N Stewart Pritchard, Kambrie M Brandt, Alexandra G Peluso, David W Kruse, Elspeth Hart, Heather P Carr, Garrett S Bullock, Christopher M Miles, Justin B Moore, Joel D Stitzel, Jillian E Urban
{"title":"Evaluation of head kinematics experienced during common skill progression pathways in Women's Artistic Gymnastics.","authors":"N Stewart Pritchard, Kambrie M Brandt, Alexandra G Peluso, David W Kruse, Elspeth Hart, Heather P Carr, Garrett S Bullock, Christopher M Miles, Justin B Moore, Joel D Stitzel, Jillian E Urban","doi":"10.1080/14763141.2025.2481154","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14763141.2025.2481154","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study aimed to evaluate head kinematics experienced during skill progression pathways in Women's Artistic Gymnastics to inform post-concussion return to gymnastics protocols. A return to gymnastics framework, consisting of seven skill progression pathways, was developed. Twelve gymnasts were instrumented with mouthpiece sensors and performed two trials of each skill, if able. Sensors recorded data at 100 Hz and skill segments were extracted using time-synchronised video. Peak resultant linear (PLA) and rotational acceleration (PRA), rotational velocity change index (ΔRV) and peak resultant rotational velocity (PRV) of 1 Hz low pass filtered data were computed from skills. A mixed effects model evaluated differences in kinematic metrics across skills within pathways while adjusting for random effects of the participant. Stepwise increases in kinematic metrics occurred along backward and forward tumbling (floor) pathways but did not occur in other pathways. For instance, gymnasts experienced greater PLA and PRV during clear hip and back hip circle compared to giant. Moreover, skills performed early along respective pathways (e.g, Yurchenko timer (to back), Tsukahara timer (to back), handstand forward roll) were among the skills with the greatest PRA and ΔRV. Head kinematics associated with skill performance should be considered when developing return to gymnastics protocols.</p>","PeriodicalId":49482,"journal":{"name":"Sports Biomechanics","volume":" ","pages":"1-21"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143711901","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Karen Chen, Harry Brown, Sophie Guilmette, Moreno Morelli, Anouk Lamontagne, Shawn M Robbins
{"title":"The effect of sex, skill level and a defender on cutting kinematics in soccer players.","authors":"Karen Chen, Harry Brown, Sophie Guilmette, Moreno Morelli, Anouk Lamontagne, Shawn M Robbins","doi":"10.1080/14763141.2025.2481496","DOIUrl":"10.1080/14763141.2025.2481496","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cutting patterns may be influenced by task complexity and player attributes, ultimately affecting injury risks. This study examines the impact of skill level, sex, and defender conditions on joint kinematics during unanticipated cutting in soccer players. Kinematic data were captured using a three-dimensional motion capture system for 14 competitive and 14 recreational players performing unanticipated sidesteps (45 ± 10 degrees) under three conditions: no obstacle (NO), static-defender obstacle (SO) and dynamic-defender obstacle (DO). Principal component (<i>PC</i>) analysis and hierarchical linear models examined joint kinematics against sex, skill and defender conditions. For the first component of <i>PC</i>, skill effects revealed greater ankle dorsiflexion angles throughout cutting in competitive players (<i>p</i> = 0.01) than recreational players. DO trials showed lower hip flexion (<i>p</i> = 0.001) and ankle dorsiflexion angles (<i>p</i> = 0.01) than NO. SO trials showed greater hip adduction (<i>p</i> < 0.001) and knee abduction angles (<i>p</i> = 0.04), but lower ankle dorsiflexion angles (<i>p</i> < 0.001) than NO. For <i>PC2</i>, SO trials showed greater hip flexion excursions (<i>p</i> = 0.005) than NO. No sex effects were found. Clearance (participant's distance to the defender) was examined using a three-way analysis of covariance. Greater distances were found in DO by 0.59 m than SO. Differences in cutting patterns highlight potential adaptations to varying defender pressures, providing insights for coaching and prevention programmes.</p>","PeriodicalId":49482,"journal":{"name":"Sports Biomechanics","volume":" ","pages":"1-18"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143701865","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Lucas Höschler, Christina Halmich, Christoph Schranz, Julian Fritz, Saša Čigoja, Martin Ullrich, Anne D Koelewijn, Hermann Schwameder
