Abstract
Assessment of the inter-limb asymmetry of leg stiffness is carried out using one-legged jumping tasks. However, the level of asymmetry may vary depending on the performance on one or both lower limbs. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify the differences in leg stiffness between the dominant and non-dominant lower limb during a two-legged countermovement jump. The research was conducted on 35 s-league basketball players (body height: 1.90 ± 0.08 m, body mass: 81.9 ± 10 kg, age: 19.5 ± 1.7 years). Each participant performed three countermovement jumps with arm swing to the maximum height. Measurements employed a BTS SMART motion analysis system and two Kistler force plates. Statistically significant differences were found during the comparison of leg stiffness in the dominant and non-dominant lower limbs. Inter-limb asymmetry of leg stiffness reached 22.0% in the countermovement phase and 8.9% in the take-off phase. Significant inter-limb asymmetry of leg stiffness might lead to injury or considerably reduce the performance of athletes. Therefore, an important role is to conduct strength and speed-strength trainings with proper loads to both body sides. Coaches should pay more attention to similar lower limbs movement patterns during two-legged exercises and bilateral strength development.
Highlights
Asymmetry is defined as lack or absence of symmetry [1]
Leg stiffness during the countermovement phase is characterized by a greater coefficient of variation (CV)
Leg stiffness during the countermovement phase is characterized by a greater CV and a greater correlation (r and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC)) between successive samples than during the take-off phase
Summary
Asymmetry is defined as lack or absence of symmetry (i.e., correspondence between different variables for body sides) [1]. The training necessary to reach the professional level creates a dominant lower limb in basketball [4] and soccer players [5]. The lack of an equal training load distribution on both sides of the body can cause significant movement asymmetry, which is conducive to (mainly non-contact) injuries [6,7]. Symmetry of movements in sports (mainly in team sports) increases the versatility of a player (e.g., a basketball player can finish a layup shot with the right or left hand), introduces elements of surprise to the opponent, leads to proper development of the athlete’s body, and reduces the injury risk of the motion system [9]
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