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Efficiency in Kinesiology: Innovative Approaches in Enhancing Motor Skills for Athletic Performance, 3rd Edition

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A special issue of Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology (ISSN 2411-5142). This special issue belongs to the section "Kinesiology and Biomechanics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2025) | Viewed by 11545

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Dr. Diego Minciacchi

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Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
Interests: motor control; motor timing; cognitive-motor mechanisms; adaptive control; kinematics; excellent performance; neurorehabilitation
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

On behalf of Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology, I am announcing a 3rd edition about the implementation of innovative applied research to improve motor skills for reaching superior sporting performances.

Investigations from the last several decades have provided enough evidence for the use of certain means as the training foundation for sharpening athletic performance, both from a biomotor and from a technical standpoint.

However, as the field of sports science continues to grow, new methodologies, technologies, and applications for evaluating, improving, or even predicting motor performance draw the attention of the academic realm, infield operators, and general audiences. Nevertheless, sometimes these new means gain wide popularity without apt scientific support, and sometimes the opposite is true—that is, cutting-edge approaches which are well-validated in the lab fail to transfer within the sporting environments.

Seeing the unceasingly evolving nature of sports science as well as the continuous demand for ever-better competitive performance, the development of novel scientific approaches to improve athletes’ motor skills and performances is desired, and their promulgation is of utmost importance for trainers and scientists. Thus, further research is required to grant a deeper understanding of the advantages and limitations in using particular means when aiming to evaluate, predict, and model sporting performance in both amateur and professional/elite athletes.

In this Special Issue, we are looking for original investigations and reviews which introduce novel approaches to defining how leveraging either extrinsic (socio-economic, geographic, early sporting specialization, etc.) or intrinsic factors (training periodization, training methodology, equipment, cross-training, recovery management, etc.) may help to upgrade athletes’ motor skills to obtain their best athletic performance.

This special issue is supervised by Dr. Diego Minciacchi and assisted by Dr. Vincenzo Sorgente (University of Florence).

Dr. Diego Minciacchi
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. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology 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 1600 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

kinesiology
sport science
sport performance
biomechanics
training periodization
training prescription
exercise physiology
athletic performance
motor performance
motor skills

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

9 pages, 728 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sex Differences in Jump Capacity and Elastic Index in Table Tennis Players

by Jon Mikel Picabea-Arburu and Eñaut Ozaeta-Beaskoetxea

J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2025, 10(2), 99; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk10020099 - 21 Mar 2025

Viewed by 319

Abstract

Background/Aims: Table tennis performance is influenced by various factors such as technique, tactics, and fitness. Additionally, many shots are executed at high speeds, developing significant levels of explosive strength in the lower extremities. This study aimed to assess the jump capacity and the elasticity index of the lower limbs among young table tennis players based on sex. Additionally, this study assessed leg asymmetries between the dominant and non-dominant limbs during jump tests. Methods: A total of 40 players (20 boys and 20 girls), aged 16–18 years, participated in the study. Vertical countermovement jump, squat jump, and horizontal jump tests were conducted to evaluate both vertical and horizontal jumping capacities, as well as leg asymmetries between the dominant and non-dominant limbs. Results: Differences were observed in both vertical and horizontal jumps, with male players achieving better results in all jumping capacities. However, female players obtained better values in elastic index. Additionally, significant differences were found between dominant and non-dominant legs in both male and female players. Conclusions: Considering that explosive strength is one of the most essential physical capacities in this sport, this information could prove valuable for talent identification, the design of training programs, and the optimization of physical performance monitoring systems in table tennis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Efficiency in Kinesiology: Innovative Approaches in Enhancing Motor Skills for Athletic Performance, 3rd Edition)

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19 pages, 3177 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Vibration Foam Rolling Treatment Influence on Acute Changes in Plantar Flexors Muscle Temperature and Surface Emg Activity in Amateur Male Athletes

by Aleksandar Borisavljević, Marko Ćosić, Goran Janković, Iva Radić, Dunja Janković and Milivoj Dopsaj

J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2025, 10(1), 25; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk10010025 - 8 Jan 2025

