Relationship between asymmetries measured on different levels in elite basketball players

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the association of magnitude and agreement in direction between asymmetries measured on single‐joint (hip and trunk), complex movement (jumping), and skill (change of direction (CoD)) levels. The study sample comprised 43 junior‐ and senior‐level (age = 20.5 ± 6.0 years; height = 194.5 ± 7.2 cm; body mass = 86.8 ± 10.1 kg) elite male basketball players. Both limbs/sides were tested in hip and trunk isometric strength; passive range of motion (RoM); unilateral, horizontal, and vertical jumping; and CoD tests, from which asymmetry indexes were calculated. The associations between asymmetry magnitudes were calculated with Spearman’s ρ correlation coefficient. The agreement between the direction of asymmetries on different levels was calculated with Cohen’’s Kappa (κ) coefficient. The average magnitude of asymmetry varied sub-stantially (2.9–40.3%). Most associations between asymmetry magnitudes measured on different levels were small and statistically non‐significant, with a few exceptions of moderate and large as-sociations. Asymmetry in single‐leg countermovement jump parameters was strongly associated with hip abduction maximal strength (ρ = 0.58 and 0.50, p < 0.01). Agreement between asymmetry directions was slight to fair, with a few moderate exceptions. Results indicate that multiple tests are needed to obtain a comprehensive picture of athletes’ asymmetries and that universal thresholds and golden standard tests for return to play should be reconsidered and reinvestigated.