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Movement Analysis in Sports and Physical Therapy
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Movement Analysis in Sports and Physical Therapy

A special issue of Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology (ISSN 2411-5142). This special issue belongs to the section "Physical Exercise for Health Promotion".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2025 | Viewed by 5387

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Žiga Kozinc

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, Polje 42, SI-6310 Izola, Slovenia
Interests: physical therapy; musculoskeletal injuries; injury mechanisms; kinesiology; assessment in sport; assessment in physical therapy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In sports and physical therapy, assessment procedures are paramount for effective training prescription, injury prevention, and rehabilitation progress. Despite their undeniable importance, few scientific journals have a dedicated focus on the measurement and evaluation aspects of these fields. Recognizing this shortfall, this Special Issue aims to fill the gap by providing a platform for disseminating research that underscores the significance of assessment methodologies in sports science and physical therapy. 

This Special Issue places a strong emphasis on the reliability and validity of assessment techniques. These foundational aspects ensure that the measurements used in sports training and physical therapy are both accurate and reproducible, thus guaranteeing that the conclusions drawn from such data are trustworthy and actionable. We invite contributions that examine these qualities in existing or novel assessment procedures. 

Scope and Themes

Submissions are invited on a variety of topics related to assessment in sports and physical therapy, including, but not limited to, the following:

  • Reliability and validity studies: Research that evaluates the reliability and validity of assessment tools as well as methodologies in sports and physical therapy settings.
  • Technological innovations in assessment: Notes and studies on the development and application of new technologies (e.g., wearable devices, digital applications, and software) designed to enhance assessment accuracy and efficiency.
  • Assessment in training prescription: Investigations into how assessment procedures can inform and optimize training programs for athletes, including personalized training regimens.
  • Assessment in injury prevention: Studies exploring the role of precise assessment in identifying risk factors and preventing injuries in sports contexts.
  • Assessment in rehabilitation progress: Research detailing how assessment procedures contribute to tracking and enhancing recovery in physical therapy.

We welcome original research articles, review articles, case studies, and technological notes that contribute significantly to the field of assessment in sports and physical therapy.

Dr. Žiga Kozinc
Guest Editor

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. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly 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 1600 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

  • measurement
  • gait analysis
  • strength assessment
  • movement analysis
  • kinematics
  • kinetics
  • functional assessment

