Abstract: The standardized application of research methods is a prerequisite for ensuring scientific and reliable research results.Delphi method is a common method in sports science research and practice. The analysis of the normative application of Delphi method in 372 academic papers on sports included in CSSCI in the past 20 years revealed that the application of Delphi method in China's sports science research is gradually increasing, and the method is most commonly used in the category of index system construction research(67.7%). There are more irregularities in the application of Delphi method in sport science research: 1) Method misuse; 2) methodological report is not rigorous, lack of reports of necessary indicators; 3) methodological characteristics are not clear; 4) fuzzy basis for judging and selecting experts; 5) unclear criteria for the inclusion and deletion of expert opinions; 6) lack of“predefined questionnaire”and“applied research”in the system construction study. In view of this, based on the bulk of the literature, the application conditions, application strategies, precautions and general procedures,and listed the application examples of the Delphi method are analyzed to improve the quality of the application of Delphi method in sports science research.