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Jiang D, Liu Z, Ling X, Dai J, Long L, Lu Y, Zhou S. Investigating the impact of inter-limb asymmetry in hamstring strength on jump, sprint, and strength performance in young athletes: comparing the role of gross force. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1185397. [PMID: 37304819 PMCID: PMC10248013 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1185397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The main purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine the impact of the inter-limb asymmetry of hamstring strength on jump, sprint and strength performance and to compare the effects of inter-limb asymmetry of hamstring strength with gross force (GF) of the hamstring on these physical qualities in youth volleyball athletes. Eighty-one youth volleyball players (age: 16.6 ± 1.9 years; training experience: 3.0 ± 0.9 years; height: 191.4 ± 7.1 cm; body mass: 78.5 ± 12.9 kg; lean body mass: 63.5 ± 10.5 kg; body fat rate: 18.6% ± 6.1%) performed a mid-season battery of tests consisting of morphological test, depth jump (DJ), counter movement jump (CMJ), squat jump (SJ), 10 m sprint, isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) and hamstring strength test. All tests reported good to excellent reliability (ICC range = 0.815-0.996) and acceptable variability (CV range = 3.26-7.84%). Results show a significant negative relationship between inter-limb asymmetry of hamstring strength and all physical qualities (r = -0.271 to -0.445; p < 0.05), and a significant positive relationship between GF of hamstring and all physical qualities (r = 0.303 to 0.664; p < 0.05). Additionally, GF of hamstring was more relevant to IMTP-PF (peak force) (r = 0.664) and inter-limb asymmetry of hamstring strength was more relevant to 10 m sprint (r = -0.445). The findings from this study indicate that, for youth athletes, the GF of the hamstring is crucial for overall lower limb strength performance, and the importance of inter-limb symmetry of hamstring strength increases with the complexity of the task.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongting Jiang
- Sports Coaching College, Beijing Sports University, Beijing, China
| | - Zijian Liu
- Physical Education College, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaoyu Ling
- School of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Beijing Sports University, Beijing, China
| | - Jinjin Dai
- Sports Coaching College, Beijing Sports University, Beijing, China
| | - Lijun Long
- Sports Coaching College, Beijing Sports University, Beijing, China
- College of Physical Education, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Yongren Lu
- Youth Competitive Sports School, Guangdong Provincial Sports Bureau, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shengqing Zhou
- School of Physical Education and Health, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, China
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Parkinson AO, Apps CL, Morris JG, Barnett CT, Lewis MGC. The Calculation, Thresholds and Reporting of Inter-Limb Strength Asymmetry: A Systematic Review. J Sports Sci Med 2021; 20:594-617. [PMID: 35321131 PMCID: PMC8488821 DOI: 10.52082/jssm.2021.594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The prevalence of inter-limb strength differences is well documented in the literature however, there are inconsistencies related to measurement and reporting, and the normative values and effects associated with inter-limb asymmetry. Therefore, the aims of this systematic review were to: 1) assess the appropriateness of existing indices for the calculation of asymmetry, 2) interrogate the evidence basis for literature reported thresholds used to define asymmetry and 3) summarise normative levels of inter-limb strength asymmetry and their effects on injury and performance. To conduct this systematic review, scientific databases (PubMed, Scopus, SPORTDiscus and Web of Science) were searched and a total of 3,594 articles were retrieved and assessed for eligibility and article quality. The robustness of each identified asymmetry index was assessed, and the evidence-basis of the identified asymmetry thresholds was appraised retrospectively using the references provided. Fifty-three articles were included in this review. Only four of the twelve identified indices were unaffected by the limitations associated with selecting a reference limb. Eighteen articles applied a threshold to original research to identify "abnormal" asymmetry, fifteen of which utilised a threshold between 10-15%, yet this threshold was not always supported by appropriate evidence. Asymmetry scores ranged between and within populations from approximate symmetry to asymmetries larger than 15%. When reporting the effects of strength asymmetries, increased injury risk and detriments to performance were often associated with larger asymmetry, however the evidence was inconsistent. Limitations of asymmetry indices should be recognised, particularly those that require selection of a reference limb. Failure to reference the origin of the evidence for an asymmetry threshold reinforces doubt over the use of arbitrary thresholds, such as 10-15%. Therefore, an individual approach to defining asymmetry may be necessary to refine robust calculation methods and to establish appropriate thresholds across various samples and methodologies that enable appropriate conclusions to be drawn.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy O Parkinson
- Nottingham Trent University, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Charlotte L Apps
- Nottingham Trent University, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - John G Morris
- Nottingham Trent University, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Cleveland T Barnett
