Five Strategies to Access Research: A Guide for Sports Science and Medicine Practitioners
- Jo Clubb
- 2 hours ago
- 5 min read
This post shares five strategies sports science and medicine practitioners can apply to accessing research.
Access to high-quality research is critical for evidence-informed practice in sports science and medicine. Whether you’re looking to validate your methods, challenge assumptions, or introduce a new idea to your team, the ability to find and interpret relevant literature is a foundational skill.
Yet, without institutional access to journals, many practitioners face barriers in retrieving full papers or keeping up with emerging trends. Fortunately, there are several strategies to help you access the research you need, whether you’re based in a professional club, private clinic, or working independently.
This article outlines five practical strategies to access research, along with specific tools and tips to get the most out of each approach.
1. Use Open Access Databases and Repositories
Open access publishing has grown rapidly over the past decade, offering free-to-read research papers without subscription barriers. Many sports science studies are now published in journals or repositories that support open access formats.
Key Resources:
PubMed Central (PMC): A free full-text archive of biomedical and life sciences journal literature.
Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ): A comprehensive list of open-access scientific journals across disciplines.
arXiv & SportRxiv (SportRxiv): Preprint servers for early-stage research, particularly helpful for staying ahead of publication cycles.
Google Scholar (scholar.google.com): While not exclusively open access, it often links to free versions of papers hosted on author websites or institutional repositories.
Sports Performance and Science Reports (https://sportperfsci.com/): A free, open-access online platform created by Martin Buchheit, Mathieu Lacome, and Yann LeMeur to facilitate the dissemination of real world research in sports science.
Tip: When using Google Scholar, look to the right of the search result for a [PDF] link – this often leads to a free version.
2. Leverage ResearchGate to Request and Follow Research
As detailed in my companion article, ResearchGate provides a free and easy way to access papers and interact with researchers directly. Many authors upload full-text versions of their work and/or respond to full-text requests. Even when a paper isn't immediately downloadable, you can usually contact the author and request a copy for personal use.
ResearchGate also allows you to follow researchers or topics, keeping you updated on new publications without needing to actively search.
It is free to join, even if you are not in academia or publishing, so you have nothing to loose in joining! Personally, I don't worry too much about their various scores and stats, but I appreciate these might be of importance to those in academic settings.
Tip: If you're conducting a literature review or exploring a new topic, follow a few lead authors in that space on ResearchGate to build a tailored research feed.
3. Access Library Services Through Universities or Professional Affiliations
Even if you're not currently enrolled as a student, there are several ways you may be eligible for academic library access:
Alumni library access: Some universities offer their alumni ongoing access to selected databases and journals.
Adjunct or guest teaching roles: If you supervise students or occasionally lecture, you may be eligible for temporary or associate access.
Collaborative partnerships: Practitioners involved in joint projects with academic institutions can often gain research access through their collaborators.
If you are a member of a professional body, such as CASES or the NSCA, explore whether they offer journal access as part of your membership.
Tip: Use your connections. Reach out to colleagues working in academia who may be able to help with article access or provide guidance on institutional subscriptions.
4. Email the Author Directly (Politely!)
Most researchers are happy to share their work with practitioners, especially if the request is specific, polite, and you've exhausted other options to access it. If you’ve found a paper that isn’t available through open access or ResearchGate, sending a brief email or LinkedIn message to the corresponding author from the paper is a straightforward option.
Dear Dr [Surname], I came across your recent publication, “[Paper Title],” and I’m very interested in reading the full article in the context of my work as a [practitioner/sports scientist/etc.]. Unfortunately, I do not have institutional access. Would you be willing to share a copy for personal, professional use? Many thanks in advance, [Your Name]
But do try to gain access yourself and also be respectful of copyright restrictions. Authors may not always be able to share the text, such as a book chapter.
5. Stay Informed Through Professional Networks and Social Media
Not all research access has to start with a database search. Increasingly, sports scientists share their latest work and practical applications on professional platforms like LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), and blogs. These spaces often provide context, plain-language summaries, and links to open-access versions of papers. These approaches have played a massive part in my own career, both as the content creator and consumer.
You can also follow journal accounts, research centres, or conference hashtags to discover new studies and discussions relevant to your practice. In addition, a simple Google search may provide the full text if a PDF has been uploaded to a webpage somewhere.
Follow:
Lead researchers in your area of interest
Research groups or labs (e.g. ASPETAR, Australian Catholic University, Liverpool John Moores)
Applied journals (e.g. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport)
Tip: Bookmark or save posts containing links to paper and resources. You can build a reference library through your saved posts over time. Plus, AI tools such as Sports Science AI, SciSpace, and Google Notebook LM are making the synthesis of notes and resources more effective and efficient. For more on this topic, check out my post on the Top 5 AI Tools for Sports Scientists in 2025:
Final Thoughts
There is no single best way to access research—each strategy has its strengths and limitations. Combining several of these approaches will give you the greatest chance of finding and engaging with the literature that supports your applied work.
Strategy | Best For | Potential Limitation |
Open Access Repositories | Free, immediate access | Coverage is limited |
ResearchGate | Paper requests, following researchers | Not all papers are available |
University Access | Full journal subscriptions | May not be available to all practitioners |
Emailing Authors | Specific papers | Response time varies |
Social Media | Discovery and summaries | Less structured access |
Ultimately, evidence-informed practice is about more than just accessing research. It’s about engaging with it critically, applying it appropriately, and communicating insights clearly. Making research access easier is the first step in that process.
FAQs – Five Strategies to Access Research
What’s the difference between PubMed and PubMed Central?
PubMed is a database of citations and abstracts, while PubMed Central provides free full-text access to many of those papers. If you find a paper on PubMed, check PMC to see if it’s available in full.
How do I know if a paper is open access?
Look for the open access symbol on the journal’s website or search via DOAJ.org. On Google Scholar, a [PDF] link to the right of the title often indicates a freely available version.
Is it acceptable to email authors for papers?
Yes, it’s standard practice. Most researchers are happy to share their work if requested politely, but appreciate when you search for the full text yourself first. Be clear, concise, and professional in your message.
Can I access research without a university login?
Yes, there are several alternative options. Open access platforms, ResearchGate, and direct author requests are all available without institutional access.
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