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

Nejc Šarabon,Filip Ujaković

doi:10.3390/app10196984

Abstract

Change of direction (COD) ability is essential for sport performance in high level team sports such as basketball, however, the influence of asymmetries on COD ability is relatively unknown. Forty-three junior and senior level elite basketball players performed isometric hip and trunk strength testing, passive hip and trunk range of motion testing, and unilateral horizontal and vertical jumps, as well as the T-test to measure COD performance. Mean asymmetry values ranged from 0.76% for functional leg length up to 40.35% for rate of torque development during hip flexion. A six-variable regression model explained 48% (R2 = 0.48; p < 0.001) of variation in COD performance. The model included left hip internal/external rotation strength ratio, and inter-limb asymmetries in hip abduction rate of torque development, hip flexion range of motion, functional leg length, single leg triple jump distance, and peak torque during trunk lateral flexion. Results suggest that the magnitude of asymmetries is dependent of task and parameter, and using universal asymmetry thresholds, such as <10 %, is not optimal. The regression model showed the relationship between asymmetries and COD performance. None of tests were sufficient to explain a complex variable like COD performance.

Highlights

Inter-limb asymmetry has been mostly researched from the aspect of sports injury risk, especially in view of athletes returning to sport after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction [1,2,3,4]
Inter-limb asymmetry values ranged from 0.76% for functional leg length up to 40.35% for rate of torque development (RTD)
This study was conducted to explore asymmetries in local strength, vertical jumping and range of motion (ROM), and to investigate whether these asymmetries are related to change of direction (COD) performance in healthy elite-basketball players

Summary

Introduction

Inter-limb asymmetry has been mostly researched from the aspect of sports injury risk, especially in view of athletes returning to sport after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction [1,2,3,4]. Inter-limb asymmetry is found to be a normal adaptation in many sports that involve unilateral movements (e.g., cricket) [7], but further research in team sports is needed to elucidate whether asymmetries influence performance or injury risk [5,6]. Inter-limb asymmetry may present at the level of different motor abilities (e.g., strength, power, and range of motion) and can be measured locally (e.g., one joint) and globally (e.g., within a complex movement, such as vertical jump). Sheppard and Youngs [19] model of change of direction (COD) determinants showed that asymmetries could negatively affect COD performance

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Conclusion