
Move the Needle: The Human Performance Podcast Dr. Damian Harper: Deceleration Masterclass
36 snips
Nov 26, 2025 Dr. Damian Harper, a leading figure in deceleration research and the founder of Human Braking Performance, shares his expertise on how athletes can improve braking techniques for better performance. He discusses the origins and purpose of the 10-5 Hop Test and his innovative Braking Performance Framework. Damian dives into the link between unanticipated decelerations and ACL injury risk, contrasting low-speed and high-speed biomechanical demands. He advocates for a shift in focus from acceleration to braking in athletic training, emphasizing its importance for performance and injury prevention.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
How Deceleration Became His Focus
- Damian Harper traced his deceleration interest back to a tennis paper called "Deceleration, the Forgotten Factor of Tennis Specific Training."
- That paper sparked a multi-year research journey culminating in his PhD and focus on braking in multidirectional sports.
Follow A Three-Stage Braking Progression
- Use the Breaking Performance Framework to progress from gym-based to game-representative deceleration training.
- Prioritize braking force control and force attenuation across elementary, developmental, and performance categories.
Neurocognitive Failure Drives Many ACLs
- Many non-contact ACL injuries occur during defensive pressing with unanticipated unilateral decelerations.
- Neurocognitive errors just before deceleration can disrupt motor control and increase risky body positions leading to ACL rupture.
