Article: Lower limb biomechanical characteristics of people with different BMIs during rope skipping exercise Journal: International Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Technology (IJBET) 2025 Vol.49 No.4 pp.339 - 358 Abstract: This study analysed the biomechanical characteristics of the lower extremities during rope skipping in individuals with varying BMI levels. Thirty participants (normal weight, overweight, and obese, n = 10 each) performed standardised jump rope trials while 3D motion capture (Vicon), ground reaction forces (AMTI), and electromyography (EMG, Delsys) data were collected. OpenSim modelling with inverse kinematics and dynamics was used to analyse joint biomechanics, and EMG signals were processed (6 Hz filter, MVC-normalised) and compared to model predictions for validation. The findings revealed that obese individuals exhibited reduced ankle dorsiflexion angles, higher valgus moments, and earlier peak muscle forces in the lower legs during rope skipping, leading to shorter landing cushioning times and increased pressure on the ankle and knee joints. These factors may contribute to a higher risk of lower limb injuries, including patellofemoral pain syndrome, anterior cruciate ligament injuries, Achilles tendinitis, and plantar fasciitis. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Lower limb biomechanical characteristics of people with different BMIs during rope skipping exercise

Authors: Jihan Chen; Zanni Zhang; Zhifeng Zhou; Xiuye Qu; Huiyu Zhou; Datao Xu

Addresses: Faculty of Sports Science, Ningbo University, Zhejiang, China ' Faculty of Sports Science, Ningbo University, Zhejiang, China ' Faculty of Sports Science, Ningbo University, Zhejiang, China ' Faculty of Sports Science, Ningbo University, Zhejiang, China ' Faculty of Sports Science, Ningbo University, Zhejiang, China ' Faculty of Sports Science, Ningbo University, Zhejiang, China

Abstract: This study analysed the biomechanical characteristics of the lower extremities during rope skipping in individuals with varying BMI levels. Thirty participants (normal weight, overweight, and obese, n = 10 each) performed standardised jump rope trials while 3D motion capture (Vicon), ground reaction forces (AMTI), and electromyography (EMG, Delsys) data were collected. OpenSim modelling with inverse kinematics and dynamics was used to analyse joint biomechanics, and EMG signals were processed (6 Hz filter, MVC-normalised) and compared to model predictions for validation. The findings revealed that obese individuals exhibited reduced ankle dorsiflexion angles, higher valgus moments, and earlier peak muscle forces in the lower legs during rope skipping, leading to shorter landing cushioning times and increased pressure on the ankle and knee joints. These factors may contribute to a higher risk of lower limb injuries, including patellofemoral pain syndrome, anterior cruciate ligament injuries, Achilles tendinitis, and plantar fasciitis.

Keywords: body mass index; rope skipping; lower limb biomechanics; kinetics; kinematics; joint force.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBET.2025.150730

International Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, 2025 Vol.49 No.4, pp.339 - 358

Received: 03 May 2025
Accepted: 10 Aug 2025
Published online: 22 Dec 2025 *

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Title: Lower limb biomechanical characteristics of people with different BMIs during rope skipping exercise

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