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Biomechanics
Special Issues
Lower Limb and Surface Interaction: Implications for Performance and Injury
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Lower Limb and Surface Interaction: Implications for Performance and Injury

A special issue of Biomechanics (ISSN 2673-7078).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2026 | Viewed by 5572

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Elissavet Rousanoglou

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Sports Biomechanics Lab, Department of Sports Medicine and Biology of Exercise, School of Physical Education and Sports Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece
Interests: biomechanics; rhythmic movement; postural stability; muscle mechanics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Dimitris G. Mandalidis

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
Interests: anatomical and functional asymmetries of the musculoskeletal system; postural control assessment; gait analysis; rehabilitation of musculoskeletal dysfunctions; prevention of sports injuries
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The interaction between the lower limb and surfaces is crucial for postural stability, balance loss, locomotion, effective performance, and injury prevention, especially when dealing with uneven, slippery, or unstable surfaces. Adaptations in lower limb mechanics, including changes in joint movements and muscle activation as well as alterations to leg and joint stiffness, occur to maintain stability and minimize the risk of falls, but also to maintain the optimum mechanical efficiency and energy economy.

Understanding the biomechanics of the interaction between lower limbs and surfaces is crucial for optimizing performance, preventing injuries, designing assistive devices, and developing fitness training or rehabilitation strategies.

Dr. Elissavet Rousanoglou
Dr. Dimitris G. Mandalidis
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 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

  • gait adaptations
  • leg stiffness
  • surface stiffness
  • unstable surface
  • leg dominance
  • energy absorption
  • energy transfer
  • traction

