Interlimb Asymmetries With High And Low External Training Loads In Male Collegiate Basketball Athletes

Abstract

Tracking and monitoring bilateral limb asymmetries is an increasingly common practice to provide information associated with athlete performance, injury risk, as well as guiding return-to-play or return-to-performance protocols following injury. It is speculated external training loads (eTL) during sport specific practice may influence subsequent changes in inter-limb asymmetries. PURPOSE: Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to evaluate acute differences in lower inter-limb asymmetries during a bilateral countermovement jump (CMJ) immediately following high versus low eTL basketball practices in a group of NCAA men’s collegiate basketball players. METHODS: Twelve NCAA Division I collegiate men’s basketball players performed three CMJs on dual cell force platforms immediately prior to and immediately following basketball practices of high and low eTL. A dependent T-test was used to determine mean differences in practice intensities. A 2-way (condition x time) repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to examine differences in Concentric Impulse (ConcImp), Concentric Peak Force (ConcPF), Eccentric Peak Force (EccPF), Takeoff Peak force (TakeoffPF), and Peak Landing Force (PeakLandF) captured during the CMJ between conditions and across time, with significance set at p ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in practice intensities (High: PlayerLoad/min = 5.3 ± 0.9, Low: PlayerLoad/min = 4.7 ± 1.4; p ≤ 0.001). There were no significant condition or time main effects (p > 0.05), and there were no significant condition by time interactions for ConcImp, ConcPF, EccPF, TakeoffPF, and PeakLandF (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Although there were significant differences experienced in eTL intensities between practices (PL/min), these differences did not result in alteration of acute lower inter-limb asymmetries during the bilateral CMJ.