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Development and Application of Objective Measures in Physiotherapy for Musculoskeletal...
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Development and Application of Objective Measures in Physiotherapy for Musculoskeletal Disorders, Orthopedics, and Sports Medicine—2nd Edition

A special issue of Medicina (ISSN 1648-9144). This special issue belongs to the section "Orthopedics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2025) | Viewed by 8668

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Aleksandra Królikowska

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Physiotherapy Research Laboratory, University Centre of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Physiotherapy, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
Interests: return-to-sport decision making; biomedical monitoring; isokinetics; knee joint; physiotherapy; rehabilitation; surface electromyography
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

It is my pleasure to invite you to contribute to this Special Issue entitled “Development and Application of Objective Measures in Physiotherapy for Musculoskeletal Disorders, Orthopedics, and Sports Medicine—2nd Edition”. This is our second volume; we previously published 11 papers in the first volume. For more details, please visit the following link: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/medicina/special_issues/6B47437404.

Objective measures constitute an integral part of the examination of patients in physiotherapy in musculoskeletal disorders, orthopedics, and sports medicine for diagnostic, treatment monitoring, and follow-up purposes, as well as the prevention of primary and secondary musculoskeletal injuries. Objectively measured outcomes supplement health outcomes directly reported by the patient experiencing them, known as patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), and pain ratings. Objective measures also comprise an aspect of clinical and physical examination and are fundamental to so-called performance-based measures. The value of a measure lies in its suitability for comparison; therefore, before we use any measuring instrument or tool for research or clinical practice purposes, its reliability and validity must be determined.

This Special Issue is open to submissions of research and review articles addressing the development and application of objective measures for diagnostic, treatment monitoring, and follow-up purposes in physiotherapy, orthopedics, and sports medicine. We strongly encourage authors to submit papers that focus on preventing primary and secondary musculoskeletal injuries. In addition, reliability and validity studies are welcome.

Dr. Aleksandra Królikowska
Guest Editor

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. Medicina is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 2200 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

  • clinical evaluation
  • functional performance
  • injury prevention
  • muscle strength
  • orthopedics
  • performance-based measures
  • physical examination
  • physiotherapy
  • rehabilitation
  • reliability
  • sports medicine
  • surface electromyography
  • validity

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 2402 KB  
Article
Influence of Posture, Spinal Level, Gender and Muscle Activation on Biomechanical Properties of Lumbar Erector Spinae in Healthy Young Adults
by Yueh-Ling Hsieh, Heng-Yi Lin and Andy Chien
Medicina 2026, 62(1), 159; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina62010159 - 13 Jan 2026
Viewed by 1096
Abstract
Background and Objectives: This study set out to better understand how posture, spinal level, gender and muscle activation influence the biomechanical properties of the lumbar erector spinae (LES) in healthy young adults. We aimed to measure how these factors influence LES tone, [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: This study set out to better understand how posture, spinal level, gender and muscle activation influence the biomechanical properties of the lumbar erector spinae (LES) in healthy young adults. We aimed to measure how these factors influence LES tone, stiffness, and damping using a myotonometry device. Materials and Methods: Thirty healthy young adults (14 males, 16 females; aged 20–25 years) were evaluated at bilateral L3–L5 levels in prone, unsupported sitting, and standing positions, both under relaxed conditions and during submaximal isometric lumbar extension. The myotonometer measured LES tone (Hz), stiffness (N/m), and damping (logarithmic decrement). For each outcome, a mixed-model repeated-measures ANOVA was conducted with Gender as a between-subject factor and Posture, Level, and Action (relaxed vs. contracted) as within-subject factors (Bonferroni-adjusted α = 0.0167). Results: Posture produced the most significant and consistent effects on all properties—stiffness, tone, and damping (p < 0.0167)—with sitting and standing generally increasing stiffness and tone compared to prone, and sitting showing the highest values. Gender significantly impacted stiffness and tone (p < 0.0167), with males showing higher values. Spinal level also significantly influenced damping, stiffness, and tone (all p < 0.0167), with differences more apparent in females. Significant interactions included the influence of Posture × Gender on tone and damping (p < 0.0167), and of Posture × Action on stiffness and tone (p < 0.0167), alongside a strong three-way interaction for Level × Action × Posture across all outcomes, suggesting posture-related responses depend on activation state and spinal level. Conclusions: LES biomechanical properties are strongly affected by posture and further modulated by muscle activation, gender, and spinal level. These results support the creation of posture- and gender-specific reference values and underscore the value of dynamic, posture-specific myotonometer-based assessments for paraspinal muscle evaluation and clinical planning. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Development and Application of Objective Measures in Physiotherapy for Musculoskeletal Disorders, Orthopedics, and Sports Medicine—2nd Edition)
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13 pages, 461 KB  
Article
Gait Pattern Differences Between Young Adults and Physically Active Older Adults
by Carmen García-Gomariz, Fernando Domínguez-Navarro, Mercedes María Fernández-Benet, José-María Blasco, David Hernández-Guillén and Enrique Sanchis-Sales
Medicina 2025, 61(10), 1752; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina61101752 - 25 Sep 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1713
Abstract
Background and Objectives: This study aimed to compare gait patterns between young adults and physically active older adults. Additionally, the relation between these parameters and age was explored. Materials and Methods: Transversal case and control study, recruiting 81 participants divided into [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: This study aimed to compare gait patterns between young adults and physically active older adults. Additionally, the relation between these parameters and age was explored. Materials and Methods: Transversal case and control study, recruiting 81 participants divided into two groups: young adults (18–45 years) and physically active older adults (60+ years). Participants were assessed using the PodoSmart Insole® system, which recorded spatiotemporal and kinematic gait data. Gait parameters were measured during a self-selected walking test. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, t-tests for group comparisons, and Pearson’s correlation to explore relationships between age and gait parameters. Results: Significant differences in gait parameters were found between young and older adults, particularly in stride length (right foot: p = 0.009, left foot: p = 0.001), cadence (p < 0.001), contact time (p < 0.001), swing time (p < 0.001), and support phase duration (p < 0.001), with moderate to large effect sizes. Sex differences were also observed within each group for several gait variables. Correlation analysis evidenced worsened parameters with increasing age, with moderate to strong associations in terms of cadence (r = −0.590), contact time (r = −0.504, r = −0.462), swing time (r = −0.662), and support phase duration (r = −0.524, r = −0.439). Conclusions: Evident differences in gait parameters are observed between young adults and active older adults. Although these results follow the trend of previous studies that employed more sophisticated lab-based protocols for gait analysis, slight differences between our study and these others could be attributed to the regular physical activity performed by these participants, which should be explored in more detail in future studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Development and Application of Objective Measures in Physiotherapy for Musculoskeletal Disorders, Orthopedics, and Sports Medicine—2nd Edition)
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13 pages, 447 KB  
Article
Psychometric Properties of the Improved Report of Oslo Trauma Research Centre Questionnaires on Overuse Injuries (OSTRC-O2) and Health Problems (OSTRC-H2)
by Giulio Leonardi, Giovanni Galeoto, Filippo Maselli, Roberto Napoli, Simone Favaretto, Martina Tomassini, Giuseppe Plebani, Lorenzo Carraro and Domenico Angilecchia
Medicina 2025, 61(5), 935; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina61050935 - 21 May 2025
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Abstract
Background and Objectives: The Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre Overuse Injury Questionnaire (OSTRC-O2) and the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre Questionnaire on Health Problems (OSTRC-H2) scales are designed to objectively monitor various overuse or acute injuries of professional and non-professional athletes in association [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: The Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre Overuse Injury Questionnaire (OSTRC-O2) and the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre Questionnaire on Health Problems (OSTRC-H2) scales are designed to objectively monitor various overuse or acute injuries of professional and non-professional athletes in association with other physical problems that relate to health spheres. The aim of this study was to validate these questionnaires in a population of professional and amateur Italian athletes and to analyze their psychometric properties, in order to verify that both scales have equivalent properties in different linguistic and cultural contexts. Materials and Methods: The Italian versions of the OSTRC-O2 (OSTRC-O2-IT) and the OSTRC-H2 (OSTRC-H2-IT) were administered to 102 professional and non-professional athletes over a period of 3 months, once a week, for each rating scale. The inclusion criteria were: age over 18 years, practicing a sports activity for at least 1 year and having had at least one injury. The internal consistency and reliability of both scales and their correlations with pain and quality of life scales have been analyzed. Results: The psychometric properties of the scales turned out to be very high and statistically significant for both scales proposed to the athletes. A Cronbach’s Alpha of 0.946 and an ICC between 0.705 and 0.746 confirmed the good reliability of the questionnaires. Conclusions: The Italian versions of the OSTRC-O2-IT and OSTRC-H2-IT assessment scales are reliable and valid tools for the monitoring of overload injuries. This study shows that they are easy to understand for the Italian sports population and may be of help to the scientific community to increase precautionary control and prevention measures for overuse injuries in professional and amateur athletes, favoring a safer return to the field. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Development and Application of Objective Measures in Physiotherapy for Musculoskeletal Disorders, Orthopedics, and Sports Medicine—2nd Edition)
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Review

