Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
6.1
2.9
Journals
Applied Sciences
Special Issues
Biomechanics in Human and Animal Movement
applsci-logo
Submit to Applied Sciences Review for Applied Sciences Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

► Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser
share announcement

Biomechanics in Human and Animal Movement

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Applied Biosciences and Bioengineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 July 2026) | Viewed by 940

Editors

Dr. Wanda Górniak

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Vehicle Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland
Interests: equine biomechanics; racehorse performance analysis; equine gait analysis; equine microbiome; thermography in horses
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. René Schwesig

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06120 Halle, Germany
Interests: gait; posture; team sports; performance diagnostics; fall risk; dental health
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue focuses on the multidisciplinary exploration of biomechanics in human and animal movement, integrating knowledge from engineering, physiology, veterinary science, and sports science. This Special Issue aims to present recent advances in understanding the mechanical principles underlying motion, performance, and injury prevention in both humans and animals. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following: musculoskeletal modeling; gait and posture analysis; comparative biomechanics; motion capture and simulation; neuromuscular coordination; and adaptive movement strategies. Studies involving clinical applications, rehabilitation, sport performance optimization, or animal welfare are particularly encouraged. Contributions may employ experimental, computational, or theoretical approaches. We welcome original research articles, systematic reviews, and communications that provide new insights into locomotor function, joint mechanics, impact dynamics, or interspecies comparisons of movement strategies.

This Special Issue seeks to bridge the gap between disciplines and promote cross-species perspectives that enhance our understanding of biomechanics in natural and artificial environments. Submissions addressing methodological innovations or emerging technologies in movement analysis, such as sensors or advanced motion modeling, are also highly relevant. By bringing together diverse perspectives, this Special Issue aims to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in applied and fundamental biomechanics of movement.

We look forward to your contributions.

Dr. Wanda Górniak
Prof. Dr. René Schwesig
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • human biomechanics
  • animal biomechanics
  • locomotion
  • gait analysis
  • motion capture
  • sports performance
  • injury prevention
  • rehabilitation
  • sensors

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (1 paper)

Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

17 pages, 1000 KB  
Article
Effects of Motor Imagery Versus Motor Imagery Combined with Real Muscle Contraction on Strength Development and Vertical Jump Performance in Junior Soccer Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial
by Nader Sta, Dustin Jay Oranchuk, Robert Percy Marshall, René Schwesig and Mohamed Souhaiel Chelly
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(14), 7270; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16147270 - 21 Jul 2026
Viewed by 362
Abstract
This study examined the effects of motor imagery (MI) training, performed alone or in combination with muscle contractions, on quadriceps performance in junior soccer players. Forty-five players (14.1 ± 0.8 years) were randomly assigned to MI alone (EXP-1; n = 15), based on [...] Read more.
This study examined the effects of motor imagery (MI) training, performed alone or in combination with muscle contractions, on quadriceps performance in junior soccer players. Forty-five players (14.1 ± 0.8 years) were randomly assigned to MI alone (EXP-1; n = 15), based on the Physical, Environment, Task, Timing, Learning, Emotion, Perspective (PETTLEP) model (3 sessions/week, 20–25 min/session), MI combined with muscle contractions (EXP-2; n = 15; 3 session/week, 35–45 min/session), and a control group (CG; n = 15). Physical performance was assessed via vertical jumps (countermovement jump [CMJ], squat jump [SJ], drop jump [DJ]) and maximal isometric knee extension strength. A two-way repeated-measures general linear model (time × group) was used to assess mean differences. If necessary, we used a Mixed ANCOVA (Analysis of Covariance) to control for the influence of important parameters after significant mean differences were observed at the first examination. After 12 weeks, relevant-significant (p < 0.05 and ηp2 > 0.15) interaction effects were observed for all variables. The interaction effects ranged from ηp2 = 0.40 (maximum strength left) to ηp2 = 0.77 (DJ). Regarding DJ, we found only a partial group effect between CG and EXP-2 (p = 0.044). Significant partial effects for strength parameters were calculated for the average strength (CG vs. EXP-2: left: p = 0.008; right: p = 0.018) and for the maximal strength (CG vs. EXP-2: left: p = 0.046). These findings suggest that motor imagery training may improve neuromuscular performance (maximal strength and vertical jump performance) in junior soccer players, whether performed alone or combined with muscle contractions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics in Human and Animal Movement)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-1
Back to TopTop