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A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Applied Biosciences and Bioengineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2022) | Viewed by 33815

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Prof. Dr. Giuseppe Annino

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Department of Systems Medicine, “Tor Vergata” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
Interests: sports science; exercise performance; motion analysis; exercise science; biomechanics; gait analysis
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Dr. Vincenzo Bonaiuto

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Department of Industrial Engineering, University “Tor Vergata” of Rome, Via del Politecnico 1, 00133 Roma, Italy
Interests: sport science; biomechanics; signal processing; neural networks; electronic hardware design
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent decades, improvements in modern technology devices have allowed sport scientists to collect more and more detailed information on sport fields and movement performance analysis. Nowadays, the technological advances in both Internet of Things and wearable devices, which are significantly transforming the global market of instruments for the assessment of sport performance, provide an increasingly deeper measuring capability. The consequent availability of a wide range of physiological, dynamic, and kinematic parameters has produced significant improvements in the capacity to analyse aspects of the performance in many cases detected during training or simulated matches, and in some disciplines, directly in official races. In addition, the functional assessment of specific task performance or testing can make it easier to investigate, with more detail, general and specific aspects of the neuromuscular and metabolic system.

The aim of this Special Issue is to cover the recent advancement in studies of the applications of new measurement systems or novel scientific approaches dedicated to the assessment of the sport, exercise, and performance domains.

Prof. Dr. Giuseppe Annino
Prof. Dr. Vincenzo Bonaiuto
Guest Editors

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Keywords

sports science
exercise performance
real-time monitoring of sport performance
biomechanics
performance assessment systems

Published Papers (11 papers)

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Editorial

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3 pages, 164 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Special Issue on Performance Analysis in Sport and Exercise

by Giuseppe Annino and Vincenzo Bonaiuto

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(13), 7538; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app13137538 - 26 Jun 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 871

Abstract

The analysis of human performance has always aroused great interest from s sport scientists and, more recently, the clinical field [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Performance Analysis in Sport and Exercise)

Research

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12 pages, 3303 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Angle-Angle Diagrams in the Assessment of Locomotion in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis: A Preliminary Study

by Riccardo Di Giminiani, Davide Di Lorenzo, Stefano La Greca, Luca Russo, Francesco Masedu, Rocco Totaro and Elvira Padua

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(14), 7223; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app12147223 - 18 Jul 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2223

Abstract

Gait analysis is clinically relevant in persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) and consists of several joint angular displacement–time relationships and spatiotemporal parameters. However, it lacks representation by means of diagrams in which knee-angle/hip-angle and knee-angle/ankle-angle variations are plotted against each other at the same points of time. Three-dimensional kinematic analysis was performed on 20 subjects (10 PwMS/10 healthy controls, HCs), and the knee-angle/hip-angle and knee-angle/ankle-angle diagrams of both lower limbs were determined in the sagittal plane while walking on a motorized treadmill. The area (a quantifier of range of motion) and the perimeter (a quantifier of coordination) of angle-angle diagram loops were calculated. PwMS showed reduced knee-angle/ankle-angle loops compared to HCs (p < 0.05), whereas the hip-angle/ankle-angle loops between the PwMS and HCs was not significant (p > 0.05). Similarly, the activation of leg muscles showed significant differences between PwMS and HCs (p ranged from 0.05 to 0.001). The results indicate that the proposed knee-angle/hip-angle diagram is feasible and could be applied as a reliable tool in future studies aimed at assessing the acute and long-term effects of specific exercise programmes and/or pharmacological treatment in PwMS. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Performance Analysis in Sport and Exercise)

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16 pages, 1006 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Performance Index for in Home Assessment of Motion Abilities in Ataxia Telangiectasia: A Pilot Study

by M. El Arayshi, C. M. Verrelli, G. Saggio, M. Iosa, A. E. Gentile, L. Chessa, M. Ruggieri and A. Polizzi

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(8), 4093; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app12084093 - 18 Apr 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1740

