Synergistic Effects of Tissue Engineering and Exercise in Sports Injury Rehabilitation: A Systematic Review

Document Type : Review Article

Authors

1 Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

2 Ph. D Student of Cellular and Molecular Biology Faculty of Science, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

3 .Ph. D Student of Sport Physiology, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

4 Master student of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Mohaghegh Ardabili University, Ardabil, Iran

5 .Department of Educational Sciences, Faculty of Educational, University of Farhangian, Ardabil, Iran

6 College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences for Women, University of Baghdad.

7 Department of Biology Faculty of Science, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili,Iran.

Abstract

Background: The increasing prevalence of sports injuries poses a significant challenge to athletes, impacting their performance, quality of life, and long-term musculoskeletal health. When integrated with targeted exercise regimens, such as neuromuscular training or Tai Chi, these advanced therapies enhance biomechanical resilience and accelerate recovery. This systematic review evaluates the synergistic effects of combining tissue engineering techniques with exercise-based rehabilitation strategies to optimize recovery outcomes and restore athletic performance in sports medicine, addressing persistent challenges in injury management.
Methods: This systematic review examined English-language articles published between 2020 and 2025, sourced from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, JCR, and ISC, using keywords such as tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, stem cells, scaffolds, platelet-rich plasma, and sports injuries. Inclusion criteria prioritized studies integrating tissue engineering with exercise or rehabilitation strategies for injury recovery, while excluding those involving unrelated diseases or prior surgeries. Of the 86 retrieved articles, 15 high-quality studies were ultimately selected following quality assessment using the Dunn and Black questionnaire, which emphasized their contribution to health improvement and sports injury rehabilitation.
Results: These 15 studies demonstrate that the integration of tissue engineering and exercise significantly enhances recovery outcomes for sports injuries. With AI-aided design, stem cells and scaffolds, such as nanofibers, speed healing, especially for hips and muscles. Exercises like Tai Chi or neuromuscular training help, mostly for women and younger folks, though some combos don’t add extra perks. PRP combined with stem cells is highly effective in promoting cartilage repair, advancing the development of hybrid treatments.
Conclusions: Mixing tissue engineering with exercises like Tai Chi transforms injury recovery, making tissues stronger for sports. Imaging and wearables tailor treatments, but tricky protocols, high costs, and age or gender differences need fixing with standard, affordable plans and AI-powered research. Tissue engineering and exercise together revolutionize sports injury recovery, using stem cells, scaffolds, and PRP to heal fast and strengthen joints. Imaging and wearables help personalize care, but varied methods, costs, and individual differences call for more research to make it accessible for all.

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