The Mechanics of Movement: Biomechanics in Sports Performance

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Biology biology	4.3	7.3	2012	14.2 Days	CHF 2700	Submit
Biomechanics biomechanics	1.4	1.9	2021	20.7 Days	CHF 1200	Submit
Brain Sciences brainsci	3.4	6.0	2011	16.8 Days	CHF 2400	Submit
Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology jfmk	2.5	3.2	2016	20.1 Days	CHF 1800	Submit
Physiologia physiologia	2.1	-	2021	22.2 Days	CHF 1200	Submit
Sports sports	3.2	4.3	2013	18.6 Days	CHF 1800	Submit

15 pages, 2660 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Comparative Study of Lower-Limb Joint Angles and Moment Estimations Across Different Gait Conditions Using OpenSim for Body-Weight Offloading Applications

by Bushira Musa, Ji Chen, Glacia Martin, Kaitlin H. Lostroscio and Alexander Peebles

Biomechanics 2026, 6(1), 27; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomechanics6010027 - 3 Mar 2026

Viewed by 1322

Abstract

Background: Microgravity exposure causes muscle atrophy and bone density loss in astronauts. Traditional motion analysis provides estimations of external kinematics and muscle activation, but cannot resolve internal load. OpenSim closes this gap by applying musculoskeletal modeling to estimate internal joint mechanics. Methods: In [...] Read more.

Background: Microgravity exposure causes muscle atrophy and bone density loss in astronauts. Traditional motion analysis provides estimations of external kinematics and muscle activation, but cannot resolve internal load. OpenSim closes this gap by applying musculoskeletal modeling to estimate internal joint mechanics. Methods: In this study, we aimed to develop an OpenSim workflow to estimate joint angles and moments using datasets from two publicly available gait studies: the Politecnico di Milano study (Dataset 1), which includes level-floor walking, walking on heels, walking on toes, and step-down-from-stairs tasks, and Maclean et al.’s walking study in reduced gravities (Dataset 2), which includes four simulated gravity levels (1.0 G, 0.76 G, 0.54 G, and 0.31 G). Marker and ground reaction force (GRF) data, along with participants’ mass, were used to prepare the first three steps of OpenSim’s workflow, including scaling, inverse kinematics (IK), and inverse dynamics (ID). Scripts using MATLAB R2025a (The MathWorks, Inc., Natick, MA, USA) were created to store, normalize, and compare OpenSim outputs with reference data on the right leg. Pearson’s correlation coefficient (PCC) was used to quantify agreement between OpenSim-derived joint angles and moments and the reference data, and root mean square error (RMSE) was used to characterize accuracy. Results: Hip and knee angles showed excellent correlation across both datasets (PCC > 0.974). Ankle angles were more variable, particularly in Dataset 1 (PCC = 0.833; RMSE = 19.797°) compared to Dataset 2 (PCC = 0.995; RMSE = 8.73°). Joint moment correlations were strong for hip and knee (PCC > 0.85), though ankle moments in Dataset 1 exhibited lower correlation (PCC = 0.677) and higher error (0.30 Nm/kg) compared to the high accuracy observed across all joints in Dataset 2. Discussion: We speculate that the lower PCC values and higher RMSE observed for ankle dorsi/plantar flexion angle and moment in Dataset 1 are mainly attributable to differences in shank segment frame definitions between the OpenSim model and the human body model used in Dataset 1. Higher ankle angle RMSEs in Dataset 2 may be due to lower weights assigned to ankle markers in the scaling and IK setup files, resulting in different ankle joint center definitions. Conclusion: In the future, we plan to improve this OpenSim workflow by including additional participants and datasets collected in simulated reduced-gravity environments and by implementing a residual reduction algorithm (RRA) and computed muscle control (CMC) to enable muscle activation estimation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic The Mechanics of Movement: Biomechanics in Sports Performance)

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13 pages, 1909 KB

Open AccessArticle

Speed-Sensitive EEG Biomarkers in a Motion Tracking Paradigm: Implications for Dynamic Visual Acuity Research

by Zejin Li, Guanghua Xu, Hui Li, Chenghang Du, Chengcheng Han, Xiaobing Guo, Jiahuan Wang and Sicong Zhang

Brain Sci. 2026, 16(2), 245; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci16020245 - 22 Feb 2026

Viewed by 725

Abstract

Background: Dynamic visual acuity (DVA) is functionally distinct from static visual acuity (SVA), though SVA is often used clinically as a reference. Methods: To identify EEG biomarkers for DVA, we presented participants with a high-contrast checkerboard moving horizontally at speeds ranging from 4°/s [...] Read more.