{"title":"Wearable-based estimation of continuous 3D knee moments during running using a convolutional neural network.","authors":"Lucas Höschler, Christina Halmich, Christoph Schranz, Julian Fritz, Saša Čigoja, Martin Ullrich, Anne D Koelewijn, Hermann Schwameder","doi":"10.1080/14763141.2025.2481164","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14763141.2025.2481164","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study aimed to develop and validate a machine learning method to estimate continuous 3D knee moments during running from wearable sensor data. Reference knee moments were calculated from 19 recreational runners during treadmill running at varying slopes (0 ± 5 % incline), speeds (self-selected ± 1 km/h) and in 3 types of footwear. A convolutional neural network was trained on data from 7 inertial measuring units (feet, shanks, thighs, sacrum) and a pair of pressure insoles. We assessed performance over continuous time windows (CONT) and during stance phases (PHSS) by intraclass-correlation (ICC), normalised root mean squared error (nRMSE), and statistical parametric mapping. The agreement levels in the sagittal plane were good to excellent (ICC: 0.84-0.98), with low errors (nRMSE: 0.05-0.11). However, accuracy was lower for non-sagittal estimations (frontal ICC: 0.19-0.90, nRMSE: 0.08-0.23; transverse ICC: 0.72-0.94, nRMSE: 0.07-0.17). Accuracy decreased across all planes during PHSS. The proposed approach yields similar or better accuracy compared to previous work while requiring less preprocessing. It provides a viable method for wearable-based assessment of running kinetics in near real-time. Additional data and methods to address inter-individual variability could improve its precision in assessing frontal plane injury risk factors.</p>","PeriodicalId":49482,"journal":{"name":"Sports Biomechanics","volume":" ","pages":"1-19"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143693715","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Rodrigo Rabello, Gauri A Desai, Chiarella Sforza, Allison H Gruber
{"title":"Running stiffness and spatiotemporal parameters are similar between non-runners and runners with different experience levels.","authors":"Rodrigo Rabello, Gauri A Desai, Chiarella Sforza, Allison H Gruber","doi":"10.1080/14763141.2025.2480094","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14763141.2025.2480094","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Spatiotemporal parameters and leg and joint stiffness are variables that represent the fundamental dynamics of running. Therefore, these variables may effectively differentiate between less-experienced and more-experienced runners' gait, possibly addressing differing injury rates between populations. We compared stiffness and spatiotemporal parameters between runners with different experience levels, including a group with no previous running experience. Healthy physically active participants (22.1 ± 3.6y) were divided into three groups, according to experience: experienced (running >1-year, 14-48 km/week; <i>n</i> = 23, 9F), novice (running <1-year, 5-21 km/week; <i>n</i> = 15, 4F) and non-runners (no running for the past 5 years; <i>n</i> = 17, 7F). Three-dimensional motion capture and force plates measured gait mechanics during overground running at 3.35 m·s<sup>-1</sup>. Knee, ankle and three-dimensional leg stiffness, contact time, flight time and step length were compared between groups using independent-measures ANCOVA (covariate = sex). No biomechanical variable was significantly different between the groups (leg: <i>p</i> = 0.652, Hedges' g = 0.09-0.17; ankle: <i>p</i> = 0.439, g = 0.07-0.19; knee: <i>p</i> = 0.153, g = 0.13-0.29; contact time: <i>p</i> = 0.592, g = 0.06-0.24; flight time: <i>p</i> = 0.513, g = 0.03-0.40; step length: <i>p</i> = 0.107, g = 0.26-0.61). Stiffness and spatiotemporal parameters were not different between runners with greater than 1-year of experience when compared to runners with less than 1-year experience and non-runners. Therefore, running gait may not differentially affect injury rates between experience levels.</p>","PeriodicalId":49482,"journal":{"name":"Sports Biomechanics","volume":" ","pages":"1-15"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143693714","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Koki Sasabe, Daichi Nishiumi, Daisuke Takeuchi, Kotaro Kamada, Norikazu Hirose
{"title":"The association of agonist muscle fascicle length and antagonist muscle flexibility on power output during human knee extension tasks.","authors":"Koki Sasabe, Daichi Nishiumi, Daisuke Takeuchi, Kotaro Kamada, Norikazu Hirose","doi":"10.1080/14763141.2025.2474516","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14763141.2025.2474516","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Recent studies have reported that muscle power can be improved through stretching. However, the mechanisms underlying the power enhancement induced by stretching are not yet well understood. This study aimed to clarify the association of muscle fascicle length and antagonist muscle flexibility on muscle power output and velocity variables. Fascicle length and muscle thickness, pennation angle of vastus lateralis, knee flexor stiffness, and range of motion (ROM) were measured in American football players. Moreover, knee extension torque measurements were taken at five angular velocities (60 deg·s<sup>-1</sup> - 300 deg·s<sup>-1</sup>), and theoretical maximum power (Pmax), maximum force (F0), and maximum angular velocity (V0) were calculated. Pearson's product-moment or Spearman's rank correlation coefficients were calculated for each variable. ROM showed a significant moderate positive correlation with Pmax. This suggests that the flexibility of antagonist muscles may influence the power output of agonist muscles. However, although muscle thickness showed a moderate correlation with F0, V0 did not significantly correlate with any of the variables. This finding suggests that other factors, such as rapid recruitment of motor units and muscle fibre composition, may play a more substantial role in torque at very high angular velocities than muscle morphology and mechanical properties.</p>","PeriodicalId":49482,"journal":{"name":"Sports Biomechanics","volume":" ","pages":"1-12"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143587805","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Daniel Williams, Marcus Dunn, Paul Worsfold, Deborah Newton, Steve H Faulkner, Francesca d'Andrea, Jon Wheat
