorous scientific methodology.
WHY US?
The International Journal of Sports and Health (IJSH) is managed and operated by a dedicated team of volunteer scientists. The journal seeks to serve as a platform for neglected science, research considered too small, incomplete, lacking a coherent narrative, or reporting no positive findings but with scientific merit. IJSH will consider manuscripts as long as the study was properly conducted and the data or findings are adequately interpreted or presented. Nothing is too small for us, only good science or bad science. IJSH aims to uncover and showcase the often-overlooked research that scientists have invested significant time, funding, and effort into. Why leave these in lab notebooks when they can be shared widely and made accessible to everyone? Funding presents a major barrier to publishing small findings; therefore, IJSH enables all researchers to access, read, and submit articles without any fees.
SUPPORTING & EMPOWERING YOUNG SCIENTISTS
For many years, manuscript writing, submission, and publication have been dominated by established, well-funded scientists. Graduate students and trainees often lack the opportunity to author and publish their research until a more complete study has been developed. IJSH encourages young scientists to submit their ideas in the form of hypothetical papers, a shorter review-like piece with a single clear hypothesis at the end. Your ideas are yours; assembling them into a hypothetical paper can help your concepts flourish and may attract collaborations. Alternatively, you may choose to test your hypothesis independently. The choice is yours. IJSH provides a platform that supports the early stages of writing, submission, and rebuttal, preparing you for larger studies and more comprehensive publications.
AIMS & SCOPE
The International Journal of Sports and Health (IJSH) welcomes short papers, including single or multiple experiments, negative findings, systematic reviews, mini-reviews, hypothetical manuscripts, news, and views. All submissions will undergo peer review. The journal considers articles related to, but not limited to, the following fields:
- Sport and exercise sciences (psychology, physiology, biochemistry, and nutrition)
- Injury prevention and rehabilitation
- Public health promotion
- Exercise and holistic health
- Physical education and promotion
- Medical and allied health science
- Innovation in research
- Holistic health
Article Types Considered
- Mini-Review: A concise summary of current knowledge or recent advancements in related fields.
- Research or Technical Notes: Short reports on experiments or technical work that lead to compelling observations supporting or challenging hypotheses. This type must have a clear objective, a focused discussion, and a definitive conclusion. Negative findings are also included.
- Case Notes: Brief descriptions of unique, unusual, or novel clinical cases or presentations.
- Data Notes: Short descriptions of research datasets or resources, highlighting their origin and relevance to facilitate reproducibility.
- Hypothetical Notes: Critical interpretations of existing literature that propose new, untested hypotheses.
- Views: Articles offering reviews, commentaries, or opinions on published papers or books.
- News: Reports on outreach programs, scientific initiatives, obituaries of notable scientists, or personal achievement stories.
Editor’s Spotlight
Associate Professor Dr Garry KuaN
A lecturer at the Exercise and Sports Science Programme, School of Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia. He is also a research fellow at the Department of Life Sciences, Brunel University London, United Kingdom. Presently, Dr Garry is the Secretary-General of the Asian-South Pacific Association of Sport Psychology (ASPASP), the Secretary-General of the Malaysian Sport Psychology Association (MASPA), executive board member of the Asian Council of Sports Science (ACESS), and the scientific committee of World Exercise Medicine (WCEM). In 2019, Dr Garry was appointed as the Chair of the International Network of the Young Scientist Network – Academy of Science Malaysia (YSN-ASM) and the Sport Psychology Panelist for the National Coaching Academy of Malaysia.