Journal of Applied Biomechanics

📣 We're searching for our next Deputy Editor who will directly support incoming Editor @franzbiomech.bsky.social for a 2-yr term beginning Jan. 2026. Help us build on the momentum we've gained under outgoing Editor @katherineaboyer.bsky.social.

More info: journals.humankinetics.com/page/JAB-cal...

A new study by Ling Li et al. in the Journal of Applied Biomechanics shows that removing both vision and knowledge of landing height significantly alters landing mechanics and may raise ACL injury risk.

Watch the video abstract to learn more!

Check out the full article: doi.org/10.1123/jab....

New in JAB! Davenport et al. show that symmetrical, below-the-waist lifts produce higher joint forces in the low back & knee than asymmetrical lifts.

What does this mean for injury prevention and assistive tech design in industrial settings?

🔗 doi.org/10.1123/jab....

#Biomechanics #Lifting

How has biomechanics evolved?

A new perspective in the Journal of Applied Biomechanics shows how gait & posture mechanics, once outside the journal's scope, are now central to the field. Read for free here: doi.org/10.1123/jab....

Newly published in JAB! Ting Wang et al. saw that arm-reaching during aerial basketball plays increases lower-limb injury risk by causing stiffer landings and more knee abduction.

What strategies would you use to train safer landings?

Read more here: doi.org/10.1123/jab....
#Biomechanics

New research by Hébert-Losier et al. shows that cadence affects calf raise test metrics like peak height and power, but not number of repetitions. These findings underscore the need to standardize cadence in clinical and research use. What cadence do you prefer when using the calf raise test?

Can bionic prostheses improve outdoor walking for transtibial amputees?

Open access in JAB, Stafford et al. found no energy cost difference between a myoelectric prosthesis and a passive one—yet 5 of 6 participants preferred the powered device.

📖 doi.org/10.1123/jab....
#Biomechanics #Prosthesis

A 40-Year Contemporary Evolution of Gait and Posture Mechanics in the Journal of Applied Biomechanics "A 40-Year Contemporary Evolution of Gait and Posture Mechanics in the Journal of Applied Biomechanics" published on 10 Jun 2025 by Human Kinetics.

Pleasure to collaborate with fellow @jabjournal.bsky.social Associate Editors @chrismccrum.bsky.social and Tanvi Bhatt in writing "A 40-Year Contemporary Evolution of Gait and Posture Mechanics in the Journal of Applied Biomechanics". Now available open access: doi.org/10.1123/jab.....

New from White et al. in Journal of Applied Biomechanics!

👟 Stiffer insoles didn’t boost walking in all older adults — but helped those with weaker toe flexors walk farther.

➡️ Foot strength may guide footwear design.

Read the full study here: doi.org/10.1123/jab....

#Biomechanics #Footwear

🧗‍♀️New work from Erika Nelson-Wong et al. in Journal of Applied Biomechanics!

Climbers with more experience & training = stronger grip — but only Expert males outperformed females.

⚠️What does this mean for training & injury risk?

Read it here: doi.org/10.1123/jab....

#Biomechanics #RockClimbing

🆕 Step frequency matters! A Journal of Applied Biomechanics study (Mesquita et al.,) explores how altering step frequency affects pelvis-thigh coordination in running.
📖 journals.humankinetics.com/view/journal...
#Biomechanics #RunningScience

Repeatability of Vertical Ground Reaction Force Estimation During Running on the Athletics Track on 3 Different Days To increase understanding in development of running injuries, the biomechanical load over time should be studied. Ground reaction force (GRF) is an important parameter for biomechanical analyses and i...

How repeatable are IMU-based algorithms for measuring running biomechanics outdoors? 🏃‍♂️
Scheltinga et al. show high day-to-day reliability for estimating vertical GRF.
🔗 doi.org/10.1123/jab....
#RunningScience #Wearables #Biomechanics

Effect of Grade and Surface Type on Peak Tibial Acceleration in Trained Distance Runners Runners experience repeated impact forces during training, and the culmination of these forces can contribute to overuse injuries. The purpose of this study was to compare peak vertical tibial acceler...

This Earth Day, we're highlighting Waite et al.'s JAB study on how running surfaces like grass, asphalt & concrete impact tibial acceleration in distance runners. 🌍🌱
Read more: doi.org/10.1123/jab....
#EarthDay #Biomechanics

#TBT to 1987 when Dr. Dorris I. Miller analyzed GRFs in the running forward somersault. Peak force hit 13.6x BW! Her work revealed how gymnasts absorb impact + control motion—paving the way for future performance analysis.
📖 doi.org/10.1123/ijsb...
#Biomechanics #JAB

Athletes face tough choices when time is tight! Research by Pommerell et al., published in the Journal of Applied Biomechanics, finds shorter push-off distances power up your legs but may cost you vertical jump height.
Check it out here: doi.org/10.1123/jab....