{"title":"Mean stability and between-session reliability of cycling biomechanics variables in elite pursuit cyclists.","authors":"Daniel Williams, Marcus Dunn, Paul Worsfold, Deborah Newton, Steve H Faulkner, Francesca d'Andrea, Jon Wheat","doi":"10.1080/14763141.2025.2471805","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14763141.2025.2471805","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The purpose of this study was to determine the number of crank revolutions required to obtain stable mean values of sagittal plane biomechanics variables, and the between-session reliability of these variables, whilst cyclists used an aerodynamic position. Eighteen elite cyclists completed a 3-min maximal bout on a cycling ergometer. Lower-limb kinematic and kinetic data were captured using 2D motion capture and force pedals. Raw data were filtered using a 4th order Butterworth low-pass filter (6 hz) and interpolated to 100 points per revolution. The middle 60 revolutions of each trial were extracted and 37 discrete and 15 time-series variables were calculated. Mean stability was assessed in all participants, and between-session reliability was analysed in a subset of 11 participants. Sequential averaging indicated more revolutions to stability than iterative intra-class correlation coefficients. Crank kinetics were more stable than joint kinematics and kinetics. For stable discrete and time-series variables, 30 and 38 revolutions are recommended, respectively. Between-day reliability for all variables was moderate to excellent, and good to excellent for crank kinetics and joint kinematics variables. Hip flexion-extension and ankle dorsiflexion kinetics were least reliable. Researchers and applied practitioners should consider these findings when planning, and interpreting results from, cycling biomechanics interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":49482,"journal":{"name":"Sports Biomechanics","volume":" ","pages":"1-21"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143537609","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sports BiomechanicsPub Date : 2025-03-01Epub Date: 2022-12-21DOI: 10.1080/14763141.2022.2153299
Samuel Zeff, Gillian Weir, Todd C Pataky, Joseph Hamill, Richard van Emmerik
{"title":"Modifications to head-trunk coordination dynamics during running and sidestepping.","authors":"Samuel Zeff, Gillian Weir, Todd C Pataky, Joseph Hamill, Richard van Emmerik","doi":"10.1080/14763141.2022.2153299","DOIUrl":"10.1080/14763141.2022.2153299","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The purpose of this study was to determine how the intrinsic head-trunk coordination dynamics that exist during forward running are modified during a dynamic sidestepping task. Fourteen athletes performed both forward running and sidestepping tasks. Head-trunk coordination and range of motion were assessed during the flight and stance phases in the transverse and sagittal planes. The sidestepping task resulted in greater in-phase head-trunk coordination during stance in the transverse plane (p < .001, ES = -1.71) and in reduced anti-phase coordination between head and trunk in the sagittal plane (p < .001, ES = 1.52). Statistical non-parametric mapping revealed that during sidestepping the sagittal plane coupling angle shifted away from anti-phase earlier during midstance. The sidestepping task resulted in greater transverse and sagittal plane head and trunk range of motion and greater vertical trunk centre of mass displacement. Sidestepping modified the intrinsic coordination dynamics that are present during forward running, with greater transverse plane head contributions and reductions in compensatory sagittal plane head motion, which may occur during the transition from weight acceptance to propulsion during the stance phase. These changes in the intrinsic coordination dynamics of the upper body during sidestepping tasks may impact visual perception and readiness compared to forward running during complex sports tasks.