Special issue
Special Issue Title
Effect of a Novel Stretching Technique on Shoulder Range of Motion in Overhead Athletes with Glenohumeral Internal Rotation Deficit: Advances in Sports Rehabilitation and Performance
Aim and Scope
Overhead athletes are frequently exposed to repetitive shoulder loading that can lead to Glenohumeral Internal Rotation Deficit (GIRD), a condition associated with reduced shoulder mobility, altered biomechanics, pain, diminished athletic performance, and an increased risk of upper extremity injuries. Recent advances in sports physiotherapy have introduced novel stretching techniques and rehabilitation protocols aimed at restoring shoulder range of motion, improving functional performance, and preventing recurrent injuries.
This Special Issue seeks to publish high-quality research focusing on innovative rehabilitation strategies, stretching interventions, manual therapy, exercise prescription, and evidence-based clinical practices for managing shoulder dysfunction in overhead athletes. We welcome interdisciplinary contributions from physiotherapy, sports medicine, biomechanics, orthopedics, rehabilitation science, exercise physiology, kinesiology, and athletic performance.
The objective of this Special Issue is to provide clinicians, researchers, physiotherapists, and sports professionals with the latest scientific evidence and practical approaches for optimizing shoulder health, enhancing athletic performance, and reducing injury risk among overhead athletes.
Topics of Interest
Authors are invited to submit original research articles, review papers, clinical studies, and case reports on topics including, but not limited to:
- Glenohumeral Internal Rotation Deficit (GIRD)
- Novel Stretching Techniques for Shoulder Rehabilitation
- Shoulder Range of Motion Assessment
- Overhead Athlete Injury Prevention
- Sports Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation
- Manual Therapy Techniques
- Rotator Cuff Rehabilitation
- Scapular Dyskinesis
- Therapeutic Exercise Prescription
- Biomechanical Analysis of Shoulder Movement
- Neuromuscular Training
- Functional Performance Testing
- Return-to-Sport Rehabilitation
- Athletic Performance Enhancement
- Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
- Clinical Trials in Sports Rehabilitation
- Evidence-Based Rehabilitation Protocols
- Kinesiology and Human Movement Science
- Sports Injury Management
- Digital Rehabilitation Technologies
- Wearable Sensors in Sports Medicine
- Artificial Intelligence Applications in Rehabilitation
- Motion Analysis and Biomechanics
- Exercise Physiology in Athletic Performance
- Personalized Rehabilitation Programs
Types of Manuscripts Accepted
- Original Research Articles
- Randomized Controlled Trials
- Systematic Reviews
- Meta-Analyses
- Review Articles
- Clinical Studies
- Case Reports
- Short Communications
- Technical Notes
- Perspective Articles
Keywords
Glenohumeral Internal Rotation Deficit, GIRD, Shoulder Rehabilitation, Shoulder Range of Motion, Overhead Athletes, Sports Physiotherapy, Sports Medicine, Stretching Techniques, Manual Therapy, Athletic Performance, Injury Prevention, Rotator Cuff, Scapular Dyskinesis, Rehabilitation Science, Therapeutic Exercise, Biomechanics, Clinical Trials, Exercise Therapy, Functional Rehabilitation, Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy.
Important Dates
- Submission Opens: 01-July-2026
- Manuscript Submission Deadline: 30-August-2026
- First Decision: Within 2–3 weeks after submission
- Final Acceptance: Upon successful peer review
- Publication: Articles will be published online immediately after acceptance.
Submission Information
Authors should prepare their manuscripts according to the journal's Author Guidelines and submit them through the journal's online submission system. All submitted manuscripts will undergo a rigorous double-blind peer-review process to ensure scientific quality, originality, and relevance. This Special Issue follows the same editorial standards and publication ethics as the regular issues of the journal.
