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Innovative Approaches in Monitoring Individual Sports

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2026 | Viewed by 6228

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Mário Jorge Costa

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Guest Editor

1. Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, 420-540, Porto, Portugal
2. Centre for Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
Interests: sport sciences; swimming; aquatic exercise; training effects; performance; testing
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Mário André da Cunha Espada

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Guest Editor

1. Instituto Politécnico de Setúbal, Escola Superior de Educação, 2914-504 Setúbal, Portugal
2. Sport Physical Activity and Health Research & INnovation Center (SPRINT), 2040-413 Rio Maior, Portugal
3. Centre for the Study of Human Performance (CIPER), Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa, 1499-002 Cruz Quebrada, Portugal
4. Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC), Universidade de Évora, 7004- 516 Évora, Portugal
5. Life Quality Research Centre (CIEQV-Leiria), 2040-413 Rio Maior, Portugal
Interests: sport sciences; training load monitoring; strength and conditioning; metabolic expenditure; testing; performance analysis; training; exercise physiology; biomechanics; recovery procedures; physical activity
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Technological and methodological advancements have transformed how individual sports are monitored, offering new possibilities for optimising performance, preventing injuries and improving data-driven decision-making. This Special Issue aims to explore innovative approaches to athlete monitoring in a large spectrum of individual sports, and we particularly welcome studies addressing the use of inertial sensors, artificial intelligence, machine learning, advanced biomechanical analysis, kinematic tracking methods, training load and fatigue monitoring, as well as personalised strategies for performance optimization, but potential topics are not limited to those listed here. Additionally, research discussing the reliability and validity of monitoring tools and the applicability of findings for coaches and athletes will be highly valued. We invite researchers to submit experimental studies, systematic reviews, meta-analyses and methodological innovations that delve deeper into the understanding and enhancement of individual sports monitoring. This Special Issue seeks to foster knowledge exchange among sports scientists, coaches, and practitioners, promoting an evidence-based approach to the development of both elite and recreational sports.

Dr. Mário Jorge Costa
Dr. Mário André da Cunha Espada
Guest Editors

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Keywords

individual sports
training
monitoring
performance
load
athletes
instruments
methods
biomechanics

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 420 KB

Open AccessArticle

Compound Muscle Action Potential Parameters of the Extensor Digitorum Brevis in Sprinters and Sedentary Individuals: A Cross-Sectional Comparison

by Carlos Enrique Barrón-Gámez, Tomás Javier Martínez-Cervantes, José Alberto Barrón-Gámez, José Ángel Garza-Cantú, Enrique Barrón-Hernández, Brisa Ochoa-Castillo, Karina Salas-Longoria, Antonino Aguiar-Barrera, Ángel González-Cantú, Alberto Garrido-Esquivel, José Raúl Hoyos-Flores, Carlos R. Montes-de-Oca-Saucedo and Marina Medina-Corrales

J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2026, 11(2), 148; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk11020148 - 1 Apr 2026

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Abstract

Background: Compound muscle action potential (CMAP) parameters provide objective information on peripheral neuromuscular function, yet comparisons between track athletes and sedentary individuals remain limited, particularly when stratified by sex. This exploratory study examined whether CMAP parameters differ between sprinters and sedentary controls, with a secondary descriptive analysis of female middle-distance runners. Methods: A total of 48 participants (27 females, 21 males) aged 15 to 28 years were recruited by convenience from a restricted-access athletic population. The main comparisons focused on sprinters versus sex-matched sedentary controls, analyzed separately in females (9 sprinters, 10 controls) and males (10 sprinters, 11 controls). Female middle-distance runners (n = 8) were retained as an exploratory subgroup. Bilateral peroneal nerve conduction studies were performed in the extensor digitorum brevis. Outcomes included latency, amplitude, nerve conduction velocity, and CMAP duration. Main comparisons used Welch’s t-tests, supplemented by Mann–Whitney U tests. Effect sizes (Hedges’ g) and 95% confidence intervals were reported. A BMI-adjusted model examined whether the main female finding remained after accounting for BMI. Results: Female sprinters showed significantly higher right-sided CMAP amplitude than sedentary females (Welch p = 0.017; Hedges’ g = 1.32; 95% CI of the mean difference, 0.68 to 5.44 mV), supported by non-parametric testing (p = 0.025). The group effect remained significant after BMI adjustment. No other comparisons reached statistical significance. In males, no significant differences were observed. Conclusions: The main finding was a higher right-sided CMAP amplitude in female sprinters compared with sedentary controls, reasonably consistent across complementary parametric, non-parametric, and BMI-adjusted analyses. Given the small sample and exploratory design, these findings warrant cautious interpretation and replication in larger studies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Approaches in Monitoring Individual Sports)

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10 pages, 1266 KB

Open AccessArticle

Comparison of the Hydrodynamic Profile Between Competitive Triathletes and Swimmers

by Lawinya Assíria-Costa, Marta L. Machado, Catarina C. Santos and Mário J. Costa

J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2026, 11(1), 10; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk11010010 - 26 Dec 2025

