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Research on Biomechanics, Equipment Development, Motor Control and Learning of Human Movements

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2025 | Viewed by 8650

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Mingjiu Yu

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Guest Editor

College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China
Interests: ergonomics; human factors; computer aided industrial design and CIMS; human–computer interface design; motion analysis

Prof. Dr. Gongbing Shan

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Guest Editor

Faculty of Arts & Science, Department of Kinesiology, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive, Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4, Canada
Interests: sports biomechanics; arts biomechanics; ergonomics; motor learning; sport engineering; equipment design and development; aging
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue focuses on the convergence of biomechanics, equipment development, motor control, and learning in the study of human movement. By integrating contemporary scientific and technological advancements with foundational knowledge of kinesiology, this interdisciplinary approach aims to enhance complex human motor skills across the lifespan.

The primary goal of this Special Issue is to showcase the latest developments in these fields and to emphasize aspects of human motion that have hitherto been underrepresented in scholarly inquiries or remain uncharted. Consequently, it invites contributions from scholars conducting research in the following areas:

Novel analytical techniques and methodologies: exploring new methods to understand the complexities of human movement.
Innovative equipment development: enhancing movement across various human activities, from sports to everyday and vocational tasks, throughout the lifespan (including aging).
Unlocking the secrets of human movement: uncovering intricate patterns in motor skills to expand our analytical capabilities.
Advancements in 3D kinematics and kinetics: broadening our understanding through comprehensive kinematic and kinetic data.
Real-time feedback training: applying real-time biomechanical feedback to improve training and rehabilitation outcomes.

In summary, this Special Issue aims to contribute to the ongoing evolution of human movement science and provide valuable insights for researchers and practitioners in the fields.

Dr. Mingjiu Yu
Prof. Dr. Gongbing Shan
Guest Editors

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Keywords

motion analysis
complicated human movements
everyday and vocational tasks
equipment design and development
ergonomics
biomechanical modeling
motor control
motor learning
biomechanical feedback training

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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20 pages, 1465 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Lightweight Periodic Scheduler in Wearable Devices for Real-Time Biofeedback Systems in Sports and Physical Rehabilitation

by Anton Kos, Árpád Bűrmen, Matevž Hribernik, Sašo Tomažič, Anton Umek, Iztok Fajfar and Janez Puhan

Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(12), 6405; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15126405 - 6 Jun 2025

Viewed by 154

Abstract

This study explores the application of wireless wearable devices within the emerging domain of biomechanical feedback systems for sports and rehabilitation. A critical aspect of these systems is the need for real-time operation, where wearable devices must execute multiple processes concurrently while ensuring specific tasks are performed within precise time constraints. To address this challenge, we developed a specialized, lightweight periodic scheduler for microcontrollers. Extensive testing under various conditions demonstrated that sensor sampling frequencies of 650 Hz and 1750 Hz are achievable when utilizing one and 26 sensor samples per packet, respectively. Receiver delays were observed to be a few milliseconds or more, depending on the application scenario. These findings offer practical guidelines for developers and practitioners working with real-time biomechanical feedback systems. By optimizing sensor sampling frequencies and packet configurations, our approach enables more responsive and accurate feedback for athletes and patients, improving the reliability of motion analysis, rehabilitation monitoring, and training assessments. Additionally, we outline the limitations of such systems in terms of transmission delays and jitter, providing insights into their feasibility for different real-world applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Biomechanics, Equipment Development, Motor Control and Learning of Human Movements)

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19 pages, 3454 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development of a Novel Biomechanical Framework for Quantifying Dynamic Risks in Motor Behaviors During Aircraft Maintenance

by Mingjiu Yu, Di Zhao, Yu Zhang, Jing Chen, Gongbing Shan, Ying Cao and Jun Ye

Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(10), 5390; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15105390 - 12 May 2025

