Biomechanical Factors Associated With Time to Complete a Change of Direction Cutting Maneuver

Abstract

Cutting ability is an important aspect of many team sports, however, the biomechanical determinants of cutting performance are not well understood. This study aimed to address this issue by identifying the kinetic and kinematic factors correlated with the time to complete a cutting maneuver. In addition, an analysis of the test-retest reliability of all biomechanical measures was performed. Fifteen (n = 15) elite multidirectional sports players (Gaelic hurling) were recruited, and a 3-dimensional motion capture analysis of a 75° cut was undertaken. The factors associated with cutting time were determined using bivariate Pearson's correlations. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were used to examine the test-retest reliability of biomechanical measures. Five biomechanical factors were associated with cutting time (2.28 ± 0.11 seconds): peak ankle power (r = 0.77), peak ankle plantar flexor moment (r = 0.65), range of pelvis lateral tilt (r = -0.54), maximum thorax lateral rotation angle (r = 0.51), and total ground contact time (r = -0.48). Intraclass correlation coefficient scores for these 5 factors, and indeed for the majority of the other biomechanical measures, ranged from good to excellent (ICC >0.60). Explosive force production about the ankle, pelvic control during single-limb support, and torso rotation toward the desired direction of travel were all key factors associated with cutting time. These findings should assist in the development of more effective training programs aimed at improving similar cutting performances. In addition, test-retest reliability scores were generally strong, therefore, motion capture techniques seem well placed to further investigate the determinants of cutting ability.

Do stiffness and asymmetries predict change of direction performance?

“…Intuitively, it would seem likely that athletes exhibiting greater vertical stiffness during the drop jump would exhibit great leg stiffness during a change of direction. Indeed, the current study reports that faster athletes displayed shorter ground contact times than slower performers, in line with the results of previous investigations (Marshall et al, 2014;Sasaki, Nagano, Kaneko, Takakuni, & Fukubayashi, 2011), and is likely to be indicative of greater leg stiffness during the change of direction. Future research should seek to directly examine leg stiffness during changes of direction in order to better explore the relationship between stiffness and CODS, the absence of a three-dimensional motion capture system precluded such measurements to be used in the current study.…”

“…Marshall et al (2014) also observed a significant correlation plantar flexor moment at the ankle (R = -0.65) and ankle power (R = -0.77) with the time to complete a lateral cutting task. These results suggest that stiffness around the ankle may contribute to CODS although this was not examined directly in either investigation.…”

“…Given the findings of Pruyn et al (2014) and Marshall et al (2014) this relationship appears also to hold true for CODS and, as such, stiffness and asymmetries surrounding the ankle joint may be of particular relevance to CODS. Sugiyama et al (2014) has previously reported that asymmetries in jump performance were positively correlated with symmetry indices for angular velocity (R = 0.41; P < 0.05) and various parameters of angular displacement (R = 0.41-0.52; P < 0.05) of the ankle.…”

“…Moreover, a three-dimensional motion analysis of the CODS test would demonstrate how additional kinematic factors (i.e. pelvic lateral tilt and thorax rotation (Marshall et al, 2014)) influence and interact with stiffness variables.…”

Clinical Examination, Diagnostic Imaging, and Testing of Athletes With Groin Pain: An Evidence-Based Approach to Effective Management

“…Performance measures that include actual cutting time, however, seem promising, as cutting functionally relates to pelvic lateral tilt range and lateral thorax rotation. 54 In addition, cutting-time testing is reliable and possible in most clinical settings. 54 More research is, however, needed prior to suggesting the widespread, standard clinical implementation of performance-related tests for athletes with groin pain that is not hip related.…”