Relationship Between Unilateral Jumping Ability and Asymmetry on Multidirectional Speed in Team-Sport Athletes

Abstract

Relationship between unilateral jumping ability and asymmetry on multidirectional speed in team-sport athletes. J Strength Cond Res 28(12): 3557-3566, 2014-The influence of unilateral jump performance, and between-leg asymmetries, on multidirectional speed has not been widely researched. This study analyzed how speed was related to unilateral jumping. Multidirectional speed was measured by 20-m sprint (0-5, 0-10, 0-20-m intervals), left- and right-leg turn 505, and modified T-test performance. Unilateral jump performance, and between-leg asymmetries, was measured by vertical (VJ), standing broad (SBJ), and lateral (LJ) jumping. Thirty male team-sport athletes (age = 22.60 ± 3.86 years; height = 1.80 ± 0.07 m; mass = 79.03 ± 12.26 kilograms) were recruited. Pearson's correlations (r) determined speed and jump performance relationships; stepwise regression ascertained jump predictors of speed (p ≤ 0.05). Subjects were divided into lesser and greater asymmetry groups from each jump condition. A 1-way analysis of variance found between-group differences (p ≤ 0.05). Left-leg VJ correlated with the 0-10 and 0-20-m intervals (r = -0.437 to -0.486). Right-leg VJ correlated with all sprint intervals and the T-test (r = -0.380 to -0.512). Left-leg SBJ and LJ correlated with all tests (r = -0.370 to -0.729). Right-leg SBJ and LJ related to all except the left-leg turn 505 (r = -0.415 to -0.650). Left-leg SBJ predicted the 20-m sprint. Left-leg LJ predicted the 505 and T-test. Regardless of the asymmetry used to form groups, no differences in speed were established. Horizontal and LJ performance related to multidirectional speed. Athletes with asymmetries similar to this study (VJ = ∼10%; SBJ = ∼3%; LJ = ∼5%) should not experience speed detriments.

Physical Profiles of Regional Academy Netball Players

“…11, 15 Lockie et al 11 found unilateral broad jump to observe significant and inverse moderate to very strong associations (r = −0.46 to −0.73) with sprint performance in team-sport athletes. Thus, assessing vertical and horizontal jump performance may be of particular interest to prescribe and monitor the training of netball athletes, to create accurate player profiling.…”

“…10 Previous research shows significant associations between CMJ and SJ to sprint performance. 11,12 Additionally, several landing strategies are possible within netball 13 , with single leg and hop landings shown to occur frequently across all playing positions. Hewit et al 14 reported that utilizing jump tests only performed in one direction may not represent an accurate player profile, as jump performance in one direction may not necessarily predict jump performance in another.…”

Asymmetries in single and triple hop are not detrimental to change of direction speed

“…1 Greater limb asymmetries are suggested to place an athlete at an increased risk of injury, [2][3][4] conversely researchers have refuted this connection between strength asymmetries and injury 5,6 . Furthermore, contradictory findings have been reported with investigations revealing a negative impact on athletic performance, [7][8][9] whereas no negative effect on athletic performance has also been demonstrated [9][10][11] . Between limb asymmetries are commonly assessed via isokinetic dynamometry, 4,5,12 unilateral jump tasks, 7,13,14 and the unilateral isometric mid-thigh pull 15 .…”

“…Strong inverse relationships have been observed between SLH and triple hops for distance (SLTH) with CODS 10,18,22 attributed to the similarities in the force vector and push off mechanism 16 . Conversely, there is a paucity of research investigating the influence of between limb asymmetries from horizontal hops for distance on CODS.…”

“…To our knowledge only one study has investigated the influence of between limb asymmetries in unilateral hops and jumps for distance on CODS, demonstrating no detrimental effect on CODS. 10 Further evidence is required to improve our understanding regarding the effect of between limb asymmetries on CODS using assessments that are readily available to practitioners in the sporting field. Moreover, it remains unclear whether athletes with lower limbs asymmetries in horizontal hop performance also demonstrate superior performance from that same limb (push off limb) during turning and cutting tasks.…”