Tom Höltke, Riemer J K Vegter, Michel S Brink, Ina Janssen
{"title":"Lower limb movement asymmetry exists during volleyball stop-jump landing: Insights from markerless motion capture.","authors":"Tom Höltke, Riemer J K Vegter, Michel S Brink, Ina Janssen","doi":"10.1080/02640414.2025.2490883","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02640414.2025.2490883","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Patellar tendinopathy is a highly prevalent injury associated with high knee angular accelerations. However, collecting kinematic data on the volleyball court remains challenging. This study investigated landing kinematics between dominant and non-dominant lower limbs during stop-jumps on the volleyball court and analysed landing variables to identify biomechanical patterns associated with high knee angular accelerations. Landing kinematics were quantified using 3D markerless motion capture (OpenCap) with two cameras. Fourteen male and 5 female elite volleyball players performed 10 stop-jump landings while approaching the net to spike a ball over the net. Asymmetry was found with the dominant limb landing in greater plantarflexion and hip flexion but less knee flexion. The dominant limb exhibited higher knee angular velocities (mean ± standard deviation: dominant = 274 ± 62°/s, non-dominant = 169 ± 84°/s; <i>p</i> < 0.001) and accelerations (dominant = 3924 ± 2221°/s<sup>2</sup>, non-dominant = 1441 ± 4278°/s<sup>2</sup>; <i>p</i> = 0.032), suggesting greater biomechanical load. High knee accelerations were significantly correlated with limited knee and hip flexion in the dominant limb, closer foot position, greater trunk flexion at non-dominant limb touchdown, and longer contact time with the non-dominant limb (Pearson's correlation coefficient; |0.55| ≤ <i>r</i> ≤ |0.79|, <i>p</i> < 0.018). OpenCap provided valuable insights into volleyball stop-jump kinematics. Therefore, markerless motion capture can provide coaches and scientists with a deeper understanding of landing performance and related injury mechanisms.</p>","PeriodicalId":17066,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sports Sciences","volume":" ","pages":"1296-1306"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143988500","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ayane Ogura, Emily Florio, Taylor M Wileman, Louis Dennison, Michael Psarakis
{"title":"Are we there yet? A systematic review and meta-analysis of the validity and reliability of automated markerless motion capture systems during jumping tasks.","authors":"Ayane Ogura, Emily Florio, Taylor M Wileman, Louis Dennison, Michael Psarakis","doi":"10.1080/02640414.2025.2589689","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02640414.2025.2589689","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Accurate assessment of jumping is important for sports performance and rehabilitation. While laboratory-based motion capture is considered gold-standard, markerless motion capture (MMC) systems offer an accessible alternative for field and clinical settings. However, their validity and reliability vary, warranting a comprehensive synthesis of current literature. Six databases (CINAHL, Embase, MEDLINE, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science) were searched following PRISMA for studies comparing MMC derived kinematics, kinetics or performance with gold-standard measures during vertical or horizontal jump tasks. Twenty studies met inclusion. The meta-analysis for sagittal-plane pooled root mean square error (RMSE) values were 5.3° for hip (95% CI 2.9-7.6°), 4.4° for knee (2.9-5.9°) and 4.9° for ankle (3.9-5.9°). Frontal-plane RMSE values were 3.0° for hip (2.5-3.5°) and 7.5° for ankle (4.1-10.9°). Pooled jump-height bias was -2.9 cm (-8.1 to 2.3 cm). Between-study heterogeneity ranged from low to substantial, with wider prediction intervals for sagittal hip, frontal ankle and jump height. This review suggests that current MMC systems can achieve moderate accuracy for lower limb jump biomechanics, but performance varies widely between systems and contexts. Practitioners should consider system-specific evidence to make informed decisions regarding the suitability of a given system for their needs.</p>","PeriodicalId":17066,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sports Sciences","volume":" ","pages":"1275-1295"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145604764","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Rodrigo Rico Bini, Steffi Colyer, Felipe Arruda Moura, Paulo Santiago, Natalie Vanicek
{"title":"Markerless motion analysis in sports and exercise.","authors":"Rodrigo Rico Bini, Steffi Colyer, Felipe Arruda Moura, Paulo Santiago, Natalie Vanicek","doi":"10.1080/02640414.2026.2661158","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02640414.2026.2661158","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":17066,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sports Sciences","volume":" ","pages":"1255-1260"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147698790","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ross Fitzpatrick, Jason J Wilson, Gareth Davison, Gerard McMahon, Chris Bleakley, Conor McClean
{"title":"Optimising exercise time-of-day for cardiometabolic health: Insights from a systematic review and meta-analysis in varied adult cohorts.","authors":"Ross Fitzpatrick, Jason J Wilson, Gareth Davison, Gerard McMahon, Chris Bleakley, Conor McClean","doi":"10.1080/02640414.2026.2637042","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02640414.2026.2637042","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>We systematically investigate whether the time-of-day influences physiological responses to exercise. PubMed, CENTRAL and Web of Science were searched until June 2023. Studies must have been clinical trials with human participants classed as healthy, 'overweight' or obese, with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) or with treated/pre-hypertension. Single exercise bouts (acute: T-1; T-2) and training programmes (chronic: T-3) performed in the morning (AmEx) and in the afternoon/evening (PmEx) were included. Data were extracted for <i>V</i>.O2max/peak, vascular glucose and blood pressure (BP). 625 participants were included. PmEx resulted in significantly lower blood pressure vs. AmEx in the following analyses: mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) at T-1 (Standard Mean Differences (SMD) = 0.50; 95% CI : 0.12, 0.88) and T-2 (SMD = 0.35; 95% CI : 0.06, 0.65); systolic BP at T-2 (SMD = 0.32; 95% CI : 0.05, 0.58; n = 9 studies) and T-3 (SMD = 0.32; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.62) and diastolic BP at T-2 (SMD = 0.34; 95% CI : 0.05, 0.63). Similarly, blood glucose levels were lower for PmEx in participants with T2DM and/or overweight and obesity at T-3 (SMD = 0.45; 95% CI: 0.06, 0.83). PmEx elicits significant reductions in multiple analyses vs. AmEx.</p>","PeriodicalId":17066,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sports Sciences","volume":" ","pages":"1158-1188"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147433553","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
