Current Perspectives and Future Directions in Sports Biomechanics

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Sports biomechanics is a rapidly evolving discipline that integrates the principles of mechanics, physiology, and movement science to understand and optimize human performance in athletic contexts. Advances in motion capture technologies, wearable sensors, computational modeling, and artificial intelligence have opened new avenues for analyzing sport-specific movements with unprecedented precision.

This Research Topic aims to explore contemporary developments and emerging trends in sports biomechanics. We welcome contributions that provide novel insights into technique optimization, injury prevention, load monitoring, and performance enhancement across a wide range of sports and populations. Of particular interest are studies that apply multidisciplinary approaches, including biomechanics combined with physiology, motor control, and sports medicine.

Topics may include the following:

• Biomechanical analysis of elite and recreational athletic performance;
• Sport-specific movement assessment and optimization;
• Wearable technologies and real-time biomechanical feedback;
• Musculoskeletal modeling and simulation in sport;
• Biomechanics of injury mechanisms and prevention strategies;
• Age- and sex-specific biomechanical considerations;
• Neuromechanics and motor control in athletic performance;
• Biomechanical monitoring for return-to-play and rehabilitation;
• Advances in data science and AI applications in biomechanics.

We also encourage submissions addressing methodological advancements, including innovative approaches to field-based assessments and machine learning tools for biomechanical data interpretation.

By gathering the most up-to-date evidence and critical reflections, this Topic seeks to shape the future directions of sports biomechanics and support more effective, evidence-based practices in training, rehabilitation, and competition.

Dr. Pedro Forte
Dr. Rafael Peixoto
Dr. Luís Branquinho
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Biomechanics biomechanics	1.4	2.4	2021	23 Days	CHF 1200	Submit
Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology jfmk	2.5	3.7	2016	26.9 Days	CHF 1800	Submit
Sensors sensors	3.5	8.2	2001	19.7 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Sports sports	2.9	4.1	2013	18.7 Days	CHF 1800	Submit

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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All Biomechanics JFMK Sensors Sports

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16 pages, 5856 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Characteristics of Lower Limb Dominant and Nondominant Joint Load Changes After Long-Distance Running in Young Male Runners Under OpenSim Environment

by Xiaocan Li and Lijuan Mao

Sensors 2025, 25(20), 6301; https://doi.org/10.3390/s25206301 (registering DOI) - 11 Oct 2025

Viewed by 191

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the characteristics of load changes in the hip, knee, and ankle joints of the dominant and non-dominant lower limbs of young male runners after long-distance running. Using the OpenSim public dataset (containing bilateral biomechanical data before and after [...] Read more.

This study aims to investigate the characteristics of load changes in the hip, knee, and ankle joints of the dominant and non-dominant lower limbs of young male runners after long-distance running. Using the OpenSim public dataset (containing bilateral biomechanical data before and after long-distance running from 20 young male runners), personalized musculoskeletal models were established. Contact forces in three directions at lower limb joints during the running stance phase were calculated. Statistical analysis employed one-dimensional statistical parameter mapping (SPM1d) and two-factor repeated measures ANOVA (time × side). Results revealed significant time × side interaction effects (p < 0.05) for contact forces in the medial–lateral direction at the hip, the anterior–posterior direction at the knee, and all three directions at the ankle. Simple effects analysis showed that post-run medial–lateral hip forces significantly increased during the push-off phase, while anterior–posterior ankle forces significantly increased during the mid-to-late stance phase on both sides (d = 0.718–1.002). For the superior–inferior direction at the hip and knee, only main effects of time or side were present. Post-run joint contact forces significantly increased, with the dominant side consistently exceeding the non-dominant side across multiple stance and push-off phases (d = 0.58–1.6), indicating stable side-to-side differences. These findings indicate that long-distance running not only increases multi-joint loading in the lower limbs but also exacerbates asymmetry between the dominant and non-dominant sides during the initial stance and push-off phases. This redistribution of load, coupled with bilateral control imbalance, may further elevate the risk of injury. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Current Perspectives and Future Directions in Sports Biomechanics)

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