About this Research Topic

Background

The world of sport and exercise science is changing rapidly due to advances in hardware and software technology. Sports Biomechanics and Performance Analysis are subject to a new wave of innovation originated from natural sciences, engineering but more notably from computer science and data analytics. On the other hand, there are independent developments by the fitness industry and professional sport which promote some smart and “fast” technologies. However, as these technologies have not been fully validated, they are received with some scepticism by the academic community.

There is a growing anxiety amongst scientists of the pace these developments are taking place. It seems that we are moving at a very fast rate and may adopt at face value certain high-tech solutions without consulting our huge body of literature, that has been accrued since the birth of modern sports sciences, almost 50 years ago. Have we taken stock of what has been practiced and learned over the past few decades? If we claim that new technologies are the future for all research problems, does this mean data collected between the 70’s and until very recently may need to be reviewed? These data have informed and determined our current knowledge and understanding, so it is of paramount importance to review past scientific techniques and the integrity of their findings, as apart from developing new technologies to obtain fast data we may need to revise some of our scientific constants.

Sports scientists still have the advantage of rigour and reliability when solid scientific data are needed, however this may change soon as certain technologies in sensor construction and integration supported by artificial intelligence, will be capable of offering fast and accurate results at the same time. Therefore, the future challenge for sport scientists is to offer an integrated package combining fast, big, and accurate data with biological interpretation.

Frontiers in Sport and Active Living is determined to be at the forefront of such venture as a commitment to communicate meaningful real-life solutions through rigorous scientific methods. To this end, the current research topic entitled “Will New Technologies Lead to Better Scientific Tools and Data in Sport Biomechanics and Performance Analysis?“ would like to emphasise that the integrity of data comes before the benefit of rapid analysis. When both combined, we have the perfect model. However, how often does this happen?

We encourage authors to submit:
- proof of concept and validation papers
- original papers on developing and/or testing new technologies (hardware and software)
- original papers/reviews evaluating or debating past/current technologies and their impact on knowledge
- evaluation of commercially available devices and/or software
- review articles on existing technologies
- articles on emerging themes and future directions

The submissions could target the following topic areas within Biomechanics and Performance Analysis, but this list is not exhaustive:

• Markerless motion analysis: does fast also mean accurate?
• Technologies in sportwear and footwear
• Innovations in muscle-tendon imaging
• Sensors for external force measurements
• Internal forces modelling and movement simulation
• Global/Local navigation satellite system and inertial sensors
• AI and big data applications
• Review of traditional systems and techniques (e.g., kinematics, force plates, EMG, dynamometry)
• Data capture during training and live competitions
• Practical and accurate tools for health and injury applications

Keywords: biomechanics, performance analysis, sport technologies, sport scientists

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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