Abstract

Background. It has been shown in the very recent literature that human walking generates rhythmic motor patterns with hidden time harmonic structures that are represented (at the subject’s comfortable speed) by the occurrence of the golden ratio as the the ratio of the durations of specific walking gait subphases. Such harmonic proportions may be affected—partially or even totally destroyed—by several neurological and/or systemic disorders, thus drastically reducing the smooth, graceful, and melodic flow of movements and altering gait self-similarities. Aim. In this paper we aim at, preliminarily, showing the reliability of a technologically assisted methodology—performed with an easy to use wearable motion capture system—for the evaluation of motion abilities in Ataxia-Telangiectasia (AT), a rare infantile onset neurodegenerative disorder, whose typical neurological manifestations include progressive gait unbalance and the disturbance of motor coordination. Methods. Such an experimental methodology relies, for the first time, on the most recent accurate and objective outcome measures of gait recursivity and harmonicity and symmetry and double support subphase consistency, applied to three AT patients with different ranges of AT severity. Results. The quantification of the level of the distortions of harmonic temporal proportions is shown to include the qualitative evaluations of the three AT patients provided by clinicians. Conclusions. Easy to use wearable motion capture systems might be used to evaluate AT motion abilities through recursivity and harmonicity and symmetry (quantitative) outcome measures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Performance Analysis in Sport and Exercise)

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7 pages, 329 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Shot Put: Which Role for Kinematic Analysis?

by Simone Ciacci, Franco Merni, Gabriele Semprini, Giacomo Drusiani, Matteo Cortesi and Sandro Bartolomei

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(3), 1699; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app12031699 - 07 Feb 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3470

Abstract

Background: To understand the technical differences between shot putters of different ages, this study compared biomechanical parameters of the best senior and youth Italian athletes and then to world-class athletes (WC) assessed in previous investigations. Methods: The best throws of 16 shot putters [8 Senior (SG) and 8 Youth (YG)] were recorded by video cameras during the Italian Championships’ final and considered for 3D reconstruction. The following parameters were measured: time of the different throwing phases, shot trajectory, release angle, release velocity, and the force produced in the final phase. Results: Significant differences between SG and YG were detected in second single support time (p = 0.015), support time (p = 0.007), total time (p = 0.028) and in the force produced during the final phase (p < 0.001). A lower level of force, release speed, and a shorter shot trajectory during the double support were detected in SG compared to WC. Conclusions: The present study showed that, although the technical performance of all athletes was similar, some differences exist between YG and SG. The gap between the groups may be partially explained by the difference in force produced in the final phase of the throw and by a different interpretation of the technique. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Performance Analysis in Sport and Exercise)

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18 pages, 5915 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Goal Shot Analysis in Elite Water Polo—World Cup Final 2018 in Berlin

by Stefan Hochstein, Dirk Hohenstein and Andreas Hohmann

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(3), 1298; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app12031298 - 26 Jan 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2558

Abstract

The subject of this game analysis was the throwing behavior of the world class players under competition match conditions during the final “World Cup Water Polo” tournament 2018 in Berlin. Specifically, we analyzed (a) the situational dependence of concrete environmental conditions (“constraints”) of successful throwing actions as well as (b) the goal throw biomechanics concerning throwing speed. Therefore, player’s and ball positions were recorded by video cameras as well as high-speed cameras. Based on the positions and trajectories parameters such as goal throw speed, Voronoi-cells as well as team centroids were calculated. The area of the Voronoi-cells differs concerning defending and attacking teams as well as between successful and non-successful teams and can be used as an indicator for goal or no goal. Under semi-collective tactical aspects, the comparison of the offensively and defensively controlled field areas (collective space control) between successful and unsuccessful goal throws shows that in the case of successful attacking completions, the attacking team (in the sum of its six players) each controlled significantly more field area in front of the opponent’s goal than the six defensive players together with their goalkeeper. In the case of unsuccessful attacking attempts, this area ratio was exactly reversed, i.e., the defensive team dominated the space. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Performance Analysis in Sport and Exercise)

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21 pages, 1543 KiB

Open AccessArticle

One-Dimensional Mathematical Model for Kayak Propulsion

by Diego Delgado and Camilo Ruiz

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(21), 10393; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app112110393 - 05 Nov 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1533

Abstract

The displacement of a sprint kayak can be described by a one-dimensional mathematical model, which, in its simplest case, is analogous to the free-fall problem with quadratic drag and constant propulsion. To describe realistic cases, it is necessary to introduce a propulsion capable of reproducing the characteristics of the kayak stroke, including periodicity, average force and effects of stroke frequency, among others. Addressing the problem in terms of a Fourier series allows us to separate the equation into two parts, one of which is equivalent to the constant propulsion case and results in an asymptotic expression, while the second accounts for the periodic contributions. This approach allows us to solve several cases of interest: to propose a quadrature rule for the asymptotic part that allows fast estimations; to compare results with the literature; and finally to propose a general mathematical method for this problem which could help to understand some key strategies in the kayak race. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Performance Analysis in Sport and Exercise)

