Biology of Sport

Horizontal deceleration-oriented training in multidirectional-sport athletes: a systematic review and exploratory meta-analysis of performance and biomechanical adaptations

  1. School of Teacher Development, Shanxi Normal University, Xi’an, Shanxi, China

  2. School of Exercise and Health, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China

  3. School of Sports and Health Engineering, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan, Hebei, China

Biol Sport. 2027;44:17–32

Online publish date: 2026/09/15
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Horizontal deceleration is a key demand in multidirectional sports, but interventions deliberately targeting braking capacity, braking-load tolerance, or braking-oriented cutting mechanics have not been systematically synthesized. This systematic review and exploratory meta-analysis examined horizontal decelerationoriented training (HDOT) in multidirectional-sport athletes. Following PRISMA 2020, four databases were searched to 1 May 2026, and the protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420261380073). Eligible studies included multi-session interventions in multidirectional-sport athletes. Interventions were grouped by dominant brakingrelated target as direct braking-focused HDOT, involving stopping, enforced deceleration, or prescribed stoppingdistance drills; change-of-direction (COD)-linked braking-load HDOT, involving loaded, resisted, or eccentricoverload tasks linked to deceleration or COD braking outcomes; or technique-focused HDOT, involving coaching cues, feedback, or movement retraining to modify braking-oriented COD/cutting strategy. Twenty-five studies involving approximately 670 participants were included, and 17 contributed to random-effects meta-analyses. Direct braking-focused interventions showed positive pooled estimates for 505 or modified 505 COD time, with less consistent evidence for sprint and jump outcomes. COD-linked braking-load interventions showed positive estimates for sprint or agility outcomes, whereas repeated-sprint outcomes were inconsistent. Technique-focused interventions showed positive estimates for cutting-specific performance and observable cutting movement quality, although several estimates came from small two-study pools or qualitative tools. Isolated three-dimensional biomechanical markers were inconsistent. Evidence certainty varied and was limited by small study numbers, imprecision, indirectness, task heterogeneity, and intervention heterogeneity. Overall, HDOT effects appeared subtype-specific and task-specific, supporting training selection based on the intended braking-related adaptation and stimulus–outcome match rather than the mere presence of deceleration within a drill.

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