Research objectives: specify the framework of using cutting-edge approaches and innovations in the training of rehabilitation physicians; investigate existing innovative technologies; get an insight into the motivation of students majoring in rehabilitation when working with the Gross simulator in sports rehabilitation of patients. The research was conducted at a mixed-type rehabilitation center for disabled adults and children at Soochow University in China. The study was conducted among 200 students majoring in rehabilitation at Soochow University and 100 children from a rehabilitation center with motor disorders: 50 boys and 50 girls. The patients were aged 4-6 years, and the average age of the participating students was 21 years. The students were offered a 6-month training course in rehabilitation of patients with musculoskeletal disorders, by using innovative technology--the Gross simulator. Student motivation analysis yielded the following outcomes: 90% of the students said that training to operate simulators is useful for the rehabilitation specialist, because this affects the proficiency of such specialist; 15% of students reported they did not like innovative technology in teaching because they faced difficulties in understanding it; 80% of students believed such technology facilitated the learning, and 5% of students were neutral. Further studies, conducted on clinical research sites, might address the effectiveness of training rehabilitation specialists, the use of cutting-edge simulators and robotic systems, as well as development of rehabilitation protocols for patients with injuries and musculoskeletal disorders.