Viewed by 1094

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Foam rolling is widespread and deeply rooted in exercise practice. The optimal duration and role of this treatment still lack scientific consensus. A relatively novel foam rolling treatment that combines vibration during application targets different muscle characteristics that are not well understood. Studies exploring this combined treatment are scarce. The aim of this study was set to investigate the acute effects of different duration vibration (15 s, 30 s, and 60 s) foam rolling treatment (VFRt) on muscle skin temperature and surface muscle electromyography (_sEMG) during Maximal Voluntary Isometric Contraction. Methods: Eighteen male subjects performed four sets of three trials of maximal isometric heel rises during three experimental sessions conducted in research laboratory. Results: Repeated measures of ANOVA determined that the muscle skin temperature significant difference was only found for the 30 s treatment (p = 0.013–0.000). For surface muscle electromyography a 30 s treatment out of all three yielded the most significant results, between pretreatment set and post-treatment set 1 (p = 0.01)—small effect size (Cohen’s d = −0.33)—and pretreatment set to post-treatment set 3 (p = 0.01)—small effect size (Cohen’s d = −0.30). Conclusions: All treatments did not produce significant differences during Maximal Voluntary Isometric Contraction heel rises, which—for practical application purposes—present a safe treatment. Future studies should investigate the acute effects of longer duration treatment on changes in surface muscle temperature. In terms of practical application, other findings suggest that muscle efficiency was improved taken into account of unchanged muscle strength along with decreased _sEMG, which is beneficial. Also, the downward trend of muscle activity caused by the other two treatment durations could be of significance for practical application during rehabilitation process or during activities where this is a desired and indicated goal. In terms of targeting elevated muscle activity, 30 s of VFRt is the treatment of choice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Efficiency in Kinesiology: Innovative Approaches in Enhancing Motor Skills for Athletic Performance, 3rd Edition)

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14 pages, 856 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Technical and Tactical Performance in Women’s Singles Pickleball: A Notational Analysis of Key Match Indicators

by Iván Prieto-Lage, Xoana Reguera-López-de-la-Osa, Christopher Vázquez-Estévez and Alfonso Gutiérrez-Santiago

J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2025, 10(1), 20; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk10010020 - 3 Jan 2025

Viewed by 888

Abstract

Background: Pickleball has experienced remarkable growth in recent years, yet studies exploring its specific characteristics are scarce. This investigation provides a detailed notational analysis of women’s singles pickleball, evaluating the technical and tactical performance indicators in the game. Method: An observational methodology was used to analyze all points from five PPA Tour tournaments. The matches were recorded and coded using LINCE PLUS software, version 2.1.0, with a category system designed for this sport. A descriptive analysis was conducted with IBM SPSS version 25.0, and Theme 6.0 Edu software was used to detect gameplay patterns. The statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: The findings indicate that serving players have a slight advantage, winning 55.1% of points. Most of the points were resolved through unforced errors, accounting for 63.7% of the total, primarily from forehand strokes in short rallies and backhand strokes in medium rallies. The most frequent hitting zones for point termination were near the non-volley zone (35.8%) and behind the baseline (38.6%). Conclusions: This study provides a deeper understanding of performance in women’s pickleball, highlighting technical and tactical patterns that offer guidelines for optimizing strategies and techniques in the sport. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Efficiency in Kinesiology: Innovative Approaches in Enhancing Motor Skills for Athletic Performance, 3rd Edition)

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11 pages, 261 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Key Performance Indicators for College American Football Starters: An Exploratory Study

by Quincy R. Johnson, Yang Yang, Dimitrije Cabarkapa, Shane Stock, Dalton Gleason, Kazuma Akehi, Dayton Sealey, Clay Frels, Douglas B. Smith and Andrew C. Fry

J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2025, 10(1), 19; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk10010019 - 3 Jan 2025

Viewed by 1741

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was twofold: (a) to profile body composition and physical fitness characteristics of collegiate American football starters and (b) to examine differences in key performance indicators across position groups. These indicators included select measures of body composition, joint kinematics, as well as muscular strength and power. Methods: Sixteen National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division-II American football athletes (age: 22.25 ± 1.1 years; height: 183.75 ± 7.8 cm; and body mass: 97.22 ± 20.39 kg) volunteered to participate in this study. A Kruskal–Wallis one-way analysis of variance by ranks test with Dunn test post-hoc adjustments was used to examine position differences between Line (n = 3), Big Skill (n = 6), and Skill (n = 7) position groups with α priori set at p < 0.05. Results: The findings of this study suggest that significant differences in body composition (p = 0.004), muscular strength (p = 0.01), and muscular power (p = 0.03) exist between position groups. However, no significant differences were observed in joint kinematics as assessed by the bilateral squat test (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Therefore, key findings from this study suggest that although significant differences in body composition, muscular strength, and muscular power exist, an emphasis should be placed on the regular assessment, development, and maintenance of optimal joint kinematics within collegiate American football populations as this appears to be a shared key performance indicator among starters. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Efficiency in Kinesiology: Innovative Approaches in Enhancing Motor Skills for Athletic Performance, 3rd Edition)

19 pages, 5523 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optimizing Performance in Badminton Tournaments: The Relationship Between Timing, Quantity, and Quality Among Professional Players

by Jen-Hao Hsu, Hsin-Lun Lin, Hung-Chieh Fan Chiang, Duan-Shin Lee, Yang Lee, Cheng-Wei Huang and Zai-Fu Yao

