Translating Basic Science to Clinical/Real-World Applications: Relevance for Exercise Science

Among the thousands of American College of Sports Medicine members, many are basic science researchers. Although most are physiologists, cognitive/neuroscience specialists are also contributing to the literature with important new findings about the physical and mental health effects of regular exercise. Although experimental work in cell culture or isolated tissue models can rapidly identify potential cellular and molecular mechanisms, basic scientists must work with appropriate animal models to confirm that mechanisms identified in the highly controlled environment of the petri dish still pertain when the tissue of interest is also exposed to the multiple neural, endocrine, and paracrine signals that pertain to the intact living organism. One form of translational research this journal seeks to publish are intervention trials testing whether earlier results gleaned from appropriate animal models will “translate” to human physiology.