Abstract: A theoretical framework serves not only as the "blueprint" for quantitative research design but also as a cornerstone for ensuring the scientificity, verifiability and theoretical contribution of academic studies. This article explicates the concept of a theoretical framework from the perspectives of its definition, constituent elements, and related concepts. It further explores its application value of sports science in four key areas: facilitating research question formulation, guiding study design, supporting data interpretation, and continuing the line of research. Moreover, seven strategies for constructing theoretical frameworks in quantitative sports science research are discussed: deriving frameworks from empirical evidence, adapting frameworks from other disciplines, revising existing theories, integrating multiple theories, evaluating competing theories, reshaping established theories, and incorporating discipline-specific characteristics, which is expected to provide sports science researchers with a systematic methodological guide for the development of a theoretical framework.