Abstract
The aims of the present study were to analyze mobility, dynamic balance and lower-limb strength and the prevalence of asymmetry according to the type of sport and assess the association between inter-limb asymmetry and sports performance. A total of 23 basketball and 25 handball players performed a test battery consisting of functional movements and a jump test. Inter-limb asymmetry was calculated using a standard percentage difference equation. A between-groups comparison analysis was carried out, and Pearson’s correlation coefficients (r) were calculated to establish a relationship between asymmetries and physical performance. The results found athletes in different sports to exhibit different performance in functional movements and the jump test, but no bilateral asymmetries. The reactive strength index (RSI) and stiffness asymmetries were significantly associated with the anterior reach Y-balance test (YBT) (r = −0.412; p < 0.01 and r = −0.359; p < 0.05, respectively), and the unilateral triple hop test (THTU) was negatively correlated to anterior reach, posterior lateral reach YBT and YBT composite YBT (r = −0.341 to −0.377; p < 0.05). These findings suggest that the asymmetries exhibited important dispersion not dependent upon the type of sport but on each individual and the applied test. In addition, asymmetry in anterior direction YBT showed the strongest association to the rest of the sports performance variables.
Highlights
Team sports are characterized by high-intensity unilateral actions such as sprints, jumps or changes of direction (COD) [1]
One of the main findings of the study was that the type of sport influences dynamic equilibrium in all the evaluated directions and the drop jump (DJU) measured parameters, where the scores of the basketball players were better than those of the handball counterparts
The present study shows that athletes of similar team sports presented different levels of both strength in the vertical and horizontal jump, and dynamic balance and mobility analyzed, though this did not occur for the asymmetry between legs, it is important for the coach or physical trainer to consider these findings
Summary
Team sports are characterized by high-intensity unilateral actions such as sprints, jumps or changes of direction (COD) [1]. On-court sports such as basketball and handball are two different team sports; given their characteristics and rules, many game actions, physiological demands and movement patterns are similar [2,3]. Lateral movements, jumps or COD are skills common to both modalities and determinants of their athletic demands [2]. Athletes may require adequate neuromuscular coordination and motor control to produce high levels of specific unilateral strength during game actions [4]. It has been suggested that unilateral actions develop and increase inter-limb imbalances in team sports, creating a dominant side [7]
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