Objective: To evaluate the impact of an evidence-based medicine model combined with human-centered nursing on improving the submission rate of tuberculosis sputum samples and nursing quality for athletes in a respiratory department. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 142 athletes diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis in our sports medicine facility from January to July 2022, requiring sputum sample collection. They were randomly divided into an experimental group (71 athletes) receiving evidence-based medicine alongside human-centered nursing and a control group (71 athletes) receiving standard nursing care. The study assessed the submission rate of TB sputum samples, quality of life (SF-36) scores before and after nursing, and levels of nurse effectiveness and patient satisfaction. Results: The submission rate for TB sputum samples was significantly higher in the experimental group (87.32%) compared to the control group (71.83%) (P < 0.05). Quality of life metrics including physical, social, emotional, and mental health functions improved significantly post-nursing in both groups, with more pronounced improvements observed in the experimental group (P < 0.05). Patient satisfaction was also higher in the experimental group (95.77%) compared to the control group (80.28%). Conclusion: The integration of an evidence-based medicine model with human-centered nursing significantly enhances the submission rate of tuberculosis sputum samples and overall nursing quality among athletes. This approach fosters closer relationships between nurses and athlete patients, heightening patient satisfaction and contributing to more timely and effective treatment outcomes in sports healthcare settings.