In the world of sports, the pursuit of peak performance often overshadows the long-term health of the athlete. While sports participation offers undeniable benefits for physical and mental well-being, the journey is frequently punctuated by injuries. Traditionally, sports rehabilitation has focused on the acute phase of recovery, aiming to return athletes to play as quickly as possible. However, this narrow focus can leave a critical gap, overlooking the transition from clinical rehabilitation to lifelong health and injury prevention. This Research Topic, "Bridging the Gap: Integrating Rehabilitation and Health Promotion in Sports for Lifelong Well-being," seeks to explore the crucial intersection of sports, rehabilitation, and holistic health.

This collection of articles will challenge the conventional boundaries between treatment and prevention. We aim to highlight innovative strategies that not only restore function after injury but also equip athletes - from elite professionals to recreational participants - with the knowledge and physical resilience to maintain an active, healthy lifestyle far beyond their competitive years. The goal is to shift the paradigm from a reactive model of injury management to a proactive, integrated approach that places sustainable well-being at its core.

We invite contributions that investigate multifaceted aspects of this topic. Potential areas of focus include, but are not limited to:

- Novel Rehabilitation Protocols: Evidence-based interventions that incorporate long-term health outcomes and injury prevention metrics.

- Psychological Resilience: The role of mental health support during and after rehabilitation in promoting sustained well-being and a positive return to activity.

- Technology and Wearables: The use of technology in monitoring recovery, guiding training loads, and promoting healthy behaviors post-rehabilitation.

- Youth and Masters Athletes: Tailored strategies for integrating health promotion into rehabilitation for athletes at different life stages.

- Translational Research: Bridging the gap between scientific findings in sports medicine and practical application by coaches, clinicians, and athletes.

By bringing together cutting-edge research from diverse disciplines - including sports medicine, physiotherapy, biomechanics, psychology, and public health - this Research Topic will serve as a vital resource for advancing a more holistic and sustainable approach to athlete care. We believe that by integrating rehabilitation with long-term health promotion, we can not only enhance performance and reduce re-injury rates but also empower individuals to enjoy the benefits of an active life for years to come.

Are you interested in contributing a manuscript to this Research Topic?

Bridging the Gap: Integrating Rehabilitation and Health Promotion in Sports for Lifelong Well-being