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Sports Biomechanics
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Sports Biomechanics

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Sport and Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2022) | Viewed by 17483

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Kerstin Witte

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Sports Engineering and Movement Science, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
Interests: biomechanical research in sports; motion capturing; use of sensors in competitive sports; application of VR in sports training; sports engineering; motor learning; performance analysis; gait analysis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Arnold Baca

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Centre for Sport Science and University Sports, University of Vienna, Auf der Schmelz 6A, 1150 Wien, Austria
Interests: biomechanical research in sports; biomechanical modeling; human motion analysis; performance analysis; computer science in sport
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Sports biomechanics is an integral part of sports science. It is an interdisciplinary subject that deals with the causes and manifestations of movements in sports, taking into account the biological conditions, in particular the anatomical and physiological conditions, of the human musculoskeletal system. The findings of sports biomechanics are often used to improve athletic performance in competitive sports under individual anthropometric conditions. However, biomechanical investigations and modeling help to develop and optimize sports equipment and sports gear by better understanding the interactions of humans with equipment and other objects. This results in the following tasks of sports biomechanics: Quantitative description of movement from a mechanical point of view, development and application of suitable examination methods, and contribution to movement optimization and performance diagnostics. On this basis, the following topics were chosen for the planned Special Issue: biomechanical characteristics of movement sequences in high-performance sport, application of modern technologies for the diagnostics of movement techniques, biomechanical diagnostics in rehabilitation, and stress on the musculoskeletal system during athletic movements.

In line with the objectives of the journal, the planned issue will focus on the health aspects of biomechanics in sport. The areas of sport to be included are popular sport, rehabilitation, and competitive sport.

This is the joint Special Issue both in IJERPH and Biomechanics.

Prof. Dr. Kerstin Witte
Prof. Dr. Arnold Baca
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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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. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 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 2500 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

  • Kinematics of human movements
  • Dynamics of human movements
  • Muscle activities
  • Musculoskeletal system
  • Stress–strain analysis
  • Biomechanical examination methods
  • Biomechanics of sports
  • Biomechanical modeling
  • Prevention and rehabilitation
  • Digitalization in Sport

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (5 papers)

