Different Visual Stimuli Affect Body Reorientation Strategies During Sidestepping

Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports
John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Online version: 1 March 2016. DOI: 10.1111/sms.12668

Marcus J.C. Lee1,2, David G. Lloyd1,3, Brendan S. Lay1, Paul D. Bourke4 Jacqueline A. Alderson1.

1The University of Western Australia. School of Sport Science, Exercise and Health
2Singapore Sports Institute
3Griffith University, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research
4University of New South Wales. Sydney


Abstract

Sidestepping in response to unplanned stimuli is a high-risk maneuver for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. Yet, differences in body reorientation strategies between high and low level soccer players prior to sidestepping in response to quasi-game realistic versus non game realistic stimuli, remain unknown. Fifteen high-level (semi-professional) and fifteen low-level (amateur) soccer players responded to a quasi game-realistic one-defender scenario (1DS) and two defender scenario (2DS), and non game-realistic arrow-planned condition (AP) and arrow-unplanned condition (AUNP). The AP, 1DS, 2DS to AUNP represented increasing time constraints to sidestep. Selected biomechanics from the penultimate step to foot-off were assessed using a mixed-model (stimuli x skill) ANOVA (p < 0.05). Step length decreased in the defender scenarios compared with the arrow conditions. Support foot placement increased laterally, away from mid-pelvis, with increasing temporal constraints. Greater trunk lateral flexion in the 1DS, 2DS and AUNP has been associated with ACL injury onsets. Higher-level players pushed off closer to their pelvic midline at initial foot contact in the 2DS especially. Higher-level perception of game-realistic visual information could have contributed to this safer neuromuscular strategy that, when understood better, could potentially be trained in lower-level players to reduce ACL injury risk associated with dangerous sidestepping postures.

Keywords

three-dimensional, perceptual-motor skills, cutting, ACL, injury, biomechanics