Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation in Soccer Players

Dear Colleagues,

Soccer is a high-intensity, multidirectional sport that exposes players to substantial mechanical and physiological stress, placing them at elevated risk for both acute and overuse injuries. Effective injury prevention and evidence-based rehabilitation are therefore essential not only for protecting athlete health but also for ensuring sustained team performance throughout the competitive season. Recent research has highlighted the importance of multifactorial approaches integrating neuromuscular training, load management, biomechanical assessment, and individualized return-to-play strategies.

Despite advances in sports medicine and performance science, significant challenges remain. Injury mechanisms in soccer are complex and influenced by factors such as match congestion, fatigue, strength imbalances, movement inefficiencies, and inadequate recovery practices. Similarly, rehabilitation protocols often require refinement to optimize tissue healing, restore functional capacities, and prevent reinjury, particularly for recurrent conditions such as hamstring strains, ankle sprains, and ACL injuries.

This Special Issue aims to foster scientific progress by gathering high-quality research and comprehensive reviews addressing innovative preventive strategies, evidence-based rehabilitation models, and multidimensional performance-health frameworks. We welcome contributions exploring novel technologies, individualized interventions, monitoring tools, and interdisciplinary practices. Our goal is to enhance the understanding of injury risk and recovery processes and ultimately support safer, more effective player development and performance in soccer.

Prof. Dr. Guillermo Ramón De Castro Maqueda
Guest Editor

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