Biomechanics, Rehabilitation, and Metabolic Health: The Role of Physical Activity in Managing Chronic Conditions

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

According to the World Health Organization, chronic diseases caused at least 43 million deaths in 2021, with the burden falling heavily on low- and middle-income countries. Cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory conditions, and diabetes were the primary contributors, driven by risk factors like tobacco use, physical inactivity, poor diet, and pollution. While traditional treatments rely on pharmacotherapy and rehabilitation, a paradigm shift now emphasizes physical activity, guided by biomechanics and integrated into personalized, technologically supported care models. Precision medicine has enabled exercise-based interventions to be tailored using genetic, molecular, and biomechanical profiling. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and wearable technologies allow for real-time monitoring, prediction of injury risk, and adaptive rehabilitation. Telemedicine expands access to care, improving adherence and outcomes. Innovations such as robotic-assisted rehabilitation, exoskeletons, and virtual (VR)/augmented reality (AR) enhance motor recovery, engagement, and neuroplasticity. These systems, powered by machine learning and other AI techniques, offer real-time feedback and dynamically adjusted therapy. Exercise is also recognized for modulating inflammatory biomarkers in chronic disease patients. Overall, the convergence of biomechanics, AI, digital health, and precision medicine (multi-omics and systems biology) is transforming chronic disease management toward more individualized, accessible, and effective therapeutic approaches.

We welcome original research, reviews, and innovative methodological studies that focus on but are not limited to the following topics:

• AI-enhanced biomechanical analysis and movement assessment;
• Precision exercise prescription based on genetic and molecular profiling;
• Digital therapeutics and telerehabilitation platforms;
• Exoskeleton and robotic-assisted rehabilitation technologies;
• Inflammatory biomarker modulation through exercise-based interventions;
• VR and AR applications in rehabilitation;
• Metabolic health optimization through personalized physical activity;
• Wearable technology and real-time biomechanical monitoring;
• Systems biology and multi-omics approaches to exercise response characterization.

Prof. Dr. Jan Bilski
Dr. Nicola Luigi Bragazzi
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Biomechanics biomechanics	1.4	2.4	2021	24.8 Days	CHF 1200	Submit
Clinics and Practice clinpract	2.2	2.8	2011	25.7 Days	CHF 1800	Submit
Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology jfmk	2.5	3.7	2016	22.5 Days	CHF 1800	Submit
Medicina medicina	2.4	4.1	1920	17.5 Days	CHF 2200	Submit
Sports sports	2.9	4.1	2013	19.9 Days	CHF 1800	Submit

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