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Sports
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Biomechanics of Walking and Running: Health and Injury Prevention
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Biomechanics of Walking and Running: Health and Injury Prevention

A special issue of Sports (ISSN 2075-4663).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 November 2025 | Viewed by 3050

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Luca Russo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, eCampus University, 22060 Novedrate, Italy
Interests: walking; running; posture; kinesiolgy; 3D motion analysis; foot plantar pressure; inertial sensors; injury prevention; sport biomechanics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Leonardo Alexandre Peyré-Tartaruga

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Interests: human locomotion; biomechanics and bioenergetics of locomotion; pendulum-like and elastic mechanisms

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The biomechanical analysis of walking and running has a long history in sports and health science research. Researchers have been fascinated by the study of human locomotion, which has brought valuable insights. This Special Issue explores the latest developments in this field, paying particular attention to health and injury prevention implications.

This Special Issue focuses on gathering cutting-edge research to advance knowledge in the biomechanics of human locomotion. The objective is to integrate the most recent research methodologies, such as wearable systems and three-dimensional motion analysis, to examine in depth the variability of walking and running, alterations in kinematics and kinetics, and their impact on musculoskeletal health.

Through this Special Issue, we aim to collect scientific contributions that deepen the understanding of the biomechanical mechanisms underlying human locomotion and their clinical and sports implications. Of particular interest are studies investigating movement efficiency, variability analysis, quantitative postural assessments, the application of wearable devices in biomechanical analysis, as well as innovative approaches for the qualitative and quantitative evaluation of locomotion and injury prevention.

This Special Issue will welcome original research, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses addressing various aspects of gait and running analysis and synthesizing current knowledge in this rapidly evolving field. The goal is to provide a platform for disseminating state-of-the-art scientific results, promoting interdisciplinary dialogue and stimulating future research directions in biomechanics applied to sports and health.

Dr. Luca Russo
Prof. Dr. Leonardo Alexandre Peyré-Tartaruga
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. Sports is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 1800 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

  • biomechanics
  • gait analysis
  • running analysis
  • walking and running variability
  • gait alteration
  • wearables
  • injury prevention
  • musculoskeletal health
  • 3D human motion analysis
  • posture

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

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

11 pages, 1945 KiB  
Article
Initial Effects of Dynamic Tape on Foot Arch Height Under Cyclic Loading: A Pilot Study Among University Students
by Ting-Chen Chang, Po-Cheng Cheng, Yu-Hsuan Chung, Chih-Wei Chang, Yen-Nien Chen and Chia-Jung Chang
Sports 2025, 13(5), 138; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports13050138 - 30 Apr 2025
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Abstract
Background: Dynamic tape is one of the options for supporting the foot arch in the management of arch-related disorders. However, its mechanical effects on the foot arch remain unclear, particularly under cyclic loading. This study aims to investigate the initial effects of dynamic [...] Read more.
Background: Dynamic tape is one of the options for supporting the foot arch in the management of arch-related disorders. However, its mechanical effects on the foot arch remain unclear, particularly under cyclic loading. This study aims to investigate the initial effects of dynamic taping on maintaining foot arch height under cyclic loading among university students. Methods: Thirty-three asymptomatic participants were enrolled in this study. The dynamic tape was applied to the foot with the lower arch to provide support, and the other foot remained untaped as a control. The tape was applied without pre-tension and simply laid straight. Changes in bilateral foot arch height and index were measured using a commercial foot sole morphology assessment device and compared after 6 and 12 min of walking. Results: The arch height did not decrease significantly after walking for 6 or 12 min in either the taped or untaped foot. However, the arch index of the taped foot increased significantly (from 0.258 ± 0.086 to 0.273 ± 0.085) after 12 min of walking, whereas no significant change was observed in the untaped foot. Conclusions: This study is the first to evaluate the initial effect of dynamic tape applied without pre-tension on foot arch support by directly measuring sole morphology using a pin-array impression device. The results indicate that dynamic tape without pre-tension does not effectively prevent the immediate reduction in foot arch height after application. Further research is needed to determine the optimal balance between pre-tension and therapeutic efficacy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics of Walking and Running: Health and Injury Prevention)
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14 pages, 1057 KiB  
Article
Advanced Footwear Technology in Non-Elite Runners: A Survey of Training Practices and Reported Outcomes
by Matteo Bonato, Federica Marmondi, Emanuela Luisa Faelli, Chiara Pedrinelli, Luigi Ferraris and Luca Filipas
Sports 2024, 12(12), 356; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports12120356 - 20 Dec 2024
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Abstract
Background: Advanced footwear technology (AFT) has gained popularity among non-elite runners due to its potential benefits in training and competition. This study investigated the training practices and reported outcomes in non-elite runners using AFT. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted with 61 [...] Read more.
Background: Advanced footwear technology (AFT) has gained popularity among non-elite runners due to its potential benefits in training and competition. This study investigated the training practices and reported outcomes in non-elite runners using AFT. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted with 61 non-elite runners competing in distances ranging from 5 km to marathons. The survey collected data on demographics, training parameters, footwear usage, perceived changes in running mechanics, and self-reported injuries. Results: The results revealed a significant positive correlation (R = 0.6, p < 0.0001) between years of AFT use and weekly training volume, indicating that more experienced runners are likely to incorporate AFT consistently into their routines. Conversely, a significant negative correlation (R = −0.5, p < 0.0001) was found between training volume and the number of weekly sessions using AFT, suggesting a selective approach to footwear use. Participants reported biomechanical changes, such as increased forefoot support (49%) and higher calf muscle activation (44%), alongside a 16% self-reported injury rate, predominantly affecting the calves. Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of proper guidance and gradual adaptation to maximize the benefits of AFT while minimizing injury risks. Future research should explore the long-term impact of AFT on performance and injury prevention through longitudinal studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomechanics of Walking and Running: Health and Injury Prevention)
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