- Nottingham Trent University, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Martin G C Lewis
- Nottingham Trent University, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- University of Derby, School of Human Sciences, Derby, United Kingdom
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Miratsky P, Gryc T, Cabell L, Zahalka F, Brozka M, Varjan M, Maly T. Isokinetic Strength, Vertical Jump Performance, and Strength Differences in First Line Professional Firefighters Competing in Fire Sport. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18073448. [PMID: 33810362 PMCID: PMC8037820 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18073448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of our study was to investigate peak torque (PT) of knee extensors (KE) and knee flexors (KF), bilateral and unilateral strength asymmetries in isokinetic testing and vertical jump height (JH), vertical ground reaction force (VGRF), and force differences (ΔVGRF) between legs during different jump tests in professional first-line firefighters (n = 15) competing in fire sports disciplines. There was a significant effect of jump type on JH (F2,44 = 7.23, p < 0.05), VGRF (F2,44 = 16.03, p < 0.05), and ΔVGRF (F2,44 = 3.45, p < 0.05). Professional firefighters achieved a mean JH of 50.17 cm in the countermovement jump free arms and high PT of KEs (3.15 Nm/kg). No significant differences (p > 0.05) and small effect sizes (d < 0.3) were found between the legs when PTs were assessed. We found a slightly higher (d = 0.53) unilateral strength ratio in non-dominant legs (58.12 ± 10.26%) compared to dominant legs (55.31 ± 7.51%). No effect of laterality was found among limb comparisons, but a higher unilateral isokinetic strength ratio was found in non-dominant legs of firefighters. A high level of strength (PT of KEs > 3 times body weight) and vertical jump performance is comparable to the performance of elite athletic populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petr Miratsky
- Research Sport Center, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Charles University, José Martího 31, 162 52 Prague, Czech Republic; (P.M.); (T.G.); (F.Z.); (M.B.); (M.V.)
| | - Tomas Gryc
- Research Sport Center, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Charles University, José Martího 31, 162 52 Prague, Czech Republic; (P.M.); (T.G.); (F.Z.); (M.B.); (M.V.)
| | - Lee Cabell
- Department of Health and Human Performance, Texas State University, San Marcon, TX 78666, USA;
| | - Frantisek Zahalka
- Research Sport Center, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Charles University, José Martího 31, 162 52 Prague, Czech Republic; (P.M.); (T.G.); (F.Z.); (M.B.); (M.V.)
| | - Matej Brozka
- Research Sport Center, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Charles University, José Martího 31, 162 52 Prague, Czech Republic; (P.M.); (T.G.); (F.Z.); (M.B.); (M.V.)
| | - Matej Varjan
- Research Sport Center, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Charles University, José Martího 31, 162 52 Prague, Czech Republic; (P.M.); (T.G.); (F.Z.); (M.B.); (M.V.)
| | - Tomas Maly
- Research Sport Center, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Charles University, José Martího 31, 162 52 Prague, Czech Republic; (P.M.); (T.G.); (F.Z.); (M.B.); (M.V.)
- Correspondence:
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Maly T, Mala L, Bujnovsky D, Hank M, Zahalka F. Morphological and Isokinetic Strength Differences: Bilateral and Ipsilateral Variation by Different Sport Activity. Open Med (Wars) 2019; 14:207-216. [PMID: 30847397 PMCID: PMC6401386 DOI: 10.1515/med-2019-0014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2018] [Accepted: 12/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to investigate the morphological and isokinetic strength asymmetry and magnitude in young athletes. METHODS One hundred and thirty nine male subjects (soccer, floorball, non-athletes) were measured for proportion of muscle mass between upper extremities (BADΔ) and lower extremities (BLDΔ). Moreover, the peak muscle torque of knee extensors (PTE) and flexors (PTF), ipsilateral (H:Q) and bilateral strength ratio (Q:Q, H:H) were measured. RESULTS We found significant differences in observed parameters with respect to different sport activities (F = 13.02, p = 0.00, η p 2 = 0.80). Higher values of BADΔ were observed in the non-active (0.19 ± 0.11 kg) group compared with soccer players (0.10 ± 0.11 kg). We found a lower value of BLDΔ in floorball players (0.32 ± 0.11 kg) compared with soccer players (0.58 ± 0.27 kg) and non-active boys (0.63 ± 0.28 kg). Results revealed significantly higher PTE in soccer players compared with non-active boys and floorball players and higher Q:Q ratio in soccer players (10.99 ± 7.75%) compared with non-active boys (7.47 ± 5.92%). CONCLUSIONS This study revealed that there are morphological and strength asymmetries in the observed groups, which may have potential maladaptive effects (e.g. uncompensated overload of extremity) in athletes affected by specific load.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomas Maly
- Sport Research Centre, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Charles University in Prague, PragueCzech Republic
| | - Lucia Mala
- Sport Research Centre, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Charles University in Prague, PragueCzech Republic
| | - David Bujnovsky
- Sport Research Centre, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Charles University in Prague, PragueCzech Republic
| | - Mikulas Hank
- Sport Research Centre, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Charles University in Prague, PragueCzech Republic
| | - Frantisek Zahalka
- Sport Research Centre, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Charles University in Prague, PragueCzech Republic
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