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 15 OF 23 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTNarrative Review2024Enhancing the Diagnosis of Lateral Ankle Sprains: The Role of MSK Diagnostic Ultrasound in Evaluating ATFL and CFL.International journal of sports physical therapyA technique guide for ultrasound of lateral ankle ligaments. It describes probe positions and tear appearances, but reports no patient outcomes or diagnostic accuracy.
• PTCase Report2024Clinical Diagnosis of Scapular Dyskinesis in a Youth Softball Pitcher: A Case Report.International journal of sports physical therapyA youth softball pitcher with shoulder pain and a scapular dyskinesis diagnosis received seven weeks of physical therapy. Her strength and scapular test improved, but she still had pitching discomfort. Five months later she reported no pain after home exercises and gradual pitching.
• PTSurvey2024Health-Related Quality of Life and Psychological Outcomes in Participants with Symptomatic and Non-Symptomatic Knees after ACL Reconstruction.International journal of sports physical therapyAfter ACL reconstruction, people with symptomatic knees reported worse quality of life, more fear of activity, and lower resilience than people with non-symptomatic knees. Physical activity levels did not differ.
• PTSurvey2024The knowledge and attitude concerning sport-related concussion among coaches: A survey study.The South African journal of physiotherapyMost Jordanian sports coaches in this survey had low knowledge of concussion and attitudes that did not match safety guidelines. They struggled most with return-to-play protocols and symptom recognition. Coaches who had received concussion training showed better knowledge, suggesting targeted education could improve sideline safety.
• PTCohort2024Cues to land softly and quietly result in acute reductions in ground reaction force loading rates in runners.Gait & postureTelling injured runners to land softly and quietly reduced vertical loading rates significantly, matching the effect of barefoot forefoot running. This simple verbal cue lowered impact forces without requiring complex gait retraining or changing foot strike patterns.
• PTOther2024The Sportscomp Erasmus+ Project: Higher Education to Improve Competency in Sports Physiotherapy.International journal of sports physical therapyThis is a project description for an educational initiative to update sports physiotherapy competencies. It reports no study results, patient outcomes, or evidence of treatment efficacy.
• PTOther2024Reliability and validity of muscle activity analysis using wearable electromyographs.Journal of physical therapy scienceThe new wearable EMG gave repeatable readings in 23 healthy young adults, but it did not match an established device closely.
• PTOther2024Effects of Verbal and Tactile Cues on Gluteal Force Production and Broad Jump Distance.International journal of sports physical therapyVerbal cues raised hip extension force and broad jump distance; tactile cues only raised jump distance. Jump gains were 4.0% and 3.0%. The study tested healthy young adults, not patients.
• PTOther2024Implementing Velocity-Based Training to Optimize Return to Sprint After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Soccer Players: A Clinical Commentary.International journal of sports physical therapyThis commentary outlines a velocity-based training framework for returning soccer players to sprinting after ACL reconstruction. It details using force-velocity and acceleration-speed profiles to individualize loading, aiming to target specific mechanical deficits rather than relying on generic strength training.
• PTOther2024The Validity of a Portable Strain-Gauge Apparatus Versus a Commercial Isokinetic Dynamometer for Evaluating Knee Extension Kinetics.International journal of sports physical therapyFor healthy adults, peak force and peak rate of force development were closely matched on a portable strain-gauge plinth and an isokinetic dynamometer. Rapid-force measures were less interchangeable, so switch devices only for peak force and peak rate of force development.
• PTOTQualitative2024"I Feel Like I Have Lost Part Of My Identity" - A Qualitative Study Exploring The Impact Of Chronic Ankle Instability.International journal of sports physical therapyNine patients with chronic ankle instability described fear of re-spraining, confusion from conflicting advice, and a loss of identity when sport stopped. They wanted clear explanations, realistic goals, and rehab that fit daily life.
• PTOther2024Reliability and Validity of the End Range Hamstring Strength Test with Handheld Dynamometry.International journal of sports physical therapyA handheld dynamometer test for hamstring strength at end range matched isokinetic testing closely. When the same tester repeated the measure days later, results were highly consistent. Different testers showed moderate agreement, with slightly lower consistency on the left leg.
• PTOther2024Suggestions and Considerations for Application of Movement Screens to Clinical Practice.International journal of sports physical therapyThis is a commentary about movement screens, not a study. It gives suggestions about warm-up, fatigue, reliability, and cues, but reports no original results to change practice.