Background: Dynamic visual acuity (DVA) is functionally distinct from static visual acuity (SVA), though SVA is often used clinically as a reference. Methods: To identify EEG biomarkers for DVA, we presented participants with a high-contrast checkerboard moving horizontally at speeds ranging from 4°/s to 30°/s, engaging motion-sensitive pathways while preserving spatial detail. Six EEG features—ERPs (N200 and P300), TRCA, Hjorth activity, mean curve length, and Tsallis entropy—were extracted from eight occipito-parietal channels and evaluated for speed sensitivity. Results: Hjorth activity and Tsallis entropy showed consistent monotonic trends with respect to speed. Hjorth activity exhibited the strongest univariate correlation (r = 0.88, p < 0.05). In a Lasso regression model using all speed-sensitive features, the predicted speed correlated with actual speed at r = 0.588, with TRCA-weighted features retained for their multivariate contribution. Notably, Hjorth activity peaked at PO7/PO8 (3.558 and 1.478 µV² at 30°/s), aligning with V5/MT+ activation. Conclusion: Given its high sensitivity, neuroanatomical plausibility, and simplicity, Hjorth activity is recommended as a primary candidate for EEG-based DVA biomarker development. This study provides a foundation for objective neurophysiological evaluation of dynamic vision. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic The Mechanics of Movement: Biomechanics in Sports Performance)

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15 pages, 1639 KB

Open AccessArticle

Identification of Kinetic Efficacy Variables for the Rhythmic Gymnastics Pike Jump to Monitor Performance

by Manuel Nogueras, Pablo Floria and Amelia Ferro-Sánchez

Biomechanics 2026, 6(1), 19; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomechanics6010019 - 4 Feb 2026

Viewed by 892

Abstract

Background/Objectives: In Rhythmic Gymnastics (RG), the jump is an element of great difficulty that requires the qualities of strength and coordination. Jump height and power are the variables normally used to assess the final performance of jumps. However, they do not allow [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: In Rhythmic Gymnastics (RG), the jump is an element of great difficulty that requires the qualities of strength and coordination. Jump height and power are the variables normally used to assess the final performance of jumps. However, they do not allow us to analyze what happens in the intermediate stages or provide practical information to find jump improvement strategies. This study aimed to determine which kinetic variables, organized within a hierarchical model, serve as performance indicators in the Pike Jump executed from a standing start with arm swing. Methods: Ten high-level women gymnasts (14 ± 0.7 years) performed 53 Pike Jumps on a Dinascan-IBV, v.8.1 dynamometric platform (Valencia, Spain) that recorded at 1000 Hz. In the model, jumping was divided into five phases, and 76 related efficacy variables were defined, with 34 of them normalized for total jump time or body weight. Bivariate correlations were analyzed with a bilateral significance test to validate the proposed model. Results: Average and Initial Vertical Ground Reaction Force can be used as performance indicators of the Pike Jump, providing information on intermediate stages of the jump and allowing us to improve specific aspects related to the level of force and the way to apply it in RG. Conclusions: The degree of correlation found among the variables allowed us to validate the model. Normalized variables allow a more precise analysis to be carried out and question some results obtained in the literature in which non-normalized data were presented. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic The Mechanics of Movement: Biomechanics in Sports Performance)

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14 pages, 278 KB

Open AccessArticle

Differences in Physical Performance According to Contextual Variables in U21 Football Players

by Rodrigo Villaseca-Vicuña, Pablo Merino-Muñoz, Guillermo Cortes-Rocco, Natalia Escobar, Marcelo Muñoz Lara, Rodrigo Yañez Sepúlveda, Joel Barrera-Díaz and Jorge Pérez-Contreras

Physiologia 2026, 6(1), 8; https://doi.org/10.3390/physiologia6010008 - 19 Jan 2026

Viewed by 1409

Abstract

Understanding how contextual variables shape differences in match demands in youth football is essential for optimising performance and player development. Objective: This study aimed to compare physical and competitive performance according to playing position, match location, match result, and opponent quality in the [...] Read more.

