Funding research with relevance to sport

CIF funds research with relevance to sport. CIF does not fund research aiming at treating diseases using sport.

The CIF board has formulated definitions of “relevance to sport” to specify the research that CIF can fund.

The CIF definition of sport

Sport can be broadly defined as “all physical activities in which the individual consciously engages for purposes including maintaining and improving health and performance, achieving competitive results, or recreation.”

In addition to this broad definition, the board has clarified relevance to sport in relation to the different research areas.

Relevance to sport in humanities, social and behavioural sciences

In the humanities, social and behavioural sciences, studies of activities regarded as sports by society as well as participants are relevant. Studies of movement cultures that are usually not referred to as sports but are nevertheless included in the definition of sport given above are also applicable.

In addition, relevant studies should aim at problematising and developing sport activities concerning for example performance, accessibility, and diversity.

Relevance to sport in basic and applied biological sciences

The starting point of the research must be physical activity of importance to health or physical performance or both. The research should address biological functions, and mechanisms and methods for promoting health and sports performance.

Relevance to sport in sport medicine

The starting point of the research should be the prevention and treatment of sports-related injuries. The research should address innjury mechanisms, and methods for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of importance for sports performance