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 16 OF 23 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTPilot2024A remotely-delivered pilot and feasibility program to promote physical and food literacy in adolescents with intellectual disabilities.Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARIDA remote pilot program for six teens with intellectual disabilities showed mixed results. Participants improved in ball skills and food knowledge, but locomotor skills declined slightly. Most liked the sports and nutrition sessions, though half disliked home practice, and parents questioned if remote delivery worked well.
• PTOther2024The SPORTS Participation Framework: illuminating the pathway for people with disability to enter into, participate in, and excel at sport.Brazilian journal of physical therapyThis paper proposes a theoretical framework for sports participation for people with disability. It describes stages from health interventions to elite competition but reports no data or outcomes. There are no findings here to change your clinical practice.
• PTOther2024Effects of technological running shoes versus barefoot running on the intrinsic foot muscles, ankle mobility, and dynamic control: a novel cross-sectional research.Brazilian journal of physical therapyExperienced barefoot runners had thicker plantar fascia and larger quadratus plantae and abductor digiti minimi cross-sectional areas, and greater ankle dorsiflexion than technological-shoe runners; dynamic balance was similar. This compares groups, not proves footwear caused the differences.
• PTCase Report2024Nonsurgical Management of Adductor-related groin pain with Ultrasound-Guided Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection and Physical Therapy in a Competitive Soccer Player: A Case Report.International journal of sports physical therapyA 17-year-old soccer player with adductor-related groin pain returned to sport at six weeks after an ultrasound-guided injection of platelet-rich plasma with lidocaine and Depo Medrol, plus physical therapy. This is a case report, not proof the injection caused the improvement.
• PTSurvey2024Screening for Incidence and Effect of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction in College-Aged Athletes.International journal of sports physical therapyOlder athletes, swimmers, and those reporting more pelvic-floor knowledge had higher symptom scores. Of 53 college athletes, 13 scored 3 or more; 92.3% of them had abnormal pelvic-floor muscle activity, and 69% reported embarrassment, anxiety/worry and annoyance while 77% reported personal-life impact.
• PTOther2024A Rehabilitation Algorithm After Lateral Ankle Sprains in Professional Football (Soccer): An Approach Based on Clinical Practice Guidelines.International journal of sports physical therapyNo patients or outcomes are reported. This commentary proposes a criteria-based rehabilitation algorithm for professional footballers after lateral ankle sprain, but it does not show that the algorithm works.
• PTOther2024Enhancing Return to Alpine Skiing: Integrating Perceptual-Motor-Cognitive Considerations in Testing and Progressions: A Clinical Commentary.International journal of sports physical therapyThis clinical commentary proposes adding visual and cognitive challenges to return-to-snow testing for alpine skiers after ACL reconstruction. It argues that standard strength tests miss neuroplastic deficits that increase re-injury risk. No patients were tested, so no outcomes are reported.
• PTCohort2024Predicting the occurrence of in-season groin pain in male high school soccer players: a cohort study.Journal of physical therapy scienceLower preseason hip adductor strength and lower self-reported hip/groin scores predicted in-season groin pain in male high school soccer players. Players with less strength and worse HAGOS scores were significantly more likely to develop groin pain during the season.
• PTCase Series2024Point of Care Ultrasound Guided Management of Lateral Ankle Sprains: A Case Series.International journal of sports physical therapyReported ankle function and pain scores improved over 24 weeks after ultrasound grading plus a combined care plan. This case series cannot show what caused the gains.
• PTOther2024Return to Play Assessment After Lateral Ankle Sprains - German Male Elite Youth Football (Soccer) Academy Baseline Data.International journal of sports physical therapyIn 20 uninjured male elite youth footballers, dynamic tests showed better results than previously reported cohorts, but direction-corrected limb symmetry tests flagged more side differences than the usual 90% rule.
• PTOther2024Interindividual differences in physical function and their impact on regular player selection among junior high school soccer athletes.Journal of physical therapy scienceJunior soccer players chosen as regulars had higher jump height and bike power than non-regulars, even after age, height, and weight. Agility and sprint times did not differ. This is about selection, not treatment.
• PTCase Series2024A Pre and Postnatal Physical Therapy Protocol for Recreational Athletes: A Case Series.International journal of sports physical therapyAll six recreational athlete mothers returned to desired running or group fitness without pain, urinary dysfunction, or prolapse and improved function and urinary distress scores after physical therapy visits, a home exercise program, and individualized pelvic floor care.
