The Latest Trends in Exercise Therapy and Sports Injury Rehabilitation

A special issue of Journal of Clinical Medicine (ISSN 2077-0383). This special issue belongs to the section "Sports Medicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 June 2023) | Viewed by 36811

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Movement Biomechanics, Institut für Sportwissenschaft Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
Interests: sports injuries; rehabilitation; biomechanics; sports science; exercise physiology; exercise therapy; female athletes; hormones

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The purpose of this Special Issue is to highlight new insights, novel therapeutic approaches and current challenges in exercise therapy and sports injury rehabilitation. While exercise activity is associated with numerous beneficial effects on human health, it can also lead to acute or overuse injuries. With more people practising sports at high intensities throughout their lifespan, the number of sports injuries is increasing. Thus, rehabilitative approaches are needed, which are tailored to the elite athlete, the physically active elderly or exercising children. In addition, we know today that sports injuries are not exclusively caused by mechanical overload but that metabolic and/or hormonal disturbances facilitate the development of certain injuries such as stress fractures or tendinopathies. As a consequence, multidimensional and interdisciplinary therapeutic approaches need to be developed which consider multiple influencing factors beyond the injured tissues mechanical stability. Furthermore, current therapeutic practises and assumptions need to be scrutinised, and evidence for the effectiveness of treatments needs to be provided. This Special Issue aims, therefore, to combine latest research in the field of sports injury rehabilitation, to shed light on the progress made and the challenges identified, and to provide an overview on novel evidence-based therapeutic approaches.

Prof. Dr. Kirsten Legerlotz
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • sports injuries
  • rehabilitation
  • exercise therapy
  • physiotherapy
  • tendinopathy
  • ligament rupture
  • stress fracture

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 4977 KiB  
Article
Effect of Supervised over Self-Performed Eccentric Exercise on Lateral Elbow Tendinopathy: A Pilot Study
by Antonio Oya-Casero, Miguel Muñoz-Cruzado Barba, Manuel Madera-García, Rosario García-LLorent, Juan Alfonso Andrade-Ortega, Antonio I. Cuesta-Vargas and Cristina Roldán-Jiménez
J. Clin. Med. 2022, 11(24), 7434; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11247434 - 15 Dec 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2125
Abstract
Background: The efficacy of eccentric exercise self-performed by the patient has not been proved in the treatment of lateral elbow tendinopathy (LET). The aim of this study was to compare the effects of a programme of eccentric exercises applied by a physiotherapist to [...] Read more.
Background: The efficacy of eccentric exercise self-performed by the patient has not been proved in the treatment of lateral elbow tendinopathy (LET). The aim of this study was to compare the effects of a programme of eccentric exercises applied by a physiotherapist to patients with LET through a structured manual programme compared to its self-performance, guided by an illustrated brochure. Method: A single-blind, pilot, randomised, controlled trial was conducted. Twenty patients were randomised. The intervention group carried out eccentric exercises applied directly by a physiotherapist (10 sessions). The control group carried out eccentric exercises that were self-performed by the patient (10 sessions). Both groups received simulated ultrasounds. Pain (visual analogue scale (VAS)), function (DASH questionnaire) and satisfaction (with a Likert scale) were measured at the beginning of the intervention, immediately after the intervention and 3 months after the intervention. Results: The mean age was 53.17 and 54.25 years old. The experimental group presented a greater tendency to improve function (DASH −15.91) and reduce pain (VAS −2.88) compared to the control group, although these differences were not significant (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Eccentric exercise, both performed by the physiotherapist and self-performed by the patient, improved function and pain in the patients with LET. Full article
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12 pages, 1975 KiB  
Article
The Time-Based Effects of Kinesio Taping on Acute-Onset Muscle Soreness and Calf Muscle Extensibility among Endurance Athletes: A Randomized Cross-Over Trial
by Deepak Malhotra, Shruti Sharma, Ashima Chachra, Meenu Dhingra, Ahmad H. Alghadir, Shibili Nuhmani, Ghufran Jaleel, Raee S. Alqhtani, Mohammed M. Alshehri, Rashid Ali Beg, Mohammad Abu Shaphe and Amir Iqbal
J. Clin. Med. 2022, 11(20), 5996; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11205996 - 11 Oct 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1746
Abstract
Background: This study aims to determine the effects of kinesio tape (KT) application on acute-onset muscle soreness and the extensibility of the calf muscles in endurance athletes. Methods: A one-arm repeated-measures randomized cross-over controlled study design investigated 55 endurance athletes, including 10 cyclists, [...] Read more.
Background: This study aims to determine the effects of kinesio tape (KT) application on acute-onset muscle soreness and the extensibility of the calf muscles in endurance athletes. Methods: A one-arm repeated-measures randomized cross-over controlled study design investigated 55 endurance athletes, including 10 cyclists, 30 badminton players, and 15 long-distance runners (mean age 16.40 ± 2.69) from different stadia in Delhi NCR, India. KT and sham tapes (ST) were applied randomly to right and left legs (prone position) in a cross-over manner with a gap of 72 h. Ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ADFROM) and pain due to acute-onset muscle soreness were assessed immediately and 10 min and 30 min after treadmill running, using a universal goniometer and numeric pain rating scale (NPRS), respectively, along with the time to fatigue. Results: A statistically significant difference was observed for the NPRS when the mean scores obtained for the KT and ST groups were compared immediately after cessation of running; however, the difference was not statistically significant in the NPRS score that was recorded ten or thirty minutes after. The range of motion increased significantly after the application of both the KT and the ST. After running on a treadmill, the range of motion decreased significantly with both the KT and ST, and the decrease was similar. Conclusion: KT was more effective in reducing the pain intensity immediately after running and increased the time spent running on the treadmill before fatigue set in among endurance athletes. In addition, the two taping methods (KT or ST) were equally effective in enhancing calf muscle extensibility (for both right and left legs) immediately after application. However, both taping methods failed in limiting the decrease in ankle ADFROM after treadmill running. Full article
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Review

