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Dear Colleagues,

Contemporary motion analysis in individual and team sports is based on the acquisition of a wide variety of parameters. Information derived from recorded data makes it possible, for example, to evaluate the quality of movement and game actions performed in order to make recommendations for further movement or future tactical behavior. In training impact analysis, parameter values are determined that characterize external loads such as work, power or speed or describe biological and physiological adaptation processes such as the heart rate. This allows training processes to be documented and recommendations for further training design to be derived. The range of sensors and sensor technologies that can be considered for these and related areas of application is constantly growing. A major challenge is to extract relevant information from the collected, sometimes very extensive data material. The use of new machine learning methods is showing promising results here. This Special Issue focuses on innovative sensors and sensor technologies relevant to sports science. These include technologies for determining the type and duration of physical activities, object tracking, measuring force, sweat, oxygen saturation, muscle activity, breathing rate, body temperature and other vital parameters. In addition, methods for processing and analyzing sensor-based data are considered.

Prof. Dr. Arnold Baca
Guest Editor

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Keywords

biomarkers
biomechanics
heart rate
machine learning
motion analysis
sports equipment technology
tracking
workload

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 682 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Study on the Impact of Implementing an Exercise Program Using Fitlight Technology for the Development of Upper Limb Coordinative Abilities in Basketball Players

by Norbert Steff, Dana Badau and Adela Badau

Sensors 2024, 24(11), 3482; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24113482 - 28 May 2024

Viewed by 98

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of implementing a basketball-specific exercise program using Fitlight technology on the coordinative abilities (reactive coordination, reactive reaction time, and reactive movement combination capacity) of U14 and U16 junior basketball players. This study included 70 male basketball players, 36 subjects U14 and 34 subjects U16, divided into two equal groups for each age category: the experimental group (EG) and the control group (CG). This study included an initial and a final test, between which, training was conducted over a period of 18 weeks. For the EG, the program aimed to develop coordinative abilities through an experimental program that utilized Fitlight technology, while the control groups underwent an identically timed program, but their training did not include the use of technology. Four tests were adapted and applied: the Reactive Reaction Test, Choice Reactive Reaction Test, Reactive Hand–Eye Coordination Test, and a test to evaluate the reactive capacity for combining movements. The results of this study showed statistically significant progress between the initial and final tests for the experimental group, p < 0.05. The Cohen’s d values for the experimental groups were above 0.8, indicating a very large effect size, while for the control group, these values were small to medium. The comparative analysis of the experimental groups U14 and U16 and control groups shows statistically significant differences in favor of the experimental groups U14 and U16. This study highlights the effectiveness of implementing specific training programs that use modern technologies in developing coordinative abilities in the training and evaluation process of junior basketball players. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sensor Techniques and Methods for Sports Science)

15 pages, 2165 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Kinematics of the Tennis Serve Using an Optoelectronic Motion Capture System: Are There Correlations between Joint Angles and Racket Velocity?

by Julien Jacquier-Bret and Philippe Gorce

Sensors 2024, 24(11), 3292; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24113292 - 22 May 2024

Viewed by 260

Abstract

The serve is the most important stroke in tennis. It is a complex gesture consisting of numerous rotations with a wide amplitude, which are important to manage for performance. The aim of this study was to investigate whether correlations exist between joint kinematic parameters and racket velocity. A quantitative kinematics analysis of four ranked players (two boys and two girls) was carried out using an optoelectronic system composed of 10 cameras (150 Hz). Five flat serves per player were analyzed. Eighty-two markers were located across the 15 body segments and on the racket. A descriptive statistical analysis including a correlation analysis was carried out between joint angles and racket kinematic parameters (vertical position, velocity, and acceleration) during the cocking and acceleration phases. Ten very high (0.7 < r < 0.9) and three almost perfect (r > 0.9) correlations were found. Shoulder and hip axial rotations, knee flexion, and trunk extension were correlated linearly with racket vertical position and velocity during the cocking phase. For the acceleration phase, elbow flexion, trunk flexion/extension, and trunk axial rotation were linked to racket kinematics. Some of these parameters showed differences between slow and fast serves. These parameters, which are involved in transmitting ball velocity, are important to consider for tennis players and coaches in training programs, education, and performance enhancement. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sensor Techniques and Methods for Sports Science)

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