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Advances in Sport and Exercise Biomechanics

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 August 2025 | Viewed by 4716

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
School of Sport, Health and Exercise Science, Spinnaker Building, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK
Interests: musculoskeletal modeling; soft tissue dynamics; novel technologies and methods; ergonomic sports product design; bio-feedback

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Sport, Health and Exercise Science, Spinnaker Building, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK
Interests: sports biomechanics; novel technologies and methodological approaches; applied biomechanics; in-field testing; real-time feedback

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, the field of sport and exercise biomechanics has experienced significant advancements, driven by cutting-edge technology and innovative research methodologies. Advanced motion capture systems, wearable sensors, and sophisticated modeling software have revolutionized our ability to analyze and interpret human movement with unprecedented precision. These tools have facilitated deeper insight into the intricacies of movement patterns, muscle activation, and force generation. Moreover, the application of advanced computational models and machine learning algorithms provides deeper insights into complex biomechanical phenomena. By simulating various scenarios and predicting outcomes, these models assist in understanding technique execution and interactions with equipment and the environment.

The featured studies highlight the transformative impact of these advancements, showcasing how contemporary biomechanics research is enhancing our understanding of human movement and contributing to the fields of sports science, physical therapy, and health and exercise promotion.

Dr. Chris Mills
Dr. Timothy A. Exell
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • simulation
  • machine learning
  • artificial intelligence
  • wearable technology
  • ecological based research
  • medicine
  • accessible technology
  • sport performance
  • injury rehabilitation
  • health

