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Biomechanics
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Biomechanics in Sport, Exercise and Performance
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Biomechanics in Sport, Exercise and Performance

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2025 | Viewed by 10399

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Stuart Evans

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Guest Editor
Physical Education, Sport and Movement, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
Interests: physical education; youth sport; kinetics; running; cycling; swimming
Dr. Kevin M. Carroll

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Guest Editor
Department of Sport, Exercise, Recreation, & Kinesiology, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA
Interests: sport science; fatigue; resistance training; athlete monitoring
Dr. Ryan Worn

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Health and Wellbeing, Federation University, Ballarat, VIC 3350, Australia
Interests: biomechanics and sports performance

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue seeks submissions that explore the roles that biomechanics plays in sport, exercise and performance, with a particular focus on youth sports. Efficient and effective biomechanics can help improve performance and ability in younger-aged athletes while enhancing skills via rigorous biomechanical and performance analysis techniques.

Youth sports may be defined by the age of the athletes that participate in sport. Based on this approach, youth sports have been considered as the participation in sports by individuals approximately 18 years of age or younger.

Understanding the biomechanics of youth sports is important because it can provide insights into how to improve their technique and training methods and develop new training methods that can help them perform at their best. In addition to helping young athletes improve their performance, biomechanics can also play a critical role in reducing the risk of injury. By understanding the biomechanical factors that contribute to both sports injuries and performance, such as overuse or poor technique, coaches and trainers can develop injury prevention and performance enhancement strategies that are tailored to the specific age and maturation status of the athlete.

Dr. Stuart Evans
Dr. Kevin M. Carroll
Dr. Ryan Worn
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 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. 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 1000 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

