Methods of publication

The international scientific research of MAPEI SPORT began three years after its establishment  in 1996. In 1999, at the Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science, Aldo Sassi introduced data from a pilot study to develop a new test for professional cyclists. The study ended in 2004 and it was published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology in 2006. The scientific Research of MAPEI SPORT has a further development in 2001, with the publication of two studies in the journal  Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise,  the prestigious journal of the American College of Sports Medicine, listed among the three best in the world magazines in the area of ​​sports science. Since then, about 20 studies were conducted entirely by the Mapei Sport Research Centre or in collaboration with other institutions. The publications are reports in the international scientific journals indexed. Moreover, there are more than 30 presentations at international conferences and more than 50 articles in technical journals and scientific outreach. The quality of recently completed research projects obtained a recognition by the Ministry of Welfare, which assigned to the Mapei Sport Research Centre a grant for the study of overtraining in professional sportlers.

One of the main criteria for evaluating the quality of the research carried out by a public or private institution, consists in assessing its publications reported in the international scientific journals, peer-reviewed and indexed. The publication, in fact, corresponds to a “certification” of the “scientific quality” of the study. The scientific activity of a research center, therefore, is evaluated by weighing the quality of the studies, but also the quality of the magazines, from which they are published. When the researchers send the article on their study to a scientific journal, the editor (if the journal is peer-reviewed) sends it back to recognized experts of research (reviewers or judges). They express tehir opinion on the scientific quality and assess whether the study adds new information to the subject. Based on the comments of the reviewer, the editor decides to publish, request changes to or reject the article. The more the magazine has got a good quality, the more difficult an article publication will be. The reason for this is that high impact factor magazines (see next section) are subject to many studies and, therefore, these magazines have got a high percentage of rejected research; similarly, evaluation criteria are more strict and meticulous. The refusal rate amounts to 60-70% for high level quality journals and 20-30% for the lower impact factor.

One of the steps that often precedes publication in international journals is the presentation of the results of the study (full or preliminary ) at the international meetings. The presentations can be made in oral form (oral presentation) or as posters. This step should be followed by the publication of the study. For this reason, the presentation at a conference is not (or should not be) the final stage, but the initial process of publication and spreading of the scientific knowledge. During the presentation of research, in fact, any positive or negative judgments expressed by other researchers provide feedback that will help those researchers to improve and/or modify the study presented. Congress data presentation is less important than publication in scientific journals, which remains the most important element for research institutes. 50% of the studies presented at conferences by Mapei Sport Research Centre  resulted in subsequent publication, and 20% is almost completed, with a remarkable ratio of 2:3 between presentations and publications. This calculation does not include invited talks. Invited talks are usually requested by the organizers of the congress to the researchers of the group as experts in specific research areas (e.g. mountain biking and football). The invited talks can be considered as a recognition of the quality of the scientific breakthrough.

In addition to publications in international journals, presentations and invitations to international conferences, recognition of scientific expertise in specific areas of research is also reflected by the activity of  review required by international scientific journals. Some of the magazines that asked to the researchers working in MAPEI SPORT Center to judge the quality of the publication (see section “Journals”) are: the British Journal of Sports Medicine, Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism (former Canadian Journal of Applied Physiology), International Journal of Sports Medicine, International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, European Journal of Applied Physiology, the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport and Spinal Cord.

To promote cultural exchange and the internationalization of the Mapei Sport Research Centre, collaboration with other researchers belonging to national or foreign institutions is privileged. Below please find the names of the researchers – and their affiliations – with whom scientific studies were completed.

 

BISHOP David,
Team Sport Research Group. School of Human Movement and Exercise Science, The University ofWestern Australia, Crawley,Western Australia.

CASTAGNA Carlo,
School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome TorVergata, Rome, Italy.

CHAMARI       Karim,
Unite´ de Recherche ”Evaluation, Sport, Sante´”, National Centre of Medicine and Science in Sports, El Menzah, Tunisia.

