TOPIC

Sports research

Everything we have read on sports. Each paper is summarised from the full article rather than its abstract, so the limitations are in there too, and the funding wherever the paper declares it.

1,148 PAPERS · PAGE 14 OF 23 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTPilot2023Feasibility of a new intervention addressing group-based balance and high-intensity training, physical activity, and employment in individuals with multiple sclerosis: a pilot randomized controlled trial.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesA multidisciplinary balance and exercise programme was feasible and safe for employed people with MS, but showed no benefit over usual care. Participants reported fewer work barriers within the group, but the trial was too small to prove the intervention works.
• PTQualitative2024Consumer Perceptions of Home-Based Percussive Massage Therapy for Musculoskeletal Concerns: Inductive Thematic Qualitative Analysis.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesSome consumers buying a best-selling massage gun on Amazon reported using it for aches, chronic pain, injury and recovery, valuing affordability and adjustable attachments. They also reported defects, intensity problems, and ignoring the 10 minute automatic shutdown. These are consumer perceptions, not evidence it works.
• PTOTSLPOther2024Collegiate student-athletes concussion knowledge and attitudes: what a difference a decade Makes.Brain injuryIncoming college athletes showed a small increase in concussion knowledge but a large, safer shift in attitudes over a decade. Clinicians should focus education on reporting behaviors and correcting myths about imaging, rather than basic symptom recognition.
• PTCohort2024Use of the Buffalo Concussion Treadmill Test in community adult patients with mild traumatic brain injury.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationAdults with mild traumatic brain injury often stopped a treadmill exercise test early, commonly because dizziness, imbalance, or headache worsened. But healthy controls also stopped frequently, mostly for pain or exertion, so test time alone does not prove brain-injury exercise intolerance.
• PTOther2023Development and Reliability of a Visual-Cognitive Reactive Triple Hop Test.Journal of sport rehabilitationA new hop test with visual and memory challenges reliably measured distance in healthy students. Adding these tasks cut hop distance by 8.17%, showing the dual-task load affects performance. Reaction time scores were less consistent between sessions. This test is not yet validated for injured patients.
• PTOTSLPCohort2023Early Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity After Concussion Is Associated With Faster Symptom Resolution Time.Journal of sport rehabilitationAdolescents recovering from concussion who engaged in more than 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily resolved symptoms faster than those who did less. This association persisted even after adjusting for initial symptom severity and sex.
• PTOther2023Expert Consensus for the Use of Outpatient Rehabilitation Visits After Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Delphi Study.The Journal of orthopaedic and sports physical therapyUS experts reached consensus on outpatient knee replacement rehab visit schedules, including starting within one week and not recommending telerehabilitation for slow recovery. These are expert recommendations, not tested interventions.
• PTOther2023Association between the phase angle and muscle-tendon complex function in Japanese athletes: a comparative study.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn adult soccer players, a body-composition measure called phase angle tracked better grip strength but not jump performance. In high school players, it showed no clear link to either grip or jumps.
• PTSystematic Review2023Biomechanical Basis of Interval Throwing Programs for Baseball Pitchers: A Systematic Review.International journal of sports physical therapyInterval throwing programs raised elbow stress as distance and effort increased, but the distance where long toss matched full-effort pitching stress varied. Partial-effort mound throws stayed below full-effort pitching stress, and mechanics were not identical.
• PTCohort2023Kinematics, Kinetics and Muscle Activity Analysis during Single-leg Drop-jump Landing Followed by an Unanticipated Task: Focusing on Differences in Neurocognitive Function.International journal of sports physical therapyFemale athletes with lower processing speed scores rotated their trunk more toward the landing leg during a drop-jump. However, knee angles, forces and muscle activity did not differ between groups, so this test alone did not identify the classic ACL injury mechanics.
• PTOTSystematic Review2024Conservative non-pharmacological treatments for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathies in women treated for breast cancer: a systematic review.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineNon-drug treatments for chemotherapy nerve damage in breast cancer survivors showed mixed evidence. Some trials of acupuncture, exercise, cryotherapy and yoga reported improvements, but other trials did not show improvement, and the review could not support a standard recommendation.
• PTSystematic Review2023The Effect of Ball Heading and Subclinical Concussion On the Neuromuscular Control Of The Lower Limb: A Systematic Review.International journal of sports physical therapyAthletes with concussion appear more likely to injure a lower limb after return to play in several studies, but the evidence is observational and not consistent across all studies.