  • physical education
  • kinetics
  • kinematics
  • injury risk

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

7 pages, 243 KiB  
Article
Sex-Specific Differences in Vertical Jump Force–Time Metrics in Youth Basketball Players
by Milos Petrovic, Dimitrije Cabarkapa, Jelena Aleksic, Damjana V. Cabarkapa, Jorgelina Ramos, Thrainn Hafsteinsson and Thordis Gisladottir
Biomechanics 2024, 4(4), 805-811; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomechanics4040059 - 23 Dec 2024
Viewed by 694
Abstract
Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in countermovement jump (CMJ) force–time metrics between male and female youth basketball players. Methods: Twenty-two female and seventeen male basketball players (ages 12–16) performed CMJs on a portable force plate system (VALD Performance). [...] Read more.
Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in countermovement jump (CMJ) force–time metrics between male and female youth basketball players. Methods: Twenty-two female and seventeen male basketball players (ages 12–16) performed CMJs on a portable force plate system (VALD Performance). The data collected were analyzed for differences in force–time characteristics, specifically during the concentric and eccentric phases of the CMJ. Results: The results showed no statistically significant differences in anthropometric characteristics between the sexes. However, male athletes demonstrated better performance in several force–time metrics during the concentric phase of the CMJ, including concentric impulse, peak velocity, and mean power, ultimately leading to higher vertical jump heights. Sex-specific differences in the eccentric phase were less pronounced, though males exhibited greater relative eccentric mean power. Conclusions: The findings suggest that male players tend to display greater force and power-producing capabilities during the propulsive (concentric) phase of the CMJ. These differences highlight the importance of tailoring training programs to address specific needs, particularly focusing on enhancing concentric force and power production in female basketball players. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics in Sport, Exercise and Performance)
15 pages, 4777 KiB  
Article
The Relationship Between Foot Anthropometrics, Lower-Extremity Kinematics, and Ground Reaction Force in Elite Female Basketball Players: An Exploratory Study Investigating Arch Height Index and Navicular Drop
by Catherine I. Cairns, Douglas W. Van Citters and Ryan M. Chapman
Biomechanics 2024, 4(4), 750-764; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomechanics4040055 - 1 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1011
Abstract
Static and dynamic foot function can be evaluated using easy-to-implement, low-cost measurements like arch height index (AHI) and navicular drop (ND). Connections between AHI/ND and lower-extremity kinematics/kinetics have largely focused on gait. Some studies exist evaluating basketball players; however, these predominantly focus on [...] Read more.
Static and dynamic foot function can be evaluated using easy-to-implement, low-cost measurements like arch height index (AHI) and navicular drop (ND). Connections between AHI/ND and lower-extremity kinematics/kinetics have largely focused on gait. Some studies exist evaluating basketball players; however, these predominantly focus on men. To our knowledge, few studies evaluate female athletes, and none have investigated connections between AHI/ND and lower-extremity biomechanics in elite female basketball players. Thus, we conducted an IRB-approved observational investigation of 10 female, National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 1 basketball players, evaluating connections between AHI/ND and lower-extremity biomechanics during basketball activities. Participants completed one visit wherein bilateral AHI/ND measurements and kinematics/kinetics were captured via optical motion capture and force-instrumented treadmill during basketball activities (walking, running, vertical/horizontal jumping, side shuffles, 45° cuts). No connections existed between the AHI and any variable during any task. Contrastingly, ND was statistically significantly correlated with medial/lateral force maximum and range during left cutting. This implies that individuals with stiffer feet produced more side-to-side force than those with more foot mobility during cutting. This is the first report connecting ND to lower-extremity biomechanics in elite, female basketball players. This could inform novel interventions and technologies to improve frontal kinematics/kinetics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics in Sport, Exercise and Performance)
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12 pages, 17346 KiB  
Article
Do Elite Female Judokas Show Asymmetry in the Internal and External Rotators of the Shoulder? A One-Dimensional and Principal Component Approach
by Esteban Aedo-Muñoz, Pablo Merino Muñoz, Luciano Bernardes Leite, Pedro Forte, Bianca Miarka, Matias Gonzalez Valenzuela, Cristian Hernandez-Wimmer, David Arriagada-Tarifeño and Ciro José Brito
Biomechanics 2024, 4(4), 738-749; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomechanics4040054 - 1 Dec 2024
Viewed by 768
Abstract
Background/Aims: Asymmetry of the internal (IR) and external (ER) shoulder rotators can increase the risk of injuries in judokas. Discrete analyses are usually performed in time series data, but they can have biases by removing trends, so other approaches have been proposed to [...] Read more.
