Inter-Limb Asymmetry in Female Sepak Takraw Players: An Observational Study

Abstract

This study investigated the magnitude and direction of inter-limb asymmetry in 21 professional female sepak takraw players across several task-specific tests. Five inter-limb asymmetry assessments were employed: unilateral countermovement jump (Uni-CMJ), bilateral countermovement jump (Bi-CMJ), single-leg hop (SLH), triple hop test (THOP), and isokinetic concentric peak torque of the knee flexors and extensors at 60 deg/s−1, 120 deg/s−1, and 180 deg/s−1 angular velocities. A “true” inter-limb asymmetry was only observed for Uni-CMJ jump height (16.62%) and THOP distance (6.09%). Kappa coefficients demonstrated fair agreement in the direction of asymmetry between the Uni-CMJ and Bi-CMJ tests for jump height (Kappa = 26.67), but only slight agreement for peak force (Kappa = 0.11), propulsive impulse (Kappa = −0.12), and eccentric impulse (Kappa = −0.14). Fair agreement was observed between the SLH and THOP (Kappa = 0.32). Slight to moderate agreement was found for concentric peak torque across angular velocities for the knee extensors (Kappa = 0.08 to 0.48), while fair to nearly perfect agreement was noted for the knee flexors (Kappa = 0.31 to 1). The Uni-CMJ and THOP are most sensitive to detect between-limb asymmetries in female sepak takraw players. Given the inconsistencies in asymmetry direction across tests, monitoring asymmetry direction is important for strength and conditioning.