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	24.8 Days	CHF 1200	Submit
Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology jfmk	2.5	3.7	2016	22.5 Days	CHF 1800	Submit
Sensors sensors	3.5	8.2	2001	17.8 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Sports sports	2.9	4.1	2013	19.9 Days	CHF 1800	Submit

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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All Biomechanics JFMK Sensors Sports

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15 pages, 619 KB  

Open AccessPerspective

Unconstrained Segmental Biomechanics: A Conceptual Framework for Gait Initiation and Locomotor Transitions

by Arianna Fogliata, Lorenzo Cantoni, Alessio Gambetta, Antinea Ambretti and Stefano Tardini

Biomechanics 2026, 6(2), 33; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomechanics6020033 - 1 Apr 2026

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Abstract

Background/Objectives: Traditional biomechanical models describe human locomotion as an articulated chain of rigid segments with constrained degrees of freedom, primarily focusing on kinematic descriptions of movement. While this approach facilitates modelling and teaching, it may limit the representation of internal force transmission [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Traditional biomechanical models describe human locomotion as an articulated chain of rigid segments with constrained degrees of freedom, primarily focusing on kinematic descriptions of movement. While this approach facilitates modelling and teaching, it may limit the representation of internal force transmission and dynamic interactions, particularly during transitional phases such as gait initiation. The objective of this article is to propose a conceptual framework, Unconstrained Segmental Biomechanics (USB), to reinterpret locomotor mechanics beyond rigid joint assumptions. Methods: An exploratory analysis of recent PubMed-indexed publications (2024) and commonly adopted educational references in sport science institutions was conducted to examine how locomotion is conceptually represented and to identify possible models analogous to the framework. The aim was to situate the framework within current modelling approaches rather than to provide a systematic literature evaluation. Results: The exploratory analysis provided an exploratory contextual impression that kinematic representations were more readily identifiable than conceptually analogous models explicitly addressing dynamic intersegmental force transmission. USB is presented as a conceptual framework generating testable biomechanical hypotheses concerning the temporal organisation of intersegmental force transmission during locomotor transitions, including the expectation that during gait initiation gluteus maximus activation precedes observable segmental displacement, that early CoP/GRF changes precede the visible step, and that trunk activation actively contributes to intersegmental force regulation during the transition. Conclusions: USB offers a conceptual framework that enriches the interpretation of gait initiation and locomotor transitions. Future empirical investigations will be necessary to test the biomechanical hypotheses generated by this framework and to evaluate its potential contribution to biomechanics research, education, and applied movement sciences. Full article

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

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18 pages, 1745 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Biomechanical Differences Among Collegiate Sprinters Developed Through Specialized and Diversified Training Pathways

by Huashuai Li, Shaoze Zheng, Shihao Wang, Qingyang Cao and Ruiyang Zhang

Sensors 2026, 26(6), 1906; https://doi.org/10.3390/s26061906 - 18 Mar 2026

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Abstract

This study compared collegiate sprinters from two common admission routes in China to identify pathway-associated differences that may inform subsequent training for athletes entering via the Physical Education College Entrance Examination pathway. Twenty male collegiate sprinters were allocated to a Sports Independent Enrollment [...] Read more.

This study compared collegiate sprinters from two common admission routes in China to identify pathway-associated differences that may inform subsequent training for athletes entering via the Physical Education College Entrance Examination pathway. Twenty male collegiate sprinters were allocated to a Sports Independent Enrollment group and a Physical Education College Entrance Examination group, with ten participants in each. Participants completed isokinetic knee testing, drop jump tests, static balance tests, and drop jump electromyography assessment. Isokinetic outcomes were largely comparable between groups, although the Sports Independent Enrollment group showed faster time to reach peak torque in the nondominant-side knee extensors. In drop jumps, the Sports Independent Enrollment group demonstrated higher reactive strength, shorter ground contact time, greater leg stiffness normalized to body weight, and shorter propulsion duration. Electromyography patterns differed between groups across movement phases. Balance differences were mainly observed under the single-leg eyes-closed condition in unadjusted comparisons, but none remained significant after false discovery rate adjustment. Overall, between-group differences were more evident in rapid force production and neuromuscular control than in the magnitude of isokinetic strength. These findings provide practical targets for designing subsequent training priorities for athletes entering through the Physical Education College Entrance Examination pathway. Full article

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

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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 - 11 Oct 2025

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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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