COUTTS Aaron,
School of Leisure, Sport and Tourism, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia.

FANCHINI Maurizio,

U.S. Sassuolo Calcio, Sassuolo, Italy.

IAIA Marcello F.,

Researcher in Departement of Biomedic science for Health, University of study Milan, Milano, Italy.

IMPELLIZZERI Franco M,

Researcher and Developement, Schulthess Klinik,Zurich, Switzerland.

LOMBARDI Giovanni,

Laboratory of Experimental Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, I.R.C.C.S, Istituto Ortopedico, Galeazzi,Milano, Italy.

MAFFIULETTI Nicola,

Neuromuscular research Laboratory Klinik,Zurich, Switzerland.

MARTIN Dave T.,

Department of Physiology, Australian Institute of Sport, Canberra, Australia.

Samuele M. MARCORA,

School of Sport, Health, and Exercise Sciences, University of Wales-Bangor, Bangor, Gwynedd, United Kingdom.

ABT Grant,

University of Hull, Departement of Sport Health and Exercise Science.

AGNELLO Luca,

Researcher at Departement of Biomedic science for Health,Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy.

ALBERTI Giampietro,

Researcher at Departement of Biomedic science for Health,Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano Italy.

ALIS Rafael,

Catholic University of Valencia,Research Institute ““Dr. Viña Giner”,Valencia,Spain.

ALVAREZ Josè C.,

Facultad de Educacio´n y Humanidades de Melilla, Departamento de Educacio´n Fı´sica y Deportiva Universidad de Granada, Melilla, Spain.

ARCELLI Enrico,

Department of Sport, Nutrition and Health Sciences, Faculty of Exercise Sciences, Universita` degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.

BANGSBO Jens,

Departement of Exercise Science and Sports,University of Copenaghen.

BELARDINELLI Romualdo,

Department of Cardiovascular Rehabilitation and Prevention, ‘‘G.M. Lancisi’’ Hospital, Ancona, Italy.

BERARDELLI Claudio,

Faculty of Exercise Sciences, Universita` degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.

BILSBOUROUGH Johann,

Discipline of Sport and Exercise Management,University of Technology,Sydney.

BIZZINI Mario,

Research associate(Orthopedics,f-marc),Orthopedic and sports physioterapist,Schulthess Clinic,Zurich.

BORGES Thiago O.,

School of Leisure, Sport & Tourism, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia.

BREVIK Simon,

The professional Game Match Officials Limited, The FA Premier League,London,UK.

CASANOVA Francesco, University of Exeter,Exeter Medical School.

CECCHINI Emilio,

San Marino football club (FSGC) Departement of research, San Marino.

CEREDA Fernando M.,

Catholic University  of Milan,Milano, Italy.

CHAOUACHI Anis,

Research Unit ’’Evaluation, Sport, Sante´,’’ National Center of Medicine and Science in Sports (CNMSS), Tunis, Tunisia

CORDY Justin,

Carlton Football Club, Australia

D’OTTAVIO Stefano, 

Departement of Tecnic Theory and Didattics of Individual Sports at San Raffaele University,Milano,Italy.

EBERT Tammy,

Australian Institute of Sport, Department of Physiology, Belconnen, Australian Capital Territory,

ESPOSITO Fabio,

Researcher in Departement of Biomedic science for Health,University of Study Milan,Milano,Italy.

FAINA Marcello,

Istituto di Scienze dello Sport, CONI, Roma, Italy

FELL James,

University of Tasmania.

FERRARESI Ivan,

University of Milan, Facoltà di scienze motorie, Milan

FERRARI Bravo Duccio,

F.C. Juventus

FIORENZA Matteo,

Faculty of Exercise Sciences, Department of Sport, Università degli Studi di Milano, Nutrition and Health Sciences, Milan, Italy.