John Melville, James R Forsyth, Ross Paikin, Maria Constantniou
{"title":"Sex differences in skill, performance, and injury in surfing: A scoping review.","authors":"John Melville, James R Forsyth, Ross Paikin, Maria Constantniou","doi":"10.1080/02640414.2026.2637046","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02640414.2026.2637046","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Surfing is increasing in popularity with rising professionalism in the sport. While sex-specific differences in skill, physical performance, and injury profiles are recognised across various sports, their presence in surfing remains unclear. This review collates the available evidence on sex-specific skill, physical performance, and injury profiles in surfers, to explore any evidence gaps and to recommend focus areas for future research. Five databases (Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL Complete, SPORTDiscus, and MEDLINE Complete) were searched from inception to November 2025. Studies that investigated surfing skill, physical performance or injury profiles in both male and female participants were included. Of 4729 studies identified, 50 met the inclusion criteria. These included 10 studies on surfing skills, 17 on physical performance, and 32 on injury profiles. Studies included outcome measures with sex-specific comparisons for skill (70%), physical performance (64%) and injury (19%). Overall, sex comparisons were made consistently in five (14%) outcome measures across all study concepts. Limited research on sex-specific injury profiles restricts the development of injury prevention strategies for female surfers. As the literature evolves in surfing, researchers should maximise the value of their data by reporting on sex-specific differences, appropriately normalising values (where necessary) and utilising consistent testing approaches.</p>","PeriodicalId":17066,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sports Sciences","volume":" ","pages":"1215-1227"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147377911","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Simon Crespeau, Edson Soares da Silva, Antoine Ravel, Jérémy Rossi, Jean-Benoît Morin
{"title":"Concurrent assessment of sprint running lower-limb and trunk kinematics using marker-based and markerless motion capture.","authors":"Simon Crespeau, Edson Soares da Silva, Antoine Ravel, Jérémy Rossi, Jean-Benoît Morin","doi":"10.1080/02640414.2025.2528439","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02640414.2025.2528439","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Reliable and accurate sprint kinematics assessment is of utmost interest for both performance and prevention purposes. To guide field practice, new technologies must be tested against optical motion capture references. We compared markerless motion capture (ML)(Theia Markerless) to the reference method, marker-based motion capture (MB)(CORTEX). Three-dimension kinematic data from MB and ML systems and ground reaction force were collected simultaneously for 14 participants, at three stages of the sprint acceleration spectrum (early, middle acceleration and top speed). Sagittal plane angles for the foot, ankle, shank, knee, thigh, hip, pelvis and trunk were computed through biomechanical modelling. Analysis on the whole curves showed reasonable reliability for all sprint running phases for all angles and joints except hip, pelvis and foot at top speed. Discrete points analysis identified greater discrepancies at top speed touchdown. These contrasting results do not allow for clear conclusions about the ability of ML technology to reliably quantify sprint kinematics in the sagittal plane, especially regarding the pelvis. However, due to some limitations of both methodologies (soft tissue vibration (MB) and joint center position accuracy (ML)), it is not clear whether these inter-system differences are due to inaccuracies of one system or the other, or a combination of both.</p>","PeriodicalId":17066,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sports Sciences","volume":" ","pages":"1334-1347"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144608653","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Oliver R Runswick, Liis Uiga, Paul R Ford, Nicholas J Smeeton, Matt Miller-Dicks
{"title":"Expert consensus on skill acquisition in sport: A Delphi study.","authors":"Oliver R Runswick, Liis Uiga, Paul R Ford, Nicholas J Smeeton, Matt Miller-Dicks","doi":"10.1080/02640414.2026.2637044","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02640414.2026.2637044","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Skill acquisition is a rapidly evolving field in sport, but its definitions, roles and professional practices remain inconsistently articulated. Despite growing recognition of its importance, there is a lack of consensus regarding the core competencies and responsibilities of skill acquisition specialists. The aim of this study was to consult with experts to establish a consensus definition of the field of skill acquisition, clarify the roles of its specialists, and understand the needs and requirements of effective applied practice. A panel of 22 international experts in skill acquisition took part in a Delphi study using online surveys. The panel reached consensus that skill acquisition specialists represent a unique role within multidisciplinary support teams and defined the field as an applied science addressing the performance, learning, and refinement of perceptual, cognitive, and motor skills across the spectrum from novice to expert performers. Key responsibilities of a skill acquisition specialist included practice