Understanding how contextual variables shape differences in match demands in youth football is essential for optimising performance and player development. Objective: This study aimed to compare physical and competitive performance according to playing position, match location, match result, and opponent quality in the physical and competitive performance of U21 football players from a professional Chilean club. Methods: Twenty male U21 players (19.2 ± 1.2 years) were monitored during 11 official matches using 10 Hz GPS devices (WIMU Pro™) and post-match Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE). Variables included total distance (TD), high-speed running (HSR > 20 km/h), metres per minute (MM), accelerations/decelerations (N°AC/N°DC > 3 m·s⁻²), player load (PL), and peak velocity (PV). Contextual variables were classified by playing position, home/away, win/loss, and opponent quality (higher vs. lower rank). Results: Significant between-group differences were found across all contextual factors (p < 0.05). Midfielders (MFs) covered greater TD and reported higher RPE, while full-backs (FBs) and wingers (WGs) reached higher HSR and PV. Away and lost matches showed greater RPE, PL, and N°AC/N°DC, alongside more goals conceded. Facing higher-ranked opponents increased RPE and HSR but reduced explosive actions. Conclusions: Physical performance in U21 football is strongly modulated by contextual factors. Coaches should adjust training load and tactical strategies according to match conditions and positional roles to optimise adaptation and competitive readiness in developmental categories. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic The Mechanics of Movement: Biomechanics in Sports Performance)

21 pages, 3618 KB

Open AccessArticle

Height, Sex, and Sport as Correlates of Tendon Stiffness in Elite Athletes

by Alejandro Bustamante-Garrido, Sebastián Sepúlveda González, Felipe Inostroza-Ríos, Otávio de Toledo Nóbrega, Bianca Miarka, Mauricio Araya-Ibacache, Felipe J. Aidar, Esteban Aedo-Muñoz and Ciro José Brito

Physiologia 2025, 5(4), 56; https://doi.org/10.3390/physiologia5040056 - 12 Dec 2025

Viewed by 2404

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Understanding the factors that influence tendon mechanical properties is essential for optimizing performance and preventing injuries in elite athletes. This study aimed to identify the strongest correlates of the biomechanical properties (frequency, stiffness, logarithmic decrement, relaxation, and creep) in the Achilles and [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Understanding the factors that influence tendon mechanical properties is essential for optimizing performance and preventing injuries in elite athletes. This study aimed to identify the strongest correlates of the biomechanical properties (frequency, stiffness, logarithmic decrement, relaxation, and creep) in the Achilles and patellar tendons in elite international athletes. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 111 elite athletes from 11 sports disciplines assessed at a high-performance training center. Tendon properties were measured bilaterally using MyotonPRO. Anthropometric (height, weight, age), demographic (sex, limb dominance defined as the preferred limb for sport-specific activities), and sport-specific variables were analyzed using correlation, multiple regression, and machine learning approaches. Results: Height showed the strongest correlations with tendon frequency and stiffness, particularly for the Achilles tendon (r = 0.52 for frequency; r = 0.53 for stiffness; p ≤ 0.001, large effects). Sex differences were evident across all measures, with men showing higher stiffness and frequency, and women greater relaxation and creep (partial η² = 0.35–0.48, Cohen’s d = 0.84–1.16). Sports discipline explained substantial variance in tendon properties (η² > 0.40), and limb dominance influenced Achilles stiffness, with left-dominant athletes showing higher values (p < 0.05). Age showed minimal associations (r < 0.10). Conclusions: Height, sex, and sports discipline were the strongest correlates of Achilles and patellar tendon mechanical properties in elite athletes, with large and practically meaningful effects across sports. This comprehensive analysis, utilizing multivariate and machine learning approaches, provides insights that can inform individualized training, injury prevention, and performance optimization strategies in high-performance sports. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic The Mechanics of Movement: Biomechanics in Sports Performance)

