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New Insights into Physical Therapy
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New Insights into Physical Therapy

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Applied Biosciences and Bioengineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 October 2025 | Viewed by 965

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Patsaki Irini

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratory of Advanced Physiotherapy, Physiotherapy Department, School of Health & Care Sciences, University of West Attica (UNIWA), 12243 Athens, Greece
Interests: physical therapy; respiratory physiotherapy; rehabilitation; muscular weakness; ICU rehabilitation; virtual reality; innovation in rehabilitation; critical illness; prevention
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. George A. Koumantakis

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratory of Advanced Physiotherapy, Physiotherapy Department, School of Health & Care Sciences, University of West Attica (UNIWA), 12243 Athens, Greece
Interests: evidence-based physiotherapy practice; prevention; neuromusculoskeletal pathologies; occupational health; physical activity; exercise; low back pain
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Advances in the field of technology and physical therapy have facilitated and augmented the recovery process in the spectrum of pathologies treated in physical therapy rehabilitation. Injuries, chronic illnesses, and different kinds of disabilities often affect peoples’ functionality and quality of life. These effects and the long recovery pathway that most would have are being described as a significant burden not only for the patient but also for society and health systems.

New insights into physical therapy rehabilitation include all new techniques and technologies that provide new possibilities and transform the rehabilitation process. New techniques such as blood flow restriction, motor imagery, clinical pilates, and emerging technologies such as virtual reality provide new opportunities to enhance function, mobility, and quality of life. These advances beyond the strict aspect of pathology could also lead the field of prevention and healthy aging, minimizing disability, and preserving healthy and mobile living. New technologies have especially managed to overcome environmental barriers and make physical rehabilitation more accessible. 

We welcome the latest research developments and findings in the above areas in this Special Issue. Thus, we invite you to contribute original research articles and reviews of the literature, aiming to include high-quality papers on new techniques and technologies in the field of physical rehabilitation. 

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in JCM.

Dr. Patsaki Irini
Dr. George A. Koumantakis
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • physical rehabilitation
  • new technologies
  • virtual reality
  • augmented reality
  • telerehabilitation
  • clinical pilates
  • blood flow restriction
  • manual therapy
  • motor imagery
  • electrophysical modalities
  • therapeutic exercises
  • neurology
  • musculoskeletal
  • geriatric
  • respiratory
  • acute illness
  • cardiovascular

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 1956 KiB  
Article
Relationship Between Physical Fitness Attributes and Dynamic Knee Valgus in Adolescent Basketball Athletes
by Aleksandar Stojiljkovic, Eleni Karagianni, Varsamo Antoniou and Garyfallia Pepera
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(9), 4881; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15094881 - 28 Apr 2025
Viewed by 473
Abstract
(1) Background: Dynamic knee valgus (DKV) is a common biomechanical risk factor for knee injuries, particularly in sports involving high-intensity movements, such as basketball. While neuromuscular control and structural alignment contribute to DKV, recent evidence indicates that lower limb muscle power (LLMP) and [...] Read more.
(1) Background: Dynamic knee valgus (DKV) is a common biomechanical risk factor for knee injuries, particularly in sports involving high-intensity movements, such as basketball. While neuromuscular control and structural alignment contribute to DKV, recent evidence indicates that lower limb muscle power (LLMP) and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) may significantly influence DKV. This study aims to examine the relationship among LLMP, CRF, and DKV in adolescent basketball athletes. (2) Methods: A total of 104 adolescent basketball athletes (63.5% boys), 12 to 17 years old (13.87 ± 1.46 years) participated in this study. Anthropometric and demographic characteristics such as sex, age, height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) were recorded. The Counter Movement Jump (CMJ) was used for the evaluation and prediction of the LLMP, the 20 m shuttle run test (20mSRT) was used for the evaluation and prediction of CRF, and the single-leg drop jump (SLDJ) was used for the evaluation of DKV via a two-dimensional (2D) kinematic analysis. Statistical analysis included Pearson and Spearman correlations, as well as multiple linear regression, to determine the relationship among LLMP, CRF, and DKV. (3) Results: A statistical analysis revealed strong correlations among LLMP, CRF, and DKV. Pearson’s correlation coefficients demonstrated significant associations between the VO2max and frontal plane projection angle (FPPA) (r = 0.78, p < 0.001), as well as between LLMP and FPPA (r = 0.82, p < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that VO2max and LLMP together accounted for 85% of the variance in FPPA (R2 = 0.85, p < 0.001). (4) Conclusions: The findings highlight that both aerobic capacity and lower limb muscle power significantly contribute to knee valgus control among adolescent basketball players. Implementing training programs focused on improving lower limb muscle power and cardiorespiratory fitness may enhance knee stability and reduce the risk of lower limb injuries. Given the strong predictive value of VO2max and LLMP for knee control, targeted training programs focusing on neuromuscular conditioning and aerobic capacity may be effective for injury prevention. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Physical Therapy)
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Review

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16 pages, 3605 KiB  
Review
Exploring the Clinical Utility of Cardiorespiratory Optimal Point in Heart Failure Patients: Creating a New Research Gap
by Weder A. Silva, Alberto Souza Sá Filho, Plinio S. Ramos, Adriana M. Güntzel Chiappa, Vicente Aprigliano, Iransé Oliveira-Silva, Raphael Martins Cunha, James Oluwagbamigbe Fajemiroye, Rodolfo P. Vieira, Gerson Ferrari and Gaspar R. Chiappa
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(7), 3495; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15073495 - 22 Mar 2025
Viewed by 244
Abstract
The cardiorespiratory optimal point (COP) is an emerging submaximal parameter from cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) that reflects the optimal balance between cardiac workload and pulmonary ventilation. Recent studies have explored the clinical utility and prognostic value of the COP in various populations, particularly [...] Read more.
The cardiorespiratory optimal point (COP) is an emerging submaximal parameter from cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) that reflects the optimal balance between cardiac workload and pulmonary ventilation. Recent studies have explored the clinical utility and prognostic value of the COP in various populations, particularly in patients with heart failure (HF). This comprehensive literature review evaluated the current evidence on the COP and its potential as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and mortality. The COP has been identified as a predictor of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, with elevated values being significantly associated with an increased risk. Studies have demonstrated that higher COP values correlate with greater mortality risk independent of traditional risk factors, with significant sex-based differences. Evidence suggests that COP values greater than 26 significantly influence mortality rates and lead to a worse prognosis in patients with HF. For example, individuals with a COP > 30 had an approximately six-fold higher mortality risk (17.1%) than those with a COP < 22, and the combination of a high COP (>30) + low VO2max leads to a significant increase in the risks of adverse effects (30.9%). This underscores the importance of the COP in the clinical management and risk stratification of HF patients. While the COP shows promise as a valuable submaximal marker with significant prognostic implications, further research is needed to establish its superiority over other established prognostic markers and elucidate the underlying mechanisms linking the COP to health outcomes. Nonetheless, the ability of the COP to predict mortality and enhance risk stratification in diverse populations makes it a promising tool in clinical practice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Physical Therapy)
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