Structure and Formatting of the References Section

                                                                                                                                           Last revised: 12 January 2026

The References section documents the scholarly foundations of the manuscript and provides a transparent record of the sources that inform the research. By enabling readers, reviewers, and indexing services to identify, verify, and access cited works, it supports the credibility, reproducibility, and academic integrity of the article. Accurate and consistent referencing is therefore essential for meeting international publishing standards and upholding principles of publication ethics.

The journal applies APA Style (7th edition) for all references. Manuscripts that do not conform to APA requirements may be returned to authors for technical correction prior to peer review. For full and authoritative guidance, see the APA Style website: https://apastyle.apa.org

Only sources that are explicitly cited in the text must be included in the References list. Conversely, every reference listed must be cited in the manuscript. Sources not directly referenced in the text should not appear in this section.

When and how references are developed

The References section is developed progressively during manuscript preparation. Initial references are typically introduced when defining the Methods and analytical framework, expanded substantially during the Discussion and Introduction, and finalized after the full manuscript narrative is completed. Authors should not introduce new references in the Conclusion or Abstract.

General formatting requirements

The References section must comply with APA Style (7th edition) and meet technical requirements for scholarly indexing and production workflows. References should be formatted using a hanging indent, as this layout supports readability, automated parsing, and citation indexing systems. The hanging indent must be applied consistently across all entries, and manual spacing adjustments that may interfere with typesetting or XML conversion should be avoided.

Authors are encouraged to use paragraph styles or reference management software to ensure stable and consistent formatting. Prior to submission, authors should verify that all references are technically accurate, consistently styled, and suitable for editorial processing and indexing requirements.

DOIs and online sources

Where available, Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) must be included and presented as active URLs. DOIs take precedence over general web links and should be used whenever provided by the source. URLs may be included only when no DOI is available, and no punctuation should follow a DOI or URL. Retrieval dates are required solely for online sources that are dynamic in nature and subject to change, such as web pages or reports without a fixed publication date.

Common reference types

The following references are illustrative examples provided for formatting purposes only and do not correspond to actual publications.

Journal article

Marković, T., Jensen, L. K., & Novak, P. (2022). Neuromuscular fatigue patterns in elite football referees during congested match schedules. Journal of Applied Sport and Exercise Science, 14(3), 215–228. https://doi.org/10.1234/jases.2022.01403

Book

Henderson, R. M. (2020). Performance monitoring in team sports: Principles and applications. Global Sport Science Press.

Chapter in an edited volume

Silva, J. P. (2021). Load management and injury prevention in high-performance football. In K. Andersson & M. Lehto (Eds.), Contemporary approaches to sport performance science (pp. 89–104). Nordic Academic Publishing.

Research report / policy document

International Institute of Sport Science. (2019). Guidelines for workload monitoring in elite youth sport. https://www.iiss-example.org

Academic or institutional online source

(with publication year – static content)

European Network for Sport Research. (2023). Ethical standards in applied sport science research. https://www.ensr-example.eu/ethics-standards

(no date, dynamic content – retrieval required)

European Network for Sport Research. (n.d.). Ethical standards in applied sport science research. Retrieved January 5, 2026, from https://www.ensr-example.eu

Consistency with in-text citations

All references must correspond exactly to in-text citations in terms of author names and publication year. Any discrepancy between in-text citations and the References list may result in the manuscript being returned for correction.

When citing works in text, follow APA’s author–date system for all source types. For works with two authors, include both names every time (e.g., Smith & Jones, 2021* or Smith and Jones (2021)). For three or more authors, use et al. from the first citation (see detailed APA guidance).

Personal communications (such as emails or interviews) should be cited in the text only and must not appear in the References section. Authors should follow APA Style guidance on personal communications,

Publication ethics and originality

Plagiarism and self-plagiarism are unacceptable and constitute breaches of publication ethics. Authors must ensure that all ideas, text, data, images, and other materials derived from the work of others are clearly and appropriately acknowledged. Reuse of one’s own previously published material without proper disclosure may mislead readers regarding the originality of the work and is not permitted, except in clearly justified and transparently acknowledged cases. As part of its editorial screening process, RPESH applies a similarity check using iThenticate (Turnitin), in line with COPE Core Practices. Authors remain responsible for ensuring originality, accurate attribution, and transparency in all submissions.

Guide: Writing the References Section