Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Deceleration in Sport
Jennifer Hewit, MSc, CSCS,1 John Cronin, PhD,1,2 Chris Button, PhD,1,3 and Patria Hume, PhD1
1
Institute of Sport and Recreation Research New Zealand AUT University, Auckland, New Zealand; 2School of
Exercise, Biomedical and Health Sciences Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia; and 3School of
Physical Education, Otago University, Dunedin, New Zealand
SUMMARY appropriate technique is essential for very rapidly over short distances pri-
not only decreasing the risk of injury marily in response to the opposition’s
RAPID DECELERATION IS SEEN IN
but also controlling balance and effec- shot selection. Irrespective of the sport,
A WIDE VARIETY OF SPORTS
tively transferring accumulated elastic it is clear that deceleration plays an
WHEN STOPPING OR AS A PRE-
energy into the subsequent movements important role in both team and
CURSOR TO A CHANGE IN DIREC- (5,13). This article describes some of individual player performance. This
TION. THESE RAPID CHANGES IN the critical features (kinematics and article highlights the differences be-
VELOCITY OFTEN OCCUR OVER A kinetics) associated with deceleration tween acceleration and deceleration in
MINIMAL AMOUNT OF DISTANCE to assist strength and conditioning sport, presents qualities of deceleration
OR TIME AND ARE OFTEN IN RE- coaches in their understanding of technique that are important for the
SPONSE TO EXTERNAL STIMULI how to condition and ‘‘cue’’ for better safe and effective execution of such
SUCH AS AN OPPONENT’S MOVE- change of direction ability. It should be rapid changes in velocity, and briefly
MENT OR BOUNDARY LINES. LIT- noted that the information presented in provides criteria that should assist in
TLE ATTENTION HAS BEEN GIVEN this article is a blending of the available exercise selection that enhances the
IN THE RESEARCH LITERATURE TO empirical information and the qualita- quality of deceleration performances.
THE KINEMATICS AND KINETICS OF tive analysis of elite and semi-elite
RUNNING DECELERATION. THIS female netball players. BIOMECHANICAL DIFFERENCES
BETWEEN ACCELERATION AND
ARTICLE AIMS TO ENHANCE THE DECELERATION IN SPORT
UNDERSTANDING OF THE DECELERATION IN SPORT
MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS BODY POSITIONING AND JOINT
Deceleration is required after any ANGLES
ASSOCIATED WITH DECELERA- sprint performance regardless of the The kinematic characteristics apparent
TION PERFORMANCE. relative velocity of the sprint, to slow when accelerating and decelerating are
the body’s center of mass (COM). The similar, with the placement of the limbs
amount of time/distance allocated to in relation to the body’s COM being
INTRODUCTION slow the COM is dependent upon the primary difference between the
here is a great deal of literature a wide variety of factors determined by 2 acts (Tables 1 and 2). The objective of
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Understanding Deceleration in Sport
Table 1
Kinematic differences between the ground contacts of the acceleration and deceleration phases of sprinting
absorption mechanism. Although a ground with the heel (Figure 1b), (in relation to the lower body) and
rapid deceleration ideally occurs over creating a horizontal braking force, then posterior lean during deceleration,
a limited number of strides, several rapidly rolls to the forefoot, creating moving the COM posterior to the base
shortened gait cycles are used to safely a full foot-ground contact (Figure 2b) of support (1,9), which results in addi-
decelerate the body by absorbing the (1). This is in contrast to the acceler- tional horizontal braking forces. On
high eccentric forces with as little stress ation phase where the forefoot contacts landing, immediate hip and knee flex-
to the joints as possible (1). Therefore, the ground first (Figure 1a), maintaining ion and ankle dorsiflexion occur, dissi-
greater braking forces and ground an elevated heel throughout the support pating the impact forces over as many
contact times are typically observed phase (i.e., minimizing braking forces joints as possible (5,13). This decreases
when rapidly decelerating. and maximizing propulsive forces) the magnitude of the stress by allowing
(Figure 2a). The support foot during the muscles to do greater negative
Because force can only be applied or the acceleration phase remains in work, that is, applying forces over a
generated while the foot is in contact contact with the ground until the tibia greater eccentric range of motion.
with the ground, the time in air of the passes ahead of the ankle’s vertical axis
nonstance leg during deceleration is Although arm action during the accel-
(1), allowing for a greater amount of eration phase is rapid and of large
limited to allow for extended time on negative work (force 3 displacement) amplitude in the sagittal plane (Figures
the ground. In contrast to the acceler- to be absorbed by the legs. 1a, 2a) to counteract the powerful
ation phase (Figure 1a), ground contact
Body positioning in the deceleration driving action of the legs, during the
of the landing leg during the decelera-
phase is adjusted to allow for the deceleration phase, arm action velocity
tion phase occurs ahead of the COM
substantial eccentric forces to be ab- decreases to coincide with the length-
(large landing distance—horizontal dis-
sorbed and dispersed throughout the ened support phase (Figures 1b, 2b).