J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2025, 10(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk10010005 - 27 Dec 2024

Viewed by 1398

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Top badminton players must carefully schedule tournaments to perform well and improve their rankings. This study examines how players plan their tournament participation and whether their scheduling strategies affect their rankings and performance, especially during Olympic and non-Olympic years. Methods: Data were extracted from the Badminton World Federation (BWF) ranking system for the top 50 men’s and women’s singles players from May 2014 to May 2019. A computer-based simulation model and cluster analysis were applied to analyze tournament participation patterns, recovery intervals, and performance trends. Statistical analyses were conducted to identify correlations between these variables and ranking outcomes. Results: Top-ranked players participated in more tournaments during Olympic years, with those competing in more than nine tournaments achieving better results. Players performing well in higher-graded tournaments tended to take longer recovery breaks, whereas lower-performing players entered more tournaments. Cluster analysis revealed two distinct performance groups, with the top 20 men’s and top 12 women’s singles players adopting different strategies compared to lower-ranked counterparts. Conclusions: Strategic scheduling of tournaments, including balancing participation frequency and recovery intervals, is vital for optimizing performance and achieving sustained ranking success. These findings emphasize the importance of high-graded tournament selection and tailored schedules for elite players. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Efficiency in Kinesiology: Innovative Approaches in Enhancing Motor Skills for Athletic Performance, 3rd Edition)

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12 pages, 1343 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Temporal Changes and Between-Competition Differences in the Activity Profile of Elite Hurling Referees

by Aidan J. Brady, Michael Scriney, Mark Roantree, Andrew McCarren and Niall M. Moyna

J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2024, 9(4), 271; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk9040271 - 13 Dec 2024

Viewed by 793

Abstract

Background/Objectives: This study examined the activity profile of elite hurling referees during games in the National Hurling League (NHL) and All-Ireland Championship (AIC) and across all divisions of the NHL and phases of the AIC. Temporal changes between the first and second half and across the four quarters were also examined. Methods: Data were collected from 36 referees using 10-Hz global positioning system technology during 106 NHL and 85 AIC games and analyzed for duration, total distance, very low-speed movement (<0.69 m·s⁻¹), walking (≥0.69–1.59 m·s⁻¹), low-speed running (≥1.60–3.08 m·s⁻¹), moderate-speed running (≥3.09–4.62 m·s⁻¹), high-speed running (HSR) (≥4.63–6.34 m·s⁻¹), and very high-speed running (VHSR) (≥6.35 m·s⁻¹) distance and peak running speed. Results: Total distance was not significantly different between games in the NHL (120.7 ± 9.4 m·min⁻¹) and AIC (122.8 ± 9.9 m·min⁻¹, ES = 0.04). There was also no significant difference in HSR distance between the NHL (17.1 ± 6.5 m·min⁻¹) and AIC (18.0 ± 7.2 m·min⁻¹, ES = 0.10). The only significant difference between the NHL and AIC was in LSR distance, which was higher in the AIC (ES = 0.24). VHSR distance was significantly higher during games in Division 3A+3B (0.7 ± 0.8 m·min⁻¹) compared to Division 1A+1B (0.2 ± 0.3 m·min⁻¹) and Division 2A+2B (0.1 ± 0.3 m·min⁻¹). HSR distance was significantly lower during games in the All-Ireland Series (15.7 ± 6.7 m·min⁻¹) compared to games in the Leinster (21.1 ± 8.5 m·min⁻¹) and Munster (17.9 ± 5.4 m·min⁻¹) Championships. Conclusions: The findings of this study can be used to support the development of physical conditioning programs that are specific to the demands experienced during competitive match play. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Efficiency in Kinesiology: Innovative Approaches in Enhancing Motor Skills for Athletic Performance, 3rd Edition)

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14 pages, 2028 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Role of Visual Information Quantity in Fine Motor Performance

by Giulia Panconi, Vincenzo Sorgente, Sara Guarducci, Riccardo Bravi and Diego Minciacchi

J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2024, 9(4), 267; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk9040267 - 11 Dec 2024