Background/Aims: Asymmetry of the internal (IR) and external (ER) shoulder rotators can increase the risk of injuries in judokas. Discrete analyses are usually performed in time series data, but they can have biases by removing trends, so other approaches have been proposed to avoid these biases such as statistical parametric mapping (SPM) and principal component analysis (PCA). This study analyzed the asymmetry in the shoulder rotators in female judokas, comparing dominant (D) vs. non-dominant (ND) upper limbs. Methods: For this, 11 elite athletes (age: 20.1 ± 2.9 yrs.; experience: 4.0 ± 0.5 yrs.; body mass: 66.0 ± 14.6 kg; height: 1.6 ± 0.1 m; BMI: 24.8 ± 4.3 kg/m2), were evaluated in an isokinetic dynamometer (Cybex® Humac/Norm Dynamometer CSMI, 502140, Stoughton, MA, USA). All participants performed the concentric (CON/CON) isokinetic evaluations of internal and external rotation of the shoulder in 60°/s and 180°/s angular velocities. Results: There was no significative asymmetry between IR vs. ER at 60°/s; similar results were observed at 180°/s when analyzed by PCA or SPM methods (p > 0.05 for all comparison). There was no difference between peak torque at 60°/s or 180°/s (p > 0.05 for all comparison). Conclusions: no asymmetry was observed in IR and ER in elite female athletes, regardless of the analysis method. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics in Sport, Exercise and Performance)
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9 pages, 701 KiB  
Article
The Relationship Between Horizontal Jumping and Sprinting Ability Across Sexes in Young Active Adults
by Adam Kleeberger, Dana Agar-Newman, Ming-Chang Tsai and Marc Klimstra
Biomechanics 2024, 4(4), 711-719; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomechanics4040051 - 14 Nov 2024
Viewed by 948
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this research was to investigate the relationship between horizontal jump distance, 10 m time, and 30–40 m time in multi-sport athletes separated by sex and sprint speed. Methods: A total of 1352 athletes (742 males and 610 females) performed [...] Read more.
Purpose: The purpose of this research was to investigate the relationship between horizontal jump distance, 10 m time, and 30–40 m time in multi-sport athletes separated by sex and sprint speed. Methods: A total of 1352 athletes (742 males and 610 females) performed 40 m sprints, standing broad jumps (SBJs), and standing triple jumps (STJs). Data were separated by sex and then grouped as fast, average, and slow using the K-Means algorithm in three conditions (acceleration, max speed, and combined). Results: Regression models explained 84.01% of the variance (F(7,757) = 574.5, p < 0.001) for the 10 m times with mass, speed group, and sex as significant predictors and 88.51% of the variance (F = (7,757 = 841.6, p < 0.001) for the 30–40 m times with SBJ, STJ, speed group, sex, and the interaction of sex and group as significant predictors. Conclusions: These results suggest that when examining general athlete physical performance, horizontal jump tests and max speed sprint times can be used equivalently to stratify athletes. However, it is important to group athletes by speed and sex before being able to predict sprint ability from horizontal jump tests. Further, athlete mass is a significant factor in the prediction of acceleration ability but not maximum speed, and horizontal jumps were significant factors in the prediction of max speed but not acceleration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics in Sport, Exercise and Performance)
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13 pages, 3239 KiB  
Article
Morphological and Performance Biomechanics Profiles of Draft Preparation American-Style Football Players
by Monique Mokha, Maria Berrocales, Aidan Rohman, Andrew Schafer, Jack Stensland, Joseph Petruzzelli, Ahmad Nasri, Talia Thompson, Easa Taha and Pete Bommarito
Biomechanics 2024, 4(4), 685-697; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomechanics4040049 - 10 Nov 2024
Viewed by 969
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Using advanced methodologies may enhance athlete profiling. This study profiled morphological and laboratory-derived performance biomechanics by position of American-style football players training for the draft. Methods: Fifty-five players were categorized into three groups: Big (e.g., lineman; n = 17), Big–skill (e.g., tight [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Using advanced methodologies may enhance athlete profiling. This study profiled morphological and laboratory-derived performance biomechanics by position of American-style football players training for the draft. Methods: Fifty-five players were categorized into three groups: Big (e.g., lineman; n = 17), Big–skill (e.g., tight end; n = 11), and Skill (e.g., receiver; n = 27). Body fat (BF%), lean body mass (LBM), and total body mass were measured using a bioelectrical impedance device. Running ground reaction force (GRF) and ground contact time (GCT) were obtained using an instrumented treadmill synchronized with a motion capture system. Dual uniaxial force plates captured countermovement jump height (CMJ-JH), normalized peak power (CMJ-NPP), and reactive strength. Asymmetry was calculated for running force, GCT, and CMJ eccentric and concentric impulse (IMP). MANOVA determined between-group differences, and radar plots for morphological and performance characteristics were created using Z-scores. Results: There was a between-group difference (F(26,80) = 5.70, p < 0.001; Wilk’s Λ = 0.123, partial η2 = 0.649). Fisher’s least squares difference post hoc analyses showed that participants in the Skill group had greater JH, CMJ-NPP, reactive strength, and running GRF values versus Big players but not Big–skill players (p < 0.05). Big athletes had greater BF%, LBM, total body mass, and GCT values than Skill and Big–skill athletes (p < 0.05). Big–skill players had greater GCT asymmetry than Skill and Big players (p < 0.05). Asymmetries in running forces, CMJ eccentric, and concentric IMP were not different (p > 0.05). Morphological and performance biomechanics differences are pronounced between Skill and Big players. Big–skill players possess characteristics from both groups. Laboratory-derived metrics offer precise values of running and jumping force strategies and body composition that can aid sports science researchers and practitioners in refining draft trainee profiles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics in Sport, Exercise and Performance)