• PTOther2024Effects of local vibration stimulation on muscle recovery and hypertrophy.Journal of physical therapy scienceAfter one week of elbow flexor training in healthy students, local vibration after training did not significantly improve strength, arm size, muscle thickness, or hardness. Ultrasound brightness increased in the vibration group, but its clinical meaning is unclear.
• PTCase-Control2024Assessing the Relationship of Psychological Sport Readiness, Single-leg Vertical Jump, and Non-Sagittal Single-Leg Hops to Quadriceps Strength After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.International journal of sports physical therapySingle-leg hop tests overestimate quadriceps strength after ACL reconstruction. The vertical jump is the best screening tool for detecting strength asymmetry, while psychological readiness scores do not correlate with physical strength deficits.
• PTCase Report2024Rehabilitation of an Upper Extremity Weight-Bearing Athlete with an Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injury: A Case Report.International journal of sports physical therapyA cheerleader with a suspected ulnar collateral ligament sprain returned to tumbling after individualized physical therapy that began early weight-bearing progressions. This is a case report, not proof the approach works.
• PTSurvey2024Protracted exercise tolerance post-coronavirus disease 2019 in endurance athletes: A survey.The South African journal of physiotherapy97 of 308 endurance athletes had not returned to pre-illness sport after COVID-19. They reported more exertional fatigue, breathlessness, chest pain, and worse physical fatigue. Higher physical fatigue was linked to lower chance of return.
• PTCohort2024Lower-Quarter Y-Balance Test Differs by Age: Younger Athletes May Not Be Generalized to High School-Aged Counterparts.International journal of sports physical therapyYounger athletes aged 8 to 10 showed greater anterior reach than older teens on the Y-Balance Test. This contradicts the assumption that performance improves with age. Do not apply standard high school normative values to pre-adolescent patients during return-to-play screening.
• PTOTCase Report2024Spontaneous rupture of the plantar fascia: a case report.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesA 35-year-old man with a spontaneous plantar fascia rupture recovered fully without surgery after 12 weeks of conservative care. Pain and function scores improved significantly, but this single case cannot prove the treatment works for others.
• PTOTSurvey2024An Online Evidence-Based Education Resource Is Useful and Can Change People's Perceptions About Running and Knee Health.JOSPT openAfter reading a free online infographic resource, 76.8% of participants changed their views on running and knee health. They became more accepting of running with knee osteoarthritis and more cautious about long distances. The resource was rated highly useful, but this study did not test if it changes actual running behavior.
• PTOther2024Clinical assessment, treatment, and referral trends for adolescent runners seeking care at an injured runners' clinic.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicineAdolescent runners with shin injuries received the most clinical resources, including imaging, referrals, and supplements. Care shifted over ten years toward nutrition and gait training, reflecting updated consensus on Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport, while manual tests remained the primary diagnostic tool.
• PTSLPCohort2024The Effects of Repetitive Head Impact Exposure on Mental Health Symptoms Following Traumatic Brain Injury.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationRepetitive head impacts occurring after a moderate to severe traumatic brain injury were linked to higher depression and anxiety scores five years later. Impacts that happened before the index injury were not associated with these mental health outcomes.
• PTOTSLPCohort2024Research Letter: Relationship of Blood Biomarkers of Inflammation With Acute Concussion Symptoms and Recovery in the CARE Consortium.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationBlood inflammation markers did not predict how long concussion recovery took. However, higher levels of one marker (IL-1RA) in the first two days were linked to more depression and somatic symptoms, particularly in male athletes.
• PTOTSurvey2024Barriers to and enablers of physical activity participation in lung cancer survivors.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationMost lung cancer survivors in this survey did not meet exercise guidelines, citing fatigue and breathlessness as main barriers. Despite this, 63% were interested in community exercise programs, preferring walking and exercising alone. Higher income and self-efficacy were linked to more activity.
• PTOTSLPCohort2024Heart rate variability activity in soccer athletes after a musculoskeletal injury.Journal of rehabilitation medicineInjured soccer players showed altered heart rate variability patterns compared to when they returned to play, specifically lower LF power and LF/HF ratio with higher HF power immediately after injury. These autonomic shifts suggest HRV could help detect injury or guide return-to-play decisions.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2025Health outcomes of former division I college athletes.Brain injuryFormer collision sport athletes reported more cognitive complaints, impulsivity, rage, and sleep apnea than non-collision athletes. However, the 6.2% response rate means these findings may reflect selection bias, so they do not prove collision sports cause these health issues.
