Strength, jumping and change of direction speed asymmetries in soccer, basketball and tennis players

Abstract

Despite growing research in the field of inter-limb asymmetries (ILAs), little is known about the variation of ILAs in different populations of athletes. The purpose of this study was to compare ILAs among young basketball, soccer and tennis players. ILAs were assessed in three different types of tests (strength, jumping and change of direction (CoD) speed), each including different tasks: (1) bilateral and unilateral counter movement jump, (2) isometric strength of knee extensors (KE) and knee flexors (KF), and (3) 90◦ and 180◦ CoD. Generally, the absolute metrics showed strong reliability and revealed significant differences (p < 0.05) among the three groups in KE maximal torque, KE and KF rate of force development and in both CoD tests. For jumping ILAs, power and force impulse metrics exhibited significant between-limb differences between groups, compared to jump height. For strength and CoD speed ILAs, only KF maximal torque and 180◦ CoD exhibited significant differences between groups. Greater KF strength ILAs in soccer players and counter-movement jump ILAs in tennis players are most probably the result of sport-specific movement patterns and training routines. Sport practitioners should be aware of the differences in ILAs among sports and address training programs accordingly.