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13 pages, 792 KB

Open AccessArticle

Medium- and Long-Term Effectiveness of Custom Insoles for Cavus Foot: A Surface Electromyography Study

by Sara García-Bautista, Antonio Gómez-Bernal, Javier Alfaro-Santafé and Jose Luis Perez-Lasierra

J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2025, 10(4), 461; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk10040461 - 25 Nov 2025

Viewed by 2022

Abstract

Background: Cavus foot, defined by an increased medial longitudinal arch and often forefoot plantarflexion, alters biomechanics and increases peak plantar pressures, raising the risk of musculoskeletal disorders such as metatarsalgia, Achilles tendinopathy, and gait instability. Custom foot orthoses are the preferred conservative treatment, [...] Read more.

Background: Cavus foot, defined by an increased medial longitudinal arch and often forefoot plantarflexion, alters biomechanics and increases peak plantar pressures, raising the risk of musculoskeletal disorders such as metatarsalgia, Achilles tendinopathy, and gait instability. Custom foot orthoses are the preferred conservative treatment, offering plantar support, pressure redistribution, and reduction in compensatory muscle activity. This study evaluated the medium- and long-term effectiveness of custom orthoses in 71 patients with cavus feet using surface electromyography (sEMG) and the same shoes. Methods: Muscle activity of the peroneus longus, peroneus brevis, and gastrocnemius was recorded during treadmill gait after one and four months of orthotic use. Results: Significant reductions in muscles were observed, especially after four months, confirming greater long-term effectiveness. No residual benefits were found when participants walked without orthoses. Conclusions: These findings support the clinical value of insoles in reducing the compensatory muscle activity in cavus feet and emphasize the importance of investigating their long-term role in biomechanics and potential pathology risk reduction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic The Mechanics of Movement: Biomechanics in Sports Performance)

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13 pages, 2196 KB

Open AccessArticle

Embodied Cognition of Manipulative Actions: Subliminal Grasping Semantics Enhance Using-Action Recognition

by Yanglan Yu, Qin Huang, Shiying Gao and Anmin Li

Brain Sci. 2025, 15(11), 1206; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15111206 - 8 Nov 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1454

Abstract

Background: Grasping actions, owing to their manipulated nature, play a central role in research on embodied action language. However, their foundational contribution to the cognition of using actions remains debated. This study examined the relationship between grasping and using actions from the [...] Read more.

Background: Grasping actions, owing to their manipulated nature, play a central role in research on embodied action language. However, their foundational contribution to the cognition of using actions remains debated. This study examined the relationship between grasping and using actions from the perspective of subthreshold semantic processing. Methods: Participants engaged with objects affording both action types while behavioral responses and event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded. Semantic congruency between subliminally presented grasping verbs and the actions of target objects was systematically manipulated. Results: Subthreshold processing of grasping verbs facilitated the recognition of using actions, as reflected in faster response times and modulations of ERP components. Spatiotemporal analyses revealed a processing pathway from occipital to parietal and frontal regions, with the posterior parietal cortex serving as a critical hub for integrating object function semantics with action information. Conclusions: These findings provide novel evidence that grasping action semantics support the recognition of using actions even below conscious awareness, elucidating the neural dynamics of embodied cognition and refining the temporal characterization of manipulative action processing pathways proposed by the two-action system theory. Full article

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17 pages, 1364 KB

Open AccessArticle

Intersegmental Coordination Patterns During Heel Rise: Effects of Knee Position and Movement Phases

by Yota Abe, Aimi Tayama, Tomoki Iizuka and Yosuke Tomita

Biomechanics 2025, 5(4), 87; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomechanics5040087 - 3 Nov 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1561

