Call for papers - The effect of physical exercise in the brain

Guest Editors

Giampaolo Brichetto, MD, PhD, Italian Multiple Sclerosis Society Foundation, Italy
Miguel Jacinto, PhD, Polytechnic of Leiria, Portugal

Submission Status: Open | Submission Deadline: 8 July 2025

BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation is calling for submissions to The effect of physical exercise in the brain Collection. Physical exercise has long been recognized for its multifaceted benefits to overall health and well-being. Beyond its well-documented effects on cardiovascular health, muscular strength, and metabolic regulation, emerging research has shed light on the profound impact of physical activity on brain function and structure.

New Content Item This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3: Good health and well-being, SDG 4: Quality education and SDG 10: Reduced inequality.

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Meet the Guest Editors

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Giampaolo Brichetto, MD, PhD, Italian Multiple Sclerosis Society Foundation, Italy

Dr Giampaolo Brichetto joined the Italian Multiple Sclerosis Society Foundation (FISM) in March 2009 and currently holds the position of Coordinator of Research in Rehabilitation and Clinical Director of Multiple Sclerosis Society Rehabilitation Centers. He is also the current President of the European network for rehabilitation in Multiple Sclerosis (RIMS). He graduated in Medicine in 2000. In 2004, he became a specialist in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. He has published more then 150 peer-reviewed articles.

Miguel Jacinto, PhD, Polytechnic of Leiria, Portugal

Dr Miguel Jacinto completed a Bachelor's degree in Sport and Well-being (2018) at ESECS-Polytechnic of Leiria, Master's degree in physical Activity in Special Populations (2020) at Sports Science School of Rio Maior - Polytechnic of Santarém and PhD in Sports Science (2023), Special Educational Needs Branch - Adapted Physical Activity, at the Faculty of Sports Sciences and Physical Education. He is editor of a newsletter and three books of abstracts. Additionally, he has organized two events and more than twenty presentations at congresses, workshops, and seminars. He has published more than fifty scientific articles (JRC and SJR) and is a guest adjunct professor at ESECS-Polytechnic of Leiria.

About the Collection

BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation invites submissions to our Collection on The effect of physical exercise in the brain.

This Collection aims to assemble cutting-edge research that elucidates the mechanisms underlying the cognitive, emotional, and neurological adaptations induced by physical exercise.

We welcome contributions spanning a wide range of disciplines, including cognitive neuroscience, exercise physiology, psychiatry, psychology, and sports science.

Topics of interest for this Collection include, but are not limited to:

Neuroplasticity and Exercise: investigations into the neural mechanisms by which physical activity influences brain plasticity, synaptic connectivity, and neuronal growth
Cognitive Function and Exercise: studies exploring the impact of exercise on cognitive processes such as attention, memory, executive function, and decision-making across the lifespan
Brain Health and Exercise: research examining the effects of physical activity on brain aging, neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Alzheimer's, Parkinson's), and neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., ADHD, autism)
Mood Regulation and Exercise: investigations into the role of exercise in alleviating symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, and other mood disorders, as well as the underlying neural mechanisms
Neurochemical and Neuroendocrine Responses to Exercise: exploration of the neurochemical and neuroendocrine pathways through which exercise modulates brain function and mental health

We encourage submissions that employ diverse methodologies, including neuroimaging, electrophysiology, molecular biology, behavioral assessments, and clinical interventions. Furthermore, interdisciplinary research bridging the gap between cognitive neuroscience, clinical psychology, and sports medicine is highly encouraged.

Through this Collection, we aim to advance our understanding of how physical exercise shapes brain structure and function, ultimately informing strategies for optimizing cognitive health, mental well-being, and athletic performance. By fostering collaboration across disciplines, we aspire to contribute to evidence-based interventions that promote brain resilience and mental flourishing across the lifespan.

This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3: Good health and well-being, SDG 4: Quality education, and SDG 10: Reduced inequalities.

There are currently no articles in this collection.

Submission Guidelines

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This Collection welcomes submission of original Research Articles. Should you wish to submit a different article type, please read our submission guidelines to confirm that type is accepted by the journal. Articles for this Collection should be submitted via our submission system, Snapp. During the submission process you will be asked whether you are submitting to a Collection, please select "The effect of physical exercise in the brain" from the dropdown menu.

Articles will undergo the journal’s standard peer-review process and are subject to all of the journal’s standard policies. Articles will be added to the Collection as they are published.

The Editors have no competing interests with the submissions which they handle through the peer review process. The peer review of any submissions for which the Editors have competing interests is handled by another Editorial Board Member who has no competing interests.