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Photo of Sofi Sonesson

Sofi Sonesson

Senior Associate Professor, Head of Division, Head of Unit

Senior associate professor of physiotherapy and specialist physiotherapist in sports medicine. Head of Prevention, Rehabilitation and Community Medicine and head of Physiotherapy. I conduct research and teach in physiotherapy and sports medicine.

Research Areas

My research and teaching focus on physiotherapy, with a particular interest in physical activity and sports medicine. My research areas include health promotion in sports, rehabilitation following knee injuries, and the development of education within the Faculty of Medicine in relation to generative AI.

Health Promotion in Sports

I conduct research within the SWIPE group – Sport Without Injury ProgrammE. We study the prevalence of injuries and illnesses among athletes, risk factors for sports-related health issues, and the effects of preventive measures. Our research spans team and individual sports, across children, adolescents, and adults, from recreational to elite levels. We collaborate closely with the sports community in planning, conducting, and implementing research, as well as in translating findings into practice.
I have a particular interest in pain in sports, and I analyze its prevalence, associated risk factors, and the perspectives of athletes and coaches on sports-related pain.
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Rehabilitation After Knee Injury

My research focuses on treatment and recovery following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus injuries. I lead projects exploring athletes’ perspectives on experiencing an ACL injury and supporting their return to physical activity and sport. These projects aim to increase understanding of athletes’ and coaches’ experiences, perceptions, and needs for information and support during rehabilitation and return to sport. Our goal is to optimize on-field rehabilitation strategies after ACL injury.
I am involved in the NACOX study (Natural course and recovery after anterior cruciate ligament injury), where I investigate physical activity using accelerometry and self-reported questionnaires, as well as clinical outcome measures with a focus on muscle function. We also work with long-term follow-up after ACL-injury.
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Development of Education Within the Faculty of Medicine in Relation to Generative AI

I lead research projects aimed at strengthening AI literacy in education within the Faculty of Medicine. Our focus is on understanding knowledge, habits, and attitudes toward generative AI among students, educators, and clinical supervisors in clinical placement, as well as developing educational initiatives that actively promote AI literacy.
Using both quantitative and qualitative methods, we examine how generative AI influences learning and teaching. We develop and implement educational interventions to support a critical, reflective, and informed use of AI, and evaluate their impact on the learning environment.

About me

CV

  • Senior associate Professor of Physiotherapy, LiU 2022
  • Docent (Associate Professor) of Physiotherapy, LiU 2021
  • Specialist competence in Physiotherapy with a specialization in sports medicine, 2014
  • PhD, LiU 2008
  • Physiotherapy bachelor degree, LiU 2000
  • Doctoral student supervision ongoing Timmy Gustafsson (main supervisor), Kalle Torvaldsson (assistant supervisor); completed: Hanna Tigerstrand Grevnerts (dissertation 2019, assistant supervisor) Ida Ã…kerlund (dissertation 2024, assistant supervisor)

Fields of Teaching

  • Diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders
  • Physical activity and exercise
  • Sports medicine
  • Laboratory work in the motion science laboratory
  • Supervisor and examiner for degree projects at bachelor's, and master's level.

Assignments

  • Head of Division, Division of Prevention, Rehabilitation and Community Medicine
  • Head of Unit, Unit of Physiotherapy

Publications

2025

Sofi Sonesson, Hanna Lindblom, Mathilda Björk, Martin Hägglund (2025) Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, Vol. 28, p. 781-786 (Article in journal)
Stephanie Filbay, Sofi Sonesson, Roman Peter Kuster, Wilhelmus Johannes Andreas Grooten, Joanna Kvist (2025) Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, Vol. 28, p. 813-820 (Article in journal)
Yvonne Lindbäck, Karin Valeskog, Karin Schröder, Sofi Sonesson (2025) JOURNAL OF MEDICAL EDUCATION AND CURRICULAR DEVELOPMENT, Vol. 12, Article 23821205251378794 (Article in journal)
Hanna Lindblom, Sofi Sonesson, Markus Walden, Ida Åkerlund, Andreas Ivarsson, Martin Hägglund (2025) BMJ Open, Vol. 15, Article e102008 (Article in journal)
Kalle Torvaldsson, Kristina Fagher, Wayne Derman, Lars Engebretsen, Hanna Lindblom, Alexandre Dias Lopes, Phoebe Runciman, Martin Schwellnus, Torbjorn Soligard, Sofi Sonesson, Kathrin Steffen, Martin Hägglund (2025) British Journal of Sports Medicine (Article in journal)

Research

Organisation