</p>","PeriodicalId":49482,"journal":{"name":"Sports Biomechanics","volume":" ","pages":"742-762"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9313600","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Numerical study of transient aerodynamic forces acting on a ski jumper considering dynamic posture change from takeoff to landing.","authors":"Keizo Yamamoto, Takahiro Nishino, Rahul Bale, Tokimasa Shimada, Naoto Miyamoto, Makoto Tsubokura","doi":"10.1080/14763141.2022.2154256","DOIUrl":"10.1080/14763141.2022.2154256","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study was designed to develop a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method for unsteady analysis of a series of ski jump movements with attitude changes, and to analyse the aerodynamic characteristics of an expert jumper over the entire ski jump movement. Two ski jumpers participated in this study. A sensor-based motion capture suit was used to capture the jumper's posture during the actual ski jump. A three-dimensional computer graphics animation was created by superimposing the joint angles obtained from the motion measurements of the 3D shape of the athlete. The unsteady aerodynamic forces acting on the ski jumper, from the takeoff to the landing, were then calculated using CFD. A time-varying spatially uniform flow was specified as the inflow boundary condition of the computational domain. The results indicated that both the lift and drag forces of the expert jumper increase rapidly during the initial flight when the jumper's posture changes drastically. Thereafter, drag force decreased considerably, but the decrease in the lift force was less drastic. Later in the flight phase, the lift force acting on the expert jumper increased, and throughout the flight phase, the lift-drag ratio of the expert jumper remained higher than that of the unskilled jumper.</p>","PeriodicalId":49482,"journal":{"name":"Sports Biomechanics","volume":" ","pages":"763-777"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10332489","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A topspin rate exceeding 110 rps reduces the ball time of arrival to the opponent: a table tennis rally study.","authors":"Shuji Kidokoro, Yuki Inaba, Kazuto Yoshida, Koshi Yamada, Hiroki Ozaki","doi":"10.1080/14763141.2022.2156916","DOIUrl":"10.1080/14763141.2022.2156916","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study experimentally investigated the factors affecting the time a table tennis ball with topspin takes to reach the opponent. Six skilled young players and one coach performed topspin forehand strokes under the observation of three high-speed cameras. As the distribution of the participants' measurements was uneven, additional data were collected using a launching machine that could control the ball speed and spin. To verify the effect of the spin rate on speed decay by drag, the translational speed was measured at 0.15 s after passing the baseline (23 m/s); the balls with topspin ≥110 rps, close to participants' average (117 ± 29 rps) were 1.4 m/s faster than those with topspin ≤80 rps. The horizontal ball speed changed in the range of -3.1 to 2.6 m/s owing to table bounce. At topspins ≥110 rps the ball reached a point 1 m past the end line (estimated receiving position) 27 ± 5 ms faster than at topspins ≤80 rps, for the same initial speed. The relationship between spin rate and travel time was non-linear with boundaries at 80 and 110 rps. Therefore, maintaining a spin rate of ≥ 110 rps along with a high initial speed is an effective strategy for reducing the opponent's preparation time.</p>","PeriodicalId":49482,"journal":{"name":"Sports Biomechanics","volume":" ","pages":"778-794"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10445470","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Kitae Kim, Jinkyung Cho, Hokyung Choi, Junkyung Song
{"title":"Bow stability and postural sway during aiming and shooting in elite compound archery.","authors":"Kitae Kim, Jinkyung Cho, Hokyung Choi, Junkyung Song","doi":"10.1080/14763141.2024.2446172","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14763141.2024.2446172","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study explored the effects of postural sway and bow movements on shooting accuracy in elite compound archery, differentiating pre- and post-arrow release phases. International-level compound archers executed 72 shots each in a competition-like environment. During both the aiming and shooting phases, bow displacement and tremor index were measured with a motion capture system, while postural sway indices, such as centre of pressure (COP) displacement and speed, were derived using a force platform. Two-dimensional arrow impact coordinates on the target were transformed into an accuracy index, calculated as the Euclidean distance from the target centre. In the aiming phase, smaller bow displacement and tremor, along with reduced COP displacement and speed, were associated with higher accuracy. This suggests that stable posture and bow orientation during aiming enhance shooting outcomes in compound archery. In the shooting phase after the release, bow and postural sway exhibited no differences depending on the shooting accuracy but correlated with the spatial distribution of arrow impacts. This result, combined with the reduced bow tremor in high-accuracy shots, suggests that strategies involving moderate, smooth, and consistent movement after release are more crucial for enhancing shooting accuracy in compound archery rather than simply minimising or restricting motion.</p>","PeriodicalId":49482,"journal":{"name":"Sports Biomechanics","volume":" ","pages":"1-14"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143494505","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}