Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
3.7
2.5
Journals
JFMK
Special Issues
From Injury to Recovery: Rehabilitation Strategies for Athletes
share announcement

From Injury to Recovery: Rehabilitation Strategies for Athletes

A special issue of Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology (ISSN 2411-5142). This special issue belongs to the section "Functional Anatomy and Musculoskeletal System".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 6228

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Rui Soles Gonçalves

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Coimbra Health School, Polytechnic University of Coimbra, Rua 5 de Outubro, 3045-043 Coimbra, Portugal
Interests: physical therapy; exercise; musculoskeletal conditions; osteoarthritis; knee; clinimetrics; patient-reported outcome measures; performance-based measures; human movement analysis; isokinetic dynamometry; physical activity; exercise prescription
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Rui Torres

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Physiotherapy, North Polytechnic Institute of Health, R. Central de Gandra, 1317, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal
Interests: physiotherapy; muscle damage; proprioception; muscle fonction

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue aims to explore current and emerging rehabilitation strategies for athletes recovering from sports-related injuries, with a focus on evidence-based approaches that support functional recovery and a safe return to sport. We welcome original research, reviews, and case studies addressing interventions such as therapeutic exercise, resistance training, functional training, and manual therapy.

In addition, submissions focusing on the epidemiology of sports injuries—including their prevalence and incidence—are highly encouraged. Such research provides crucial insights into injury patterns and risk factors, helping to inform preventive strategies and guide targeted rehabilitation planning.

Key topics also include rehabilitation protocols for musculoskeletal injuries, injury prevention and recurrence, timelines for return to play, and sport-specific adaptations in physiotherapy. Interdisciplinary approaches involving sports medicine professionals, as well as the integration of technologies in rehabilitation (e.g., wearable sensors, tele-rehabilitation), are also of interest.

We are particularly interested in studies linking rehabilitation strategies to performance outcomes, as well as those offering innovative, sport-specific, and evidence-based rehabilitation programmes. By encompassing both clinical interventions and injury epidemiology, this Special Issue aims to serve clinicians, researchers, and practitioners committed to improving recovery processes and long-term athlete health across sporting contexts.

Prof. Dr. Rui Soles Gonçalves
Prof. Dr. Rui Torres
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly 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 1800 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

  • sports injuries
  • rehabilitation protocols
  • therapeutic exercise
  • return to sport
  • injury prevention
  • resistance training
  • functional training
  • epidemiology of sports injuries
  • musculoskeletal disorders

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (2 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

20 pages, 536 KB  
Article
Effects of a Scapular-Focused Exercise Protocol for Patients with Rotator Cuff-Related Pain Syndrome—A Randomized Clinical Trial
by Cristina dos Santos, Isabel Bastos de Almeida, Mark A. Jones and Ricardo Matias
J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2025, 10(4), 475; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk10040475 - 9 Dec 2025
Viewed by 5134
Abstract
Background: Current clinical practice still lacks consistent evidence in the physiotherapy management of rotator cuff-related pain syndrome (RCS). The purpose of this trial was to compare the effectiveness of a scapular-focused treatment with and without real-time electromyographic biofeedback (EMGBF) to a control [...] Read more.
Background: Current clinical practice still lacks consistent evidence in the physiotherapy management of rotator cuff-related pain syndrome (RCS). The purpose of this trial was to compare the effectiveness of a scapular-focused treatment with and without real-time electromyographic biofeedback (EMGBF) to a control therapy in patients with RCS, in the short-term. Methods: 60 patients with RCS were divided into three groups: the scapular-focused exercise protocol group (P_G n = 20), the scapular-focused exercise protocol with EMGBF group (P+EMGBF_G n = 20), and the control therapy group (CT_G n = 20). Values of pain and function [Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) questionnaire, complemented by the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire], scapular stabilizer neuromuscular control (SSNC), scapular stabilizer activation onset (SSAO), dynamic scapular alignment, range of motion (ROM), and glenohumeral flexor and abductor muscle strength (GMS) were assessed at baseline and after 6 weeks and compared within and between groups. Results: There were significant differences in pain and function, SSNC, SSAO, dynamic scapular alignment, ROM, and GMS in all groups between the initial and 6-week assessments. However, the P+EMGBF_G showed superior results in pain and function, SSNC, and dynamic scapular alignment than the CT_G and superior results in SSNC than the P_G. The P_G had superior results in pain and function and dynamic scapular alignment than the CT_G. Conclusions: This trial supports the use of a scapular-focused exercise protocol as a comparative approach that effectively improves pain and function in patients with rotator cuff-related shoulder pain syndrome. These results in pain and function were shown to be independent of the use of EMGBF. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Injury to Recovery: Rehabilitation Strategies for Athletes)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Review