• PTOTOther2024Three-month functional training programme improves knee joint function in athletes post-ACL reconstruction surgery.Journal of rehabilitation medicineAthletes who did 3 months of structured functional training after ACL surgery recovered knee strength and balance better than those who just waited for natural healing. The training group reached a hamstring-to-quadriceps ratio of 67.46% on the injured side, compared with 56.52% in the control group.
• PTOTPilot2024Virtual Assessment of Functional Mobility in Lower Extremity Prosthesis Clients: An Exploratory Study.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationTwelve lower-limb prosthesis users completed a virtual mobility test at home. Their self-reported function scores matched the timed Up and Go results. A faster Up and Go time predicted a higher self-rated ability to handle daily activities.
• PTCase-Control2024Clinical presentation of anterior pelvic tilt and trunk muscle endurance among patients with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome: a cross-sectional study.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicinePatients with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome had greater anterior pelvic tilt and lower posterior trunk endurance than healthy controls. Pincer-type subgroups showed lower lateral trunk endurance than Cam-type. No difference was found in anterior or lateral trunk endurance between the main groups.
• PTOther2025Knee joint mechanics during gait after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using a partial or full thickness quadriceps tendon autograft at 2 years after surgery.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationOperated and unoperated knees walked similarly at least 1 year after quadriceps tendon ACL reconstruction, but both groups made less knee straightening force during early stance than controls.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2024Motivation to participate in structured physical activity for autistic youth: A systematic scoping review.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAutistic youth are less motivated for structured physical activity when they feel incompetent, socially excluded, or overwhelmed by sensory noise. They participate more when given choices from known activities and explicit instructions. Mainstream group-based approaches often thwart these needs.
• PTOTSLPRCT2025Does shockwave therapy lead to better pain and function than sham over 12 weeks in people with insertional Achilles tendinopathy? A randomised controlled trial.Clinical rehabilitationAdding shockwave therapy to exercise and education made no difference to pain or function compared to sham at 12 weeks. Both groups improved similarly. Shockwave therapy offers no benefit over recommended care for insertional Achilles tendinopathy.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2024The meaning of autistic movements.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAutistic adults describe movement as a way to regulate senses and emotions. Stimming and exercise serve the same functions but face stigma. Clinicians should explore how patients use movement for well-being rather than suppressing it.
• PTCohort2025Acute and Longitudinal Effects of Concussion on Reactive Balance in Collegiate Athletes.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairCollegiate athletes within 72 hours of concussion took longer to steady themselves during a push-and-release balance task while also doing a mental task. The deficit was not seen after symptoms resolved in the main group comparison.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2025Return to sports after pediatric traumatic brain injury: An expert panel survey.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationExpert opinions on when children with serious brain injuries can return to sports vary widely. Risk of the activity mattered more than injury severity for most scenarios. For severe injuries and high-contact sports, many experts recommended waiting months or never returning, highlighting the need for individualized decision-making.
• PTMeta-Analysis2024Psychometrics of Wearable Devices Measuring Physical Activity in Ambulant Children With Gait Abnormalities: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationWearable activity monitors are generally consistent when repeated and agree reasonably well with reference measures in ambulant children with gait problems. Accuracy varies by setting, activity type and age. This is about measurement, not therapy effect.
• PTOTSystematic Review2024A Scoping Review of the Predictive Qualities of Walking Speed in Older Adults.Journal of geriatric physical therapy (2001)Self-selected walking speed below about 1.0 m/s in older adults was repeatedly linked to higher risk of mortality, falls, hospitalization, disability, cognitive decline, and low physical activity. It can flag patients needing further assessment or referrals.
• PTRCT2024Comparing the immediate effects of different neural mobilization exercises on hamstring flexibility in recreational soccer players.Hong Kong physiotherapy journal : official publication of the Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association Limited = Wu li chih liaoNo clinically relevant difference was found between neural sliding and neural tensioning for hamstring flexibility in male recreational soccer players. Both groups changed from before to immediately after and to 60 minutes, but no control group means repeated testing cannot be ruled out.