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15 pages, 579 KiB  
Article
Reduced Vastus Medialis/Lateralis EMG Ratio in Volleyballers with Chronic Knee Pain on Sports-Specific Surfaces: A Pilot Study
by Christina Frese, Dieter Bubeck and Wilfried Alt
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(16), 9920; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19169920 - 11 Aug 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2357
Abstract
Background: Even though chronic knee pain is common in volleyball, neuromuscular imbalance as a potential risk factor has not been investigated in volleyball-specific tasks. The aim of the study was to compare neuromuscular control between healthy and injured players in a clinical jump [...] Read more.
Background: Even though chronic knee pain is common in volleyball, neuromuscular imbalance as a potential risk factor has not been investigated in volleyball-specific tasks. The aim of the study was to compare neuromuscular control between healthy and injured players in a clinical jump test and a volleyball-specific jump task in real field conditions. Methods: Six athletes with knee pain and nine controls were included. Surface electromyographic data were recorded from the mm. vastus medialis (VM) and lateralis (VL) of both legs. VM/VL activation ratio was calculated from countermovement jump (CMJ) and volleyball spike indoors and on two beach surfaces. Results: All subjects had pain in the leading leg. Mann–Whitney U Test (M-W-U Test) revealed a significantly lower VM/VL ratio of the leading leg (always affected) of the injured compared with that of the healthy control group for the CMJ and spike jump on all three grounds. Bland–Altman analysis revealed low bias and low difference in standard deviation for the injured leg but high values for the uninvolved leg and healthy controls between tasks and grounds. These results could indicate that neuromuscular control might not adapt too well to different movement tasks and grounds in the injured leg. Conclusion: Athletes with chronic knee pain might have lower VM/VL ratios than controls independent from movement task and ground. Neuromuscular control in injured athletes might be less adaptable to new circumstances. The results of neuromuscular control in laboratory settings might be applicable to field conditions in injured legs but not healthy ones. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sports Biomechanics)
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13 pages, 2177 KiB  
Article
Application of Inertial Sensors to Identify Performance-Relevant Parameters in Olympic Hammer Throw
by Stefan Tiedemann, Thorben Menrad and Kerstin Witte
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(9), 5402; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19095402 - 28 Apr 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2181
Abstract
The aim of this study is to find essential performance-determining biomechanical parameters in hammer throw. There is no consensus in science on this, for many reasons. Among other things, there is the high complexity of the movement in conjunction with the differences in [...] Read more.
The aim of this study is to find essential performance-determining biomechanical parameters in hammer throw. There is no consensus in science on this, for many reasons. Among other things, there is the high complexity of the movement in conjunction with the differences in the physical conditions of the individual athletes. The purpose was to make complete body analyses of six experienced throwers (2 × male, 4 × female). Methods: The kinematics were collected with the full body sensor suit (Moven suit from Xsens with 17 inertial measurement units (IMU)). We considered 37 literature-based parameters. By means of correlation analyses, with regard to throwing distance, and a principal component analysis (PCA), performance-relevant parameters could be found. Results: The most promising results occurred in stance times and left hand speed. These findings suggest, in accordance with other studies, that these parameters have a relevant influence on the throwing distance. Comparing acceleration and angular velocity with the throwing distance also look relevant for performance. Conclusions: Further research with a focus on technique and bigger differences in the throwing distance are necessary to obtain clearer performance relevant parameters. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sports Biomechanics)
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13 pages, 1038 KiB  
Article
Performance Alteration Induced by Weight Cutting in Mixed Martial Arts—A Biomechanical Pilot Investigation
by Yufeng Liu, Jared Evans, Jacek Wąsik, Xiang Zhang and Gongbing Shan
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(4), 2015; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19042015 - 11 Feb 2022
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3022
Abstract
Currently, there are pros and cons of research results related to weight cutting in combat sports, resulting in inconclusive results regarding the effects of weight-cut on athletes’ performance, and biomechanical investigations are hardly seen. Therefore, this pilot study tried to fill the gap [...] Read more.
Currently, there are pros and cons of research results related to weight cutting in combat sports, resulting in inconclusive results regarding the effects of weight-cut on athletes’ performance, and biomechanical investigations are hardly seen. Therefore, this pilot study tried to fill the gap by initiating an exploration in real-life competitions. It is our hope to add biomechanical insights (advantages/disadvantages) that would discern the impact of weight cutting on competitive performance and help to structure hypotheses in future research. The method consisted of 3D motion capture, EMG measurement and biomechanical modeling. Through the synchronized data, striking power, striking accuracy and reaction time were quantitatively determined. Pre- and post-test design was used to test common strikes before weight cutting and 24 h after weigh-in. Seven male athletes from local clubs were tested during regional competitions. Results were characterized by using descriptive statistics (means and standard deviations) and T-tests were performed to contrast differences between the pre- and post-tests. This pilot study has revealed that there is actually weight-regain instead of weight-loss. The weight-regain would speed up the perceptional and total reaction, slow down the limbs’ movement, worsen the striking accuracy and, possibly, decrease the strike power. The preliminary results are inconclusive regarding the competitive advantages/disadvantages induced by weight cutting. Further biomechanical studies are needed to deal with the controversial subject more objectively and scientifically. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sports Biomechanics)