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

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

11 pages, 862 KiB  
Article
Development and Validation of the Short Form (JAEN-10) of the Joint Assessment of Equilibrium and Neuromotor Status Scale (JAEN-20)
by Ana Belén Peinado-Rubia, María Catalina Osuna-Pérez, David Núñez-Fuentes, Daniel Rodríguez-Almagro, Noelia Zagalaz-Anula and Rafael Lomas-Vega
J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2024, 9(4), 223; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk9040223 - 6 Nov 2024
Viewed by 749
Abstract
Objectives: The objective of this study was to develop and validate the short version of The Joint Assessment of Equilibrium and Neuromotor Status Scale (JAEN scale) for use in women with Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) to make the balance disorder measurement process more efficient. [...] Read more.
Objectives: The objective of this study was to develop and validate the short version of The Joint Assessment of Equilibrium and Neuromotor Status Scale (JAEN scale) for use in women with Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) to make the balance disorder measurement process more efficient. Methods: A cross-sectional observational validation study was conducted. Fifty-six women with FMS and forty-four healthy controls were included. Certain items from the original tool were selected with the aim of (1) improving internal consistency by reducing item redundancy and (2) obtaining a diagnostic capacity with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) greater than 0.70 for discriminating FMS patients and fallers. The internal consistency, factorial validity, concurrent validity and diagnostic capacity of the new tool were analyzed. Results: Factorial analysis showed a two-factor structure that explained 72% of the variance. Cronbach alpha coefficients of 0.904 were obtained for the total score of the JAEN-10 items. Concurrent validity analysis showed strong correlations of the JAEN-10 with other instruments that measured quality of life, postural balance or disability related to dizziness. The score of the JAEN-10 items showed an AUC of 0.858 with a sensitivity of 64.29 and a specificity of 95.45 for discriminating between FMS and healthy controls, and an AUC of 0.835 with a sensitivity of 90.48 and a specificity of 67.24 for discriminating between fallers and non-fallers. Conclusions: The 10-item JAEN scale is a valid instrument for discriminating between subjects with or without FMS and between fallers and non-fallers. Its psychometric properties are good and are similar to those of the original 20-item scale. Moreover, it is quicker to complete, which may be relevant for subjects with a tendency to experience fatigue. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Movement Analysis in Sports and Physical Therapy)
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11 pages, 568 KiB  
Article
Estimate Anaerobic Work Capacity and Critical Power with Constant-Power All-Out Test
by Ming-Chang Tsai, Scott Thomas and Marc Klimstra
J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2024, 9(4), 202; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk9040202 - 24 Oct 2024
Viewed by 729
Abstract
Background: The critical power model (CPM) is used extensively in sports to characterize fitness by estimating anaerobic work capacity (W’) and critical power (CP). Traditionally, estimates of CP and W’ require repeated, time-consuming tests. Alternatively, a 3 min all-out test yields good estimates [...] Read more.
Background: The critical power model (CPM) is used extensively in sports to characterize fitness by estimating anaerobic work capacity (W’) and critical power (CP). Traditionally, estimates of CP and W’ require repeated, time-consuming tests. Alternatively, a 3 min all-out test yields good estimates of W’ and CP. However, adoption of the 3 min protocol for regular fitness monitoring is deterred by the mentally/physically strenuous nature of the test. Objective: We propose to examine an alternative single-session testing protocol that can accurately estimate critical power model parameters. Methods: Twenty-eight healthy competitive athletes (cyclists or triathletes) (mean ± SD: age: 38.5 ± 10.4 years, height: 177.9 ± 8.6 cm, mass: 73.4 ± 9.9 kg) participated in 5 sessions on a Lode cycle ergometer in isokinetic mode within a 2-week period. A 3 min all-out test (3MT) was conducted on the first visit to determine CPM parameters from which power outputs for 4 subsequent constant-power plus all-out tests (CPT) were selected to result in exhaustion in 1–10 min. The subjects were to maintain the prescribed power output as consistently as possible at their preferred race cadence. Once the power output could no longer be maintained for more than 10 s, the subjects were instructed to produce an all-out effort. Tests were terminated after power output fell to an asymptote which was sustained for 2 min. Results: The CPM parameters for all of the CPT durations were compared to the traditional CP protocol (significant parameter differences were identified for all CPT durations) and the 3MT (only CPT durations > 3 min were different [3–6 min test, p < 0.01; >6 min test, p < 0.01]). CPT does not estimate traditional CP and W’ parameters well. However, the CPT with a duration < 3 min accurately estimates both parameters of a 3MT. Conclusion: Therefore, CPT has the capacity to serve as an alternative tool to assess CP parameters. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Movement Analysis in Sports and Physical Therapy)
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13 pages, 980 KiB  
Article
Effect of Outdoor Cycling, Virtual and Enhanced Reality Indoor Cycling on Heart Rate, Motivation, Enjoyment and Intention to Perform Green Exercise in Healthy Adults
by Luca Poli, Gianpiero Greco, Michele Gabriele, Ilaria Pepe, Claudio Centrone, Stefania Cataldi and Francesco Fischetti
J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2024, 9(4), 183; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk9040183 - 2 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1060
Abstract
Background: Despite the benefits of physical activity (PA), Italy ranks low in leisure-time PA among European countries. Integrating virtual (VR)/enhanced (ER) reality with exercise equipment could boost PA engagement. Limited studies have explored how VR/ER-integrated cycling activity, compared to outdoor settings, influences PA [...] Read more.
Background: Despite the benefits of physical activity (PA), Italy ranks low in leisure-time PA among European countries. Integrating virtual (VR)/enhanced (ER) reality with exercise equipment could boost PA engagement. Limited studies have explored how VR/ER-integrated cycling activity, compared to outdoor settings, influences PA among university students. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the acute effects of a brief cycling session outdoors and indoors on psychological and physiological outcomes, and secondly, investigate the potential of VR/ER-mediated nature experiences as a tool to promote green exercise. Methods: In February 2024, thirty-one subjects (20 M and 11 F; age 24.3 ± 3.2 years; BMI 23.5 ± 3.6 kg/m2) were involved in this randomized crossover-controlled trial, where they were assigned to three different conditions: ER cycling (ERC), VR cycling (VRC), and outdoor cycling (OUTC). Heart rate (HR), Physical Activity Enjoyment (PACE), Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI), and Intention to Perform Green Exercise (INT-GE) were assessed at the end of each condition. Results: The OUTC condition showed significantly greater PACE, IMI, and INT-GE than ERC/VRC (p < 0.001), lower HRmean than ERC/VRC (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively), and lower HRmax than ERC (p < 0.05). Conclusions: VRC and ERC enhanced engagement and physiological responses during indoor cycling, but outdoor cycling offered superior benefits in motivation, enjoyment, and future engagement intentions. No significant differences were found between VRC and ERC in promoting intentions for outdoor activities, suggesting both technologies could be equally effective. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Movement Analysis in Sports and Physical Therapy)
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11 pages, 704 KiB  
Article
Sit-to-Stand Power Is a Stronger Predictor of Gait Speed than Knee Extension Strength
by Garrett M. Steinbrink, Julian Martinez, Ann M. Swartz and Scott J. Strath
J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2024, 9(2), 103; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk9020103 - 13 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1394
Abstract
With a growing aging population, the routine assessment of physical function may become a critical component of clinical practice. The purpose of this cross-sectional study is to compare two common assessments of muscular function: (1) isometric knee extension strength (KES) and (2) sit-to-stand [...] Read more.
With a growing aging population, the routine assessment of physical function may become a critical component of clinical practice. The purpose of this cross-sectional study is to compare two common assessments of muscular function: (1) isometric knee extension strength (KES) and (2) sit-to-stand (STS) muscle power tests, in predicting objective physical function (i.e., gait speed) in aging adults. 84 adults (56% female, mean (SD) age = 66.6 (9.4) years) had their relative KES, STS power, usual gait speed (UGS), and fast gait speed (FGS) assessed. Multiple linear regression examined the associations between KES, STS power, and gait outcomes. When entered in separate models, KES and STS power were both independently associated with UGS and FGS (Std. β = 0.35–0.44 and 0.42–0.55 for KES and STS power, respectively). When entered in the same model, STS power was associated with UGS and FGS (Std. β = 0.37 [95%CI: 0.15, 0.58] and 0.51 [95%CI: 0.31, 0.70], respectively), while KES was only associated with FGS (Std. β = 0.25 [95%CI: 0.02, 0.48]). STS power seems to be a valid indicator of function in aging adults. Its feasibility as a screening tool for “low” function in the primary care setting should be explored. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Movement Analysis in Sports and Physical Therapy)
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Review

