Evaluating the combined effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and physical therapy in accelerating recovery from ligament and muscle injuries and restoring physical fitness for football players

Abstract

This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a combined treatment protocol based on the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in conjunction with a specialized rehabilitation physiotherapy program in accelerating recovery from common ligament and muscle injuries in sports and restoring the physical fitness of football players. A binary experimental design with a pre- and post-test method was used, as it was suitable for the nature and objectives of the research. The research sample consisted of (40) players from top-tier football clubs suffering from anterior cruciate ligament and hamstring injuries. They were randomly divided into two equal groups: an experimental group (using stem cells and physiotherapy) and a control group (using only traditional physiotherapy). The results showed statistically significant differences at the (0.05) level between the pre- and post-test measurements in favor of the post-test measurements in both groups. Furthermore, statistically significant differences were found between the experimental and control groups in the post-test measurements, favoring the experimental group, in the variables of tissue healing rate, muscle strength, and range of motion. Regarding the time required to return to the field and the level of skill performance, the researchers recommend generalizing the use of stem cell techniques as an adjunct to physical therapy in sports injury protocols, and the need to train doctors and therapists on these modern techniques.