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8 pages, 1061 KiB  
Communication
Biomechanical Analysis of Elite Ice-Climbing Performance
by Missy A. Thompson, Dylan Blair, Morgan Shippen and Sean Toma
Biomechanics 2024, 4(3), 452-459; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomechanics4030031 - 31 Jul 2024
Viewed by 957
Abstract
Competitive ice climbing involves ascending ice and natural rock/manmade features using specialized equipment. Despite its growing popularity, there is limited knowledge regarding the relationship between ice climbers’ biomechanics and performance. The purpose of this study was to analyze spatiotemporal variables and upper-extremity joint [...] Read more.
Competitive ice climbing involves ascending ice and natural rock/manmade features using specialized equipment. Despite its growing popularity, there is limited knowledge regarding the relationship between ice climbers’ biomechanics and performance. The purpose of this study was to analyze spatiotemporal variables and upper-extremity joint kinematics during an elite lead ice-climbing competition. A total of 24 (16 male, 8 female) competitors participated. Video data was recorded during the ice climbing competition, and biomechanical analysis software was used to measure kinematic variables (shoulder and elbow angles) and spatiotemporal (time climbing/resting and number of moves/rests) throughout a section of the competition route. Independent t-tests examined differences between the top and bottom 50% of competitors, and correlations assessed the strength of the relationship between the measured variables and competition rank. We found a strong correlation between elbow and shoulder angles at weight bearing on the ice tool, indicating that ice climbers rely on more extended arm positions, which may decrease muscle fatigue, maintain optimal muscle fiber lengths, and keep the trunk close to the wall with lower contact forces. Additionally, we found that higher-performing ice climbers moved faster with fewer moves, which is likely due to their ability to identify specific holds as affordances to guide their movement. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics in Sport, Exercise and Performance)
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13 pages, 1202 KiB  
Article
Comparing the Effects of an Off-Ice Sprint-Change of Direction Task on Trunk Kinematics and Gait Laterality in Collegiate Ice Hockey Players
by Stuart Evans and Sam Gleadhill
Biomechanics 2024, 4(2), 296-308; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomechanics4020019 - 19 May 2024
Viewed by 4089
Abstract
Laterality preferences are intrinsic in most physical activities, and ice hockey is one domain wherein these preferences might influence performance. Biomechanical laterality between dominant and nondominant (or preferred and nonpreferred) limbs is believed to be an advantageous attribute that is linked with skilled [...] Read more.
Laterality preferences are intrinsic in most physical activities, and ice hockey is one domain wherein these preferences might influence performance. Biomechanical laterality between dominant and nondominant (or preferred and nonpreferred) limbs is believed to be an advantageous attribute that is linked with skilled performance. Yet little is known about the implications of motor asymmetries for skilled performers in dynamic, time-constrained, team-based activities in an off-ice environment. This can be extended to when player position is considered, notably for those playing in a defensive or an offensive position. In this study, fourteen semi-professional collegiate male ice hockey players (age: 21.87 ± 2.98 years; BMI: 25.26 ± 3.21 kg/m) performed a randomized repeated 15 m sprint-change of direction task. Assessments of lower limb laterality were carried out as participants commenced the 15 m sprint change of direction task in both a right and left foot rear setback position. Biomechanical laterality between right and left rear foot setback positions was inferred by an ActiGraph GTx3 triaxial accelerometer that was located on the participants’ spinous process, representing the trunk centre of mass (CoM). Overall, ANOVA results indicated significant differences across all sprint split times between the right and left foot rear setback positions, with times significantly quicker when players commenced in a right rear foot setback position (p < 0.001). ANOVA revealed significant differences in trunk CoM acceleration between in a right and left rear setback position, specifically during the initial 0–10 m sprint split, with offensive players observed to have lesser trunk anteroposterior and vertical CoM acceleration (p = 0.05) and during the final 5 m sprint split (p = 0.002, d = 0.7), despite overall smaller effect sizes seen in the left foot rear setback position. It appears that starting with the foot in a right rear setback position results in quicker 15 m performance times and concurrent lower magnitudes of trunk CoM acceleration. Although we demonstrated that offensive players were quicker and displayed less trunk CoM acceleration, we recommend that future studies use a greater number of participants for inter-limb symmetry in these movement tests. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics in Sport, Exercise and Performance)
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