What the BJSM editors look for in a paper – clinical relevance

BJSM is transparent about its peer-review process. We receive 1000 papers a year and can only publish about 10% of them. So 60% of papers are returned to authors after the editorial team has reviewed them. Who’s the editorial team? It’s Karim Khan, Babette Pluim and Jill Cook. So these are called ‘rejected without external […]

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Letter to the Editor: Does exercise training during pregnancy affect gestational age?

By Adriana Suely de Oliveira Melo, MD, MSc et al. Barakat et al. 1 have presented us with a paper of excellent methodological quality, following all the steps recommended in the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) and dealing with a question that never fails to generate controversy with respect to the practice of physical […]

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Hot Topic: Current Anti-Doping Policies

A recent editorial by Babette Pluim entitled, “A doping sinner is not always a cheat” [excerpt below], has created some fiery discussion amongst BJSM editors and readers this month. The doping rules these days are really tough. The basic principle is: first offense gets a 2 year ban, second offence a lifetime ban. Everyone seems […]

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Does an ECG screening programme for sudden cardiac death in the young result in a long term increase in cardiac mortality in the screened population?

A special theme issue of BJSM guest edited by Jon Drezner and Babette Pluim on the topic of sudden cardiac death in young athletes is scheduled for June 2009. A letter from Dr. Thamindu Wedatilake, Hope Hospital, Salford, UK, related to this serious sports medicine condition: I have read in interest the article by Wilson […]

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BJSM Peer Review: “There is a “biologically plausible explanation” for lower supramaximal oxygen uptake”

BJSM peer review of Noakes’ paper, “How did A.V. Hill understand the VO2max and the “plateau phenomenon”? Still no clarity?” by Mark Burnley, Department of Sport and Exercise Science, Aberystwyth University, Wales, UK. “There is a “biologically plausible explanation” for lower supramaximal oxygen uptake” I read with concern the recent review of Noakes[1] accepted for […]

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