Sports Biomechanics and Symmetry

A special issue of Symmetry (ISSN 2073-8994). This special issue belongs to the section "Life Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2023) | Viewed by 1922

Special Issue Editors

Department of Sports & Leisure Studies, College of Physical Education, Keimyung University, 1095 Dalgubeol-daero, Dalseo-gu, Daegu 42601, Korea
Interests: sports performance; human movement analysis; aging; gait analysis
Department of Sport Science, Japan Institute of Sports Sciences, Japan High Performance Center, 3-15-1, Nishigaoka, Kita-ku, Tokyo-115-0052, Japan
Interests: sports biomechanics; strength and conditioning; locomotion
Global Sport Leadership, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA
Interests: triathlon; sports medicine; American football; asymmetry in clinical evaluation
Department of Exercise Prescription, College of Medical Science, Jeonju University, 55069, 303, Cheonjam-ro, Wansan-gu, Jeollabuk-do, Korea
Interests: rehabilitation; human biomechanics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Human motor performance has both symmetrical and asymmetrical traits. In sports and daily activities, symmetry is seen to be critical for completing safe, efficient, and purposeful actions. Although most coaches and trainers attempt to discover symmetry in motion and correlate asymmetry with a detrimental impact on sports performance, further study is warranted to completely support such an association. Various internal and external factors can cause symmetry and asymmetry in human motor performance, which might change depending on the age, gender, and performance level of clinical patients. Therefore, a comprehensive study of symmetry and asymmetry in human motor performance can be beneficial to physicians, physiotherapists, and human health in general.

For this Special Issue, we invite papers exploring and discussing the topic of biomechanical symmetry and asymmetry in human motor performance, particularly a) the effect of internal or external factors on human motor performance; and b) comparability across certain populations (e.g., in terms of gender, development (child/adult), age, or whether they are athletes or specific patient/disease types, etc. and c) as well as the use of technology that helps to evaluate symmetry in human performance.

Submit your paper and select the Journal “Symmetry” and the Special Issue “Sports Biomechanics and Symmetry” via: MDPI submission system. Our papers will be published on a rolling basis and we will be pleased to receive your submission once you have finished it.

Dr. Siddhartha Bikram Panday
Dr. Daichi Yamashita
Dr. Brian Johnston
Dr. Dohoon Koo
Guest Editors

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. Symmetry 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 2400 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

  • gait analysis
  • locomotion
  • balance and postural control
  • sports performance
  • strength and conditioning
  • sports biomechanics
  • sports technology

