Recent Advances in the Prevention, Treatment, and Rehabilitation of Sports Injuries

Dear Colleagues,

In most athletic and military populations, musculoskeletal injuries are common, contributing to attrition and increased training costs. Among athletes, these injuries are a major compromising factor to health and fitness and represent a major contributor to morbidity and to reduced competitive readiness and power. As injured athletes are unable to effectively perform and compete, strategies for optimizing physical readiness and preventing musculoskeletal injuries are essential. Studies on risk factors for musculoskeletal injuries in athletic and military populations differentiate between intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors. Intrinsic factors include parameters such as BMI, muscle strength, postural balance, and proprioception ability. Extrinsic factors, on the other hand, may include equipment and technological devices. These factors were observed to distinguish between subjects with and without injuries, with subsequent improvement following intervention programs that reduce the risk for future injuries. A number of intervention programs have been designed to reduce the prevalence of injuries in athletes. The results of studies that investigated these programs remain unclear, as some have reported a significantly reduced incidence of injuries, whereas other studies have reported only a slight or no effect in the intervention group. Other gaps in the literature include the fact that most intervention programs conducted have focused on specific ability (e.g., strengthening exercises) or have been suggested to be of significant importance for improving physical abilities and optimizing physical readiness, rather than for reducing the incidence of musculoskeletal injuries. A better understanding of the causes of injuries is essential, as well as the development of effective screening, prevention, and treatment protocols for improved athletes' health and wellness.

This Special Issue aims to present recent advances in the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of sports injuries. Original articles, systematic reviews, or meta-analyses are welcomed. Submissions may cover, but are not limited to, the following topics:

1. Epidemiology and Population Studies: Exploration of the prevalence, incidence, and economic burden of musculoskeletal injuries across different age groups, genders, and activity levels;
2. Injury Mechanisms and Risk Factors: Investigations into the pathomechanical, sensorimotor, and psychosocial mechanisms, and their interactions that lead to musculoskeletal injuries;
3. Injuries' Subdivision and Precision Management based on patient characteristics and imaging findings, to tailor personalized clinical management approaches;
4. Diagnostic and Assessment Techniques: Methodological development and validation of new diagnostic methods for the early detection of injuries as well as their associated risk factors;
5. Injury Prevention Strategies: Research on strategies to reduce the initial incidence of injuries and prevent progression;
6. Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Interventions: Development and evaluation of protocols aimed at restoring function, preventing recurrence of the injuries;
7. Clinical Practice Opinions, Consensus, or Guidelines: Establishment of criteria to define full recovery or safe return to sport after injury.

We look forward to receiving your submissions.

Prof. Dr. Nili Steinberg
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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• athletes
• physical activity
• sports, injuries
• musculoskeletal
• pain
• rehabilitation
• prevention
• risk factors
• functional abilities
• muscle strength
• joint range of motion (ROM)
• postural balance
• ultrasonography maturation
• adolescent