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16 pages, 446 KB  
Review
Rotator Cuff Disorders: Practical Recommendations for Conservative Management Based on the Literature
by Adrien J.-P. Schwitzguébel
Medicina 2026, 62(2), 272; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina62020272 - 27 Jan 2026
Viewed by 2121
Abstract
Conservative management of rotator cuff disorders remains challenging, with no comprehensive, evidence-based framework integrating diagnosis, prognosis, rehabilitation, and biological therapies. Existing recommendations usually address isolated components of care, leading to inconsistent treatment strategies. This article proposes a global, pragmatic protocol for the non-surgical [...] Read more.
Conservative management of rotator cuff disorders remains challenging, with no comprehensive, evidence-based framework integrating diagnosis, prognosis, rehabilitation, and biological therapies. Existing recommendations usually address isolated components of care, leading to inconsistent treatment strategies. This article proposes a global, pragmatic protocol for the non-surgical management of rotator cuff lesions, from initial assessment to long-term follow-up. Drawing on clinical expertise supported by recent literature, we outline a stepwise approach that begins with a comprehensive diagnostic process that combines history, clinical examination, and targeted imaging. Based on lesion type, associated shoulder or neurogenic conditions, and patient profile, rotator cuff disorders are stratified into three prognostic categories under conservative care: good, borderline, and poor prognosis, highlighting factors that require treatment adaptation or early surgical consideration. Rehabilitation objectives are structured around four domains: (1) inflammation and pain control, (2) mobility and scapular kinematics, (3) strengthening and motor control with tendon-sparing strategies, and (4) preservation or restoration of anatomy. For each prognostic category, we define a monitoring plan integrating clinical reassessment, ultrasound follow-up, and functional milestones, including return-to-play criteria for athletes. This comprehensive narrative review demonstrates that precise diagnosis and individualized rehabilitation can optimize medical follow-up, active strengthening, and complementary or regenerative therapies. Aligning therapeutic decisions with prognostic and functional goals allows clinicians to optimize patient satisfaction and recovery, providing a clear, evidence-informed roadmap for conservative management of rotator cuff disorders. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Development and Application of Objective Measures in Physiotherapy for Musculoskeletal Disorders, Orthopedics, and Sports Medicine—2nd Edition)
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