Viewed by 1114

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Fine motor movements are essential for daily activities, such as handwriting, and rely heavily on visual information to enhance motor complexity and minimize errors. Tracing tasks provide an ecological method for studying these movements and investigating sensorimotor processes. To date, our understanding of the influence of different quantities of visual information on fine motor control remains incomplete. Our study examined how variations in the amount of visual feedback affect motor performance during handwriting tasks using a graphic pen tablet projecting on a monitor. Methods: Thirty-seven right-handed young adults (20 to 35 years) performed dot-to-dot triangle tracing tasks under nine experimental conditions with varying quantities of visual cues. The conditions and triangle shape rotations were randomized to avoid motor training or learning effects. Motor performance metrics, including absolute error, time of execution, speed, smoothness, and pressure, were analyzed. Results: As visual information increased, absolute error (from 6.64 mm to 2.82 mm), speed (from 99.28 mm/s to 57.19 mm/s), and smoothness (from 4.17 mm²/s⁶ to 0.80 mm²/s⁶) decreased, while time of execution increased (from 12.68 s to 20.85 s), reflecting a trade-off between accuracy and speed. Pressure remained constant across conditions (from 70.35 a.u. to 74.39). Spearman correlation analysis demonstrated a moderate to strong correlation between absolute error and time of execution across conditions. The Friedman test showed significant effects of experimental conditions on all motor performance metrics except for pressure, with Kendall’s W values indicating a moderate to strong effect size. Conclusion: These findings deepen our understanding of sensorimotor integration processes and could potentially have implications for optimizing motor skills acquisition and training and developing effective rehabilitation strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Efficiency in Kinesiology: Innovative Approaches in Enhancing Motor Skills for Athletic Performance, 3rd Edition)

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8 pages, 244 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Differences in Physical Demands and Player’s Individual Performance Between Winning and Losing Quarters on U-18 Basketball Players During Competition

by Adrià Miró, Jordi Vicens-Bordas, Marco Beato, Hugo Salazar, Jordi Coma, Carles Pintado and Franc García

J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2024, 9(4), 211; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk9040211 - 29 Oct 2024

Viewed by 1462

Abstract

Background: This study examines how physical demands and individual performance influence quarter results in under-18 basketball players during a six-day basketball tournament. Methods: Twelve male players from an elite Spanish team were tracked using inertial microsensors to monitor external load variables (player load, steps, and dynamic stress load). Individual performance was assessed using the performance index rating (PIR). Results: The results showed significant differences in physical demands between quarters. Also, player load (F = 3.75, p = 0.012) and steps (F = 5.29, p = 0.001) were higher in the first quarter and decreased over time. Winning quarters had significantly higher physical demands compared to losing quarters (PL: F = 27.13, p < 0.001; steps: F = 16.70, p < 0.001; DSL: F = 9.50, p < 0.001). On the contrary, PIR did not show significant differences between winning and losing quarters (F = 2.15, p = 0.143), but tended to be higher in winning quarters. Conclusions: These results suggest that physical demands are stronger predictors of quarter results than individual performance scores, indicating that such parameters should be closely monitored by sport scientists and coaches since they can play a crucial role in team success. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Efficiency in Kinesiology: Innovative Approaches in Enhancing Motor Skills for Athletic Performance, 3rd Edition)

12 pages, 1333 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Relationship Between the Burpee Movement Program and Strength and Endurance Performance Measures in Active Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

by Ľuboslav Šiska, Gheorghe Balint, Daniel Židek, Jaromir Sedlacek, Štefan Tkacik and Nela Tatiana Balint

J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2024, 9(4), 197; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk9040197 - 18 Oct 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1944

Abstract

Objectives: This paper aimed to assess the motor performance in the Burpee Movement Program through the acceleration recorded by the Phyphox mobile app and define its relationship to strength and endurance parameters. Methods: Altogether, 15 students in physical education teaching completed the 3 × 3 min Burpee Movement Program, consisting of the repeated execution of a single burpee with maximum effort at regular intervals triggered by a sound signal. During the load phase, the intensity of the burpee and the fatigue index expressed in percentages were evaluated by means of the acceleration recorded through a mobile phone. In the second part of testing, we evaluated the performance parameters during a bench press and squat where the intensity was measured using a linear displacement transducer (Tendo Power Analyzer) and aerobic endurance was assessed with a 20 m shuttle run test (20 mSR). Results: The average intensity of the burpee ranged from 3.12 to 11.12 ms⁻². The fatigue index ranged from −21.95% (which represented an increase in performance) to 33.63% (which represented a decrease in performance). The performances in the bench presses ranged from 58 to 480 W and from 175 to 696 W during the squats. The distance in the 20 m shuttle run test (20 mSR) ranged from 540 to 2000 m. The intensity of the burpee showed a significant correlation to the performances achieved in the bench presses and squats r = 0.82 and 0.79. The fatigue index showed a significant correlation to the 20 m shuttle run test (20 mSR) r = −0.67. Conclusions: These findings indicate that in, our case, the results from the Burpee Movement Program are significantly associated with the participants’ strength and endurance abilities. We recommend using BMP for the development of strength–endurance abilities, but further exploration is needed regarding the potential use of BMP as a diagnostic test. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Efficiency in Kinesiology: Innovative Approaches in Enhancing Motor Skills for Athletic Performance, 3rd Edition)

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