Effect of Approach Distance and Change of Direction Angles Upon Step and Joint Kinematics, Peak Muscle Activation, and Change of Direction Performance

Abstract

The aim of the study was to compare the step kinematics, joint angles, and muscle activations between change of direction (COD) maneuvers with different angles and approach distances, suggested to require different strength and velocity demands. Twenty-three male soccer players completed eight COD tests consisting of both 4 and 20-m sprint approaches with one directional change which varied between each COD test (45, 90, 135, and 180°). Peak muscle activity, step and joint kinematics of the lower limbs of the plant, and re-acceleration step were measured. Compared to 4-m CODs, the 20-m COD approach distances increased vertical center of mass displacement ( p < 0.001), number of deceleration steps ( p < 0.001), revealing no statistical differences upon joint angles ( p > 0.05). Greater COD angles resulted in increased ankle dorsiflexion, hip abduction and flexion, greater displacement of the center of mass and tibia angle, longer contact times, and more deceleration steps ( p < 0.034). The CODs categorized as velocity-dominant revealed higher peak muscle activity in the adductor longus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris, and gastrocnemius. It was concluded that velocity-dominant CODs revealed higher muscle activity due to a higher eccentric loading, implicating task-specific training considerations for enhancing COD performance.

Association of Performance in Strength and Plyometric Tests with Change of Direction Performance in Young Female Team-Sport Athletes

“…Although leg muscle qualities are important factors determining COD performance in general, COD is a task-specific skill [ 21 , 22 ], as improvement in one specific COD task might not transfer to another [ 18 , 23 ]. Factors constraining the specifics of a COD maneuver can be the complexity (i.e., handling a ball) [ 21 ], number of COD(s) performed [ 15 ], completion time (energy systems utilized), initial velocity approaching the COD, and angle of the turn [ 19 , 21 , 24 ].…”

“…Factors constraining the specifics of a COD maneuver can be the complexity (i.e., handling a ball) [ 21 ], number of COD(s) performed [ 15 ], completion time (energy systems utilized), initial velocity approaching the COD, and angle of the turn [ 19 , 21 , 24 ]. CODs performed at a higher initial velocity will increase braking requirements to manage the turn [ 19 ], as shown by more steps for braking [ 22 ]. Furthermore, CODs of greater angles require greater redirections of the whole body [ 25 ], increases in ground contact time, greater mediolateral force production, and greater knee and hip flexion in the plant step [ 22 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ].…”

“…CODs performed at a higher initial velocity will increase braking requirements to manage the turn [ 19 ], as shown by more steps for braking [ 22 ]. Furthermore, CODs of greater angles require greater redirections of the whole body [ 25 ], increases in ground contact time, greater mediolateral force production, and greater knee and hip flexion in the plant step [ 22 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ]. Accordingly, CODs of different angles have been suggested to demand different magnitudes and directions of ground reaction forces.…”

“…Although earlier research suggests plyometric training to be more COD-specific [ 21 , 23 , 29 ], relative strength might reveal a high association for female athletes in both force- and velocity-oriented CODs, as there might be a “threshold” before further strength gains will not enhance COD performance. Lower-limb strength, commonly dynamically expressed with exercises such as the barbell back squat, might be of even greater importance in force-oriented CODs, as CODs of increased angles require longer ground contact times with greater knee and hip-joint angles [ 22 ]. Due to the limited time available to devote to training specific physical abilities such as the COD ability in team sports, it is important to incorporate exercises and training modalities positively affecting overall performance outcomes in a sport-specific context.…”

The Influence of Linearsprint and Jump Performance on Change-of-Direction Performance in Male and Female State-Representative Youth Basketball Players

“…The similar neuronal, metabolic and/or morphological demands are supported by high coefficients, with nonsignificant differences between coefficients. Nevertheless, 42 -46% of variance was shown in this study, indicating there are still task-specific characteristics, even though there were small differences in the test structure (i.e., degree/direction of rotation, running speed) [29]. Therefore, the results are far from the level, to assume a generalizability of the COD tests in team sports [11].…”