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Biomechanics
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Biomechanics in Sports and Exercise
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Biomechanics in Sports and Exercise

A special issue of Biomechanics (ISSN 2673-7078). This special issue belongs to the section "Sports Biomechanics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 September 2026 | Viewed by 2978

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Sean P. Flanagan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Kinesiology, California State University, Northridge, 18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, CA 91330-8287, USA
Interests: biomechanics of kinetic chains; resistance exercise; maintain, restore, or improve human function

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue seeks submissions that analyze biomechanical aspects of sport, exercise, and the link between the two. Kinematic, kinetic, and electromyographic data of sport movements inform coaches and clinicians of proficient and efficient ways to move, as well as the demands placed on the musculoskeletal system while doing so. Similar analyses of exercise techniques can demonstrate safe and effective ways to overload the musculoskeletal system.

While there are many reasons to exercise, such as favorable changes in body composition or improved work capacity, improving the performance of sporting techniques is paramount for athletes. The best exercises to improve performance are not necessarily the ones with a high degree of kinematic similarity. Rather, they are exercises with kinematic, kinetic, and motor recruitment profiles that have high transferability while allowing an overload that is greater than participating in the sport itself.

This current issue focuses on these profiles for both sport movements and exercises that are used to improve them. Exercise interventions that lead to changes in the biomechanics of sporting techniques, either in healthy athletes or those rehabilitating from musculoskeletal injury, are also of interest. Matching the biomechanics of sport and exercise beyond kinematic similarity will lead to better exercise interventions and improved performance in sport.

Prof. Dr. Sean P. Flanagan
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 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-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biomechanics is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly 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 1200 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

  • strength training
  • resistance exercise
  • performance enhancement
  • biomechanics
  • sports

