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Biomechanical Determinants of Change of Direction Performance: A Systematic Review
Utkarsh Singh1, Anthony S Leicht2,3, Jonathan D Connor2
1Sport and Exercise Science, College of Healthcare Sciences, James Cook University, 1 James Cook Drive, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia. utkarsh.singh@my.jcu.edu.au.
Sports Medicine (Auckland, N.Z.)
|July 16, 2025
Summary
Faster change of direction (COD) performance relies on key biomechanical factors like shorter ground contact time and higher velocities. Further research is needed to understand how moderating factors influence these COD determinants.
Area of Science:
- Sports Biomechanics
- Human Movement Science
Background:
- Rapid change of direction (COD) is vital for performance in multidirectional sports.
- While biomechanical factors influence COD, inconsistencies and moderating factors obscure clear understanding.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review biomechanical determinants of COD performance.
- To examine the influence of moderating factors (e.g., sex, training experience) on COD determinants.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search across major scientific databases.
- Inclusion of studies analyzing biomechanical determinants of COD performance in healthy participants.
- Assessment of study quality using the Kmet scale.
Main Results:
- Identified key biomechanical contributors to faster COD: shorter ground contact time, higher approach/exit velocities, increased braking/propulsive forces, greater trunk inclination, lower center-of-mass height, and enhanced joint moments/power.
- Analyzed 13 studies (374 participants) with good-to-excellent methodological quality.
- Noted limited examination of moderating factors and reliance on pre-planned COD tasks.
Conclusions:
- Several biomechanical variables significantly determine faster COD performance.
- The impact of moderating factors on COD performance requires further investigation.
- Findings offer insights for coaches to develop targeted training strategies for enhancing COD.