Abstract

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to provide preliminary normative data on intersegmental coordination patterns during heel rises at different knee joint positions and across various phases and periods. Methods: Twelve 21-year-old university students from the same cohort performed heel rises in knee-extended and knee-flexed [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to provide preliminary normative data on intersegmental coordination patterns during heel rises at different knee joint positions and across various phases and periods. Methods: Twelve 21-year-old university students from the same cohort performed heel rises in knee-extended and knee-flexed conditions. Shank and foot kinematics were recorded using the VICON Oxford Foot Model, and intersegmental coordination was analyzed using a modified vector coding technique. Results: The results showed that coordination patterns varied significantly between the ascending and descending phases and across the early, middle, and late periods. In the early ascending phase, knee extension exhibited in-phase coordination (shank external rotation with hindfoot inversion), resembling propulsion-related coordination in gait, whereas knee flexion displayed greater anti-phase coordination between hindfoot plantar flexion and forefoot dorsiflexion. The middle and late periods demonstrated heel-rise-specific patterns, with coordination shifting from proximal to distal dominance. Knee flexion altered the coordination between the shank and hindfoot and between the hindfoot and forefoot in the sagittal plane compared to that during knee extension. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the knee position influences intersegmental coordination during heel rises, and the present results provide reference values that can enable future diagnostic validation and comparative studies in pathological populations. Full article

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21 pages, 730 KB

Open AccessArticle

Physical Fitness, Body Composition, Somatotype, and Phantom Strategy (Z-Score) in U13, U15, and U17 Female Soccer Players: A Comparative and Correlational Study

by Boryi A. Becerra-Patiño, Juan D. Paucar-Uribe, Carlos F. Martínez-Benítez, Valeria Montilla-Valderrama, Armando Monterrosa-Quintero and Adriana Guzmán Sánchez

Biomechanics 2025, 5(4), 85; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomechanics5040085 - 3 Nov 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3268

Abstract

Background: Some studies have suggested that physical fitness and body composition may influence individual and collective performance. However, it is necessary to be able to define the relationships between these variables in soccer players of different ages. Objective: To determine the [...] Read more.

Background: Some studies have suggested that physical fitness and body composition may influence individual and collective performance. However, it is necessary to be able to define the relationships between these variables in soccer players of different ages. Objective: To determine the relation between physical fitness level, body composition, and somatotype in female youth soccer players in response to age. Materials and methods: A total of 56 players were evaluated: 19 early adolescents (EA–U13) with a body mass of 48.35 ± 5.67 kg and a height of 157.63 ± 5.55 cm, 21 middle adolescents (MA–U15) with a body mass of 54.02 ± 5.96 kg and a height of 160.37 ± 5.25 cm and 16 late adolescents (LA–U17) with a body mass of 55.37 ± 6.15 kg and a height of 162.39 ± 5.77 cm. The physical fitness tests were: Squat Jump (SJ), Countermovement Jump (CMJ), Countermovement Jump with Arms (CMJA), Single Leg Countermovement Jump, COD-Timer 5-0-5, COD-Timer 5+5, Speed 15 m, Hamstring Strength, and Running-Based Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST). The International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK) protocols were used to determine anthropometric measurements (skinfolds, circumferences, bone diameters), and the Heath-Carter method was used to assess body composition and somatotype, with z-scores calculated using the Phantom strategy. Results: The analysis revealed that the most significant differences between groups were observed in general anthropometric measurements (ω² = 0.84), followed by sitting height (ω² = 0.51) and percentage of body fat according to Carter’s method (ω² = 0.24), all with large and statistically significant effect sizes (p < 0.05). Larger muscle and bone dimensions, especially in the hip, thigh, and calf, are closely related to better strength, power, and initial sprint speed performance in female soccer players. Conclusions: This study reaffirms that muscle mass is a key predictor of athletic performance, along with strength at high speeds, promoting improvements in power and sprinting in the initial meters. Adiposity is a limiting factor for youth soccer players. Age progression and biological maturation favor the development of the mesomorphic profile, optimizing strength and power. Full article

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14 pages, 265 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Intra-Set Rest Periods on Back Squat Propulsive Impulse

by Liam J. Houlton, Jeremy A. Moody, Theodoros M. Bampouras and Joseph I. Esformes

Biomechanics 2025, 5(3), 69; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomechanics5030069 - 6 Sep 2025

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Abstract

Background: Cluster sets (CSs) maintain velocity and power in compound movements by employing similar propulsion strategies or maintaining impulse through different mechanisms. This study aimed to explore the effect of four CS conditions on back squat (BS) propulsion and provide models for estimating [...] Read more.