Jump to: Research

21 pages, 3109 KB  
Review
Non-Contact, Mechanical Fatigue-Related ACL Injury Prevention Through Extracellular Matrix Crosslink Preservation: A Narrative Review
by John Nyland, Maggie Head, Essa H. Gul, Brandon Pyle and Jarod Richards
J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2026, 11(2), 180; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk11020180 - 29 Apr 2026
Viewed by 400
Abstract
Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are increasing in young athletes and many are related to non-contact, spontaneous mechanical fatigue-related ruptures. The objective of this narrative review is to identify and synthesize the anatomical, histological, physiological, and biomechanical basis of extracellular matrix (ECM) [...] Read more.
Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are increasing in young athletes and many are related to non-contact, spontaneous mechanical fatigue-related ruptures. The objective of this narrative review is to identify and synthesize the anatomical, histological, physiological, and biomechanical basis of extracellular matrix (ECM) factors that contribute to ACL injuries and suggest ways to decrease their occurrence. Methods: The primary investigator searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar database titles and abstracts using search phrases with Boolean operators: “anterior cruciate ligament” OR “ACL”, OR “cranial cruciate ligament” AND “disease”; “anterior cruciate ligament” OR “ACL”, OR “cranial cruciate ligament” AND “spontaneous rupture” OR “non-contact injury”; and “anterior cruciate ligament” OR ACL, OR cranial cruciate ligament” AND “crosslink”, “collagen” OR “extracellular matrix”; and “anterior cruciate ligament” OR “ACL”, OR “cranial cruciate ligament” AND “microtrauma”, OR “sudden” OR “fatigue failure”. The primary investigator and a sports orthopedic surgeon reviewed titles and abstracts of diverse evidence sources. From these identified sources, the study team performed full text reviews, selected contributing articles, performed Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy (SORT) grading, and synthesized the following themes: A Hostile Environment, ACL Strain, and Poor Nutrient Delivery; Accumulative ACL Microtrauma and Mechanical Failure; The ACL Differs From Other Ligaments; Collagen, the ECM, and ACL Mechanobiology; Crimps and ACL ECM Stretch; Crosslinks Improve ECM Mechanical Properties; The Delicate Collagen Synthesis and Degradation Balance; Exercise Training and the ACL; Can Nutraceuticals Help Restore the Balance?; Training Induced ACL Hypoxia; Estrogen and the Female Athlete; Counting Pitches or Counting Collagen Fiber Ruptures; and Restoring A Positive Anabolic–Catabolic Collagen Balance. Results: Regular exercise training within a physiologically safe loading range is vital to ACL ECM health. However, low or moderate evidence suggested that poor blood supply, slow metabolism, and a hypoxic environment may unbalance anabolic and catabolic homeostasis. Active rest and recovery concepts that prevent youth baseball shoulder and elbow injuries may help prevent non-contact ACL injuries. Conclusions: More prescriptive active rest and recovery intervals and neuromuscular control training may restore the anabolic–catabolic balance that increases mature crosslink density and improves ACL ECM strength. Confirmatory studies are needed to better establish therapeutic intervention mode(s), timing, dosage, and frequency optimization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Injury to Recovery: Rehabilitation Strategies for Athletes)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-2
Back to TopTop