The word count excludes the title page, abstract, tables, acknowledgements and contributions and the references.

Also see detailed instructions for online submission and formatting your manuscript.

Please note: Maximum word counts are strictly enforced and manuscripts that exceed these guidelines are usually rejected.

Papers should be a maximum of 3000 words in length

Review articles should provide concise in-depth reviews of both established and new areas in sports medicine.

Word count: up to 4000 words.

These are written or commissioned by the editors, but suggestions for possible topics and authors are welcome.

Word count: a maximum of 1000 words.
References: up to 10.

Short reports of experimental work, new methods, or a preliminary report can be accepted as two page papers; maximum length 1400 words including abstract, tables and legends. Short reports will usually be published as online only articles. [Articles published online only are exactly the same as articles also published in print. They are edited and typeset, fully searchable and citable. They are treated exactly the same as "print" articles by indexing services such as PubMed.]

Letters in response to articles published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine are welcome and should be submitted electronically via the website. Contributors should go to the abstract or full text of the article in question. At the top right corner of each article is a "contents box". Click on the "eLetters: Submit a response to this article" link.

Word count: should not exceed 300 words.
References: no more than 3.

Letters containing original research should be submitted via Bench>Press. They must be typed in double line spacing and are published online only. [Articles published online only are exactly the same as articles also published in print. They are edited and typeset, fully searchable and citable. They are treated exactly the same as "print" articles by indexing services such as PubMed.]

Contributions on historical topics or items with a medical and sporting interest are welcomed. Papers should be a maximum of 3000 words in length.

These are written or commissioned by the editors, providing concise in-depth reviews of both established and new areas in sports medicine and should follow the proforma guidelines that will be supplied by the editorial office.

We try to make the best use of every page of the printed BJSM, so we use small gaps to publish fillers. Most fillers have the added advantage of entertaining readers and making them think. If the filler refers to an identifiable person we will need written consent to publication from that person or a relative. We welcome articles of up to 600 words (we also like and need much shorter ones) on topics such as:

1. A patient who changed my practice.
2. A memorable patient.
3. A paper that changed my practice.
4. The person who has most influenced me.
5. My most informative mistake.
6. Any other story conveying instruction, pathos or humour.
7. Endpieces - quotations of no more than 80 words (often fewer) from any source.

I-tests aim to provide readers with a succinct imaging-based educational opportunity in a clinical context familiar to a sports medicine readership. The main thrust of the article is the diagnosis of the condition through imaging; however, the clinical presentation should be addressed as well as basic aspects of treatment (surgical or otherwise). The specific role of imaging in the diagnosis and management of the condition should be highlighted.

The “question” part of the I-test should comprise a short description of the clinical presentation (< 200 words) accompanied by up to 3 images; the “answer” should include a discussion of the clinical, imaging and management issues (<1200 words), supplemented by up to 3 additional images and 8 references.

The “question” and “answer” parts should be submitted online as a single article following the standard formats.

Pictorial essays are educational articles that are extensively illustrated (radiographs, ultrasound, CT, MRI, etc) with limited text. The teaching points and educational goals should be given as bullet points at the beginning of the article. Articles must be accompanied by five multiple choice questions, which can be answered by reading the article and supported by the cited references. Video images (eg, AVI files of dynamic ultrasound examinations) are encouraged to enhance the article on-line.

The article should be submitted online as a single article following the standard formats. The multiple choice questions and answers should be submitted online as a supplementary file.

Article format

1. Educational goals/teaching points (bullet points)
2. Introduction of <250 words describing the clinical context of the pictorial essay.
3. Main text of <1000 words
4. Up to 30 figure parts and supporting legends
5. Up to 15 references

Five questions each with 5 possible answers (only 1 correct answer). You need to give explanations for each of the answer options, explaining why they are correct or incorrect, and the supporting cited reference(s).

The BMJ Publishing Group journals are willing to consider publishing supplements to regular issues. Supplement proposals may be made at the request of:

1. The journal editor, an editorial board member or a learned society may wish to organise a meeting, sponsorship may be sought and the proceedings published as a supplement.
2. The journal editor, editorial board member or learned society may wish to commission a supplement on a particular theme or topic. Again, sponsorship may be sought.
3. The BMJPG itself may have proposals for supplements where sponsorship may be necessary.
4. A sponsoring organisation, often a pharmaceutical company or a charitable foundation, that wishes to arrange a meeting, the proceedings of which will be published as a supplement.

For further information on criteria that must be fulfilled, download the supplements guidelines (PDF).