Movement Quality Assessment During Planned and Unplanned Change-of-Direction Maneuvers Among Female Basketball...

Women's basketball has a high incidence of anterior cruciate ligament injuries, often during change-of-direction maneuvers. Because change-of-direction movement quality influences anterior cruciate ligament loading and differs between planned and unplanned tasks, the purpose of this study was to compare planned and unplanned change-of-direction mechanics in female collegiate basketball players, examining differences across collegiate divisions.

Within- and between-subject cross-sectional comparative study.

Sixty collegiate female basketball players (divisions 2 and 3) completed planned and unplanned change-of-direction tasks analyzed using 2-dimensional video recording and the Cutting Movement Assessment Score (CMAS). Investigators used a paired sample data analysis for movement conditions (planned vs unplanned) and group comparison for collegiate divisions.

Total mean CMAS scores were significantly higher during planned conditions compared with unplanned (mean difference = 1.27, 95% CI, 0.96-1.58; P < .01; d = 1.065). All individual CMAS items were significantly higher during planned movements (P < .05) except items 5 and 6 (P > .05) and higher scores in unplanned conditions in item 2 (P < .001). Approach velocity demonstrated a small but significant correlation with the total CMAS score (P < .05; r = .23) and was significantly higher during planned conditions (mean difference = 0.33 m/s, 95% CI, 0.26-0.39; P < .01). However, the interaction between condition and velocity was not statistically significant in the linear mixed-methods model. Anthropometrics, training experience, and test trial time were not statistically significant predictors of division (P < .05; R2 = .10).

Individuals may demonstrate higher CMAS scores during planned than unplanned movement conditions. However, the differences in movement quality across conditions may be influenced by additional variables, such as approach velocity and stimulus timing. Collegiate division may not significantly affect movement quality in collegiate female basketball players.