Multidirectional Speed in Sport: Research to Application

This book reviews the science of multidirectional speed and translates this information into real-world application to provide a resource for practitioners to develop multidirectional speed with athletes.

Paul A. Jones is a Lecturer in Sports Biomechanics/ Strength and Conditioning (S&C) at the University of Salford. Paul earned a BSc (Hons) and MSc in Sports Science from Liverpool John Moores University and a PhD in Sports Biomechanics at the University of Salford. He has over 20 years’ experience in Biomechanics and S&C support to athletes and teams, primarily in athletics, football and rugby and was a former sports science co-ordinator for UK disability athletics. He is a BASES Fellow, has been BASES Accredited for over 17 years, a Chartered Scientist and currently serves on the BASES accreditation committee. Paul has also been a certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) with the NSCA for over 18 years recertifying with Distinction on the last 2 occasions. Paul has authored/ co-authored over 100 peer reviewed journal articles and 6 book chapters mainly in change of direction biomechanics, assessment and development of change of direction speed and strength diagnostics and previously co-edited a book by Routledge titled ’Performance Assessment in Strength and Conditioning’.

Thomas Dos’Santos, PhD, MSc*D, PGCLTHE*D, BSc (Hons), CSCS*D, FHEA is a lecturer in Strength and Conditioning and Sports Biomechanics at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU), having completed his PhD in Sports Biomechanics at the University of Salford (2020) where he investigated the biomechanical determinants of performance and injury risk during change of direction. Thomas has published over 80 peer-reviewed journal articles, with research interests including change of direction biomechanics, anterior cruciate ligament injury screening and intervention, inter-limb asymmetry, and assessment and development of strength and power characteristics, and he is also a research member of the Musculoskeletal Science and Sports Medicine Research Centre (MMU), Football Science Institute (Granada, Spain), Human Braking Performance Research Group (UCLAN), and the England Para-football Research Centre. Thomas is an NSCA certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (with distinction), having previously worked as a strength and conditioning coach for Manchester United FC, Salford City FC, England North-West Netball, England Lacrosse academy, and Manchester BMX club. Thomas is currently a Physical Performance Coach for England Para-Football, and he consults on strength and movement profiling with sport technology companies and sports teams such as Sale Sharks Rugby and Manchester United FC, and has previously consulted with the England Football Association on change of direction biomechanics. Thomas is also a visiting lecturer on postgraduate programmes at Middlesex University, University of Girona, Chinese University of Hong Kong, and the Football Science Institute, and he is an editor for the International Journal of Strength and Conditioning and International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.