Inter-limb asymmetries are associated with decrements in physical performance in youth elite team sports athletes

Abstract

Actually, there is scarce literature looking for the relationship between inter-limb asymmetries and performance in youth elite team sports. The main purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine the relationships between inter-limb asymmetries and physical performance in youth elite team-sports players. A secondary objective was to evaluate the presence of between-sexes differences in inter-limb asymmetries in elite youth team sports players. Eighty-one young elite team-sports athletes (age: u-14 to u-18) performed the star excursion balance test in the anterior direction (SEBT ANT), a single leg vertical countermovement jump test (SLCMJ), the one leg hop test for distance (OLHT), a 30 m sprint test, and the V-cut test. Inter-limb asymmetries were calculated for SEBT ANT, SLCMJ and OLHT. Pearson r was used to analyse the relationships between inter-limb asymmetries and physical performance. Results showed significant (p < 0.05) but small (r = 0.26) relationships between SLCMJ asymmetries and 30 m sprint time for the total group. Significant negative correlations with small to moderate magnitude of correlation were also found between SLCMJ asymmetries and SLCMJ performance on the lowest performing limb for the total group (p < 0.05; r =-0.26), males (p < 0.01; r =-0.48) and females (p < 0.05; r =-0.30). Moreover, significant negative correlations with moderate and large magnitude were also present between OLHT asymmetries and OLHT performance on the lowest performing limb for the total group (p < 0.01; r =-0.44), males (p < 0.01; r =-0.56) and females (p < 0.01; r =-0.64). No correlations were observed between asymmetries and either the V-cut test or SEBT ANT performance. No correlation were observed between SEBT ANT asymmetries and physical performance. In addition, when comparing asymmetry values between sexes there were no significant differences in vertical (p = 0.06) and horizontal (p = 0.61) jumping tests. However, there were significant differences in asymmetry between sexes in the ANT SEBT (p = 0.04). In conclusion, the current study indicated that jumping asymmetries were

Change of Direction Performance Is Influenced by Asymmetries in Jumping Ability and Hip and Trunk Strength in Elite Basketball Players

“…Similarly, Dos Santos et al [16] found no significant correlations between asymmetries in horizontal jumping tasks and performance in two COD tasks (r ≤ 0.35, p > 0.05). Furthermore, Fort-Vanmeerhaeghe et al [20] have not found a relationship between asymmetry in jump height during SLCMJ and V-cut COD test (r = 0.10, p > 0.05). Finally, Loturco et al [18], have found no significant correlation between asymmetries in different parameters during single leg vertical jumps and performance in zig-zag test.…”

Comparison of multidirectional jump performance and lower limb passive range of motion profile between soccer and basketball young players

“…Thus, it is necessary to assess unilateral multiplanar jumping ability to reproduce sport-specific movement patterns and power characteristics of team sports [ 17 – 19 ]. Furthermore, considering there is growing interest in evaluating the effects of inter-limb asymmetries on jumping performance, a sport-specific multidirectional unilateral jump approach is likely to help improve the strength and conditioning of team sports athletes [ 17 , 20 , 21 ]. In this regard, Gonzalo-Skok et al [ 22 ] showed that unilateral strength training interventions led to greater enhancements of actions mostly relying on the application of unilateral forces, besides resulting in a diminished risk of injury by means of reducing between-limb performance differences (i.e.…”

“…However, there is still controversy regarding the existence of a clear relation between inter-limb asymmetry and physical and sport performance, and especially regarding a potential relationship between inter-limb asymmetries and jumping tasks [ 21 ]. Given that greater asymmetry values would be expected for sport modalities in which actions are performed with a clear limb dominance [ 20 ] such as soccer and basketball, it would be interesting to evaluate the association between inter-limb ROM asymmetries and bilateral multidirectional jump performance in young soccer and basketball players, since it may allow coaches to adjust training to sport-specific demands.…”

Validity and Reliability of the New Basic Functional Assessment Protocol (BFA)

“…Body asymmetry may be associated with a higher presence of injuries [46,47]. Some authors report the importance of asymmetry assessment in their studies [20,29,35,48].…”

“…Nevertheless, research has shown some contraindications, such as a deficient reliability among juvenile athletes [27] and weak associations between the total MCS score and injury risk [28]. In addition, null results of the evaluation of the asymmetry using MCS have been found, given the importance some authors show in the assessment of asymmetry [29,30]. Therefore, a battery which takes this into account is needed.…”