Literature Review: Kinematics of the BMX SX Gate Start

Abstract

The aim of this literature review was to identify the depth and scope of peer reviewed literature on rider kinematics of the Bicycle Motocross Supercross (BMX SX) gate start action, in particular literature that describes the optimal BMX SX gate start technique or relates to the prescription of training methods to improve performance.  A pilot search was conducted to identify the optimal databases to use.  Key search terms and inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to select the articles of relevance which were then critically analysed using the Quality Assessment Tool for Observational and Cross-Sectional Studies.  Two studies were retained for review.  Both the studies were limited by number of participants and methodological rigour and scored poorly on the Quality Assessment Tool for Observational and Cross-Sectional Studies.  No studies were found that correlated kinematic measures from the gate start action to gate start performance outcome.  A secondary aim was to investigate the tactical importance of the gate start, power generation at the start of a BMX race and skill acquisition.  Literature reported discrepancies between field and laboratory results which demonstrates the importance of ecologically valid research methodology.  Despite evidence that the gate start is a critical component of the race with direct implications for race outcome, this review of the literature identified very limited research in the area of BMX rider kinematics of the BMX SX gate.