Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews (ESSR) consists of articles for readers with a broad interest in scientific issues related to exercise, movement, physical activity and/or sport.
ISBN: 0091-6331
Journal Impact Factor: 5.2 – 10th of 136 in Sports Sciences
PubMed Abbreviation: Exerc Sport Sci Rev.
Article types:
The ESSR impact factor increased to 5.2, indicating the reviews we publish are being cited and are relevant! This issue is not different and features a broad group of topics including perspectives on conducting safe and rigorous human limb-disuse studies and on exercise reinforcement as a mechanism for motivating physical activity. Other reviews examine how exercise testing and training can improve the treatment of atrial fibrillation, how astronomical seasonal phase can be integrated into physical activity research, and how augmenting β2-adrenergic signaling during exercise may enhance antitumor immune function. The issue also recognizes the Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews 2025 Paper of the Year. Enjoy reading this engaging collection of forward-looking reviews!
The October issue features the following:
EDITORIAL
Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews: 2025 Paper of the Year
Kerrie L. Moreau and Lyndsey E. DuBose
PERSPECTIVES FOR PROGRESS
Limb Disuse Trials in Humans: Key Insights on Study Design, Ethics, and Project Execution
Matt S. Stock, Kylie K. Harmon, Justin W. Andrushko, Jonathan P. Farthing, Michael D. Roberts, Brian C. Clark, Lori Ploutz-Snyder, Charlotte Suetta, Harry C.S. Wingfield, Luc J.C. van Loon, and Joshua C. Carr
This review provides guidance for designing and conducting safe, rigorous limb disuse studies, highlighting ethical considerations, challenges, and future directions.
Exercise reinforcement: The Motivation to be Physically Active
Leonard H. Epstein, Kyle D. Flack, James Roemmich and Jennifer L. Temple
This paper describes the theory and research supporting the role of exercise reinforcment as a mechanism to motivate people to be more active.
ARTICLES
Exercise for Atrial Fibrillation: Unmasking Comorbidities and Improving Treatment
Jenelle K Dziano, Jonathan P. Ariyaratnam, Melissa E. Middeldorp, Prashanthan Sanders, and Adrian D Elliott
Exercise testing identifies additional cardiac limitations in atrial fibrillation; exercise intervention reduces arrhythmia episodes and improves quality of life.
Integrating Astronomical Seasonal Phase into Physical Activity Research
David E. Conroy
A continuous measure of astronomical seasonal phase is proposed to advance observational, longitudinal, and experimental research on physical activity.
Augmenting β2-adrenergic signaling during exercise to enhance anti-tumor immune function
Timothy M Kistner, Emmanuel Katsanis and Richard J Simpson
Enhancing β2 adrenergic receptor signaling in cancer patients may increase the beneficial effects of exercise on anti-tumor immunity.
ESSR is a quarterly publication that features forward-thinking content written by invited authors either to provide the rationale for a novel hypothesis (Brief Reviews) or to summarize work on a contemporary issue and identify the key gaps in knowledge that need to be addressed to move the field forward (Perspectives for Progress). More details on the requirements for each type of article can be found at https://edmgr.ovid.com/essr/accounts/ifauth.htm. ACSM professional members receive a subscription to this journal as a member benefit . If you have an interesting idea for a proposal, please reach out to Editor-in Chief, or contact one of the associate editors.
Look for articles with icons for additional online-only content. Visit the Topical Collections for articles and additional online-only content including Journal Club, Video Abstracts, and Visual Abstracts.
Stock, Matt S.; Harmon, Kylie K; Andrushko, Justin W; Farthing, Jonathan P.; Roberts, Michael D.; Clark, Brian C.; Ploutz-Snyder, Lori; Suetta, Charlotte; Wingfield, Harry C.S.; van Loon, J.C.; Carr, Joshua C.
Epstein, Leonard H.; Flack, Kyle D.; Roemmich, James; Temple, Jennifer L.
Dziano, Jenelle K.; Ariyaratnam, Jonathan P.; Middeldorp, Melissa E.; Sanders, Prashanthan; Elliott, Adrian D.
Duchateau, Jacques; Amiridis, Ioannis G.
Duchateau, Jacques; Stragier, Séverine; Baudry, Stéphane; Carpentier, Alain
Zhou, Shi
Paper of the Year
View the current and previous Paper of the Year selections and editorials covering the selected articles.
Journal Club
Each issue of ESSR features a journal club article, complete with recommended questions for discussion.
This session explores the physiology of hydration through an integrated lens—examining how carbohydrate, sodium, flavor, and fluid interact to influence intake, absorption, retention, and performance. We’ll review current research on fluid balance, osmotic drivers, and palatability, highlighting mechanisms that underpin voluntary intake and thermoregulation. Attendees will gain insight into individualized strategies, including sweat profiling and timing approaches, to optimize euhydration and mitigate performance decrements associated with >2% body-mass loss. Practical applications will be linked to laboratory- and field-based research, ensuring translation from bench to field. This pre-conference equips you with evidence-based tools to support athlete hydration across diverse environments and sporting contexts.
