Countermovement Jump Inter-Limb Asymmetries in Collegiate Basketball Players.

Aaron Heishman,Bryce Daub,Brady Brown,Eduardo Freitas,Michael Bemben,Ryan Miller

doi:10.3390/sports7050103

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to establish the intrasession and intersession reliability of variables obtained from a force plate that was used to quantitate lower extremity inter-limb asymmetry during the bilateral countermovement jump (CMJ). Secondarily, a comparison was performed to determine the influence of the jump protocol CMJ with or without an arm swing (CMJ AS and CMJ NAS, respectively) on inter-limb asymmetries. Twenty-two collegiate basketball players performed three CMJ AS and three CMJ NAS on dual force platforms during two separate testing sessions. A majority of variables met the acceptable criterion of intersession and intrasession relative reliability (ICC > 0.700), while fewer than half met standards established for absolute reliability (CV < 10%). CMJ protocol appeared to influence asymmetries; Concentric Impulse-100 ms, Eccentric Braking Rate of Force Development, Eccentric Deceleration, and Force at Zero velocity were significantly different between jumping conditions (CMJAS versus CMJ NAS; p < 0.05). The present data establish the reliability and smallest worthwhile change of inter-limb asymmetries during the CMJ, while also identifying the influence of CMJ protocol on inter-limb asymmetries, which can be useful to practitioners and clinicians in order to effectively monitor changes associated with performance, injury risk, and return-to-play strategies.

Highlights

Assessing and monitoring mechanical inter-limb differences, or asymmetries, has become an increasingly common practice among researchers, coaches, and clinicians in an effort to provide insight into athletic performance, injury prevention, and rehabilitation
During the countermovement jump (CMJ) AS, 12 of the 16 variables met the acceptable criterion for intersession relative reliability (ICC > 0.70), and six of the 16 variables met the acceptable levels of intersession absolute reliability (CV < 10%)
During the Countermovement Jump with No Arm Swing (CMJ NAS), 14 of the 16 variables met the acceptable criterion for intersession relative reliability (ICC > 0.70), and six of the 16 variables met the intersession absolute reliability criterion

Summary

Introduction

Assessing and monitoring mechanical inter-limb differences, or asymmetries, has become an increasingly common practice among researchers, coaches, and clinicians in an effort to provide insight into athletic performance, injury prevention, and rehabilitation. Asymmetries in movement patterns have been proposed as a factor increasing injury risk [4,5,6]. Inter-limb asymmetry measurements have been found to be useful in quantitating functional deficits following an injury, and when guiding an athlete’s readiness to return-to-play and later return-to-performance as part of the rehabilitation process [7,8,9]. The continued advancement of viable field tests that are non-invasive and time-efficient is essential in order for practitioners and clinicians to frequently monitor changes in inter-limb asymmetries that may be detrimental to performance or place athletes at an elevated injury risk.

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Discussion

Conclusion