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13 pages, 993 KiB  
Review
The Limitations of Anterior Knee Displacement during Different Barbell Squat Techniques: A Comprehensive Review
by Gabriel Illmeier and Julian S. Rechberger
J. Clin. Med. 2023, 12(8), 2955; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12082955 - 19 Apr 2023
Viewed by 4409
Abstract
Based on seminal research from the 1970s and 1980s, the myth that the knees should only move as far anterior during the barbell squat until they vertically align with the tips of the feet in the sagittal plane still exists today. However, the [...] Read more.
Based on seminal research from the 1970s and 1980s, the myth that the knees should only move as far anterior during the barbell squat until they vertically align with the tips of the feet in the sagittal plane still exists today. However, the role of both the hip joint and the lumbar spine, which are exposed to high peak torques during this deliberate restriction in range of motion, has remained largely unnoticed in the traditional literature. More recent anthropometric and biomechanical studies have found disparate results regarding anterior knee displacement during barbell squatting. For a large number of athletes, it may be favorable or even necessary to allow a certain degree of anterior knee displacement in order to achieve optimal training outcomes and minimize the biomechanical stress imparted on the lumbar spine and hip. Overall, restricting this natural movement is likely not an effective strategy for healthy trained individuals. With the exception of knee rehabilitation patients, the contemporary literature suggests it should not be practiced on a general basis. Full article
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19 pages, 1006 KiB  
Review
Foundational Principles and Adaptation of the Healthy and Pathological Achilles Tendon in Response to Resistance Exercise: A Narrative Review and Clinical Implications
by Kohle Merry, Christopher Napier, Charlie M. Waugh and Alex Scott
J. Clin. Med. 2022, 11(16), 4722; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11164722 - 12 Aug 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 19005
Abstract
Therapeutic exercise is widely considered a first line fundamental treatment option for managing tendinopathies. As the Achilles tendon is critical for locomotion, chronic Achilles tendinopathy can have a substantial impact on an individual’s ability to work and on their participation in physical activity [...] Read more.
Therapeutic exercise is widely considered a first line fundamental treatment option for managing tendinopathies. As the Achilles tendon is critical for locomotion, chronic Achilles tendinopathy can have a substantial impact on an individual’s ability to work and on their participation in physical activity or sport and overall quality of life. The recalcitrant nature of Achilles tendinopathy coupled with substantial variation in clinician-prescribed therapeutic exercises may contribute to suboptimal outcomes. Further, loading the Achilles tendon with sufficiently high loads to elicit positive tendon adaptation (and therefore promote symptom alleviation) is challenging, and few works have explored tissue loading optimization for individuals with tendinopathy. The mechanism of therapeutic benefit that exercise therapy exerts on Achilles tendinopathy is also a subject of ongoing debate. Resultingly, many factors that may contribute to an optimal therapeutic exercise protocol for Achilles tendinopathy are not well described. The aim of this narrative review is to explore the principles of tendon remodeling under resistance-based exercise in both healthy and pathologic tissues, and to review the biomechanical principles of Achilles tendon loading mechanics which may impact an optimized therapeutic exercise prescription for Achilles tendinopathy. Full article
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Other