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

10 pages, 702 KB  
Article
The Relationship Between Foot Posture, Dorsiflexion Range of Motion and Lower Extremity Biomechanics During a Drop-Landing Task
by Kendra S. Graham and Joshua T. Weinhandl
Biomechanics 2026, 6(2), 43; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomechanics6020043 - 3 May 2026
Viewed by 387
Abstract
Background/Objectives: While restricted dorsiflexion range of motion (DF-ROM) is linked to deleterious sagittal and frontal plane knee and hip kinematics during landing, the literature is conflicted as to whether excessive foot pronation is linked to knee injury. The purpose of this study [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: While restricted dorsiflexion range of motion (DF-ROM) is linked to deleterious sagittal and frontal plane knee and hip kinematics during landing, the literature is conflicted as to whether excessive foot pronation is linked to knee injury. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between static foot posture, DF-ROM, and lower extremity biomechanics during a drop-landing task. Methods: Fifteen physically active adults (age: 22.6 ± 2.4 years, height: 1.69 ± 0.08 m, mass: 66.40 ± 9.95 kg) volunteered to participate in this study. Static foot posture was measured by the six criteria of the Foot Posture Index (FPI-6) and DF-ROM was measured using the weight-bearing lunge test (WB-LT). Sagittal and frontal plane kinematics and kinetics of the hip, knee, and ankle were captured using a 3D motion capture system and force plate during a drop-landing task. Results: FPI-6 scores (4.67 ± 2.94) correlated with knee abduction angle at initial contact (1.08 ± 3.30°, r = −0.59, p = 0.02), ankle sagittal plane excursion (39.11 ± 7.67°, r = −0.63, p = 0.01) and knee adduction moment (0.58 ± 0.51 N/kg, r = 0.60, p = 0.017). DF-ROM correlated with knee adduction moment (r = −0.59, p = 0.02). The combination of FPI-6 and DF-ROM accounted for 56% of the variance in knee adduction moment (r = 0.746, p = 0.008). No significant relationships were identified for hip variables (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Participants with a more pronated static foot posture displayed less knee adduction angle at initial contact and decreased ankle sagittal plane excursion. Those with less DF-ROM and a pronated static foot posture exhibited increased maximum knee adduction moment. Foot and ankle structure influence lower extremity biomechanics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Lower Limb and Surface Interaction: Implications for Performance and Injury)
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12 pages, 3728 KB  
Article
Adaptive Changes in Lower-Limb Muscle Activations During Repeated Trip-like Perturbations in Young Adults
by Sara Mahmoudzadeh Khalili and Feng Yang
Biomechanics 2026, 6(1), 31; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomechanics6010031 - 13 Mar 2026
Viewed by 580
Abstract
Background: Falls are a leading cause of injury and mortality worldwide. Higher physical activity levels in young adults may increase exposure to fall-related situations. Understanding their neuromuscular adaptations is critical for balance control research and perturbation-based training. This study examined proactive and reactive [...] Read more.
Background: Falls are a leading cause of injury and mortality worldwide. Higher physical activity levels in young adults may increase exposure to fall-related situations. Understanding their neuromuscular adaptations is critical for balance control research and perturbation-based training. This study examined proactive and reactive adaptations in lower-limb muscle activity during repeated simulated trips among young adults. Methods: Twenty participants experienced five treadmill-induced standing-trips. Bilateral electromyography (EMG) activities of the rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis (VL), tibialis anterior (TA), medial gastrocnemius (MG), and biceps femoris (BF) were recorded. Muscle activity magnitude at perturbation onset (ON), EMG peak amplitude, and time-to-peak from ON were extracted and compared across trials. Results: Proactive activation at ON increased across trials in TA and RF on the recovery side (p = 0.012–0.023) and in TA, VL, and BF on the stance side (p = 0.002–0.034). Reactive peak amplitudes decreased in RF, VL, and BF on the recovery side (p < 0.001–0.014) and in RF, VL, and BF on the stance side (p < 0.001–0.016). Time-to-peak shortened in MG, RF, VL, and BF on the recovery side (p < 0.001–0.030) and in RF, VL, TA, and BF on the stance side (p < 0.001–0.050). Conclusions: Repeated simulated trips elicited proactive adaptations in muscle activity and reactive changes in time-to-peak, which may suppress the need for increased reactive muscle activations to recover balance post-perturbation over trials in young adults. The findings augment our understanding of the intercorrelation between proactive and reactive adaptations to repeated perturbations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Lower Limb and Surface Interaction: Implications for Performance and Injury)
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11 pages, 723 KB  
Article
Exploration of Achilles Tendon Loading Symmetry in Female Recreational Runners
by Thomas W. Kernozek, C. Nathan Vannatta, Kaelyn C. Wagner, Kellie Hierl, Sidney Smith and Drew Rutherford
Biomechanics 2026, 6(1), 9; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomechanics6010009 - 9 Jan 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1025
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Running is associated with increased Achilles Tendon (AT) loading and cross-sectional area (CSA). Achilles tendinopathy is a common unilateral injury. Differences in AT loading variables between dominant and non-dominant lower extremities while running have not been characterized. This study examined the AT [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Running is associated with increased Achilles Tendon (AT) loading and cross-sectional area (CSA). Achilles tendinopathy is a common unilateral injury. Differences in AT loading variables between dominant and non-dominant lower extremities while running have not been characterized. This study examined the AT loading variables between dominant and non-dominant lower extremities in healthy recreational runners. Methods: Twenty-four females ran at 3.3 m/s (11.88 km/hr) on an instrumented treadmill. Achilles Tendon CSA (AT-CSA) was measured from ultrasound images. Kinematic and kinetic data were used as input into a musculoskeletal model. Paired t-tests examined inter-limb differences in peak vertical ground reaction force, Achilles Tendon-related loading variables (AT force, AT-CSA, AT stress), total gastrocnemius force, soleus force, foot strike angle, and stance time. Results: No differences were shown between dominant and non-dominant lower extremities in stance time, vertical ground reaction force, gastrocnemius and soleus force, AT force, AT-CSA, or AT stress. Foot strike angle was different between limbs (p = 0.015); however, the absolute difference was about 2°. Conclusions: These data indicated that AT loading was similar between dominant and non-dominant lower extremities in healthy female recreational runners. While some asymmetry can be expected during a bilateral task such as running, runners displayed differences in AT force and stress less than 18%. These data may assist clinicians in the assessment and management of runners recovering from AT tendinopathy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Lower Limb and Surface Interaction: Implications for Performance and Injury)
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12 pages, 2218 KB  
Article
The Effects of Muscle Fatigue on Lower Extremity Biomechanics During the Three-Step Layup Jump and Drop Landing in Male Recreational Basketball Players
by Li Jin and Brandon Yang
Biomechanics 2025, 5(4), 81; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomechanics5040081 - 10 Oct 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2925
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Understanding how muscle fatigue contributes to musculoskeletal injuries is critical in sports science. Although joint biomechanics during landing under fatigue has been studied before, limited research has focused on the layup phase under fatigue. This study examined the effects of fatigue [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Understanding how muscle fatigue contributes to musculoskeletal injuries is critical in sports science. Although joint biomechanics during landing under fatigue has been studied before, limited research has focused on the layup phase under fatigue. This study examined the effects of fatigue on ankle, knee, and hip-joint biomechanics during layup and landing. We hypothesized that fatigue would increase peak vertical ground reaction force (GRF), peak knee extension angle, and peak joint moments. Methods: Fourteen healthy male participants performed 3-step layups and drop landings using their dominant leg on force plates. The fatigue protocol consisted of squat jumps, step-ups, and repeated countermovement jumps (CMJs), with fatigue defined as three consecutive CMJs below 80% of the participant’s pre-established maximum jump height. After a fatigue protocol, they repeated the tasks. Kinematic data were collected using an eight-camera Vicon system (100 Hz), and GRF data were recorded with two AMTI force plates (1000 Hz). Thirty-six reflective markers were placed on lower-limb anatomical landmarks, and data were processed using Visual 3D. Paired t-tests (α = 0.05) were conducted using SPSS (V26.0) to compare pre- and post-fatigue outcomes. Results: Significant increases were found in peak GRF during landing (pre: 3.41 ± 0.81 BW [Body Weight], post: 3.95 ± 1.05 BW, p = 0.036), and peak negative hip joint work during landing (pre: −0.34 ± 0.18 J/kg, post: −0.66 ± 0.43 J/kg, p = 0.025). Conclusions: These findings indicate that fatigue may alter landing mechanics, reflected in increased ground reaction forces and negative hip joint work. These preliminary findings should be interpreted cautiously, and future studies with larger samples and additional neuromuscular measures under sport-specific conditions are needed to improve ecological validity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Lower Limb and Surface Interaction: Implications for Performance and Injury)
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