Publication Ethics and Integrity  

1. Plagiarism and Originality:

   • Authors are required to ensure that their submissions are original work that has not been published elsewhere.

   • Plagiarism in any form, including verbatim copying of text, ideas, or data without proper attribution, is strictly prohibited.

   • Manuscripts suspected of plagiarism are subject to rejection or retraction, and appropriate action will be taken in accordance with COPE guidelines.

2. Authorship and Contributorship:

   • Authorship should be based on substantial contributions to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the research.

   • All individuals who have made significant contributions to the study should be listed as authors, while those who have provided support or assistance without meeting authorship criteria should be acknowledged.

   • Changes to authorship after submission require the consent of all authors and must be justified in writing to the editor.

3. Authorship and Contributorship:

   • Authors, reviewers, and editors are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest that could influence their objectivity or decision-making

   • Conflicts of interest may include financial relationships, personal affiliations, or competing interests related to the research or its outcomes.

   • Editors evaluate disclosures of conflicts of interest and may take appropriate action, including recusal from handling manuscripts or disclosure to readers.

4. Research Ethics and Compliance:

   • Authors must conduct their research in accordance with relevant ethical standards and regulatory requirements.

   • Studies involving human subjects or animals must have been conducted with appropriate ethical approval, and informed consent must be obtained from participants.

   • Any concerns regarding research ethics or compliance will be thoroughly investigated, and manuscripts may be rejected or retracted if ethical violations are confirmed.

5. Data Integrity and Transparency:

   • Authors are responsible for the accuracy and integrity of the data presented in their manuscripts.

   • Raw data should be retained and made available upon request to ensure the transparency and reproducibility of the research.

   • Manipulation or fabrication of data is considered misconduct and will result in rejection or retraction of the manuscript.

6. Corrections and Retractions:

   • The journal is committed to correcting errors or inaccuracies identified in published articles promptly.

   • Corrections, retractions, or expressions of concern will be issued in cases of significant errors, misconduct, or ethical breaches.

7. Editorial Independence:

   • Editorial decisions are made independently of commercial interests or external influences.

   • Editors evaluate submissions based on scientific merit, relevance, and quality, without regard to factors such as authorship, affiliation, or funding sources.

The Integrative Journal of Physical Fitness and Health upholds the highest standards of publication ethics and integrity. We are committed to fostering a culture of honesty, transparency, and accountability throughout the publication process. Our policies and practices adhere to the guidelines established by reputable organizations such as the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE). Key aspects of our publication ethics and integrity policies include: