Overview
Submission Instructions
Recent Publications
Frequently Asked Questions
Research Topics
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BJ
British Journal of Sports Medicine (BJSM) is a multimedia portal for authoritative original research, systematic reviews, consensus statements and timely debate in sport and exercise medicine as well as clinical education and implementation success stories. It serves the international sport and exercise medicine community through web, print, video and audio content and works with 19 sports medicine and sports physiotherapy societies with more than 12,000 members.
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Subject
Sport Sciences
Impact Factor
16.2
Quartile
Q1
Open Access Type
Hybrid
ISSN
0306-3674
eISSN
1473-0480
Invitation Only
No
Cost Range
Open access APC: 4,370 GBP, exclusive of VAT for UK and EU authors. Authors can also publish at no cost under the subscription model.
Submission Instructions
British Journal of Sports Medicine accepts the following article types. Click on an article type to view submission instructions.
Systematic Review
Cover Letter
Cover Letter requirements are not specified.
Abstract
Abstract is required and must be provided for a Systematic Review. Abstract must be up to 250 words. Abstract must be structured. Abstract headings must be Objective, Design, Data sources, Eligibility criteria for selecting studies, Results, and Conclusion.
Manuscript
Manuscript should be 4000-4500 words. Main text should follow the journal order and include a summary box, with the title including 'a Systematic Review' or 'a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis'. Manuscript must include a summary box with 3-4 bullet points for 'What is already known' and 'What are the new findings', and the methods section must provide the review registry and number, date of registration, and date of completion of data extraction.
References
References may include up to 100 citations. References must use Vancouver style. References must be cited sequentially in the text and listed numerically, with the first three authors named and additional authors indicated by 'et al' when applicable.
Figures & Tables
A maximum of 6 tables and/or figures is permitted. Tables should be placed in the main text where first cited, while figures must be uploaded as separate files. Figure legends must be provided at the end of the manuscript, and all figures and tables must be cited in numerical order in the main text.
Review
Cover Letter
A cover letter should explain why a narrative review is appropriate rather than a systematic review. Cover letter should clearly outline why a narrative review is appropriate rather than a systematic review.
Abstract
An abstract is required for review articles. Abstract must be no more than 250 words. Abstract must be unstructured. Abstract should not use headings.
Manuscript
Manuscript must be up to 4000 words. Title must include 'a Narrative Review', and the article must present the methods for the evidence review and search strategy after the introduction. Manuscript must include a summary box with 3-4 bullet points for 'What is already known' and 'What are the new findings'.
References
Review articles may include up to 80 references. References must use Vancouver style. References must be cited sequentially in the text and listed numerically at the end, with the first three authors named followed by 'et al' when applicable.
Figures & Tables
Review articles may include a maximum of 6 tables and/or figures. Tables should be placed in the main text where first cited, while figures must be uploaded as separate files. Figure legends should be provided at the end of the manuscript.
State Of The Art Review
Cover Letter
Cover Letter requirements are not specified.
Abstract
Abstract is required and must be unstructured. Abstract must be up to 250 words. Abstract must be unstructured.
Manuscript
Manuscript must be up to 4000 words. Title must include 'a State-of-the-Art Review', the review purpose must be stated at the end of the introduction, and the methods section must include details of the evidence review and search strategy. Manuscript must include a summary box with 3-4 bullet points for 'What is already known' and 'What are the new findings', and acknowledgments, Competing Interests, Funding, and other required statements must be included.
References
References may include up to 100 entries. References must use Vancouver style. References must be cited sequentially in numerical order, listed numerically, and give the first three authors followed by 'et al' when applicable.
Figures & Tables
Articles may include a maximum of 6 tables and/or figures. Tables should be placed in the main text where first cited, while figures must be uploaded as separate files. Figure legends should be provided at the end of the manuscript.
Original Research
Cover Letter
Cover Letter requirements are not specified.
Abstract
Abstract is required for Original Research. Abstract must be no more than 250 words. Abstract must be structured. Abstract must use the headings Objectives, Methods, Results and Conclusion.
Manuscript
Manuscript must not exceed 3000 words. Manuscript should include a Discussion with a Clinical Implications section or, if more appropriate, a Research/Policy Implications section, and a Limitations section. Manuscript must include a Patient and Public Involvement statement and an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion statement in the Methods section, a summary box after the abstract with the headings 'What is already known on this topic', 'What this study adds', and 'How this study might affect research, practice or policy' in no more than 3-5 sentences, and the necessary statements relating to contributorship, competing interests, and funding.
References
References may include up to 50 entries. References must use Vancouver style. References must be cited sequentially in numerical order, listed numerically in the reference list, and list the first three authors followed by 'et al' if applicable.
Figures & Tables
Articles may include up to 6 tables and/or figures. Tables should be placed in the main text where first cited, while figures must be uploaded as separate files. Figure legends should be provided at the end of the manuscript.
Scoping Reviews
Cover Letter
Cover Letter requirements are not specified.
Abstract
Abstract should cover Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, and Conclusion.
Manuscript
Manuscript should be presented in the following order: abstract; main text under appropriate headings and subheadings; tables; acknowledgments, Competing Interests, Funding and other required statements; and references. Authors should use MeSH descriptors as keywords, and the manuscript must include acknowledgments, Competing Interests, Funding, and all other required statements.
References
References must use Vancouver style. References must be cited sequentially in numerical order in the text and listed numerically in the reference list, with the first three authors named and additional authors shown as et al where applicable.
Figures & Tables
Tables should be placed in the main text where first cited, while figures must be uploaded as separate files and figure legends provided at the end of the manuscript. Tables must be in Word format, and figures consisting of multiple parts must be submitted as a single composite file.
Consensus Statement
Cover Letter
A cover letter is required only if any required section is absent, and it must note and explain the omission to the Editor. The cover letter must explain and note the absence of any required manuscript section when applicable.
Abstract
An abstract is required. Abstract must be up to 250 words. Abstract should be unstructured. Abstract must provide the rationale and objective of the statement, a short summary of the methods, and key findings or recommendations.
Manuscript
Manuscript must be up to 5000 words. Manuscript must include Abstract, Key Points or executive summary, Introduction, Methods, Results or Recommendations, Discussion, and Conclusion, with any omitted required section explained in the manuscript. Manuscript must include a key points section or executive summary with up to 10 bullets including at least one key takeaway clinical or research message, and a plain language summary that may be provided as a supplement.
References
References may include up to 100 entries. References must use Vancouver style. References must be cited sequentially in numerical order, listed numerically, and give the first three authors followed by et al if applicable.
Figures & Tables
A maximum of 8 tables and/or figures may be included. Tables should be placed in the main text where first cited, while figures must be uploaded as separate files. Figure legends should be provided at the end of the manuscript, and all figures and tables must be cited in numerical order in the main text.
Position Statements
Cover Letter
A cover letter is required only if any required manuscript section is absent, and it must note and explain the missing section to the Editor. The cover letter must explain and note to the Editor the absence of any required manuscript section.
Abstract
An abstract is required. Abstract must be unstructured and must not exceed 250 words. Abstract must be unstructured. Abstract should provide the rationale and objective of the statement, a short summary of the methods, and key findings or recommendations.
Manuscript
The introduction must be no more than 3 paragraphs. Manuscript must include Abstract, Key Points (Box), Introduction, Methods, Results or Recommendations, Discussion, and Conclusion. Manuscript must include a key points section or executive summary with up to 10 bullets, a plain language summary that may be provided as a supplement, required statements in the manuscript, and an explanation for any missing required section.
References
References must use Vancouver style. References must be cited sequentially in numerical order, listed numerically in the reference list, include the first three authors followed by et al if applicable, and include author names, article title, and DOI or PubMed ID.
Figures & Tables
Tables must be placed in the main text where first cited, while figures must be uploaded as separate files and cited in numerical order with legends at the end of the manuscript. Figures should include the actual data for all data points shown either within or beside the figure or in the supplementary material.
Clinical Guidelines
Cover Letter
A cover letter is required only if any required manuscript section is absent, and it must note and explain the omission to the Editor. The cover letter must explain and note the absence of any required section within the manuscript.
Abstract
An abstract is required. The abstract must not exceed 250 words. The abstract may be unstructured. The abstract should provide the rationale and objective of the statement, a short summary of the methods, and key findings or recommendations.
Manuscript
The manuscript must include Abstract, Key Points (Box), Introduction, Methods, Results or Recommendations, Discussion, and Conclusion. The manuscript must include a key points section or executive summary of up to 10 bullets and a plain language summary, which may be provided as a supplement.
References
References must use Vancouver style. References must be cited sequentially in the text and listed numerically in the reference list, with the first three authors named and additional authors rendered as et al.
Figures & Tables
Tables should be placed in the main text where first cited, while figures must be uploaded as separate files.
Clinical Practice Guidelines
Cover Letter
Cover Letter requirements are not specified.
Abstract
Abstract should cover Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, and Conclusion.
Manuscript
Manuscript should be presented in the following order: abstract; main text under appropriate headings and subheadings; tables; acknowledgments, Competing Interests, Funding and all other required statements; and references. Manuscript must include acknowledgments, Competing Interests, Funding and all other required statements, and keywords should use MeSH descriptors.
References
References must use Vancouver style. References must be cited sequentially in numerical order, listed numerically in the reference list, and list the first three authors followed by "et al" if applicable.
Figures & Tables
Tables must be placed in the main text where first cited, while figures must be uploaded as separate files and figure legends provided at the end of the manuscript.
Expert Panel Consensus Statements
Cover Letter
Cover Letter requirements are not specified.
Abstract
Abstract should cover Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, and Conclusion.
Manuscript
Main text should include a clear description of the panel selection process and the methodology used to reach consensus. Keywords should use Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) descriptors, and the manuscript must include acknowledgments, Competing Interests, Funding, and all other required statements.
References
References must use Vancouver style. References must be numbered sequentially in the text and reference list, with the first three authors listed by surname and initials followed by "et al" when applicable.
Figures & Tables
Tables should be placed in the main text where first cited, while figures must be uploaded as separate files.
Recent Publications
Composite severity score for race-related incidents in cycling
Thomas Fallon, Evert Verhagen, Neil Heron
10.1136/bjsports-2026-111733
View Publication
Dual-pillar phenotype of elite deaf female soccer players: reduced aerobic capacity and repeated-sprint ability coexisting with enhanced explosive power
Adam Michał Szulc, Ildikó Balatoni, Grzegorz Przybylski, Andrzej Chęsy, Krzysztof Buśko
10.1136/bjsports-2026-111857
View Publication
Sleep under fire: towards a tripartite circadian-neuroendocrine framework for conflict-zone athletes
Wissem Dhahbi, Karim Chamari, Ismail Dergaa, Khaled Trabelsi, Ahmed S BaHammam, Helmi Ben Saad
10.1136/bjsports-2026-111904
View Publication
Exploring the effects of exogenous ketosis on physiological adaptation to exercise in hypoxia(PhD Academy Award)
Myrthe Stalmans
10.1136/bjsports-2026-111819
View Publication
Faith, culture and physical activity: addressing participation barriers in UK Muslim communities
Salman Waqar, Aminah Amer, Osman Hassan Ahmed
10.1136/bjsports-2026-111579
View Publication
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to publish?
Median time to first decision is 48 days.
Reformat to British Journal of Sports Medicine using Livewrite PremiumIs a cover letter required?
Cover letters are mentioned for review, systematic review, and original research submissions when requesting additional length or justifying a narrative review.
Reformat to British Journal of Sports Medicine using Livewrite PremiumWhat are the publication costs?
Open access APC is 4,370 GBP, exclusive of VAT for UK and EU authors. Authors can also choose publication at no cost under the subscription model.
Reformat to British Journal of Sports Medicine using Livewrite PremiumResearch Topics
Sports injuries and prevention
Sports Performance and Training
Cardiovascular Effects of Exercise
Shoulder Injury and Treatment
Traumatic Brain Injury Research
Knee injuries and reconstruction techniques
Physical Activity and Health
Cardiovascular and exercise physiology
Lower Extremity Biomechanics and Pathologies
Injury Epidemiology and Prevention
Exercise and Physiological Responses
Tendon Structure and Treatment
Muscle metabolism and nutrition
Sport Psychology and Performance
Musculoskeletal pain and rehabilitation
Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
Musculoskeletal Disorders and Rehabilitation
Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation
Foot and Ankle Surgery
Genetics and Physical Performance
Thermoregulation and physiological responses
Total Knee Arthroplasty Outcomes
Winter Sports Injuries and Performance
Shoulder and Clavicle Injuries
Occupational Health and Performance