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18 pages, 3313 KiB  
Article
Relationships between Plantar Pressure Distribution and Rearfoot Alignment in the Taiwanese College Athletes with Plantar Fasciopathy during Static Standing and Walking
by Tong-Hsien Chow, Yih-Shyuan Chen and Chin-Chia Hsu
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(24), 12942; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182412942 - 8 Dec 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3614
Abstract
Background: Plantar fasciopathy (PF) is usually related to changes in foot arch, foot shape and rearfoot posture. However, little research has been implemented by using large-scale datasets, and even less has been conducted centering on plantar pressure distributions (PPDs) of different genders of [...] Read more.
Background: Plantar fasciopathy (PF) is usually related to changes in foot arch, foot shape and rearfoot posture. However, little research has been implemented by using large-scale datasets, and even less has been conducted centering on plantar pressure distributions (PPDs) of different genders of PF athletes. This study aimed to investigate the relationships among the arch index (AI), the PPDs and the rearfoot postural alignment in hundreds of college athletes with PF during static standing and walking. Methods: Cross-sectional study of 100 male and 102 female athletes with PF was undertaken. The PF athletes’ pain assessment and self-reported health status were examined for evaluating their musculoskeletal painful areas. Results: The PF athletes’ PPDs mainly concentrated on inner feet in static standing, and transferred to lateral forefeet during the midstance phase of walking. The males’ PPDs from the static standing to the midstance phase of walking mainly transferred to anterolateral feet. The females’ PPDs mainly transferred to posterolateral feet. The PF athletes’ static rearfoot alignment matched the valgus posture pattern. The medial band of plantar fascia and calcaneus were the common musculoskeletal pain areas. Conclusions: Characteristics of higher plantar loads beneath medial feet associated with rearfoot valgus in bipedal static stance could be the traceable features for PF-related foot diagrams. Higher plantar loads mainly exerted on the lateral forefoot during the midstance phase of walking, and specifically concentrated on outer feet during the transition from static to dynamic state. Pain profiles seem to echo PPDs, which could function as the traceable beginning for the possible link among pronated low-arched feet, PF, metatarsalgia, calcanitis and Achilles tendinitis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sports Biomechanics)
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13 pages, 20145 KiB  
Technical Note
Automatic Markerless Motion Detector Method against Traditional Digitisation for 3-Dimensional Movement Kinematic Analysis of Ball Kicking in Soccer Field Context
by Luiz H. Palucci Vieira, Paulo R. P. Santiago, Allan Pinto, Rodrigo Aquino, Ricardo da S. Torres and Fabio A. Barbieri
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(3), 1179; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19031179 - 21 Jan 2022
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4780
Abstract
Kicking is a fundamental skill in soccer that often contributes to match outcomes. Lower limb movement features (e.g., joint position and velocity) are determinants of kick performance. However, obtaining kicking kinematics under field conditions generally requires time-consuming manual tracking. The current study aimed [...] Read more.
Kicking is a fundamental skill in soccer that often contributes to match outcomes. Lower limb movement features (e.g., joint position and velocity) are determinants of kick performance. However, obtaining kicking kinematics under field conditions generally requires time-consuming manual tracking. The current study aimed to compare a contemporary markerless automatic motion estimation algorithm (OpenPose) with manual digitisation (DVIDEOW software) in obtaining on-field kicking kinematic parameters. An experimental dataset of under-17 players from all outfield positions was used. Kick attempts were performed in an official pitch against a goalkeeper. Four digital video cameras were used to record full-body motion during support and ball contact phases of each kick. Three-dimensional positions of hip, knee, ankle, toe and foot centre-of-mass (CMfoot) generally showed no significant differences when computed by automatic as compared to manual tracking (whole kicking movement cycle), while only z-coordinates of knee and calcaneus markers at specific points differed between methods. The resulting time-series matrices of positions (r2 = 0.94) and velocity signals (r2 = 0.68) were largely associated (all p < 0.01). The mean absolute error of OpenPose motion tracking was 3.49 cm for determining positions (ranging from 2.78 cm (CMfoot) to 4.13 cm (dominant hip)) and 1.29 m/s for calculating joint velocity (0.95 m/s (knee) to 1.50 m/s (non-dominant hip)) as compared to reference measures by manual digitisation. Angular range-of-motion showed significant correlations between methods for the ankle (r = 0.59, p < 0.01, large) and knee joint displacements (r = 0.84, p < 0.001, very large) but not in the hip (r = 0.04, p = 0.85, unclear). Markerless motion tracking (OpenPose) can help to successfully obtain some lower limb position, velocity, and joint angular outputs during kicks performed in a naturally occurring environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sports Biomechanics)
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