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21 pages, 3795 KiB  
Systematic Review
Efficacy of Conservative Therapy in Overhead Athletes with Glenohumeral Internal Rotation Deficit: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Sandra Jiménez-del-Barrio, Luis Ceballos-Laita, Almudena Lorenzo-Muñoz, María Teresa Mingo-Gómez, Manuel Rebollo-Salas and José Jesús Jiménez-Rejano
J. Clin. Med. 2023, 12(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12010004 - 20 Dec 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1887
Abstract
Background: To evaluate the effectiveness of conservative therapy in range of movement (ROM), strength, pain, subacromial space and physical function, in overhead athletes with glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (GIRD). Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was designed, and the protocol was registered in [...] Read more.
Background: To evaluate the effectiveness of conservative therapy in range of movement (ROM), strength, pain, subacromial space and physical function, in overhead athletes with glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (GIRD). Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was designed, and the protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021281559). The databases searched were: PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, Web of Science and SCOPUS. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving conservative therapy applied in overhead athletes with GIRD were included. Two independent assessors evaluated the quality of the studies with the PEDro scale, and with the Cochrane Risk-of-Bias tool. The overall quality of the evidence was assessed using GRADE. Data on outcomes of interest were extracted by a researcher using RevMan 5.4 software. Estimates were presented as standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: A total of eleven studies involving 514 overhead athletes were included in the systematic review; of these 8 were included in the meta-analysis. The methodological quality of the included RCTs ranged from high to low. Conservative therapy showed significant improvements in internal rotation, adduction, physical function and subacromial space. Conclusions: Conservative therapy based on stretch, passive joint and muscular mobilizations can be useful to improve the internal rotation and adduction ROM, subacromial space, and physical function of the shoulder in overhead athletes with glenohumeral internal rotation deficit. Full article
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13 pages, 1093 KiB  
Systematic Review
Does Additional Dietary Supplementation Improve Physiotherapeutic Treatment Outcome in Tendinopathy? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Fanji Qiu, Jinfeng Li and Kirsten Legerlotz
J. Clin. Med. 2022, 11(6), 1666; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11061666 - 17 Mar 2022
Viewed by 5092
Abstract
A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was performed to evaluate the effects of dietary supplements in addition to physiotherapeutic treatment on pain and functional outcomes. PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Embase were searched from inception to November [...] Read more.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was performed to evaluate the effects of dietary supplements in addition to physiotherapeutic treatment on pain and functional outcomes. PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Embase were searched from inception to November 2021 (Prospero registration: CRD42021291951). Studies were eligible if the interventions consisted of physiotherapeutic approaches that were combined with dietary supplementation and if they reported measures of pain and/or function. Six studies were included in the meta-analysis. Standardized mean differences (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated and analysed using a Review Manager software. Subgroup analysis was performed to explore possible associations between the study characteristics and the effectiveness of the intervention. Additional dietary supplementation during physiotherapeutic treatment significantly improved the reduction in pain score (SMD = −0.74, 95% CI, −1.37 to −0.10; p < 0.05), while it had no effect on functional outcomes (SMD = 0.29, 95% CI, 0.00 to 0.58; p > 0.05). This systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that additional nutritional interventions may improve physiotherapeutic treatment outcomes in the management of tendinopathies. Full article
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