THEMATIC ISSUE - Exercise and Clinical Populations

04/14/2026

Objective of the Thematic Issue:

To gather studies addressing the planning, implementation, and outcomes of exercise interventions in clinical populations (noncommunicable chronic conditions, musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiorespiratory, oncological, and mental health conditions, among others), fostering reflections on care models, policies, care strategies, and assessment tools related to the therapeutic use of exercise.

 

Topics of Interest:

Manuscripts investigating the role of physical exercise and physical activity in the following clinical conditions will be considered:

  • Cardiovascular conditions (coronary artery disease, heart failure, hypertension, peripheral vascular disease);
  • Pulmonary and respiratory conditions (COPD, asthma, interstitial conditions);
  • Renal and metabolic conditions (chronic kidney disease, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome);
  • Cancer (during and after treatment, survivors);
  • Musculoskeletal conditions (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic low back pain, sarcopenia);
  • Neurodegenerative and neurological conditions (stroke, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis);
  • Geriatric conditions and syndromes (frailty, falls, mild cognitive impairment);
  • Mental health conditions (depression, anxiety, mood and stress-related disorders);
  • Other clinical conditions in which physical activity and exercise play a relevant role in care.

Studies addressing the following topics are recommended for submission:

  1. Acute and chronic effects of physical exercise on clinical, functional, psychosocial, and economic outcomes;
  2. Exercise prescription models in different chronic conditions, including individualization, progression, and safety;
  3. Exercise in secondary and tertiary prevention and rehabilitation, including musculoskeletal, neurological, and cardiorespiratory contexts;
  4. Physical activity levels, adherence, barriers, and facilitators to physical activity across different levels of healthcare (primary care, outpatient clinics, hospitals, rehabilitation, telehealth);
  5. Programs integrated into health services, including implementation studies, dissemination science, and cost-effectiveness analyses;
  6. Digital technologies and remote monitoring (telehealth, applications, wearable devices) applied to the care of clinical populations.

 

Article Submission:

Authors must follow the editorial guidelines of RBAFS (https://rbafs.org.br/RBAFS/instrucoesmanuscritos). Original articles will preferably be accepted for analysis. Upon consultation with the Editors-in-Chief and section editors of the special issue, narrative or systematic reviews, theoretical essays, letters to the editor, and special sections may also be considered. Manuscripts must be submitted through the journal’s online system by July 14, 2026. Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods studies will be considered and peer-reviewed by experts in exercise applied to health, rehabilitation, and clinical populations.