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27 pages, 1202 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sport Performance Analysis with a Focus on Racket Sports: A Review

by Sarka Krizkova, Hana Tomaskova and Erfan Babaee Tirkolaee

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(19), 9212; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11199212 - 03 Oct 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 6073

Abstract

Athletes, both professional and amateur, are always looking for ways to improve their performance. With the introduction and increasing availability of modern technologies and smart devices arose the need to measure and analyze performance, but likewise, the use of these innovations as a competitive advantage also arose. Scientific publications reflect the wide range of available approaches and technologies, as well as the growing interest in various sports. As a result, we concentrated on a systematic review of publications that presented performance analysis tools and methods in all sports, with a final focus on racket sports. Clarivate Analytics’ Web of Science (WoS) and Elsevier Inc.’s SCOPUS databases were searched for 1147 studies that conducted performance analysis and sports research and were published in English. The data in the systematic review are current, up until 18 May 2021. A general review was performed on 759 items, and then 65 racket sports publications were thoroughly scrutinized. We concentrated on performance data, data collection and analysis tools, performance analysis methods, and software. We also talked about performance prediction. In performance research, we have identified specific approaches for specific sports as well as key countries. We are also considering expanding performance analysis in to E-sports in the future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Performance Analysis in Sport and Exercise)

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12 pages, 468 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of Running Performance in the Offensive and Defensive Phases of the Game: Is It Associated with the Team Achievement in the UEFA Champions League?

by Toni Modric, Sime Versic, Patrik Drid, Marko Stojanovic, Łukasz Radzimiński, Cyril Bossard, Tomasz Aftański and Damir Sekulic

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(18), 8765; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11188765 - 21 Sep 2021

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3290

Abstract

Although associations between running performance (RP) with ball possession and team achievement in soccer are often hypothesized, actual knowledge of this association in elite soccer remains limited. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate players’ RPs according to ball possession to determine its possible influence on team achievement in the UEFA Champions League (UCL). The players’ RPs (n = 244) were collected during UCL group stage matches (n = 20) in the 2020/21 season using the semiautomatic video system InStat Fitness. Then, players’ RPs were classified according to the specific playing position: central defenders (CD; n = 79), fullbacks (FB; n = 65), central midfielders (CM; n = 55), wide midfielders (WM; n = 28) and forwards (FW; n = 17). RPs were observed in the attacking phase (AP, i.e., when the team was in possession of the ball) and defensive phase (DP, i.e., when the team did not have possession of the ball) of the game, and included the total distance covered (m) and distance covered in different categories: walking (<7.1 km/h), jogging (7.1–14.3 km/h), running (14.4–19.7 km/h), high-intensity running (>19.8 km/h), high-speed running (19.8–25.1 km/h) and sprinting (>25.2 km/h). Team achievement was defined by the total group points earned (TGP) at the end of the group phase of the UCL and by match outcome (win, draw, loss) of single matches. The results indicated that the total, walking and jogging distances covered were negatively and positively associated with TGP (Pearson’s correlations from 0.30 to 0.73; all p < 0.05) in the AP and DP of the game, respectively. Won matches were characterized by significantly lower and higher values of total, walking and jogging distances covered in AP and DP of the game, respectively (F tests: from 7.15 to 22.5, all p < 0.01; all small to medium effect sizes). In addition, RPs in the AP and DP of the game explained only 37.2% of the variance in the TGP. These findings demonstrate that the influence of RP on team achievement in UCL is limited in both the AP and DP of the game. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Performance Analysis in Sport and Exercise)

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24 pages, 10504 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Motion Classification and Features Recognition of a Traditional Chinese Sport (Baduanjin) Using Sampled-Based Methods

by Hai Li, Hwa Jen Yap and Selina Khoo

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(16), 7630; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11167630 - 19 Aug 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1864