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

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 2375 KB  
Article
Fatigue-Induced Decline in Push-Phase Propulsive Force While Preserving Intra-Cycle Force Timing in Competitive Swimmers
by Luca Puce, Marco Panascì, Gennaro Apollaro, Vittoria Ferrando, Piero Ruggeri and Emanuela Luisa Faelli
Biomechanics 2026, 6(2), 35; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomechanics6020035 - 6 Apr 2026
Viewed by 800
Abstract
Objective: The effects of fatigue on swimming propulsion are unclear. This study examined upper-limb propulsive force and bilateral coordination during constant-speed front crawl performed until exhaustion. Methods: Twelve competitive swimmers completed a visually paced front-crawl trial performed at a constant speed [...] Read more.
Objective: The effects of fatigue on swimming propulsion are unclear. This study examined upper-limb propulsive force and bilateral coordination during constant-speed front crawl performed until exhaustion. Methods: Twelve competitive swimmers completed a visually paced front-crawl trial performed at a constant speed (95% of maximal speed) until volitional exhaustion. Upper-limb propulsion (pressure-derived) was quantified using wearable differential-pressure mini-paddles synchronized with high-speed video. Propulsive force and impulse were analyzed at ten standardized time points (10–100% of test duration), distinguishing the early (entry–catch–pull) phase and the push phase of the stroke cycle. Results: Total overall propulsive impulse (time-integral of propulsive force) and mean propulsive force decreased significantly as early as 30–40% of test duration, with the largest reductions occurring during the push phase. Interestingly, push-phase impulse declined earlier in the non-dominant left arm (from 20% of test duration) compared to the dominant right arm (from 40%), whereas force generated during the early phase did not change. Peak propulsive force decreased at later stages, while intra-cycle timing indices (peak timing and force centroid) and inter-limb asymmetry remained unchanged. Stroke frequency increased from mid-test onward and was strongly negatively associated with stroke efficiency (r = −0.79). Stroke efficiency correlated positively with push-phase impulse and peak force. Conclusions: During constant-speed front crawl performed to exhaustion, propulsion progressively declines, primarily through reduced force and impulse during the push phase rather than changes in the early (entry–catch–pull) phase or temporal and asymmetry-related variables. Increased stroke frequency initially compensates for declining propulsion but ultimately fails to maintain the imposed swimming velocity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics in Sports and Exercise)
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18 pages, 2087 KB  
Article
The Effects of Supplementary Low-Volume Nordic Hamstring Exercise Training on Flexibility, Mechanical Properties, and Hamstring Strength in Recreationally Active Individuals: A Randomized Controlled Trial
by Konstantinos Thomas Kaliarntas, Nelson Morais, Georgios Andronikos, Despoina Myrto Dounavi, Athanasios Souglis, Scott Wearing and Gregory C. Bogdanis
Biomechanics 2026, 6(2), 34; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomechanics6020034 - 2 Apr 2026
Viewed by 835
Abstract
Background: We assessed the effects of a 6-week, low-volume Nordic hamstring exercise (NHE) intervention on hamstring flexibility, muscle mechanical properties and eccentric and isometric isokinetic knee flexion strength in recreationally active adults. Methods: Eighteen recreationally active adults were randomized into an NHE intervention [...] Read more.
Background: We assessed the effects of a 6-week, low-volume Nordic hamstring exercise (NHE) intervention on hamstring flexibility, muscle mechanical properties and eccentric and isometric isokinetic knee flexion strength in recreationally active adults. Methods: Eighteen recreationally active adults were randomized into an NHE intervention group (IG; n = 9; females/males: 3/6; mean ± SD, age: 24.1 ± 1.3 years) and control group (CG; n = 9; females/males: 5/4; mean ± SD, age: 23.5 ± 1.8 years). The NHE intervention involved a progressive, supplementary training program performed initially one (weeks 1 and 2) and then two times per week over a 6-week period. The number of repetitions per session increased from 15 to 36 repetitions/week. The CG maintained their usual exercise routine over the same period. Standard goniometry, myotonometry, and isokinetic dynamometry (60°/s) were used to measure hamstring flexibility, muscle properties and isometric and eccentric isokinetic strength prior to and five days following the intervention. Results: The Linear Mixed Methods analysis identified a significant group × time interactions for isometric torque (IG: +5% vs. CG: −12%, p = 0.022) and flexibility (IG: +1% vs. CG: +7%, p = 0.023). Peak eccentric torque (IG: +7% vs. CG: −7%, p = 0.053) and muscle mechanical properties remained unchanged over the intervention period. Conclusions: Six weeks of low-volume NHE training marginally improved isometric and eccentric hamstring strength in recreationally active adults without changing hamstring flexibility or mechanical properties. The findings may have important implications for performance enhancement and hamstring injury risk reduction during high-intensity recreational sports. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics in Sports and Exercise)
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11 pages, 864 KB  
Article
Differences in Sprinting-Related Force–Velocity Mechanical Variables Between Under-19 and Senior Players: Physical Performance Readiness in Elite Youth Soccer
by Lukáš Karabin, Jozef Sýkora, Roman Švantner, Kevin R. Ford, Martin Pupiš and Tomas Maly
Biomechanics 2026, 6(1), 30; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomechanics6010030 - 9 Mar 2026
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Abstract
Objectives: This study compares linear sprint force–velocity (F–v) mechanical variables between elite Under-19 (U19) academy players and senior professional players. Methods: Thirty-eight senior players (SP; mean age 24.5 ± 4.3 y) and 214 U19 academy players (YP; mean age 17.4 ± [...] Read more.
Objectives: This study compares linear sprint force–velocity (F–v) mechanical variables between elite Under-19 (U19) academy players and senior professional players. Methods: Thirty-eight senior players (SP; mean age 24.5 ± 4.3 y) and 214 U19 academy players (YP; mean age 17.4 ± 0.5 y) from 14 first-division club academies were tested during October 2023 using a motorized resistance device (1080 Motion). The following F–v variables were assessed: maximal theoretical force (F0, N·kg−1), maximal theoretical velocity (v0, m·s−1), maximal ratio of horizontal-to-resultant force (RFmax, %), and decrease in the ratio of forces (DRF, %). Between-group comparisons were performed using the t-test, and Cohen’s d effect sizes were reported. Results: Senior players outperformed U19 players across all F–v variables. F0 exhibited a mean difference = 0.220 N·kg−1, with a 95% confidence interval (CI) [0.056, 0.384], p = 0.0166, and d = 0.46. v0 exhibited a mean difference = 0.560 m·s−1, with a 95% CI [0.410, 0.710], p < 0.0001, and d = 1.07. RFmax exhibited a mean difference = 1.470%, with 95% CI [0.830, 2.110], p = 0.0003, and d = 0.69. DRF exhibited a mean difference = 0.260%, with a 95% CI [0.103, 0.417], p = 0.0013, and d = 0.53. Conclusions: U19 players demonstrated lower F0, lower v0, and reduced mechanical effectiveness compared with senior players. Regular monitoring of F–v profiles and individualized training interventions (force- or velocity-targeted) may be useful for training and monitoring strategies aimed at supporting physical preparation during the transition to senior soccer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics in Sports and Exercise)
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