What ethical considerations accompany the use of normative data?

• A. Informed consent is optional if data are de-identified
• B. Data privacy is not relevant to performance data
• C. Norms should be used only to label athletes
• D. Ensure informed consent, data privacy, avoid bias, and use norms to support athlete development rather than labeling or exclusion

Answer: (D)

The main concept here is handling normative data in a way that respects athletes’ rights and promotes fair, constructive use. Norms compare an athlete’s performance to a reference group, so it’s important to obtain informed consent and clearly explain how the data will be used and who can access it. Even when data are de-identified, protecting privacy matters because there’s always a risk of re-identification or misuse. It’s also essential to avoid bias in how data are collected, interpreted, and applied, so that comparisons don’t unfairly disadvantage certain groups or distort performance differences. Most importantly, use norms to support athlete development, guidance, and tailored coaching, not to label someone or exclude them from opportunities. This comprehensive approach—consent, privacy, bias avoidance, and a development-focused purpose—best captures the ethical use of normative data.