(Some) journals request that authors follow a specific style manual (e.g., APA or Chicago manuals of style). 

One style rule is to avoid starting a sentence with an abbreviation (with some exceptions).

However, I found it unnecessary to spell out abbreviations like ANOVA (analysis of variance) or FMM (finite mixture models) every time I start sentences with them.

Should I strictly follow such rules in academic writing?

**Edit:** My field is biohealth sciences.