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Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the hydrodynamic profile between triathletes and competitive swimmers and to establish associations with short- and middle-distance performance. Methods: A total of 18 male athletes, including 10 swimmers and 8 triathletes, all registered in their respective federations, underwent assessments of passive drag, active drag and power, tethered swimming force, kinematics, and performance over a 200 m and 25 m front crawl. Group comparisons were performed using either Student’s t-test or the Mann–Whitney U test at a significance level of p ≤ 0.05. Results: The triathletes presented higher passive drag and lower levels of force and power to overcome drag. Correlation analysis showed that, among the triathletes, both times at 200 m and 25 m were associated with mean passive drag (r = 0.68 to 0.86) and power (r = −0.58 to −0.80), whereas in swimmers, the mean in-water force was the single variable associated with time at 25 m (r = −0.51). Conclusions: There is a clear hydrodynamic superiority of swimmers compared to triathletes, reflecting their higher mean swimming velocity due to a greater ability to apply force. This suggests that specific technical interventions for triathletes, focusing on drag reduction and improvements in propulsive power, are needed to close this gap with swimmers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Approaches in Monitoring Individual Sports)

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13 pages, 910 KB

Open AccessArticle

Annual Performance Progression in Swimming Across Competition Levels and Race Distances

by Jesús J. Ruiz-Navarro and Dennis-Peter Born

J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2025, 10(3), 297; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk10030297 - 31 Jul 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3237

Abstract

Objective: As performance progression provides an essential indicator for talent selection and development, this study aimed to compare annual swimming performance progression between different competitive levels and to establish benchmarks for long-term athlete development. Methods: Annual best times of swimmers who competed up to the age of 21 years and achieved over 450 World Aquatics points were extracted from the database of European Aquatics. A total of 13,310 male and 7798 female pool swimmers of all race distances were grouped into three performance levels. Results: The results showed a continuous decline in annual performance progression throughout the years across all race distances (all p < 0.001) and in both sexes. There were differences between performance level across the age groups for all race distances in male swimmers, but only for the 100–400 m races in females (p < 0.05). Absolute performance showed significant main effects for level and age over all race distances for both sexes (all p < 0.001). Conclusions: Annual performance progression of swimmers consistently decreases across the competitive lifetime in both sexes, regardless of race distance and performance level. The event-specific benchmarks should be used as a framework to set realistic goals for both sexes and swimmers of different competitive levels, as well as to guide swimmers throughout their careers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Approaches in Monitoring Individual Sports)

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16 pages, 622 KB

Open AccessArticle

Relationship Between Intermuscular Synchronization of Upper Leg Muscles and Training Level in Karate Kumite Practitioners

by Velimir Jeknić, Milivoj Dopsaj and Nenad Koropanovski

J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2025, 10(3), 234; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk10030234 - 20 Jun 2025

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1335

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the involuntary stimulated neuromuscular response of thigh muscles in karate subgroups and non-athletes. We investigated whether karate training creates neuromuscular adaptations and if the synchronization of knee flexor and extensor muscles in karate practitioners is level-dependent. Methods: The study included 7 elite karate athletes (KE), 14 sub-elite karate athletes (KSE), 16 individuals with basic karate training (KB), and 14 non–athletes (NA). Tensiomyographic (TMG) measurements were obtained from the rectus femoris, vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, and semitendinosus muscles. Indexes of Intermuscular Synchronization (IIS) were calculated for contraction time (Tc), total contraction time (TcT), and rate of muscle tension development (RMTD) as variables for the observed muscles of a given muscle group (extensors of the dominant leg, flexors of the dominant leg, extensors of the non-dominant leg, and flexors of the non-dominant leg). Results: Statistically significant differences were observed in the intermuscular synchronization indexes between karate experience levels and non-athletes. Compared to non-athletes, elite (KE), sub-elite (KSE), and beginner karateka (KB) all demonstrated shorter contraction time indexes in dominant knee extensors (p = 0.042, 0.040, and 0.013, respectively). In the non-dominant flexors, KE exhibited significantly better synchronization than KSE (p = 0.001), KB (p = 0.033), and NA (p = 0.002). For the total contraction time index, both KSE and KB outperformed NA in dominant extensors (p = 0.023 and p = 0.008), while KE showed superiority in non-dominant extensors and flexors compared to all other groups (p-values ranging from 0.002 to 0.038). Significant RMTD differences were found in the dominant leg between KE and KSE (p = 0.036) and KE and KB (p = 0.001), as well as in the non-dominant leg between KE and KB (p = 0.011) and KE and NA (p = 0.025). These findings were accompanied by statistical powers exceeding 0.80 in most cases, underscoring the robustness of the observed differences. Conclusions: These findings highlight that muscle coordination patterns, as revealed through non-invasive TMG-based indexes, are sensitive to training level and laterality in karate practitioners. Importantly, elite athletes demonstrated more synchronized activation in key muscle groups, suggesting a neuromuscular adaptation specific to high-level combat sports. From a biomechanical perspective, improved intermuscular synchronization may reflect optimized neural strategies for stability, speed, and efficiency—key components in competitive karate. Thus, this method holds promise not only for performance diagnostics but also for refining individualized training strategies in combat sports and broader athletic contexts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Approaches in Monitoring Individual Sports)

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