FIORINI S,

Facolta` di Medicina e Chirurgia, Corso di Laurea Specialistica in Scienze e Tecnica dello Sport, Universita` degli Studi di Firenze, Firenze, Italia.

GARVICAN Laura,

University of Canberra, Australian Institute of Sport, Australian Canberra, Australia.

GIGLIO Paolo,

Sport Service MAPEI srl, Lab of Physiology, Castellanza (VA), Italy.

GORE Christopher J.,

Division of Physiology,Australian Institute of Sport(AIS), Canberra,Australia.

GUARDIASCIONE Carlo,

Team Lampre ISD,Milano, Italy.

HOCKING Joel ,

Essendon Football Club, Australia.

KEMPTON Thomas,

Sport & Exercise Discipline Group, Faculty of Health, University of Technology ,Sydney, Australia.

LA TORRE Antonio,

Researcher in Departement of biomedic science for Healt, Università degli studi, Milano, Italy.

MANZI Vincenzo,

School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy.

MARGONATO Vittoria,

Faculty of Exercise Sciences at Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan,Italy.

MARTINO Francesco,

Facolta` of Medicine and Chirurgy  e Universita` degli Studi di Firenze, Firenze, Italia.

MAZZONI Stefano,

Human Performance Laboratory, MAPEI Sport Research Center, Castellanza, Varese, Italy, School of Sport and ExerciseScience, Universitas Studiorum Insubriae, Varese, Italy.

MENASPA’ Paolo,

School of Exercise and Health Sciences,Edith Cowan University.

OPPICI Luca,

Human Performance Laboratory, MAPEI Sport Research Centre, Olgiate Olona, Varese, Italy.

PEREGO Silvia,

Laboratory of Experimental Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milano, Italy.

PETRUOLO Andrea,

Human Performance Laboratory, MAPEI Sport Research Center, Castellanza, Varese, ITALY; University of Milan, Facoltà di scienze motorie, Milano, ITALY.

PIZZINI Giuliano,

nsitute of Physical Exercise, Health and Sports, University of Milan,Milano, Italy.

QUINN John,

Essendon Football Club, Australia.

QUOD Marc,

Department of Physiology, Australian Institute of Sport, Canberra, Australia.

REILLY Tom,

Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom.

RODRIGUEZ Alonso M.,

University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain.

ROMAGNOLI Marco,

Department of Physical Education and Sports, University of Valencia, Valencia.

RUFFINI Giulio,

Service Mapei, Castellanza, Varese, Italy.

SASSI Roberto,

Training Check Juventus, Juventus Football Club, Turin, Italy.

SIROTIC Anita C.,

Melbourne Storm Rugby League Club, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.

STEFANESCU Alessandro,

Human Performance Laboratory, MAPEI Sport Research Center, Castellanza, Italy.

STEPHENS Brian,

Department of Physiology, Australian Institute of Sport, Canberra, Australia.

SULLIVAN Courtney,

Sport & Exercise Discipline Group, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Australia.

TIBAUDI Agostino,

Human Performance Laboratory, Mapei Sport Research Center, Castellanza, Italy.

TONETTI Laura,

Human Performance Laboratory, Sport Service MAPEI, Castellanza, Italy.

VANNI Rosalba,

Insitute of Physical Exercise, Health and Sports, University degli Studi di Milano,Milano,Italy.

VEICSTEINAS Arsenio,

Insitute of Physical Exercise, Health and Sports, University degli Studi di Milano,Milano,Italy.

VERNILLIO Gianluca,

Department of Sport, Nutrition and Health Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.

WESTON Matt,

The Professional Game Match Officials Limited, The FA Premier League, London, UK.

WISLOFF Ulrik,

Circulation and Medical Imaging, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Trondheim, Norway.

XU Jincheng,

Sport Rehabilitation departement,Beijing Sport University.

ZANOLETTI Costanza,

Human Performance Lab, S.S. Mapei, Castellanza (VA), Italy.