• PTNarrative Review2024Why Your Patient May Need an ACL Reconstruction Plus Lateral Extra-Articular Tenodesis Procedure.International journal of sports physical therapyThis paper argues that adding a lateral extra-articular tenodesis to ACL reconstruction helps prevent graft failure in high-risk athletes. It reviews existing evidence and offers expert recommendations on patient selection, but presents no new clinical data or trial results.
• PTOther2024The Effect of Exercise-Induced Central Fatigue on Cervical Spine Joint Position Error, Strength, and Endurance.International journal of sports physical therapyIn healthy adults, a hard treadmill test increased neck position matching error and reduced neck flexor endurance and flexion strength. Extension and rotation strength did not change. In a small concussion-history group, fatigue produced more errors and endurance loss, not a proven pattern.
• PTPilot2024Development and Feasibility of an Adolescent Dancer Screen.International journal of sports physical therapyA dance screening protocol was feasible in 32 adolescent dancers, but technique scoring varied widely between raters. It can flag impairments for wellness advice. It does not show that screening prevents injuries.
• PTNarrative Review2024MSK Ultrasound: A Powerful Tool for Evaluating and Diagnosing Pectoralis Major Injuries in Healthcare Practice.International journal of sports physical therapy
• PTCohort2024Asymmetric running is associated with pain during outdoor running in individuals with Achilles tendinopathy in the return-to-sport phase.Physical therapy in sport : official journal of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Sports MedicineRunners with Achilles pain who shifted load to the healthy leg reported more pain, especially on consecutive run days. However, the total number of runs over two weeks did not worsen symptoms. Recovery days may help manage pain, but run frequency itself was not harmful.
• PTRCT2024Handcycling with concurrent lower body low-frequency electromyostimulation significantly increases acute oxygen uptake in elite wheelchair basketball players: an acute crossover trial.Journal of rehabilitation medicineHandcycling with low-frequency leg electrical stimulation raised oxygen uptake in elite wheelchair basketball players. This was an acute effect only, so it does not show improved fitness or training benefit.
• PTOTCohort2024Characterizing ambulatory function in children with PPP2R5D-related neurodevelopmental disorder.Gait & postureChildren and adults with PPP2R5D-related disorder walk slower and with a wider base of support than peers. They increase speed by lengthening steps rather than stepping faster, suggesting balance deficits limit how they adapt to walking demands.
• PTOther2024Sound source localization in blind soccer: differences between sighted and visually impaired players.Journal of physical therapy scienceVisually impaired soccer players pressed the switch closer to the ball's arrival than sighted players did, even at high speeds. However, the impaired group were experienced players while the sighted group were novices. The difference cannot be separated from their training.
• PTOTSLPCohort2024Correlation between the sacral tilt measured with an inclinometer and the pelvic tilt as a tool for assessing the pelvic position.Journal of physical therapy scienceA quick inclinometer reading on the sacrum correlates with pelvic tilt in young athletes. This offers a cheap, fast alternative to complex equipment for checking pelvic position, though it measures skin surface, not bone.
• PTCohort2024Effects of Nontraditional Division III Lacrosse Participation on Movement Pattern Quality and Dynamic Postural Control.International journal of sports physical therapyOver eight weeks of a Division III lacrosse season, overall movement screen scores did not change, but individual movement asymmetries and ankle motion worsened. Athletes often overrated their own movement quality.
• PTCohort2024Establishing Normal Variances and Expectations for Quadriceps Limb Symmetry Index Benchmarks Based on Time from Surgery After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.International journal of sports physical therapyAfter autograft ACL reconstruction, estimated quadriceps strength benchmarks came later than after allograft, and the male-female difference was not clear. Use graft-specific timelines for counseling, not fixed calendar expectations.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2024Enriching the lives of children with acquired brain injury and their caregivers: experiences from peer mentorship sports camps.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesChildren with brain injury and their caregivers described a sports camp as a way to manage fatigue, build confidence, and reduce isolation. Caregivers reported becoming less overprotective and more hopeful after meeting peer mentors who shared similar experiences.
• PTOTCohort2024Muscle Activations of the Upper Extremity and Core during Elevation and Rotational Movements in Overhead Throwing Athletes.International journal of sports physical therapyInjured overhead athletes showed lower upper trapezius activity during rotational arm movements compared to healthy peers. While mean muscle activation was similar during elevation tasks, injured athletes relied more on the supraspinatus and infraspinatus, suggesting compensatory stability mechanisms.
