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Advances in Sports Science and Biomechanics
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Advances in Sports Science and 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: 30 September 2025 | Viewed by 1784

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Fotini Arabatzi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratory of Neuromechanics, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Interests: applied sport biomechanics; effects of training on jump performance and in children
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Physical activity and sports training must be constantly evaluated in order to control their effectiveness. The development of athletes and their movement skills, motor abilities, and performance are assessed in training. For people who engage in various forms of physical activity recreationally, it is increasingly common to monitor the intensity and volume of their physical exertion in relation to health-related recommendations.

Sports biomechanics has proliferated in recent years due to the advancement of technology. Emerging technological developments enable us to not only measure motion but also the inertial forces of human movements in more practical settings. As a result, new areas, mainly related to the optimization of athletic performance and injury prevention, have emerged within sports biomechanics.

Sports biomechanics can be defined as the muscular, joint and skeletal actions of the body when executing a given task, skill and/or technique. Properly understanding biomechanics in relation to sport skill has a large impact on  sport performance, rehabilitation, injury prevention and sport mastery.

The purpose of this Special Issue is to provide a platform for scholars to share their latest achievements in this field and provide current information on performance-related sport biomechanics research and training practice. Original articles, reviews or case reports can be submitted to this Special Issue.

Prof. Dr. Fotini Arabatzi
Guest Editor

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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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-blind 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

  • biomechanical analysis
  • injury biomechanics
  • joint biomechanics
  • sport science
  • motor skills
  • motor control
  • sports technique
  • kinematic
  • kinetic training proposal

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 1943 KiB  
Article
Acute Effects of Different Intensities of Flywheel Half Squat Based on Velocity on Vertical Jump Performance in High-Level Athletes
by Xixuan Wang, Haiting Zhai and Hongwen Wei
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(8), 4388; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15084388 - 16 Apr 2025
Viewed by 332
Abstract
Coaches manipulate training variables to optimize and improve them, with intensity being crucial. Velocity-based training, measuring intensity by the movement speed, is advantageous over traditional methods. Flywheel training, offering concentric and eccentric loads, allows for supramaximal loading during the eccentric phase, enhancing muscle [...] Read more.
Coaches manipulate training variables to optimize and improve them, with intensity being crucial. Velocity-based training, measuring intensity by the movement speed, is advantageous over traditional methods. Flywheel training, offering concentric and eccentric loads, allows for supramaximal loading during the eccentric phase, enhancing muscle hypertrophy and performance and reducing injury risk. This study examines the specific effects of flywheel training on post-activation potentiation (PAP). Forty-one high-level male athletes performed flywheel half squats at fast (0.95–1.05 m/s), medium (0.65–0.75 m/s), and slow (0.35–0.45 m/s) speeds. Their drop jump performance was assessed at 30 s and 4, 8, and 12 min post-induction. Lower-limb kinematic data and ground reaction forces were recorded using infrared motion capture and force plates. Measures included peak collision force, peak extension force, knee joint extension moment, knee joint power, average power output, and vertical jump height. High-speed intensity significantly increased peak impact force, peak vertical ground reaction force, knee joint eccentric power, concentric power, and extension torque at 4, 8, and 12 min post-induction (p < 0.05). Fast- (0.95–1.05 m/s) and medium-speed (0.65–0.75 m/s) flywheel squats acutely improved lower-limb performance, especially vertical jump height, within 4–12 min post-stimulation. Fast-speed loading showed greater benefits for reactive strength and power output, while a medium speed also yielded meaningful gains. These findings support using movement velocity to guide flywheel training intensity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sports Science and Biomechanics)
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12 pages, 979 KiB  
Article
The Effect of the Number of Substitutions on Running Activity in Professional Football Matches: An Observational Study from the Swiss Super League
by Gabriele Bagattini, Jose Asian-Clemente, Manuele Ferrini, Mattia Garrone and Luis Suarez-Arrones
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(8), 4328; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15084328 - 14 Apr 2025
Viewed by 405
Abstract
This study aimed to compare the running activity of full-time players when the team made three or fewer substitutions versus when more than three substitutions were made. An observational study was conducted on one professional football team from the Swiss Super League during [...] Read more.
This study aimed to compare the running activity of full-time players when the team made three or fewer substitutions versus when more than three substitutions were made. An observational study was conducted on one professional football team from the Swiss Super League during the 2021–2022 season. Matches were classified into two groups: Group A (≤3 substitutions) and Group B (>3 substitutions). Running activity was assessed using GPS technology, measuring total distance covered, sprinting distance, and acceleration/deceleration patterns. Despite a significantly higher number of substitutions in Group B (4.42 ± 0.51 vs. 2.8 ± 0.42, p < 0.01), no differences were observed between groups for all parameters analyzed (p > 0.05). Both groups exhibited significantly higher running performance during the first half compared to the second half (p < 0.01), except for distance covered > 25.2 km·h−1, which remained unchanged (p > 0.05). No differences in second half running performance were found between groups (p > 0.05). The increase from three to five substitutions did not significantly alter the external load of full-time players. Running performance declined in the second half regardless of the number of substitutions made. These findings suggest that the new substitution rule does not influence the physical performance of players who complete the entire match. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sports Science and Biomechanics)
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Review

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22 pages, 681 KiB  
Review
A Scoping Review of Factors That Elevate the Risk of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury in Elite Male Field Team Sport Athletes
by Monica Galati, Madison Jamieson, Stephen Murray, Jo Vegar Haugen, Andrew Fayad, Kevin Netto, Dale W. Chapman and Rob Waller
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(7), 3420; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15073420 - 21 Mar 2025
Viewed by 704
Abstract
The primary aim of this scoping review was to identify practical risk factors associated with an elevated risk in anterior cruciate ligament injury (ACLI) in elite male field team athletes that can be applied meaningfully in screening tools by team support personnel. Five [...] Read more.
The primary aim of this scoping review was to identify practical risk factors associated with an elevated risk in anterior cruciate ligament injury (ACLI) in elite male field team athletes that can be applied meaningfully in screening tools by team support personnel. Five relevant databases were searched (SportsDISCUS, Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online, PsycINFO, Web of Science and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature) following the PRISMA-ScR protocol using the criteria: (1) written in English and peer-reviewed; (2) full-text available; (3) discussed ACLI screening tests; (4) an elite athlete cohort; (5) males; (6) field team sport. The search identified 962 manuscripts, with nine manuscripts meeting the inclusion criteria. Field sports represented were soccer (n = 7), American football (n = 1), and a mixed-sport cohort of soccer, rugby, and field hockey (n = 1). Manuscripts reported modifiable risk factors (the joint range of motion n = 1, biomechanics n = 3, and strength n = 1) and non-modifiable (anatomical n = 2 and genetics n = 2). Whilst the joint range of motion screening indicated statistical significance to ACLI risk, there was little predictive value. Non-modifiable risk factors were significantly correlated to ACLI and reported a higher predictive capacity for ACLI risk. There is limited systematic research investigating and providing predictive insight for screening tests of ACLI risk in elite male team sport athletes. Future prospective investigations should consider the validity of ACLI screening tests in elite male field-based sport populations, and establish efficacy, so that sporting clubs can confidently implement screening tests of value into practice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sports Science and Biomechanics)
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