High-intensity horizontal decelerations occur frequently in team sports and are typically performed to facilitate a reduction in momentum preceding a change of direction manoeuvre or following a sprinting action. The mechanical underpinnings of horizontal deceleration are unique compared to other high-intensity locomotive patterns (e.g., acceleration, maximal sprinting speed), and are characterised by a ground reaction force profile of high impact peaks and loading rates. The high mechanical loading conditions observed when performing rapid horizontal decelerations can lead to tissue damage and neuromuscular fatigue, which may diminish co-ordinative proficiency and an individual’s ability to skilfully dissipate braking loads. Furthermore, repetitive long-term deceleration loading cycles if not managed appropriately may propagate damage accumulation and offer an explanation for chronic aetiological consequences of the ‘mechanical fatigue failure’ phenomenon. Training strategies should look to enhance an athlete’s ability to skilfully dissipate braking loads, develop mechanically robust musculoskeletal structures, and ensure frequent high-intensity horizontal deceleration exposure in order to accustom individuals to the potentially damaging effects of intense decelerations that athletes will frequently perform in competition. Given the apparent importance of horizontal decelerations, in this Current Opinion article we provide considerations for sport science and medicine practitioners around the assessment, training and monitoring of horizontal deceleration. We feel these considerations could lead to new developments in injury-mitigation and physical development strategies in team sports.

高强度水平减速经常发生在团队运动中，通常用于在改变方向机动之前或在短跑动作之后减少动量。与其他高强度机车模式（例如，加速度、最大冲刺速度）相比，水平减速的机械基础是独一无二的，并且以高冲击峰值和负载率的地面反作用力曲线为特征。执行快速水平减速时观察到的高机械负载条件会导致组织损伤和神经肌肉疲劳，这可能会降低协调能力和个人熟练分散制动负载的能力。此外，如果管理不当，重复的长期减速加载循环可能会传播损伤累积，并为“机械疲劳失效”现象的慢性病因后果提供解释。训练策略应着眼于提高运动员熟练地分散制动负荷的能力，发展机械上坚固的肌肉骨骼结构，并确保频繁的高强度水平减速暴露，以使个人习惯于运动员在比赛中经常执行的剧烈减速的潜在破坏性影响. 鉴于水平减速的明显重要性，在这篇 Current Opinion 文章中，我们为运动科学和医学从业者围绕水平减速的评估、培训和监测提供了考虑。