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 308 KiB  
Article
Gait Parameters of Elite Kickboxing Athletes
by Marta Niewczas, Łukasz Rydzik, Tadeusz Ambroży, Wojciech Wąsacz, Michał Spieszny, Jacek Perliński and Norollah Javdaneh
Symmetry 2023, 15(9), 1774; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym15091774 - 16 Sep 2023
Viewed by 695
Abstract
Background: Correct movement techniques are crucial for enhancing athletic performance and minimizing the risk of injury. This is particularly true for kickboxing, in which a variety of forms of locomotion are employed. Despite its importance, gait and movement analysis in this sport is [...] Read more.
Background: Correct movement techniques are crucial for enhancing athletic performance and minimizing the risk of injury. This is particularly true for kickboxing, in which a variety of forms of locomotion are employed. Despite its importance, gait and movement analysis in this sport is under-researched. The primary objective of this study is to understand gait patterns and limb symmetry between the dominant and non-dominant legs among professional kickboxers and to explore their correlation with the level of technical and tactical preparation. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted involving 20 elite kickboxers. Data collection employed the 3D Force Treadmill for gait parameters, as well as simulated sparring sessions to evaluate technical–tactical indices. Various gait parameters were analyzed, including the center of pressure (COP), gait phase, spatial and time parameters, as well as reaction force. Results: No significant bilateral differences were found in the majority of gait variables. Exceptions were in the medio-lateral component of the COP and force, where more deviation was observed in the non-dominant foot. The only noted significant correlation was between lateral symmetry and attack activity. Conclusions: This study allows us to indicate that kickboxers’ training promotes symmetrical gait patterns. Targeted training interventions could further optimize these patterns. The significant relationship between lateral symmetry and attack activity suggests areas for future research and potential performance improvement. The results of this study contribute to athletes’ self-monitoring and coaching strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sports Biomechanics and Symmetry)
11 pages, 1490 KiB  
Communication
Biomechanics of Ascending and Descending Stairs in a Patient with Transfemoral Amputation and Neural Sensory Feedback: A Case Report
by Saša Bubanj, Marko Radenković, Dušan Stanković, Emilija Petković, Ana Lilić, Ivana Bojić, Nikola Aksović, Tatiana Dobrescu, Bojan Bjelica, Ivan Ćuk, Sanja Mazić, Francesco Maria Petrini, Šćepan Sinanović, Milena Tomović and Florin Valentin Leuciuc
Symmetry 2023, 15(7), 1443; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym15071443 - 19 Jul 2023
Viewed by 857
Abstract
(1) Background: Asymmetry in gait could pose a problem for patients with transfemoral amputation, due to a higher risk for secondary comorbidities. Gait analysis during ascending and descending stairs (20 stair ascends and descends) was conducted in a patient with a unilateral transfemoral [...] Read more.
(1) Background: Asymmetry in gait could pose a problem for patients with transfemoral amputation, due to a higher risk for secondary comorbidities. Gait analysis during ascending and descending stairs (20 stair ascends and descends) was conducted in a patient with a unilateral transfemoral amputation and integrated neural sensory feedback (NSFB), with the aim to compare biomechanical parameters between the healthy and the prosthetic leg in conditions with and without NSFB. (2) Methods: Transversal-type research was conducted at the beginning of the patient’s rehabilitation and without prior gait training in conditions with NSFB. Complete study included several months of different gait testing with and without the NSFB. Data analyzed in this study are just a small portion of the overall dataset (only one subject, one recording session, reduced amount of trials in one condition), used for showing the validity of the proposed methodology for gait analysis and proving proof of concept. The analyzed parameters included stance, time, and speed of ascending and descending stairs in conditions with and without NSFB, measured for both legs. The data were processed using statistical software (SPSS Statistics version 24), with descriptive statistics and paired-sample t-tests to determine differences in gait parameters between the healthy and the prosthetic leg. (3) Results: The results revealed statistically significant differences (p = 0.00) in all three examined parameters (stance, time, and speed) between conditions with and without NSFB. (4) Conclusions: Gait stance, time, and the speed of ascending and descending stairs can be controlled and tailored in real time using NSFB. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sports Biomechanics and Symmetry)
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8 pages, 515 KiB  
Article
Self-Mobilization Exercise Program Improved Postural Stability in the Anterior-Posterior Direction with Eyes Closed
by Daisuke Shibata and Yuri Yoshida
Symmetry 2023, 15(7), 1321; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym15071321 - 28 Jun 2023
Viewed by 906
Abstract
Maintenance of equilibrium is influenced by postural symmetry and deviations such as a forward head. An exercise program involving an effect such as self-joint mobilization was developed to address spinal curvature; however, its effect on postural stability is still unclear. The purpose of [...] Read more.
Maintenance of equilibrium is influenced by postural symmetry and deviations such as a forward head. An exercise program involving an effect such as self-joint mobilization was developed to address spinal curvature; however, its effect on postural stability is still unclear. The purpose of this study was to address to what extent the self-mobilization exercise program would influence postural sway while standing still. The Exercise group (n = 16) performed the self-mobilization while lying supine on a cylinder-shaped tube (98 cm length, 15 cm diameter), consisting of three warm-up positionings followed by seven motions. The Control group (n = 16) laid supine on a flat surface with their legs flexed. Before and immediately after respective interventions, the plantar center of pressure was quantified while subjects were standing with eyes open and closed. The results show the exercise group reduced the postural sway in the antero-posterior direction only during the eyes-closed condition. Neither exercise nor control groups showed a significant change in postural sway during the eyes-open condition. Our findings indicate the self-mobilization exercise program improved the participant’s stability when visual feedback was not reliable for postural control. The improved postural control in the antero-posterior direction may be accounted for by facilitated activation of planterflexors and dorsiflexors which are primary muscles in ankle strategy for postural control. Effects of this exercise program on postural stability appear to be direction dependent, which provide insight when healthcare professionals incorporate exercise programs for postural symmetry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sports Biomechanics and Symmetry)
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