Consent is a central feature of healthy, enjoyable and equitable sport but recent scandals in gymnastics, athletics and swimming point to the damaging consequences that arise when athletes’ consent is compromised, misunderstood, or simply absent. Despite its importance, consent is an under-researched and under-theorised topic that represents an important area for impactful research.

The recent rise of companies that specialise in direct to consumer health monitoring, testing and screening adds a new level of complexity to attempts to research harm reduction programmes. These companies have led the development of products that circumvent clinicians as well as medical programmes and health promoting initiatives, and there is a complete lack of knowledge around this relatively new phenomena.

Drug taking and supplementation has been associated with participation in sport and physical activities at various levels for decades. And while a wealth of research has begun to accumulate in some areas of academia, there are still a number of key gaps.

Interest in issues connected to concussion and other traumatic brain injuries connected to sport have risen dramatically in the last decade. While the majority of the attention has been directed at men’s sport, more recent research has highlighted specific issues within women’s participation.