Viewed by 250

Abstract

Aircraft mechanical maintenance involves high loads, repetitive movements, and awkward postures, significantly increasing the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). Traditional static evaluation methods based on posture analysis fail to capture the complexity and dynamic nature of these tasks, limiting their applicability in maintenance settings. To address this limitation, this study introduces a novel quantitative WMSD risk assessment model that leverages 3D motion data collected through an optical motion capture system. The model evaluates dynamic human postures and employs an inverse trigonometric function algorithm to quantify the loading effects on working joints. Experimental validation was conducted through quasi-real-life scenarios to ensure the model’s reliability and applicability. The findings demonstrate that the proposed methodology provides both innovative and practical advantages, overcoming the constraints of conventional assessment techniques. Specifically, it enables precise quantification of physical task loads and enhances occupational injury risk assessments. The model is particularly valuable in physically demanding industries, such as aircraft maintenance, where accurate workload and fatigue monitoring are essential. By facilitating real-time ergonomic analysis, this approach allows managers to monitor worker health, optimize task schedules, and mitigate excessive fatigue and injury risks, ultimately improving both efficiency and workplace safety. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Biomechanics, Equipment Development, Motor Control and Learning of Human Movements)

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17 pages, 2142 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing the Effects of TMS Intensities and Muscle Conditions on the Evoked Responses of the First Dorsal Interosseous Muscle Using Statistical Methods and InterCriteria Analysis

by Kapka Mancheva, Maria Angelova, Andon Kossev and Silvija Angelova

Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(10), 5236; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15105236 - 8 May 2025

Viewed by 319

Abstract

This study aims to apply standard statistics and InterCriteria analysis (ICrA) for assessing the effects of different transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) intensities and three muscle conditions on the evoked responses of the first dorsal interosseous muscle (FDIM). Surface electromyograms from the right FDIM of ten right-handed healthy volunteers were recorded, and amplitudes of motor evoked potentials (MEPs), latencies of MEPs, and silent periods were obtained. ICrA was used for the first time as a supplementary tool along with the applied statistical methods. Three case studies were processed by the ICrA approach for a wide examination of neuromuscular excitability in humans. As a result, the relations between increasing TMS intensities, MEP amplitudes, MEP latencies, and silent periods were established at relaxed muscle condition, isometric index finger abduction condition, and co-contraction of antagonist muscles condition. Also, the dependencies between MEP amplitudes, MEP latencies, and silent periods themselves, and for different TMS intensities, were outlined. The results confirmed relations known from the literature and showed new ones. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Biomechanics, Equipment Development, Motor Control and Learning of Human Movements)

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12 pages, 1918 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Relationship Between Vertical Ground Reaction Force and Acceleration from Wearable Inertial Measurement Units During Single-Leg Drop Landing After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

by Makoto Suzuki, Tomoya Ishida, Hisashi Matsumoto, Kenichiro Kondo, Shota Yamaguchi, Satoru Kaneko, Chiharu Inoue, Yoshimitsu Aoki, Harukazu Tohyama and Mina Samukawa

Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(3), 1583; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15031583 - 4 Feb 2025

Viewed by 1277

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between vertical ground reaction force (VGRF) and acceleration from wearable inertial measurement units (IMUs) during single-leg drop landing after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Twenty-six participants, 42.4 ± 5.3 weeks after ACLR, performed three single-leg drop landing trials bilaterally. The peak VGRF was assessed using a force plate. The resultant acceleration was calculated using IMUs attached to the shank, thigh, and lumbar region. Univariate regression analysis was performed to examine the linear relationship between the VGRF and resultant acceleration. The limb symmetry index (LSI) of the VGRF was linearly associated with the LSI of the resultant accelerations at the shank, thigh, and lumbar sensors (R² = 0.166, p = 0.039; R² = 0.525, p < 0.001; and R² = 0.250, p = 0.009, respectively). In the involved limb, only the resultant acceleration at the thigh was a significant predictor of VGRF (R² = 0.490, p < 0.001), whereas in the uninvolved limb, the resultant accelerations at the shank, thigh, and lumbar sensors were significant predictors of VGRF (R² = 0.245, p = 0.010; R² = 0.684, p < 0.001; and R² = 0.412, p < 0.001, respectively). Caution may be required when using IMUs to predict VGRF asymmetry because the coefficient of determination for predicting VGRF is lower in the involved limb than in the uninvolved limb. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Biomechanics, Equipment Development, Motor Control and Learning of Human Movements)

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15 pages, 2535 KiB

Open AccessArticle

One Shoe to Fit Them All? Effect of Various Carbon Plate Running Shoes on Running Economy in Male and Female Amateur Triathletes and Runners at Individual Training and Race Paces

by Marlene Riedl, Carlo von Diecken and Olaf Ueberschär

Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(24), 11535; https://doi.org/10.3390/app142411535 - 11 Dec 2024

