Biomechanical and Neuromuscular Performance Requirements of Horizontal Deceleration: A Review with Implications for Random Intermittent Multi-Directional Sports

Abstract

Rapid horizontal accelerations and decelerations are crucial events enabling the changes of velocity and direction integral to sports involving random intermittent multi-directional movements. However, relative to horizontal acceleration, there have been considerably fewer scientific investigations into the biomechanical and neuromuscular demands of horizontal deceleration and the qualities underpinning horizontal deceleration performance. Accordingly, the aims of this review article are to: (1) conduct an evidence-based review of the biomechanical demands of horizontal deceleration and (2) identify biomechanical and neuromuscular performance determinants of horizontal deceleration, with the aim of outlining relevant performance implications for random intermittent multi-directional sports. We highlight that horizontal decelerations have a unique ground reaction force profile, characterised by high-impact peak forces and loading rates. The highest magnitude of these forces occurs during the early stance phase (< 50 ms) and is shown to be up to 2.7 times greater than those seen during the first steps of a maximal horizontal acceleration. As such, inability for either limb to tolerate these forces may result in a diminished ability to brake, subsequently reducing deceleration capacity, and increasing vulnerability to excessive forces that could heighten injury risk and severity of muscle damage. Two factors are highlighted as especially important for enhancing horizontal deceleration ability: (1) braking force control and (2) braking force attenuation. Whilst various eccentric strength qualities have been reported to be important for achieving these purposes, the potential importance of concentric, isometric and reactive strength, in addition to an enhanced technical ability to apply braking force is also highlighted. Last, the review provides recommended research directions to enhance future understanding of horizontal deceleration ability.

Physical Demands during Official Competitions in Elite Handball: A Systematic Review

“…These findings could suggest that wings performed more HIA because they have an important role in the counter-attack phase [ 45 , 46 ]; nevertheless, backs performed more HID because they have the main responsibility of building up the positional attack, which is characterised by a constant piston movement [ 62 ]. This handball-specific pattern is associated with intense eccentric contractions that generate important neuromuscular fatigue and tissue damage, especially if these high forces cannot be attenuated efficiently [ 63 , 64 ]; specifically, the physiological consequences of repeated HID (eccentric contractions) have been well documented ( Figure 8 ) [ 65 ]. Therefore, strength and conditioning coaches should include different types of exercises during training sessions to develop the capacity of muscles and tendons to attenuate high eccentric forces, especially in back players [ 63 , 64 ].…”

“…This handball-specific pattern is associated with intense eccentric contractions that generate important neuromuscular fatigue and tissue damage, especially if these high forces cannot be attenuated efficiently [ 63 , 64 ]; specifically, the physiological consequences of repeated HID (eccentric contractions) have been well documented ( Figure 8 ) [ 65 ]. Therefore, strength and conditioning coaches should include different types of exercises during training sessions to develop the capacity of muscles and tendons to attenuate high eccentric forces, especially in back players [ 63 , 64 ]. Moreover, pivots performed fewer HIA and HID because their actions (e.g., high level of isometric force to block their opponent) do not always produce a movement or an acceleration [ 15 , 50 ].…”

Arthrogenic muscle inhibition after anterior cruciate ligament injury: Injured and uninjured limb recovery over time

“…Thigh strength is vital for deceleration capacity in athletes, especially those in level I and II sports ( 1 , 2 ). Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are highest in athletes who participate in such sports that involve high volumes of acceleration, deceleration, and change of direction ( 1 , 3 ).…”

“…Thigh strength is vital for deceleration capacity in athletes, especially those in level I and II sports ( 1 , 2 ). Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are highest in athletes who participate in such sports that involve high volumes of acceleration, deceleration, and change of direction ( 1 , 3 ). Naturally, rehabilitation for return to sport (RTS) after ACL reconstruction (ACLR) should ensure that athletes redevelop these capacities to reduce risk of reinjury, which has been reported as high as 33% within two years of RTS ( 4 , 5 ).…”

Untitled

“…Although the previously mentioned neuromuscular qualities are modifiable within the realms of resistance training and plyometric training, there is a lack of scientific literature focused on examining biomechanical characteristics of horizontal decelerations in most sports, especially in basketball, as well as the effects of different training strategies on such characteristics. Given the amount of research literature documenting the importance of sprint acceler-ation for peak performance across a variety of sports (Colyer et al, 2018;Cross et al, 2016) and the potential health risk factors associated with the neglection of deceleration abilities in athlete populations (Harper et al, 2018), attention has recently been brought to this gap within the field of sports science (McBurnie et al, 2021;Harper et al, 2020;Harper et al, 2018;Harper et al, 2022;Harper et al, 2020). This issue becomes even more pressing when analyzing sports such as basketball which is mainly dependent on athlete's ability to perform high-intensity decelerations, especially when taking into account that the athletes' health is one of the key determinants of professional teams' success, and, therefore, revenue (Sarlis et al, 2021;Walia & Boudreaux, 2020).…”