Structure and Content of the Results Section

                                                                                                                                           Last revised: 12 January 2026

The Results section should present findings in a clear and logical order, supported by figures and tables where appropriate. Results should be reported objectively, including effect sizes and confidence intervals, without interpretation or reference to the literature.

While journals do not require subsection titles, authors may determine the internal structure of each manuscript section according to the needs of their study and may use subheadings selectively where they consider them helpful for clarity. RPESH encourages the use of subheadings where appropriate, as they may facilitate readability and support a more efficient peer-review process.

Recommended writing workflow when preparing the manuscript
Figures / Tables → Methods → Results (current section) → Discussion → Conclusion → Introduction →Title / Abstract / Keywords

Results section structure

Participant characteristics and data completeness
This subsection should report the number of participants included in the analyses, relevant baseline characteristics, and any exclusions or missing data. Information on dropouts, adherence, and data completeness should be presented transparently to allow assessment of potential bias and representativeness.

Example: Baseline participant characteristics are presented in Table 1, while exclusions and missing data are described in the text.

Descriptive statistics
Descriptive statistics should summarize the observed data using appropriate measures of central tendency and variability. Where relevant, distributional characteristics (e.g., normality tests, skewness, kurtosis) may be reported to justify subsequent statistical analyses. These results provide essential context for interpreting inferential findings and should be presented clearly, without hypothesis testing or interpretation.

Example:Mean and standard deviation values are reported in the text; distributional characteristics and detailed summaries are presented in Table 2 where appropriate.

Primary outcome results
Primary outcome results should address the main research questions or hypotheses of the study. Findings should be reported objectively, including effect sizes and confidence intervals, with appropriate reference to figures or tables, but without interpretation or discussion of implications.
Example: Longitudinal changes in sprint performance are illustrated in Figure 1, with key numerical results summarized in the text.

Secondary outcomes (if applicable)
Secondary outcomes or additional analyses may be reported where relevant, provided they are clearly distinguished from primary outcomes. These results should be presented concisely and without overstating their importance.
Example: Secondary outcomes are reported in the text; selected results are summarized in Table 3 only where they add clarity.

Summary of key findings
A brief concluding subsection may be included to restate the principal results of the study. This summary should highlight the most important quantitative outcomes and observed patterns using clear, neutral language. No interpretation, explanation of mechanisms, comparison with previous studies, or implications should be introduced at this stage, as these elements belong in the Discussion section. The purpose of this subsection is to provide readers and reviewers with a clear overview of the study’s core results before transitioning to interpretation.

Examples:

• The intervention group demonstrated greater improvements in sprint performance and lower injury incidence compared with controls.
• Primary outcomes showed significant longitudinal improvements in performance measures, while secondary outcomes remained unchanged.
• Key findings are summarized narratively in the text, with detailed results provided earlier in the Results section.

Tables and figures are not required for every Results subsection and should be included only where they enhance clarity or precision. Text-only reporting is acceptable when findings can be communicated clearly without visual support.

Figures, Tables, and Other Graphical Elements- General principle

Figures (including graphs, charts, plots, diagrams, flowcharts, images etc.), tables, and other graphical elements must clarify and enhance the presentation of results rather than duplicate information already provided in the text. Figures are used to illustrate trends, patterns, and relationships, while tables present precise numerical values. Each figure or table must be cited in the text, clearly labeled, and accompanied by a descriptive caption that allows interpretation without reference to the main text. Any reproduced or adapted material must be appropriately cited and comply with copyright requirements.

Figures (including graphs, charts, plots, diagrams, flowcharts, and images) must have captions placed below the figure, while tables must have titles placed above.
Total figures + tables: 3–6

------------------------------------------Figures------------------------------------------

Example:

Figure 1. Changes in sprint performance across the competitive season in the intervention and control groups.

In-text reference:

Sprint performance improved across the season in the intervention group (Figure 1).

Placement:
Caption placed below the figure

------------------------------------------Tables------------------------------------------

Example:

Table 1. Participant characteristics and descriptive statistics

In-text reference:

Baseline characteristics of the participants are presented in Table 1.

Placement:
Title placed above the table

Guide: Writing the Results Section