Abstract

This study recognized the motions and assessed the motion accuracy of a traditional Chinese sport (Baduanjin), using the data from the inertial sensor measurement system (IMU) and sampled-based methods. Fifty-three participants were recruited in two batches to participate in the study. Motion data of participants practicing Baduanjin were captured by IMU. By extracting features from motion data and benchmarking with the teacher’s assessment of motion accuracy, this study verifies the effectiveness of assessment on different classifiers for motion accuracy of Baduanjin. Moreover, based on the extracted features, the effectiveness of Baduanjin motion recognition on different classifiers was verified. The k-Nearest Neighbor (k-NN), as a classifier, has advantages in accuracy (more than 85%) and a short average processing time (0.008 s) during assessment. In terms of recognizing motions, the classifier One-dimensional Convolutional Neural Network (1D-CNN) has the highest accuracy among all verified classifiers (99.74%). The results show, using the extracted features of the motion data captained by IMU, that selecting an appropriate classifier can effectively recognize the motions and, hence, assess the motion accuracy of Baduanjin. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Performance Analysis in Sport and Exercise)

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22 pages, 1613 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Prognostic Validity of Statistical Prediction Methods Used for Talent Identification in Youth Tennis Players Based on Motor Abilities

by Maximilian Siener, Irene Faber and Andreas Hohmann

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(15), 7051; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11157051 - 30 Jul 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2641

Abstract

(1) Background: The search for talented young athletes is an important element of top-class sport. While performance profiles and suitable test tasks for talent identification have already been extensively investigated, there are few studies on statistical prediction methods for talent identification. Therefore, this long-term study examined the prognostic validity of four talent prediction methods. (2) Methods: Tennis players (N = 174; n_♀ = 62 and n_♂ = 112) at the age of eight years (U9) were examined using five physical fitness tests and four motor competence tests. Based on the test results, four predictions regarding the individual future performance were made for each participant using a linear recommendation score, a logistic regression, a discriminant analysis, and a neural network. These forecasts were then compared with the athletes’ achieved performance success at least four years later (U13‒U18). (3) Results: All four prediction methods showed a medium-to-high prognostic validity with respect to their forecasts. Their values of relative improvement over chance ranged from 0.447 (logistic regression) to 0.654 (tennis recommendation score). (4) Conclusions: However, the best results are only obtained by combining the non-linear method (neural network) with one of the linear methods. Nevertheless, 18.75% of later high-performance tennis players could not be predicted using any of the methods. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Performance Analysis in Sport and Exercise)

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15 pages, 870 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Quantifying Sub-Elite Youth Football Weekly Training Load and Recovery Variation

by José E. Teixeira, Pedro Forte, Ricardo Ferraz, Miguel Leal, Joana Ribeiro, António J. Silva, Tiago M. Barbosa and António M. Monteiro

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(11), 4871; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11114871 - 26 May 2021

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 4273

Abstract

Monitoring the training load in football is an important strategy to improve athletic performance and an effective training periodization. The aim of this study was two-fold: (1) to quantify the weekly training load and recovery status variations performed by under-15, under-17 and under-19 sub-elite young football players; and (2) to analyze the influence of age, training day, weekly microcycle, training and playing position on the training load and recovery status. Twenty under-15, twenty under-17 and twenty under-19 players were monitored over a 2-week period during the first month of the 2019–2020 competitive season. Global positioning system technology (GPS) was used to collect external training loads: total distance covered, average speed, maximal running speed, relative high-speed running distance, high metabolic load distance, sprinting distance, dynamic stress load, accelerations and decelerations. Internal training load was monitored using ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE). Recovery status was obtained using the total quality recovery (TQR) scale. The results show an age-related influence for external training load (p ≤ 0.001; d = 0.29–0.86; moderate to strong effect), internal training load (p ≤ 0.001, d = 0.12–0.69; minimum to strong effect) and recovery status (p ≤ 0.001, d = 0.59; strong effect). The external training load presented differences between training days (p < 0.05, d = 0.26–0.95; moderate to strong effect). The playing position had a minimum effect on the weekly training load (p < 0.05; d = 0.06–0.18). The weekly microcycle had a moderate effect in the TD (p < 0.05, d = 0.39), RPE (p < 0.05; d = 0.35) and sRPE (p < 0.05, d = 0.35). Interaction effects were found between the four factors analyzed for deceleration (F = 2.819, p = 0.017) and between inter-day, inter-week and age for total covered distance (F = 8.342, p = 0.008). This study provided specific insights about sub-elite youth football training load and recovery status to monitor training environments and load variations. Future research should include a longer monitoring period to assess training load and recovery variations across different season phases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Performance Analysis in Sport and Exercise)

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