The Braking Performance Framework: Practical Recommendations and Guidelines to Enhance Horizontal Deceleration Ability in Multi-Directional Sports

Abstract

Horizontal deceleration is a critical locomotor skill underpinning the many changes of speed and direction performed by athletes in multi-directional sports. Despite its importance there are currently no evidence-based guidelines on how to improve horizontal deceleration ability. Therefore, the aim of this article is to provide practitioners tasked with preparing athletes for the demands of multi-directional sports with practical recommendations and guidelines on how to improve their athlete’s horizontal deceleration ability. The article proposes the concept and use of a Braking Performance Framework to help guide the selection of training methods and exercises to target the currently known neuromuscular and biomechanical determinants of horizontal deceleration ability. The Braking Performance Framework provides practitioners with evidence-informed training methods that can be integrated with other important physical, technical, and tactical components to optimize a player’s horizontal deceleration ability.