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 3721 KiB  
Article
A Comparative Analysis of IMUs and Optical Systems in Layup Shot Biomechanics
by Nuha Alkhalaf, Matthew T. G. Pain and Michael J. Hiley
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(7), 3847; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15073847 - 1 Apr 2025
Viewed by 354
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to assess the validity and reliability of an inertial measurement unit (IMU) system against an optical motion capture system in detecting motion in the dynamically complex and constraint-governed task of the basketball layup shot. Ten basketball players [...] Read more.
The purpose of this study was to assess the validity and reliability of an inertial measurement unit (IMU) system against an optical motion capture system in detecting motion in the dynamically complex and constraint-governed task of the basketball layup shot. Ten basketball players performed 10 trials with and 10 without a defender. Key kinematic variables (jump height, take-off angle, joint angles, and centre of mass (COM) displacement) were derived, and agreement (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland–Altman plots) and disagreement (root mean square difference (RMSD) and statistical parametric mapping (SPM)) calculations were carried out for each trial. The IMU system provided agreeable results for jump height and take-off angle, while joint angles and COM displacement agreement were plane-specific. A between-condition analysis demonstrated the IMU system reliably detected joint angle differences between defended and undefended conditions comparable to the optical system for nine out of twelve joint angles, with shoulder flexion-extension and external-internal and elbow external-internal joint angles showing inconclusive results. Ultimately, the IMU system was generally able to detect similar magnitudes of difference between conditions to those detected by the optical motion-based system. Therefore, conclusions can be drawn for between-condition comparisons if data are derived from either system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sport and Exercise Biomechanics)
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14 pages, 1403 KiB  
Article
Validity of the Enode Sensor and My Jump 3 App for Assessing Countermovement Jump Performance
by Davor Puljić, Christos Karavas, Athanasios Mandroukas and Andreas Stafylidis
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(24), 11989; https://doi.org/10.3390/app142411989 - 21 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1564
Abstract
Countermovement jump (CMJ) performance analysis is vital in sports science for assessing lower-body strength and neuromuscular efficiency. This study evaluated the validity of the Enode Sensor and My Jump 3 App for measuring vertical jump heights, comparing them to those measured using the [...] Read more.
Countermovement jump (CMJ) performance analysis is vital in sports science for assessing lower-body strength and neuromuscular efficiency. This study evaluated the validity of the Enode Sensor and My Jump 3 App for measuring vertical jump heights, comparing them to those measured using the established Force Plate. Twenty-nine participants performed CMJs measured using each device. Descriptive statistics indicated mean jump heights of 48.4 ± 4.18 cm (for the Enode Sensor), 47.3 ± 4.05 cm (for My Jump 3), and 46.1 ± 4.03 cm (for the Force Plate). Reliability was confirmed via Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICCs), with the Enode Sensor at 0.914 and My Jump 3 at 0.968, demonstrating excellent reliability. Bland–Altman analysis showed mean biases of 2.281 cm (for the Enode Sensor) and 1.297 cm (for My Jump 3) against the Force Plate, with limits of agreement suggesting close alignment. Strong positive correlations were observed (for the Enode Sensor, r = 0.972 and for My Jump 3, r = 0.987; p < 0.001), and linear regression analysis produced R2 values of 0.945 and 0.973, respectively, confirming both tools’ accuracy for vertical jump measurement. These findings indicate that although both tools are suitable for CMJ assessment, My Jump 3 demonstrated slightly superior accuracy, underscoring the potential for accessible, reliable performance monitoring in sports contexts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sport and Exercise Biomechanics)
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9 pages, 677 KiB  
Article
Acute Effects of Different Warm-Up Protocols on Jump Performance in Elite Male Italian Handball Players
by Carlo Simonelli, Alessio Rossi, Giampiero Merati, Ivan Malagoli Lanzoni and Federico Nigro
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(23), 11000; https://doi.org/10.3390/app142311000 - 26 Nov 2024
Viewed by 936
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the acute effects of three different warm-up protocols on jump performance in elite male handball players. Warming up with a traditional (TR) set of exercise was compared with balance (BA) and unbalanced (UN) activation [...] Read more.
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the acute effects of three different warm-up protocols on jump performance in elite male handball players. Warming up with a traditional (TR) set of exercise was compared with balance (BA) and unbalanced (UN) activation protocols. Thirty-two male handball players (age 24.2 ± 4.7 (m ± SD) y, weight 84.4 ± 8.5 kg, height 183.9 ± 7.3 cm) from two Italian first division National championship teams completed the three warm-up protocols in three different occasions and performed three countermovement jumps each with a 3 min rest. The jump height was evaluated from flight time. The players jumped an average of 40.7 ± 4.8 cm, 42.4 ± 4.9 cm, and 42.5 ± 5.0 cm in TR, BA, and UN conditions, respectively. A significant main effect (p < 0.001; η2 = 0.812) between the warm-up protocols for jump height was detected. A post hoc analysis showed that athletes performed significantly higher jumps under BA (p < 0.001) and UN (p < 0.001) conditions compared to performing a TR warm-up protocol. In conclusion, both BA and UN warm-up protocols induced significantly higher jump heights in elite male Italian handball players, compared to the traditional warm-up routine. The use of dynamic activation exercises enhance the neuromuscular properties of the warm-up compared to traditional protocols. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sport and Exercise Biomechanics)
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13 pages, 2338 KiB  
Article
Investigating the Effect of Motion Capture Suits on the Test–Retest Reliability of Gait Parameters
by Matt C. Smith, Phaedra Leveridge, Garry Massey, Jessica Tyrrell, Malcolm Hilton and Genevieve K. R. Williams
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(18), 8570; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14188570 - 23 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1120
Abstract
When collecting marker-based motion capture data from clinical populations, speed of collection and comfort for the participant is a priority. This could be achieved by attaching markers to motion capture Velcro suits, as opposed to the skin. This study aimed to ascertain the [...] Read more.
When collecting marker-based motion capture data from clinical populations, speed of collection and comfort for the participant is a priority. This could be achieved by attaching markers to motion capture Velcro suits, as opposed to the skin. This study aimed to ascertain the reliability of sagittal-plane gait parameters estimated using Plug-in Gait (PiG) and Conventional Gait Model 2 (CGM2) marker sets from data collected in Suited and Non-suited (markers placed onto skin) conditions. For ten participants, markers were placed based on PiG and CGM2 models and data captured during a 2-min treadmill walk. Trials were repeated in suited and non-suited conditions. PiG ankle flexion/extension measurements had poor/moderate reliability (Non-suited ICC = 0.531, Suited ICC = 0.435). CGM2 ankle flexion/extension measurements had good/excellent reliability (Non-suited ICC = 0.916, Suited ICC = 0.900). There were significant differences in minimal detectable change (MDC) between conditions at the ankle for PiG (Non-suited MDC = 2.32°, Suited MDC = 18.90°), but not for CGM2 (Non-suited MDC = 0.63°, Suited MDC = 0.95°). When using CGM2, knee (Non-suited ICC = 0.878, Suited ICC = 0.855) and hip (Non-suited ICC = 0.897, Suited ICC = 0.948) showed good/excellent reliability in both conditions. A motion capture suit is not a reliable solution when collecting joint angle data using the PiG model but is reliable enough to consider when using the CGM2 model. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sport and Exercise Biomechanics)
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