• PTOTSLPOther2023Reliability and Concurrent Validity of a Markerless, Single Camera, Portable 3D Motion Capture System for Assessment of Glenohumeral Mobility.International journal of sports physical therapyA single-camera 3D motion capture system showed good agreement with goniometers for shoulder flexion and external rotation, but poor reliability for abduction and internal rotation. It is not yet a consistent replacement for standard tools.
• PTNarrative Review2023The Use of Elastic Resistance Bands to Reduce Dynamic Knee Valgus in Squat-Based Movements: A Narrative Review.International journal of sports physical therapyElastic bands around the thighs increased hip muscle activity during squats, but they did not reduce inward knee movement during the squat. Lighter bands may help train the muscles; stronger bands can increase inward knee movement. No chronic evidence shows correction.
• PTOther2023High Compliance with the 11+ Injury Prevention Program Results in Better Win-Loss Records.International journal of sports physical therapyCollegiate soccer teams that used the 11+ injury prevention warm-up more frequently had better win-loss records than teams that used it less or not at all. High compliance was linked to more wins and fewer losses than moderate compliance, but not significantly fewer losses than low compliance.
• PTOTSLPOther2023Injury, Training, Biomechanical, and Physiological Profiles of Professional Breakdancers.International journal of sports physical therapyElite breakers reported knee, elbow and shoulder injuries. They trained about 24 hours weekly, mostly breaking, with little strength work. Shoulder strength exceeded overhead sport norms, but hip and jump tests showed no clear injury links. Data is pilot-only, not clinical guidance.
• PTOther2023Reliability of Upper Extremity Functional Performance Tests for the Non-overhead Athlete.International journal of sports physical therapyThree upper extremity tests showed excellent consistency when repeated in healthy athletes. The seated medicine ball and stability tests were very reliable. The hands-release push-up test was less consistent in males, so interpret changes in that group with extra care.
• PTCohort2023Changes in Running Kinematics and Kinetics Following a 10 km Run.International journal of sports physical therapyExperienced runners showed no significant change in form or ground forces after a 10 km run at their usual training pace. Unlike studies where runners push to exhaustion, a standard training distance did not alter biomechanics in this group of 19 participants.
• PTOther2023Concurrent Validity of The Expanded Cutting Alignment Scoring Tool (E-CAST).International journal of sports physical therapyThe E-CAST video checklist matched 3D movement measures during a planned cut in female athletes. Sagittal items matched well; static knee valgus matched poorly.
• PTOther2023Clinical Commentary: A Criteria-Based Testing Protocol for Return to Sport Post Hip Arthroscopy for Impingement.International journal of sports physical therapyThis paper proposes a criteria-based testing protocol for return to sport after hip arthroscopy, covering range of motion, strength, and functional tests. It is a clinical commentary, not a study. It reports no patient outcomes, so it offers no evidence that this protocol works.
• PTQualitative2023Perceptions of Physical Therapy and The Role of Physical Therapists  In Injury Prevention Among Professional Basketball Players: A Qualitative Study.International journal of sports physical therapyProfessional basketball players view physical therapists mainly for post-injury rehab, not prevention. They trust athletic trainers for prevention due to constant presence and expertise. Players often did not know if their team had a PT on staff.
• PTSurvey2023Higher Levels of Income and Education are Associated with More Specialized Sport Participation Behaviors: Results from a Representative Sample of Youth Sport Parents from the United States.International journal of sports physical therapyHigher-income and more-educated parents were more likely to report specialized youth sport behaviors such as club teams, multiple teams, and single-sport play. Not every behavior differed, and the survey cannot prove causes.
• PTCohort2023Hop to It! The Relationship Between Hop Tests and The Anterior Cruciate Ligament - Return to Sport Index After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in NCAA Division 1 Collegiate Athletes.International journal of sports physical therapyAfter ACL reconstruction in collegiate athletes, hop symmetry scores moved with psychological readiness scores, especially single hop and crossover hop. The timed 6-meter hop did not move with them. This is association, not proof a hop test predicts safe return.
• PTNarrative Review2023Ligament Healing After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Rupture: An Important New Patient Pathway?International journal of sports physical therapyNo new patient outcomes or study findings are reported here. This narrative review summarizes ACL healing evidence but does not provide a basis to change practice.
• PTOther2023Reliability and Measurement Error of the Qualitative Analysis of Single Leg Loading (QASLS) Tool For Unilateral Tasks.International journal of sports physical therapyThe QASLS tool showed good reliability when the same rater scored the same dancer twice. However, different raters disagreed frequently on single-leg squats. Clinicians should use it for tracking individual progress over time, but be cautious about comparing scores between different practitioners.