Background: Cluster sets (CSs) maintain velocity and power in compound movements by employing similar propulsion strategies or maintaining impulse through different mechanisms. This study aimed to explore the effect of four CS conditions on back squat (BS) propulsion and provide models for estimating changes in propulsion based on repetition and set number. Methods: Twenty male participants (age = 28.3 ± 3.1 years, stature = 1.74 ± 8.21 m, body mass = 84.80 ± 7.80 kg, BS 1RM = 140.90 ± 24.20 kg) completed four data collection sessions. Each session consisted of three sets of five repetitions at 80% 1RM BS with three minutes of unloaded inter-set rest, using varying intra-set rest intervals. Experimental conditions included 0 s (TRAD), 10 s (CS10), 20 s (CS20), and 30 s (CS30) inter-repetition rest, randomly assigned to sessions in a counterbalanced order. Ground reaction force data were collected on dual force platforms sampling at 1000 Hz, from which net propulsive impulse (J_PROP), mean force (MF), and propulsion time (t_PROP) were calculated. Conditions and sets were analysed using a 4 × 3 (CONDITION*SET) repeated-measures ANOVA to assess differences between conditions and sets, and linear mixed models (LMMs) were used to provide regression equations for each dependent variable in each condition. Results: The ANOVA revealed no significant interactions for any dependent variable. No main effects of CONDITION or SET were observed for J_PROP. The main effects of CONDITION showed that MF was significantly lower in TRAD than CS20 (g = 0.757) and CS30 (g = 0.749). t_PROP was significantly higher in TRAD than CS20 (g = 0.437) and CS30 (g = 0.569). The main effects of SET showed that MF was significantly lower in S2 (g = 0.691) and S3 (g = 1.087) compared to S1. t_PROP was significantly higher in S2 (g = 0.866) and S3 (g = 1.179) compared to S1. LMMs for CS20 and CS30 revealed no significant effect (p > 0.05) between repetition or set number and dependent variables. Conclusions: The results suggest that CS20 and CS30 maintain J_PROP by limiting MF and t_PROP attenuation. This is less rest than that suggested by the previous literature, which may influence programming decisions during strength and power mesocycles to maximise training time and training density. LMMs provide accurate estimates of BS propulsive force attenuation when separating repetitions by up to 30 s, which may help practitioners optimise training load for long-term adaptations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic The Mechanics of Movement: Biomechanics in Sports Performance)

12 pages, 430 KB

Open AccessBrief Report

Do Outcome or Movement Strategy Variables Provide Better Insights into Asymmetries During Multiple-Hops?

by Anthony Sharp, Jonathon Neville, Ryu Nagahara, Tomohito Wada and John Cronin

Biomechanics 2025, 5(3), 67; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomechanics5030067 - 2 Sep 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1343

Abstract

Multiple-hops performed horizontally in series effectively assess return-to-play readiness, as they mimic the propulsive and decelerative demands of sports. Movement strategy variables (kinetic variables) offer more insight into injury recovery than outcome-based measures (kinematic variables) like hop distance alone. This study focused on [...] Read more.

Multiple-hops performed horizontally in series effectively assess return-to-play readiness, as they mimic the propulsive and decelerative demands of sports. Movement strategy variables (kinetic variables) offer more insight into injury recovery than outcome-based measures (kinematic variables) like hop distance alone. This study focused on kinematic and kinetic variables to assess asymmetries during triple-hop (3-Hop) and quintuple-hop (5-Hop) tests with 44 male athletes from university sports clubs and teams. The aim was to determine the magnitude and potential direction of asymmetry and compare the sensitivity of kinematic and kinetic variables. Results showed mean kinematic asymmetries below 7.1% (range: 0.00 to 28.9%), while average kinetic asymmetries were as high as 38.8% (range: 0.0% to 95.4%). These findings suggest that kinetic variables are more sensitive in assessing movement strategy, providing more detailed insight into rehabilitation and return-to-play decisions. The study emphasizes the importance of considering both outcome and movement strategy variables in injury recovery. These results have practical applications for clinicians and coaches supporting those in return-to-play scenarios, as well as those addressing performance deficits, therefore offering valuable information to refine exercise prescriptions and athletic program design. Full article

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