tance that the lead leg is ahead of the A relaxed shoulder position and 90°
body (5) (Table 3). To slow the forward
COM when the foot strikes the ground flexion at the elbows, observed with
moving COM, several body segments
(8)), resisting the forward momentum of both the acceleration and maximum
are adjusted when compared with the
the body (Figure 1b). This is accom- acceleration phase. The forward lean velocity phases, are different to the
plished through hip flexion (to an angle present in the acceleration phase that deceleration phase where increased
similar to that during the maximum allows body positioning for greater shoulder abduction may be seen (1,5).
velocity phase) while the knee extends horizontal propulsive forces is not
and the ankle plantar flexes (1,13). evident in deceleration, as the body’s PRIMARY MUSCLE GROUPS
To maintain ground contact for as long momentum must be decreased. The The primary muscles used for de-
as possible, the foot initially strikes the torso assumes a more erect posture celeration are the quadriceps and
gastrocnemius (1). However, unlike the The relatively extended leg at impact preactivation of these 2 muscle groups
concentric contraction of the acceler- combined with the purely anterior– before ground contact contributes to
ation phase, these muscle groups work posterior forces acting on the body the absorption of the substantial ec-
through an eccentric contraction as the place the leg in a potentially compro- centric forces (negative work = eccen-
tric force 3 downward displacement of
impact force is absorbed and dispersed. mising position (1,13). However, the
the COM) that occur during ground
contact. The kinetic energy (KE = ½ 3
mv2) of the body decreases during this
phase as the downward (negative)
velocity decreases to zero before the
propulsive concentric phase. The KE is
not lost but rather transferred to elastic
energy (5), which is immediately avail-
able for a subsequent movement (e.g.,
change of direction or jump) or
dissipated as heat (10) and sound in
the case of a complete stop.
STANCE PHASE
As shown in Table 1, the length of the
support and flight phases are similar
between acceleration and deceleration;
Figure 1. Body positions at ground contact of the acceleration (a) and deceleration (b) however, the purpose for each differs
phases when sprinting. markedly between the 2 movement
stationary and mobile inertia (resistance investigating the kinematics and kinet- performance, while the demands of
to change) in order for an increase in ics of such critical movements. Al- the sport situation determine the
velocity/momentum to occur (6–9). though many of the individual step critical distance, direction, and time
The opposite is true when decelerating. length and step frequency character- that the deceleration must occur.
In order for a body to decrease its istics of acceleration are similar to that
velocity/momentum, the impulse must of deceleration, it is important to Jennifer Hewit
be greater than the momentum. There- differentiate these 2 phases of sprinting is a PhD student
fore, increasing the body’s ability to in both research and coaching as the in Biomechanics
produce greater braking forces is desir- force, contraction type, and technique and Strength and
able. This can be achieved by (1) demands are dissimilar. Conditioning at
increasing the eccentric force capability AUT University.
of muscle via strength training using The braking forces incurred during
exercises that accentuate eccentric load- each ground contact when decelerat-
ing and control (e.g., drop jumps, ing must be rapidly absorbed through-
resisting towing, vest decelerations, out the lower limbs. When completing
etc) and (2) extending the time over these rapid changes in velocity, athletes
which the braking force is applied on need to be given appropriate ‘‘cueing’’
landing (i.e., technical cues), resulting in (i.e., ‘‘contact ground with heel, mid John Cronin
a greater impulse to reduce the veloc- foot, foot,’’ ‘‘increased knee flexion on is a professor in
ity/momentum of the athlete (5). landing,’’ ‘‘plant stance leg ahead of Strength and Con-
Additionally, it is important that train- body—increase landing distance,’’ etc) ditioning at AUT
ing stimuli remain as representative of from their coaches to avoid injury and University and
the sporting context as possible. Similar optimize performance. holds an Adjunct
distances (sprinting and deceleration Professorial Posi-
Increasing the time that the foot is in tion at Edith
distances or body segment range of
contact with the ground allows for the Cowan University.
motions when strength training), veloc-
force to be absorbed over a greater
ities (sprinting velocities or rate of force
amount of time, which should result in
development when strength training),
decreased stress to the musculoskeletal
and directional components should also Chris Button
structure of the lower limbs. However,
be incorporated into the eccentric is a senior lecturer
in many sports, the time taken to
strength training program. in Motor Control
decelerate may be the critical determi-
nant of success—so longer deceleration at University of
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS times or decelerating too much before Otago.
Deceleration in sport is commonly a change of direction is often disad-
performed throughout the entirety of vantageous. High levels of eccentric
the event, commonly preceding a rapid strength are required in tandem with
change of direction. Unfortunately, appropriate training of deceleration
there has been a paucity of research technique specific to sporting
3. Atwater E. Kinematic analysis of sprinting. (4th ed). Needham Heights, MA: Allyn &
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Human Perfor- Nicol C. Acute and prolonged reduction
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