Table 2.

Checklist of considerations for assessing biomarker suitability in sport

Evidence	Has prior research provided a satisfactory evidence base for the use of this biomarker (clinically, in public health or in sport), and for the specific target population and sex?
Application	Will the biomarker provide actionable data or serve as a useful positive or negative outcome indicator?
Validity	Has the biomarker been demonstrated to be valid? If this is a new technique, does it agree with established ‘gold standard’ technique?
Variability (analytical and biological)	Is the variability of this measurement technique acceptable (often reported as the coefficient of variation; CV). Has the analytical and biological variability of the biomarker been reported?
Collection and analysis	Is the collection procedure and analysis time fast enough to be useful? Is the amount of blood required appropriate? (i.e. minimal)
Sample treatment and transportation	Can the analysis take place in situ, or does the sample have to be stored in a specific way and/or transported to a laboratory
Diurnal variation	Does the time of day, exercise, sleep and fasting status influence the biomarker?
Cost	Is the full cost of the biomarker data justified?
Covariates	Are there factors that are known specifically to influence the biomarker? e.g. environmental impact such as warm weather camp, altitude, travel stress and jet lag