• PTOther2024Who's Afraid of Electrical Stimulation? Let's Revisit the Application of NMES at the Knee.The Journal of orthopaedic and sports physical therapyHigh-intensity NMES is critical for restoring quadriceps strength after knee injury, yet many clinicians underdose it. Testing five devices showed only two consistently allowed users to reach the necessary 50% of maximum voluntary contraction, highlighting that device choice and patient education determine treatment success.
• PTOTQualitative2024The meaningfulness of exploring one's own limits through interactions and enjoyment in outdoor high-intensity physiotherapy for people with multiple sclerosis: a qualitative study.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesPeople with MS described the outdoor sessions in a multi-component physiotherapy programme as meaningful. They valued pushing limits with running/walking, detailed exercises, group support, outdoors and tailored physiotherapist interaction.
• PTSurvey2023Profile of physiotherapists working with soccer teams in South Africa.The South African journal of physiotherapyPhysiotherapists working with South African soccer teams are young, mostly male, and hold bachelor's degrees. They treat players in private practices, not on the field, and rely heavily on soft tissue mobilisation and strengthening. Most report dissatisfaction with their salaries.
• PTOTSLPCohort2023Is There an Association Between Injury History and Lower Extremity Joint Injury During Canada Games Competition?International journal of sports physical therapyAthletes with a history of neck or back injuries were six times more likely to sustain ankle or knee injuries during competition. A history of joint or bone trauma was associated with patellofemoral injuries, and ligament or tendon issues linked to hip injuries.
• PTOther2023Validation of a Portable Wireless Force Platform System To Measure Ground Reaction Forces During Various Tasks.International journal of sports physical therapyPortable wireless force plates showed high agreement with laboratory gold standards for measuring vertical force during standing and jumping in three participants. Deviations from known weights were under 0.1 kg. Results suggest these devices are valid alternatives for clinical and sports use.
• PTOther2023Evaluating Functional Performance Tests in those with Non-arthritic Intra-articular Hip Pain: An International Consensus Statement.International journal of sports physical therapyExpert consensus recommends functional performance tests for non-arthritic hip pain at initial evaluation, re-evaluation, discharge, and return-to-sport testing. Tests should be graded from low to sport-specific, chosen by patient goals, irritability, and impairments. This is expert opinion, not evidence tests work.
• PTCohort2023Training Load and Current Soreness Predict Future Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness in Collegiate Female Soccer Athletes.International journal of sports physical therapyDaily wearables tracking decelerations, high-intensity heart rate minutes, and accelerations predicted next-day lower extremity soreness in collegiate soccer players. These specific training load metrics, combined with current soreness reports, offer practical guidance for managing athlete recovery and adjusting practice intensity.
• PTProtocol2023Neurocognitive and Reactive Return to Play Testing Protocol in Overhead Athletes Following Upper Extremity Injury.International journal of sports physical therapyTap, reaction time, and error values from baseball and softball athletes are described for a proposed return-to-play protocol, but no evidence yet shows the tests predict return to play or reduce reinjury.
• PTCase Series2023The Basas Spanish Squat: Superimposition of Electrical Stimulation to Optimize Patellar Tendon Strain: A Case Series.International journal of sports physical therapyAdding electrical stimulation to the Basas Spanish Squat roughly doubled patellar tendon strain in three of four healthy participants compared to the squat alone. This mechanical change was measured in healthy legs, so it does not prove the method relieves pain or heals tendons in patients.
• PTNarrative Review2023Utilizing MSK Ultrasound for Comprehensive Assessment of the Femoral Trochlea: A Game Changer in Sports Medicine.International journal of sports physical therapyThis paper describes the technique for using ultrasound to image the femoral trochlea. It lists advantages and future technologies but reports no patient data or outcomes. There is no evidence here to change clinical practice.
• PTOther2023Non-Operative Rehabilitation Principles for Use in Individuals with Acetabular Dysplasia: A North American Based Delphi Study.International journal of sports physical therapyExpert physiotherapists agreed on a non-operative protocol for hip dysplasia: prioritize stability over mobility, delay hip flexor strengthening until posterolateral strength improves, and avoid stretching tight muscles early. These are expert recommendations, not tested interventions.
• PTOther2023Hand therapy: Inclusive care by South African physiotherapists.The South African journal of physiotherapyThis commentary discusses the lack of formal hand therapy certification for physiotherapists in South Africa and argues for interprofessional education. It reports no patients, outcomes, or new evidence.
