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.
Highlights
The ability to change direction efficiently is central to the success of multidirectional sports [1–6]; changing direction has been identified as a primary action resulting in non-contact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury [7–14]
A plethora of biomechanical investigations has investigated a spectrum of angled direction changes (30°–180°), at various approach velocities (~3–7 m·s−1), in an attempt to provide insight into the biomechanical risk factors associated with increased injury risk and the mechanics required for faster performance (Tables 1, 2, 3, 4)
It worth noting that change of direction (COD) angle and approach velocity are critical factors influencing COD biomechanics, and include knee joint loading, whole body kinetics and kinematics, ground reaction force (GRF) characteristics, muscle activation, velocity of centre of mass, deceleration and propulsive requirements, technical, and task execution of the COD (Tables 1, 4)
Summary
The ability to change direction efficiently is central to the success of multidirectional sports [1–6]; changing direction has been identified as a primary action resulting in non-contact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury [7–14]. It worth noting that COD angle and approach velocity are critical factors influencing COD biomechanics, and include knee joint loading, whole body kinetics and kinematics, ground reaction force (GRF) characteristics, muscle activation, velocity of centre of mass, deceleration and propulsive requirements, technical, and task execution of the COD (Tables 1, 4). This should be acknowledged when interpreting the biomechanical literature. The purpose of this review was to examine the effect of angle and velocity of CODs on various biomechanical parameters including GRF properties, joint
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