Submission Guidelines

We welcome a variety of manuscript types, each with specific formatting and word count guidelines. Below are detailed instructions for Original Articles, Systematic Reviews & Meta-Analyses and Editorials. If you have article types outside of these (such as consensus statements, blogs) then please contact the editorial team prior to submitting the article.

Formatting Requirements

To allow ease of initial submission, authors must adhere to the following loose formatting guidelines…

  • Manuscripts must be submitted as a Microsoft Word (.docx) file
  • Add in line numbers, either continuous or starting on each page with the addition of page numbers to aid with responding to reviewer comments
  • Size 10-12 font
  • Any referencing style is permitted (Vancouver preferred)
  • Tables and figures can be included in the manuscript in close proximity to where they are first mentioned.

If after initial peer-review the article requires a revision, or the article is accepted, then all submissions are required to be formatted to match the following guidance…

  • Items listed above, some of which may be superseded by the following points
  • Size 12 Arial or Times New Roman font
  • Heading styles:
    • Main headings: Bold, ALL CAPS (e.g., METHODS)
    • Subheadings: Bold, Sentence case (e.g., Statistical analysis)
    • Sub-subheadings: Italicised, Sentence case (e.g., Ethical Approval)
  • Figures (JPEG, PNG, or TIFF, 300 dpi minimum) should be removed from the manuscript and submitted as separate files.
  • Tables and figures should be labelled sequentially in numerical order.
  • Bibliography:
    • Numbered in order of appearance
    • Vancouver referencing style
    • Use the following structure:
      • Journal Article:
        • Smith JD, Lopez MR. The effect of strength training on ACL injuries. J Sports Med. 2023;45(6):102-110.
      • Book Chapter:
        • Brown K. Rehabilitation approaches for sports injuries. In: Jones M, editor. Sports Medicine Handbook. 2nd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 2021. p. 45-67.
      • Website:
        • World Health Organization. Sports injuries and prevention strategies. Available from: who.int/sports (Accessed: 12 March 2024).
  1. Original Articles (maximum 4,000 words)

Original research articles should present new scientific findings in sports medicine, health, and injury & illness prevention. These articles undergo full peer review and should include the following sections:

Manuscript Structure (each on separate pages)

  • Title Page:
    • Concise and descriptive title (maximum 30 words)
    • Full author names, affiliations, and corresponding author contact details (email and address)
    • Manuscript word count (excluding bibliography and table content)
    • Number of tables
    • Number of figures
    • Acknowledgements (if necessary)
    • Funding statement (if necessary)
    • Conflicts of interest (state none if no conflicts are perceived)
    • Keywords: 3-6 relevant keywords
  • Abstract (up to 300 words):
    • Structured format: Introduction, Methods, Results, Conclusion
    • No citations allowed
  • Manuscript with the following sections: Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusion.
  • References:
    • Limited to 60 references

Additional Guidelines

  • Figures & Tables: Maximum of 8 figures/tables combined
  • Supplementary Materials: Additional data, such as surveys or extended analyses, can be included as supplementary files
  • Ethical Compliance: each article must include acknowledgement of ethical approval via an academic institution in the methods section. Also ensure you include a conflict of interest statement on the title page.
  1. Systematic Reviews & Meta-Analyses (maximum 5,000 words)

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses should synthesize existing literature using a structured, transparent methodology. Preferred guidelines: PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses).

Manuscript Structure

  • Title Page: As per Original Articles
  • Abstract (up to 300 words):
    • Structured format: Introduction, Methods, Results, Conclusion
    • No citations allowed
  • Keywords: 3–6 relevant keywords
  • Manuscript with the following sections: Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusion.
  • References:
    • Up to 60 references (please contact the editorial team if the review has more than 60 articles included)

Additional Guidelines

  • Figures & Tables: Maximum of 10 figures/tables
  • Supplementary Files: Full database search strategy, additional analyses, risk of bias assessment
  1. Editorials (1,500 words)

Editorials provide expert perspectives on current issues, new research trends, or policy changes in sports medicine and injury prevention. These are invited pieces written by senior researchers, clinicians, or thought leaders. However, please contact the editorial team if you have a proposal

Manuscript Structure

  • Title Page
  • Abstract (optional, 200 words max)
  • Main Body (max 1,500 words):
    • Can be structured or free flowing but should have a clear argument or narrative
    • Should critically assess recent developments or propose future directions
  • References: Up to 15 references