Force, Power, and Morphology Asymmetries as Injury Risk Factors in Physically Active Men and Women

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate whether asymmetry of force, power, and tissue morphology are lower limbs (LL) injury risk factors in physically active adults. Fifty-eight men aged 23.8 ± 1.2 years and forty-seven women aged 23.3 ± 1.0 years were examined. Physical activity level was measured by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and injury data were collected with the Injury History Questionnaire. The countermovement jump was performed to evaluate force and power. LL tissue composition was evaluated by a bioimpedance analyzer. The symmetry indices were calculated. A comparison between injured and non-injured subjects in both sexes was conducted to determine indices associated with injuries. The symmetry indices cut-off points were calculated to establish values indicating a significant injury risk increase, and logistic regression was performed. The relative peak force asymmetry above 4.049% was associated with increased injury risk in men. The LL skeletal muscle mass asymmetry above 3.584% was associated with a higher injury risk in women. Increased asymmetry in indicated indices by 1% was associated with 19.8% higher injury risk in men and 82.6% in women. Asymmetry proved to be an injury risk factor. However, a more suitable index for men is relative peak force asymmetry, whereas LL skeletal muscle mass asymmetry is more suitable for women.

The Impact of Interaction between Body Posture and Movement Pattern Quality on Injuries in Amateur Athletes

“…Individuals with an abnormal spinal shape are more prone to injuries [ 31 ]. Asymmetry in skeletal muscle mass increases the risk of injury in physically active individuals [ 57 ]. Postural dysfunctions may contribute to functional impairments and hinder the execution of proper movement patterns [ 33 ].…”

Prognostic Potential of the Body Composition Indices in Predicting Positive Changes in Resting Blood Pressure after High-Intensity Interval Training in Adolescents

“…Our previous study showed that body composition indices might help establish the optimal value of BMI and FMI to achieve a positive effect in physical fitness improvement after HIIT. Generally, using a ROC curve method effectively describes the cut-off point indicating the phenomenon’s occurrence, e.g., injury risk or failure in a training program based on chosen factors such as physical fitness [ 28 , 29 ] and body composition indices [ 25 , 26 ]. However, there is a lack of observation considering body composition indices concerning blood pressure parameters.…”

“…All of that indices have recently gained significance, owing to several factors, including the similarity of its calculation method to that of BMI [ 23 ]. Their prognostic potential in detecting some phenomena, e.g., the risk of injuries, the risk of osteoporosis, or positive changes in physical efficiency, was positively verified [ 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 ].…”

Acute Effect of Short Intensive Self-Myofascial Release on Jump Performance in Amateur Athletes: A Randomized Cross-Over Study

“…Three jump tests were performed by each participant. Three attempts were performed for each jump test, separated by a 60 s break [ 8 , 31 , 32 ]. The tests were performed in random order.…”

“…Jump performance is related to anaerobic, mixed, and aerobic disciplines [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]. Moreover, jump test measurements can help predict injury risk [ 8 ]. Therefore, jump tests are considered a universal tool for measuring physical performance [ 9 ].…”