New Journal of Applied Biomechanics study on female runners (27–65 y) shows that most age-related biomechanical changes disappear after controlling for speed. Aging or just slower pace? Check it out: doi.org/10.1123/jab....

#TBT to 1985! Founding editor, Dr. Richard Nelson, analyzed women's gymnastics vaulting at the 1984 Olympics, revealing key insights on CoM velocity, springboard efficiency, and post-horse flight. A classic in applied biomechanics!
Read it here: doi.org/10.1123/ijsb...
#Biomechanics

Protecting shoulder health for wheelchair users! Recent research from JAB by Schaffer et al., shows lower reaches may increase tendon compression risk. Insights gained could inform strategies to improve shoulder mechanics and daily function.
Read more: doi.org/10.1123/jab....
#Biomechanics

🚀 Want the latest in biomechanics? 🚀

The Journal of Applied Biomechanics is now on Bluesky & LinkedIn! 📡📊

📢 Follow us for the latest updates, discussions, and breakthroughs in biomechanics!

#Biomechanics

A new study in JAB by Kikuchi et al. emphasizes that aligning your foot progression angle with the movement direction during crossover cutting reduces stress on the fifth metatarsal for soccer players. ⚽
Check the full article here: doi.org/10.1123/jab....
#SportsScience #Biomechanics #Soccer

Effects of Different Inertial Measurement Unit Sensor-to-Segment Calibrations on Clinical 3-Dimensional Humerothoracic Joint Angles Estimation Calibrating inertial measurement units (IMUs) involves converting orientation data from a local reference frame into a clinically meaningful reference system. Several solutions exist but little work h...

How can we improve shoulder joint angles measured using IMUs? A new Journal of Applied Biomechanics study by Bonfiglio et al. finds that a static N-pose calibration works best for modeling humerothoracic movement.

Read more: doi.org/10.1123/jab....

Enhancing Sprint Performance and Biomechanics in Semiprofessional Football Players Through Repeated-Sprint Training Repeated-sprint ability is a significant factor in football performance. Notably, hamstring injuries in football players often occur during sprinting activities and fatigue-inducing conditions. Theref...

A new article in JAB by Romero et al. showed repeated-sprint training boosts sprint performance & fosters a safer sprint pattern in semipro soccer players. The result? Better speed + reduced hamstring strain, even during fatigue! Learn more: doi.org/10.1123/jab.... ⚽ #SportsScience #Biomechanics

A Faster Walking Speed Is Important for Improving Biomechanical Function and Walking Performance in Stroke Survivors This study compares joint kinematics and kinetics of young stroke survivors who walk <0.79 m/s (slow) or >0.80 m/s (fast) with reference to a healthy able-bodied group and provides clinical recommenda...

New research in Journal of Applied Biomechanics by Jarvis et al. spotlights gait in younger stroke survivors (<55). Grouping “slow” vs. “fast” walkers reveals 10 key biomechanical drivers to boost speed & independence. #Stroke #Biomechanics #Gait doi.org/10.1123/jab....

🆕 Postural stability isn’t just about standing still—it’s about how different body segments coordinate. Read more in the recently publihsed study in Journal of Applied Biomechanics by Creath et al., 2025

journals.humankinetics.com/view/journal...

#JAB #PosturalControl #Biomechanics #BiomechSky

🔬 New research in Journal of Applied Biomechanics exploring the impact of subcutaneous fat thickness on surface vs. intramuscular EMG!

✅ SCFT is not a major factor influencing sEMG-iEMG signal relationships. #Biomechanics #EMG #BiomechSky

🔗 Read more: journals.humankinetics.com/view/journal...

Running shoe tech promises faster times, but is one design best for all? In a new Journal of Applied Biomechanics article (doi.org/10.1123/jab.2024-0109), Mark Connick & Glen Lichtwark propose a framework to distinguish direct & mediated effects on running economy – key for individualized solutions.

Verbal cues can improve landing mechanics and reduce ACL injury risk! A study by Weinhandl et al. (2025) found that verbal instruction helped female athletes adjust foot progression angle (FPA) & knee mechanics. Full study: doi.org/10.1123/jab.... #ACL #Biomechanics #InjuryPrevention

The Journal of Applied Biomechanics @jabjournal.bsky.social is 40! Looking through the old issues has been a wonderful distraction from the world. I put my thoughts in this new Message from the Editor. journals.humankinetics.com/view/journal...