Evidence levels: how a meta-analysis differs from a textbook

Three evidence levels

• Strong evidence (three bars) — meta-analyses, systematic reviews, randomised controlled trials and official position stands from organisations such as ACSM or ISSN. Conclusions are supported across multiple studies.
• Moderate evidence (two bars) — textbooks, cohort studies and observational research. A solid foundation, although individual conclusions may be refined.
• Limited evidence (one bar) — isolated studies, expert opinion and practical experience without formal validation. Useful as a hypothesis, not as a universal law.

The rating is assigned during source review before library ingestion, based on study design and the claims made. It is a transparent heuristic, not an absolute verdict: a publication type alone cannot guarantee the quality of every conclusion.

Population studied

The second key field is the population behind the findings. Elite runners, recreational athletes over 40 and triathletes are different populations, and a result demonstrated in one does not always transfer to another. The coach considers both how strong the evidence is and whom it was demonstrated in, then compares that with your profile.

Evidence strength ≠ relevance to you

These are separate dimensions, displayed independently on the Knowledge base page:

• Evidence strength — how reliably science supports the conclusion.
• Relevance — how well the material fits your sport, training phase and current situation, as shown by Coach Focus.

A strong source on elite marathon preparation may transfer poorly to a recreational 10K runner. Conversely, a moderate-evidence textbook focused on age-group athletes may be highly relevant to you. The coach weighs both dimensions alongside your data and medical constraints.

Where to see it

The Knowledge base page shows evidence bars on every source card and the population studied in the expanded view. Search-test results also show the evidence level for each retrieved passage, so you can see not only what the coach found but how reliable it is.

For the overall library architecture, read the Knowledge base guide.