• PTOther2024Reliability of an Instrumented Pressure Walkway for Measuring Walking and Running Characteristics in Young, Athletic Individuals.International journal of sports physical therapyThree one-way passes over a pressure walkway gave consistent walking and running measurements in 38 young, active adults; stride width was the least repeatable walking measure across days.
• PTCohort2024Quadriceps and Hamstrings Activation Peaks Earlier as Athletes Repeatedly Hop, but There are Differences Depending on ACL Reconstruction Technique.International journal of sports physical therapyDuring 30-second maximal single-leg hopping, quadriceps and hamstring activation peaks moved earlier in the hop cycle as athletes repeated hops. Injured legs after ACL reconstruction also showed lower peak quadriceps activation, with both graft types.
• PTNarrative Review2024Tissue Flossing: A Commentary on Clinical Practice Recommendations.International journal of sports physical therapyThis commentary proposes starting points for tissue flossing practice, including safety precautions and monitoring. It summarizes existing literature but reports no new trials or patient outcomes. There is no evidence here to change your clinical practice on.
• PTRCT2024Effectiveness of motor imagery on sports performance in football players: A randomised control trial.Hong Kong physiotherapy journal : official publication of the Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association Limited = Wu li chih liaoMotor imagery added to routine training improved 20m sprint speed, agility, and reaction time in football players. However, it did not improve 10m or 40m speed. The benefit appeared in both university and amateur players, but the study did not compare motor imagery directly against a no-treatment control.
• PTOther2024Interlimb kinetic asymmetries during the tuck jump assessment are more exposed following kinetic stabilization.Physical therapy in sport : official journal of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Sports MedicineIn 25 healthy female athletes, some limb force differences during repeated tuck jumps became more apparent after the jump pattern stabilized. Many other force measures did not change.
• PTOther2024Individualized Technique Feedback for Instant Technique Improvements and Knee Abduction Moment Reductions - A New Approach for 'Sidestepping' ACL Injuries?International journal of sports physical therapyImmediate visual feedback, explanations and verbal instructions improved cutting technique in elite female handball players. Foot strike and knee valgus feedback lowered knee abduction moment by 13.4% and 17.1%; vertical velocity feedback did not lower it.
• PTSystematic Review2024A review of evidence on mechanical properties of running specific prostheses and their relationship with running performance.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesEvidence linking running prosthesis stiffness to speed or energy cost is inconsistent. Studies used different tests, and several used the same data, so this review cannot guide prosthesis selection.
• PTCase Report2024Clinical Progression and Load Management For Proximal Hamstring Tendinopathy In A Long-Distance Runner: A Case Report.International journal of sports physical therapyA runner with severe buttock pain from hamstring tendon injury reported pain dropping from 7/10 to 1/10 after 12 weeks of progressive loading exercises. The plan increased difficulty only when daily pain stayed at 4/10 or less, moving from isometric holds to running.
• PTCase Report2024Treatment of developmental hip dysplasia with manual therapy following Pavlik harness failure: a case report with long-term follow-up.The Journal of manual & manipulative therapyIn a child whose hip dysplasia persisted after a Pavlik harness, daily manual therapy was followed by less limping, normal walking, and later X-ray findings. This describes a case, not proof the therapy works.
• PTOTSystematic Review2024Validity and Reliability of Dynamic and Functional Balance Tests in People Aged 19-54: A Systematic Review.International journal of sports physical therapyThe Y-Balance Test, Star Excursion Balance Test, and one-arm Functional Reach Test are valid and reliable for assessing dynamic balance in healthy adults aged 19-54. Different tests measure distinct skills, so scores cannot be directly compared between them.
• PTOther2024Muscle Activity and Kinematics During Three Hamstring Strengthening Exercises Compared to Sprinting: A Cross-Sectional Study.International journal of sports physical therapyThe rocker exercise produced higher hamstring muscle activity than the Nordic hamstring exercise or sprinting. However, none of the tested exercises stretched the hamstring as much as sprinting does, which is the position where injuries typically occur.
• PTOther2024Reliability and Validity of Visual Estimation in Determining Thorax Rotation Mobility using the Quadruped Lumbar-Locked Position.International journal of sports physical therapyWatching a healthy adult rotate the thorax in the quadruped lumbar-locked position agreed moderately well with a phone measurement, including when a student rated it. It may help PTs screen quickly, but it was not tested in people with pain or injury.