Viewed by 2671

Abstract

Carbon plate running shoes (CPRSs) have gained widespread popularity among elite and amateur runners, representing one of the most substantial changes in running gear over the past decade. Compared to elite runners, however, amateurs run at lower speeds and show more diverse running styles. This is a meaningful difference as many previous studies on CPRSs focus either on highly trained male runners and higher speeds or only on a single CPRSs manufacturer. The present study aims at bridging this gap by investigating how CPRSs from four different manufacturers affect running economy in amateurs of both sexes at their individual running speeds. For this purpose, 21 trained amateur triathletes (12 men; 9 women) completed an incremental treadmill test until volitional exhaustion, yielding running speeds at ventilatory thresholds 1 (v_VT1) and 2 (v_VT2). In a second session, subjects ran five trials of 3 × 3 min (speeds of 90% v_VT1, ½ (v_VT1 + v_VT2), and 100% v_VT2), wearing one out of four different pairs of CPRSs or their own preferred non-CPRS shoes in each trial. Our results show that tested CPRS models resulted in a significant reduction in the mean energy cost of transport, compared to the non-CPRS control condition, with Cohen’s d amounting to −1.52 (p = 0.016), 2.31 (p < 0.001), 2.57 (p < 0.001), and 2.80 (p < 0.001), respectively, although effect sizes varied substantially between subjects and running speeds. In conclusion, this study provides evidence that amateur athletes may benefit from various manufacturers’ CPRS models at their typical running speeds to a similar degree as highly trained runners. It is recommended that amateur athletes evaluate a range of CPRSs and select the shoe that elicits the least subjective sensation of fatigue over a testing distance of at least 400–1000 m. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Biomechanics, Equipment Development, Motor Control and Learning of Human Movements)

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22 pages, 7658 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Emotion Recognition in a Closed-Cabin Environment: An Exploratory Study Using Millimeter-Wave Radar and Respiration Signals

by Hanyu Wang, Dengkai Chen, Sen Gu, Yao Zhou, Jianghao Xiao, Yiwei Sun, Jianhua Sun, Yuexin Huang, Xian Zhang and Hao Fan

Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(22), 10561; https://doi.org/10.3390/app142210561 - 15 Nov 2024

Viewed by 1061

Abstract

In the field of psychology and cognition within closed cabins, noncontact vital sign detection holds significant potential as it can enhance the user’s experience by utilizing objective measurements to assess emotions, making the process more sustainable and easier to deploy. To evaluate the capability of noncontact methods for emotion recognition in closed spaces, such as submarines, this study proposes an emotion recognition method that employs a millimeter-wave radar to capture respiration signals and uses a machine-learning framework for emotion classification. Respiration signals were collected while the participants watched videos designed to elicit different emotions. An automatic sparse encoder was used to extract features from respiration signals, and two support vector machines were employed for emotion classification. The proposed method was experimentally validated using the FaceReader software, which is based on audiovisual signals, and achieved an emotion classification accuracy of 68.21%, indicating the feasibility and effectiveness of using respiration signals to recognize and assess the emotional states of individuals in closed cabins. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Biomechanics, Equipment Development, Motor Control and Learning of Human Movements)

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Other

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15 pages, 971 KiB

Open AccessPerspective

Advancing Circus Biomechanics and Physiology Research with Wearable Technology: Challenges and Recommendations

by Alina P. Swafford, Nathaniel Hollister, Scott McDonald and John A. Mercer

Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(7), 3981; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15073981 - 4 Apr 2025

Viewed by 1867

Abstract

Circus athletes represent a unique population of performers engaging in highly demanding physical activities, yet they remain underrepresented in scientific research. This paper aims to address this gap by exploring the challenges and making recommendations in applying biomechanics and exercise physiology instruments to understand circus athlete movements. Laboratory-based tools such as motion capture technology, force platforms, and metabolic carts offer valuable insights into movement patterns and physiological responses. The growth of wearable technology, including smart garments, inertial measurement units, and Global Positioning System (GPS) devices, has led to opportunities to gather data to quantify the dynamic movements characteristic of circus acts. This paper discusses the capabilities of these devices, emphasizing the importance of selecting appropriate technology tailored to the specific demands of circus performances. By understanding the biomechanics and physiological demands of various circus movements, researchers can develop targeted training and injury prevention programs, ultimately supporting the health and performance of circus athletes. This paper underscores the need for comprehensive, evidence-based strategies to ensure the well-being and success of these extraordinary performers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Biomechanics, Equipment Development, Motor Control and Learning of Human Movements)

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