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26 pages, 675 KiB  
Review
Abdominal Hollowing vs. Abdominal Bracing: A Scoping Review of Clinical Trials on Effectiveness for Trunk Stability and Rehabilitation
by Iva Golob, Manca Opara Zupančič and Žiga Kozinc
J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2024, 9(4), 193; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk9040193 - 10 Oct 2024
Viewed by 927
Abstract
Objectives: This scoping review explores the effectiveness of abdominal hollowing (AH) and abdominal bracing (AB) techniques in enhancing trunk stability and facilitating rehabilitation, particularly for individuals with lower back pain (LBP). Methods: The review synthesizes findings from 22 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that [...] Read more.
Objectives: This scoping review explores the effectiveness of abdominal hollowing (AH) and abdominal bracing (AB) techniques in enhancing trunk stability and facilitating rehabilitation, particularly for individuals with lower back pain (LBP). Methods: The review synthesizes findings from 22 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that assessed these techniques’ impacts on muscle activation, pain reduction, and functional outcomes. Results: The results demonstrate that both techniques can significantly improve trunk stability, muscle thickness, balance, and gait. However, a notable gap exists in studies directly comparing AH and AB, raising questions about whether they are equally effective. While AH is often associated with selective activation of the transversus abdominis, AB promotes a broader co-contraction of trunk muscles, contributing to robust spinal stability. Conclusions: This review underscores the need for further research to directly compare these techniques and refine their application in clinical practice. The findings suggest that personalized rehabilitation programs incorporating both AH and AB, tailored to individual patient needs and rehabilitation goals, can be effective in managing and preventing LBP. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Movement Analysis in Sports and Physical Therapy)
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