• PTOTSLPCohort2024Fewer children with autism spectrum disorder with motor challenges receive physical and recreational therapies compared to standard therapies: A SPARK data set analysis.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceMost children with autism in this large US sample were at risk for motor impairment, but few received physical or recreational therapy compared to speech and occupational therapy. Even children with the most severe motor difficulties had far lower access to gross motor services than fine motor or sedentary therapies.
• PTCohort2024Short-term fear of movement improves less after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with concomitant meniscus repair.Physical therapy in sport : official journal of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Sports MedicineFear of movement improved less after ACL reconstruction with concomitant meniscus repair than after isolated ACL reconstruction by 6 months. Readiness to return to sport did not differ. Expect slower fear reduction after meniscus repair.
• PTOTSLPCohort2024Depressive symptoms and activity engagement in autistic adolescents and those with other developmental disabilities.Disability and health journalAutistic teens and those with other disabilities had more depressive symptoms and less activity engagement than peers. Sports linked to fewer symptoms, but the group showing the benefit depended on how depression was defined. No cause can be proven from this data.
• PTOTRCT2024Vertical locomotion improves horizontal locomotion: effects of climbing on gait and other mobility aspects in Parkinson's disease. A secondary analysis from a randomized controlled trial.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationTwelve weeks of supervised indoor climbing improved normal and fast walking speed, stand-and-walk speed, and sit-to-stand speed in mild-to-moderate Parkinson's compared to unsupervised home exercise. Dual-task walking did not improve in either group.
• PTRCT2024A One Session Gait Retraining Protocol with Metronome Augmentation Increases Cadence in Novice and Recreational Runners.International journal of sports physical therapyOne metronome session and two weeks of self-practice raised runners' cadence by 7 steps per minute. This change did not alter pain, effort, heart rate, or other movement patterns. The increase was smaller than the 5-10% threshold often cited for injury risk reduction.
• PTOther2024Sensorimotor Dysfunction Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction- an Afferent Perspective: A Scoping Review.International journal of sports physical therapyPeople after ACL reconstruction show altered brain processing of sensation and vision. Tests of knee position and motion gave mixed small differences, and clinic tools are limited, so these deficits may not be reliably measured.
• PTSystematic Review2024What is the Injury Incidence and Profile in Professional Male Ice Hockey? A Systematic Review.International journal of sports physical therapyProfessional male ice hockey players had match injury rates of 38 to 88.6 injuries per 1000 hours and training rates of 0.4 to 2.6 injuries per 1000 hours. Lower extremities and head/neck were common, and most injuries were traumatic.
• PTOther2024The Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test (CKCUEST) Performance in Elite Team Handball Players Playing with Shoulder Pain, Previous Pain, or No Pain.International journal of sports physical therapyThe CKCUEST did not separate elite handball players with current shoulder pain, previous shoulder pain, or no pain. Men scored higher than women, so scores should not be compared across sexes.
• PTOther2024Sport-Specific AMCaMP: New Modular Tools for Measuring Adolescent Self-Confidence In Sport-Specific Movement.International journal of sports physical therapySeven sport-specific self-confidence questionnaires for adolescent athletes produced consistent scores, except swimming was less clear. They can supplement return-to-sport judgement, not act as a clearance test.
• PTOther2024Hip and Trunk Variables in University Students with and without Recurrent Low Back Pain.International journal of sports physical therapyStudents with recurrent low back pain had tiny hip motion differences versus controls. The differences were too small to matter clinically, and strength and endurance did not differ.
• PTCohort2024Initial versus Subsequent Injury and Illness and Temporal Trends Among Professional Hockey Players.International journal of sports physical therapyNHL centers had the highest injury and illness rates, with groin/hip/thigh, head/neck, and knee injuries most common across positions. Head/neck injuries peaked in 2010-2011 and declined after rule changes and visor mandates. Ambiguous reporting like 'lower body' limits specific injury tracking.
• PTOther2024Workload Comparison of Contemporary Interval Throwing Programs and a Novel Optimized Program for Baseball Pitchers.International journal of sports physical therapyThree widely used interval throwing programs produced repeated spikes in estimated workload outside the range the study called safe. A modeled program was designed to reduce these spikes, but it was not tested in injured pitchers.
• PTOTSLPCase-Control2024The Convergent Validity of the SWAY Balance Application to Assess Postural Stability in Military Cadets Recovering from Concussion.International journal of sports physical therapyThe SWAY app failed to detect balance differences in military cadets with recent concussions compared to healthy controls. It also showed no correlation with the gold-standard NeuroCom test. Clinicians should not rely on SWAY scores to assess post-concussion balance deficits or guide return-to-activity decisions.