• PTNarrative Review2024Associations Between Hip Pathology, Hip and Groin Pain, and Injuries in Hockey Athletes: A Clinical Commentary.International journal of sports physical therapyHip and groin pain in hockey athletes is linked to a cycle of structural changes, not just one injury. Cam morphology may lead to labral tears, which cause ligament lengthening and hip instability. This triggers muscle guarding, reduced range of motion, and compensatory movements that increase the risk of core muscle and adductor injuries.
• PTCase Report2024Triceps Tendon Avulsion in a Soldier: A Case Report.International journal of sports physical therapyIn one soldier with intact elbow extension strength, ultrasound showed a high-grade partial triceps tendon tear. This led to MRI and repair within three weeks. He returned to full duty at eleven months.
• PTOther2024Interpersonal Coordination between Female Soccer Players: Leader-Follower Roles within a Collision-Avoidance Task.International journal of sports physical therapyPreviously injured female soccer players were more likely to follow their teammates during a collision-avoidance task. After an unexpected signal, these injured followers struggled to regain strong movement coordination, while uninjured followers recovered quickly. This suggests injury history may impair reactive coordination.
• PTCohort2024Are Functional Performance Test Scores Better When Compared to Baseline or Contralateral Limb Scores Following LE Injury in Adolescent Athletes?International journal of sports physical therapyFor high school athletes returning from lower limb injury, baseline testing helps detect agility and balance deficits, while comparing limbs helps detect power deficits. No single reference standard works for every test, so choose your comparison based on which test you use.
• PTNarrative Review2024Management of High Ankle Sprains Utilizing the Tightrope Surgical Procedure - A Novel Approach for a Rapid Return to Play.International journal of sports physical therapyThis paper proposes an accelerated rehabilitation protocol for athletes after TightRope surgery for high ankle sprains, progressing from partial weight-bearing on day 4 to return-to-sport testing by week 6. It is a theoretical framework, not evidence that this timeline works.
• PTOTSLPOther2024Effects of running with surgical masks on cardiopulmonary function in healthy male university students.Journal of physical therapy scienceHealthy young men ran to exhaustion on a treadmill wearing surgical masks. They stopped sooner than without masks, despite breathing and heart rates dropping. Their maximum oxygen use did not change, suggesting the mask limited how long they could run rather than their total aerobic capacity.
• PTCohort2024Effect of Sex and Lateral Ankle Sprain History on Dorsiflexion Range Of Motion Asymmetry During the Weight Bearing Lunge Test.International journal of sports physical therapyRecreational athletes with a history of lateral ankle sprain had less dorsiflexion range of motion than those without. Females showed slightly more range than males. However, the magnitude of left-right asymmetry was not different between sexes or those with and without prior sprains.
• PTCohort2024Postural Control During Single-Leg Landing in Female Athletes After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.International journal of sports physical therapyFemale athletes over a year post-ACL reconstruction showed similar muscle timing and joint angles to healthy controls during single-leg landing. However, they generated significantly higher hip external rotation moments in the compensatory phase, suggesting a specific postural strategy.
• PTCase Report2024Rehabilitation Following ACL Repair with Internal Brace Ligament Augmentation in Female Gymnast: A Resident's Case Report.International journal of sports physical therapyA 16-year-old gymnast returned to competition six months after ACL repair with internal bracing and a multi-component staged physical therapy program. Her knee function score rose from 60.92 to 96.6 on a 0 to 100 scale. One case cannot prove this works.
• PTCohort2024Periscapular Strength Profile Changes in Collegiate Baseball Pitchers Over the Course of a Season.International journal of sports physical therapyShoulder flexion strength dropped significantly over the season, while other muscles showed non-significant declines. Middle trapezius strength fell most sharply early in the season. These changes suggest pitchers lose strength as the season progresses, though the small sample size limits certainty.
• PTOther2024Pain Neuroscience Education for Acute Pain.International journal of sports physical therapyNo outcomes are reported. This invited commentary describes how pain neuroscience education could be used for acute pain in athletes, including an illustrative case.
• PTQualitative2024Sport development in rural schools of Lephalale in Limpopo province: Barriers and facilitators.The South African journal of physiotherapyRural school principals and Life Orientation teachers described dusty grounds, little timetable time, heavy workload, small sports budgets and low learner interest as barriers to sport development. They saw more sports codes and physical education as ways to widen participation.