design, individualised skill development, and education at the organisational level. Furthermore, the panel reached consensus on the essential knowledge and professional skills required to fulfil this role effectively. Findings present an important step towards establishing a framework for professional development, accreditation, and high-quality, evidence-based skill acquisition practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":17066,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sports Sciences","volume":" ","pages":"1203-1214"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147307004","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Examining the concurrent validity of markerless motion capture in dual-athlete team sports movements.","authors":"G A Oonk, M Kempe, K A P M Lemmink, T J W Buurke","doi":"10.1080/02640414.2025.2497678","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02640414.2025.2497678","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Markerless motion capture systems could help collect kinematic data in team sports. However, the validity of these systems when measuring multiple individuals simultaneously has yet to be determined. The current study aims to assess the concurrent validity of full-body kinematics during dyadic sports tasks of a markerless compared to a marker-based motion capture system. Twelve couples performed three dyadic movements: the walk high-five, dribble simulation, and double sidestep. Movements were simultaneously recorded with both systems. For each movement, the segment orientations, joint angles and center of mass were compared using the standardized typical estimate of the error, correlation coefficient, root mean squared difference (RMSD), and Bland-Altman analysis. There was an acceptable agreement in all segment orientations (RMSD < 12.5°), except for the hand segment. The flexion/extension joint angles showed an acceptable similarity between the two systems, excluding the wrist. There was a close-to-perfect similarity and agreement in the center of mass overall movement tasks. Based on the study results, the markerless motion capture system can be used for kinematic analysis of dyads in team sports, similar to how it is used in single-person movement analysis.</p>","PeriodicalId":17066,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sports Sciences","volume":" ","pages":"1307-1318"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144506056","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
K T H Rikken, B C H Huijgen, A E Hoekstra, M Brouwer, R J R Den Hartigh
{"title":"Developmental performance trajectories of talented tennis players during adolescence: A prospective longitudinal approach.","authors":"K T H Rikken, B C H Huijgen, A E Hoekstra, M Brouwer, R J R Den Hartigh","doi":"10.1080/02640414.2026.2637050","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02640414.2026.2637050","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The development of talent may take different forms for youth athletes, but there are only few longitudinal studies tracking this process. This study prospectively examines: 1) the development of talented Dutch tennis players aged 11.5 to 16 and 2) the predictability of performance at age 16, based on players' performance in preceding years. Biannually, we collected performance rating data of 1010 players (645 males, 365 females) who were ranked top 300 in the national youth ranking at least once. Applying Growth Mixture Modelling, we found that a 4-class model best fits the male sample, while a 5-class model fits the female sample most optimally. The best male class displayed non-linear development, improving slowly until age 13.5, after which development accelerated. The best female class showed consistent linear improvement. The correlation between performance at age 16 and preceding ages increased during adolescence. The correlation starts off moderate at slightly above 0.6 at age 11.5 and increases steadily to almost 1.0 at age 15.5. The correlation was consistently higher for the female sample. Our findings shed new light on male-female differences in talent development trajectories, and suggest that early talent identification could be more feasible for female players compared to male players.</p>","PeriodicalId":17066,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sports Sciences","volume":" ","pages":"1239-1253"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147344584","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Does match phase affect high-speed running and sprinting peak period performance and recovery kinetics in professional male football players?","authors":"M B Randers, E N Leifsson, P Krustrup, M Mohr","doi":"10.1080/02640414.2026.2632514","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02640414.2026.2632514","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study examined whether match phase influences peak high-speed running distance (HSRD) and sprint distance (SpD) during 5-, 2- and 1-min peak periods and the subsequent post-peak periods. Match data from 480 Danish Superliga players were analysed in 9054-9671 full-time match observations across three seasons (2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18) using Prozone tracking system and rolling averages methods. Peak periods of HSRD and SpD were much more frequent (P < 0.05) in the beginning of each half (21-28%), compared to the final 15-min periods of each half (5-11%). HSRD and SpD per min increased as peak period duration shortened (HSRD: ~23, ~39 and ~64 m/min for 5-, 2- and 1-min peaks, respectively; SpD: ~16, ~31 and ~54 m/min; P < 0.05), with no meaningful differences between 15-min intervals (P > 0.05). Recovery was faster (P < 0.05) following shorter peak durations and in the initial phase of the match, however differences in recovery kinetics were trivial to small beyond the first 15 min. Overall, players maintained similar HSRD and SpD in peak periods across all match phases. The post-peak declines were not systematically affected by the timing of the peak periods, but the decline was less affected in the initial phase, where the highest number of peak periods occurred.</p>","PeriodicalId":17066,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sports Sciences","volume":" ","pages":"1127-1139"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146258481","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}