• PTPilot2025Feasibility of a Recumbent Stepper for Short-Interval, Low-Volume High-Intensity Interval Exercise in Stroke.Journal of neurologic physical therapy : JNPTAll 28 people with chronic stroke completed a 10-minute recumbent stepper interval session with no serious adverse events. Average heart rate during intervals was 76.8% of age-predicted maximum, so the session was feasible but not consistently vigorous.
• PTOther2024Injury Patterns in Fencing Athletes - A Retrospective Review.International journal of sports physical therapy73% of fencing injuries seen in clinics were in the lower extremity, and 49% of those involved the knee; upper limb injuries were almost always on the dominant side when documented. 80% were treated with physical therapy; when recorded, 51% had no time off sport.
• PTOTCase Series2024The Impact of Blood Flow Restriction Training on Tibial Bone Stress Injury Rehabilitation: An Exploratory Case Series.International journal of sports physical therapyMilitary trainees with tibial bone stress injuries who added blood flow restriction training to their rehab did not lose bone density or muscle mass over four weeks. They reported significant improvements in pain, function, and anxiety, suggesting this approach may help maintain tissue health during restricted activity.
• PTCohort2024Validity, Agreement and Reliability of the ForceFrame Dynamometer in Patients with Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury.International journal of sports physical therapyThe ForceFrame reliably measures knee extension strength in ACL patients but underestimates absolute values compared to the gold standard. A change of 22-27% is needed to confirm real improvement. It performs poorly for knee flexion, which requires cautious interpretation.
• PTCohort2024Dynamic Functional Ability in Lacrosse Players in Relation to Development of Sport-Related Onset of Musculoskeletal Pain.International journal of sports physical therapyAmong 128 lacrosse players, the youngest group made more errors on single-leg squats and drop jumps. Over six months, more drop-jump errors were linked to low back pain, and worse single-leg squat scores to lower-extremity pain.
• PTOther2024Are Anthropometric Measures, Range of Motion, or Movement Control Tests Associated with Lumbopelvic Flexion during Barbell Back Squats?International journal of sports physical therapyIn experienced lifters, more ankle dorsiflexion range went with more low back and pelvis flexion during a barbell back squat. Body proportions, hip range, and low-load control tests did not go with that flexion.
• PTCohort2024Relationship Between the Results of the Landing Error Scoring System and Trunk Muscle Thickness.International journal of sports physical therapyGymnasts with higher landing error scores had significantly less change in deep trunk muscle thickness during a plank. This suggests poor deep trunk muscle activation may contribute to risky landing mechanics, warranting assessment of core stability in athletes with landing deficits.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2025A review of concurrent sonified biofeedback in balance and gait training.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationMost studies testing sound-based balance feedback reported improvements, but many were small and short-term. Clinicians should view this as promising research rather than established practice, as evidence for long-term skill transfer is currently lacking.
• PTOther2024Limitations of Separating Athletes into High or Low-Risk Groups based on a Cut-Off. A Clinical Commentary.International journal of sports physical therapySplitting athletes into high or low risk groups using cut-offs like 90% strength symmetry hides the true relationship between test scores and injury. It discards data, inflates errors, and prevents personalised care. Track continuous values instead to make better decisions.
• PTCase Report2024Utilization of Blood Flow Restriction Therapy with a Former Triathlete After Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Case Report.International journal of sports physical therapyAfter total knee replacement, a former triathlete added a home blood flow restriction cuff to physical therapy, home exercises, cycling, and acupuncture. Pain, strength, and function improved, but the treatments overlapped, so the cuff alone cannot be credited.
• PTOther2024Associations between whole-body reaction time, maximum jump height, and skeletal muscle mass when reaction time and jump height are investigated as a complex.Journal of physical therapy scienceReaction time under simple and complex conditions did not correlate, suggesting different cognitive demands. Jump height correlated strongly between conditions. Skeletal muscle mass associated with jump height but not reaction time.
• PTCohort2025Confidence to Return to Play After Concussion.Journal of sport rehabilitationAthletes reported low confidence immediately after concussion, which improved over time. However, 11% returned to competition with lingering confidence concerns. Acute symptom severity predicted initial low confidence, but sex, sport type, and concussion history did not affect confidence recovery.
• PTQualitative2024A Qualitative Study of Factors Perceived to Influence Physical Activity among Young Athletes after ACL Reconstruction.International journal of sports physical therapyYoung athletes after ACL reconstruction described fear, soreness, and lost time as barriers, yet kept moving through body awareness, personal meaning, and social accountability.