Progress for Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology in 2016

1. Looking Back on 2016

Welcome back to the new Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology (JFMK), providing an advanced forum for research studies on functional morphology and kinesiology and the regulatory functions of movement. JFMK meets the growing demand for a high quality, peer-reviewed international journal, supplying easy access, the advantage of the high publicity of Open Access, the Digital Object Identifier (DOI), ORCID and CrossRef to all researchers.

With great honor and pride, as explained in the editorial written 18 months ago [1], 2015 and 2016 were considered as transition years during which our journal was launched. In fact, the Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology (JFMK, ISSN 2411–5142) was launched on 31 July 2015 and was released in March 2016.

We are proud to let you know that, thanks to your continuous support, Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology has continued to grow in the fields of morphology, kinesiology, movement, biomechanics, sport medicine and musculoskeletal disorders. It is my pleasure to confirm the progress recorded in 2016.

Indeed, the number of published manuscripts has jumped from 1 to 41 in the 2016 volume. This includes submissions received in seven Special Issues. They were dedicated to the Motor Impairment and Neuropathic Pain in Patients with Neurological Diseases: Pathophysiological Mechanisms and Potential Treatment Options, edited by Alessandro Castorina [2]; New Advances in Human Posture and Movement, edited by Olivier Hue [3]; Articular Cells and Tissues in Health and Osteoarthritis, edited by Alexandrina Ferreira Mendes [4]; The Knee: Structure, Function and Rehabilitation, edited by Nick Caplan [5]; Role of Exercises in Musculoskeletal Disorders, edited by Giuseppe Musumeci and Paola Castrogiovanni [6]; Tailored Exercise in Patients with Chronic Diseases, edited by Laura Stefani [7]; Muscle Damage and Regeneration, edited by José Peña-Amaro [8].

In 2016, six distinguished scientists joined the Editorial Board: Alessandro Castorina (School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia); Matteo Cioni (Gait and Posture Analysis Laboratory, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation School, University of Catania, Catania, Italy); Angelo Di Giunta (“Polyclinic G.B. Morgagni” Mediterranean Foundation, Orthopedics Traumatology and Rehabilitation Unit, Catania, Italy); Olivier Hue (Department of Science and Physical Activity, University of Québec at Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada); Marta Anna Szychlinska (Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Human Anatomy and Histology Section, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy); Paul Stapley (Neural Control of Movement Laboratory, School of Medicine, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia); for a total of 48 Editorial Board members and 9 Advisory Board members.

Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology confirmed its status as an international journal by being present as a media partner, an exhibitor, or a sponsor at national and international meetings, among which were:

• XIII IIM (Interuniversity Institute of Myology) Meeting, Assisi, Italy, 13–16 October 2016;
• icSPORTS 2016 (4th International Congress on Sport Sciences Research and Technology Support), Porto, Portugal, 7–9 November 2016;
• Italian Society of Sports and Exercise Medicine Annual Conference, Brescia, Italy, 18–19 November 2016.

2. Looking Forward to 2017

In 2017, we shall pursue our efforts to improve the journal through further growth and increased visibility.

We hope that you share our enthusiasm for this new journal and we look forward to working with you to make JFMK a leader in its field. Your contributions are vital for the success of this new journal. The publication fees are fully waived for papers submitted in 2017. We look forward to receiving your contributions (papers, reviews, etc.) and proposals for Special Issues are always welcome.

It is my pleasure to end this editorial by wishing you a healthy and prosperous new year. This is also the opportunity for me to warmly thank, for their confidence, our authors, readers, and reviewers, as well as our Editorial Advisors, eminent scientists in these fields that, with their experience and important suggestions, guide us in this great enterprise; our excellent Editorial Board members whose depth of experience covers a very broad spectrum on morphology and kinesiology; the Assistant Editors that, day after day, thanks to their valuable contributions, ensure the growth of this journal; all members of our teams in Basel, Barcelona, Beijing, and Wuhan, and our sponsors.