Asymmetries in single and triple hop are not detrimental to change of direction speed

Abstract

Objectives:To determine the impact of between limb asymmetries in hop performance on change of direction speed (CODS). Design and Methods: Twenty-two multisport collegiate athletes (mean ± SD; age: 21.8 ± 3.4 years, height: 178.1 ± 6.7 cm, mass:73.5 ± 7.1kg) performed three single and triple horizontal hops for distance per limb, followed by three modified 505 and 90˚cut CODS trials each side to establish imbalances between right and left, and dominant (D) and non-dominant (ND) limbs. Limb dominance was defined as the limb that produced the furthest hop or faster CODS performance.Results: Paired sample t-tests revealed no significant differences in hop performance and CODS performance between right and left limbs (p > 0.05, g ≤ 0.11), however, significant differences were observed when comparing D and ND limbs (p < 0.001, g = 0.46-0.61). No significant correlations were observed between hop imbalance and CODS performance (p > 0.05, r ≤ 0.35). Low agreements (32-55%) were demonstrated between like for like identifications of asymmetry for CODS and hop performance. Conclusions:Imbalances in hop and CODS were present; however, greater hop imbalances were not detrimental to CODS.Furthermore, the D limb for hopping did not necessarily correspond to faster performance from that limb during 180˚ turns and 90˚ cuts (plant foot). Collegiate male multi-sport athletes with imbalances within the range reported within this study (≤ 15%) should not experience associated CODS detriments.(Journal of Trainology 2017;6:35-41)

Assessing Asymmetries in Change of Direction Speed Performance: Application of Change of Direction Deficit

“…The plant foot (direction) with the fastest completion time was defined as D COD speed performance, whereas the slower side was the ND side (5,10). Asymmetry index for D and ND COD speed performance was calculated by the formulae (dominant -non dominant / dominant x 100) (5). Asymmetry thresholds for 505 time and CODD were established using mean imbalance -(0.2 SD of the mean) (5,17).…”

“…Asymmetry index for D and ND COD speed performance was calculated by the formulae (dominant -non dominant / dominant x 100) (5). Asymmetry thresholds for 505 time and CODD were established using mean imbalance -(0.2 SD of the mean) (5,17).…”

“…Subjects with imbalances which exceeded the threshold were classified as asymmetrical, imbalances below the threshold were subsequently classified as balanced (5,17).…”

“…Being equally proficient and fast at changing direction from both limbs and directions would be advantageous from a performance perspective given the unpredictable nature of multidirectional sports. Researchers have attempted to examine asymmetries in completion time between directions (push off limbs) during COD speed tests, observing significant biases and faster performance from a push off limb or direction (5,10,25). For example, Hart et al (10) reported a performance deficit of 5-10% (~0.72 seconds, p < 0.001) between dominant (D) (fastest) and non-dominant (ND) (slower) directions of travel during the preplanned multidirectional AFL agility test in Australian Rules football players.…”

Training Methods and Considerations for Practitioners to Reduce Interlimb Asymmetries

“…Differences in peak power quantified from single leg countermovement jumps (SLCMJ) or jump height from single leg drop jumps (SLDJ) have suggested that imbalances ~10% are detrimental to change of direction speed (CODS) performance (18,25). In contrast, asymmetries in jump height and distance reported from multi-planar unilateral jumps as high as 11.4% have indicated no detrimental effects on linear speed and CODS tasks (10,22); thus, it is challenging to draw sound conclusions from the available body of evidence (7). Similarly, previous research has highlighted discrepancies surrounding asymmetries and injury risk.…”