The Effect of Angle and Velocity on Change of Direction Biomechanics: An Angle-Velocity Trade-Off

Abstract

Changes of direction (CODs) are key manoeuvres linked to decisive moments in sport and are also key actions associated with lower limb injuries. During sport athletes perform a diverse range of CODs, from various approach velocities and angles, thus the ability to change direction safely and quickly is of great interest. To our knowledge, a comprehensive review examining the influence of angle and velocity on change of direction (COD) biomechanics does not exist. Findings of previous research indicate the biomechanical demands of CODs are ‘angle’ and ‘velocity’ dependent and are both critical factors that affect the technical execution of directional changes, deceleration and reacceleration requirements, knee joint loading, and lower limb muscle activity. Thus, these two factors regulate the progression and regression in COD intensity. Specifically, faster and sharper CODs elevate the relative risk of injury due to the greater associative knee joint loading; however, faster and sharper directional changes are key manoeuvres for successful performance in multidirectional sport, which subsequently creates a ‘performance-injury conflict’ for practitioners and athletes. This conflict, however, may be mediated by an athlete’s physical capacity (i.e. ability to rapidly produce force and neuromuscular control). Furthermore, an ‘angle-velocity trade-off’ exists during CODs, whereby faster approaches compromise the execution of the intended COD; this is influenced by an athlete’s physical capacity. Therefore, practitioners and researchers should acknowledge and understand the implications of angle and velocity on COD biomechanics when: (1) interpreting biomechanical research; (2) coaching COD technique; (3) designing and prescribing COD training and injury reduction programs; (4) conditioning athletes to tolerate the physical demands of directional changes; (5) screening COD technique; and (6) progressing and regressing COD intensity, specifically when working with novice or previously injured athletes rehabilitating from an injury.

Relationship of Performance Measures and Muscle Activity between a 180° Change of Direction Task and Different Countermovement Jumps

“…The unilateral vertical jump revealed only a small relationship with COD, possibly limited by balance and coordination affecting the net forces produced, which is an important aspect of the turn in a COD [64]. The COD requires production of both vertical and horizontal ground reaction forces [10], where the 180 • turn is often performed bilaterally [65]. The observed correlations indicate limitations of the task specific movement of the unilateral vertical countermovement jump in relation to COD, due to neither being performed bilaterally nor producing horizontal forces.…”

Change of Direction Assessment Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Review of Current Practice and Considerations to Enhance Practical Application

“…CoD mechanics have also been shown to vary according to the approach velocity during the task, whereby athletes will self-organize their approach speed and entry velocity dependent upon the angle [23]. While not the case in all incidences, it appears non-contact ACL injuries occur more frequently during CoDs performed from higher approach velocities in multidirectional sports [53,64].…”

“…Low approach velocities will reduce knee joint loading; however, it will not prepare them for sport-specific scenarios. In professional sport, athletes are unlikely to sacrifice performance at the expense of reduced knee joint loading [23]. Therefore, this performance-injury conflict should once again be managed during the rehabilitation process.…”

Análisis de los efectos de un programa de readaptación y reentrenamiento sobre la lesión muscular a nivel proximal del bíceps femoral en futbolistas de élite

“…En estas situaciones se conoce cómo otros autores y equipos de investigación también registraron datos previos para después usarlos como referencia en momento grupo y estudiaron variables relacionadas con desaceleraciones y cambios de dirección (Dos'Santos et al, 2018).…”

“…Del mismo modo, otros autores mostraron días de vuelta a competición por grupos musculares de los isquiosurales y por grados de lesión (Hallén & Ekstrand, 2014b). Es sugerible interprear que variables del perfil explosivo y choques y/o cantidad de cambios de dirección con oposición, estaban siendo acondicionadas en el proceso de readaptación (Dos'Santos et al, 2018), y aún presentaban mejores valores en el estado Pre-lesión.…”