Lower body power and velocity asymmetries and their predictors in university athletes
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Date
2023-03-24
Authors
Parsons, Joanne L.
Scheller, Cole
Preston, Shawn
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Although athletes fully participating in training and competition are often assumed to have no deficits, they frequently return to sport after injury before meeting return-to-play guidelines. Along with other factors, previous injury may contribute to persistent lower limb asymmetry in athletes, and excessive asymmetry may be a detriment to performance. The purpose of this study was to determine whether lower limb asymmetries measured via a GymAware linear-position transducer exist in female and male university athletes, and explore the factors related to these asymmetries. METHODS: Concentric peak and mean velocity, and mean power were measured during a split stance countermovement jump under dowel and 30% body weight conditions in 61 athletes. Mean values were calculated from 2 sets of 3 repetitions for the athlete’s left and right legs, and used to calculate limb asymmetry. Athletes provided demographic information including history of lower body injury, footedness, and training age. RESULTS: Athletes demonstrated lower limb asymmetries between 4 and 14%, and there were no significant asymmetry differences between female and male athletes (p > 0.05). Injury history, sport, footedness, training age, and body mass were not related to asymmetry. Greater baseline right leg mean power was associated with reduced mean power asymmetry in both women and men (p ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSION: Lower limb asymmetries exist in healthy university athletes, but the practical relevance of the values is questionable. Long term involvement with strength and conditioning programs does not seem to have an influence; however, maximizing baseline muscular power may help to decrease asymmetry.
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Keywords
strength and conditioning, asymmetry, sports injuries, prediction