Scientific Claims on Social Media. Who Can You Trust? with Travis Pollen

Feb 9, 2024

In this episode, Nikki chats with Travis Pollen, PhD Health & Rehabilitation Sciences about how to critically assess scientific and research claims in the social media and online space.

They discuss:

• The limitations of research and how it doesn't always hold up when applied to real life
• The problem is cherry picking or only selecting a single study to site on why you are doing something rather than considering the larger body of evidence and how this can lead to misleading claims
• Why you can't believe everything you hear in the media or on Instagram, even when it comes from an authority 
• Why most health and fitness advice is really boring and if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is

Resources mentioned:

• Research review for health and fitness professionals and teachers: physio-network.com
• Resource improving communication skills between health / movement professionals and clients: The Level Up Initiative 

To connect with Travis, visit travispollen.com or follow him @fitness_pollenator on Instagram.