Jumping-based Asymmetries are Negatively Associated with Jump, Change of Direction, and Repeated Sprint Performance, but not Linear Speed, in Adolescent Handball Athletes

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to determine the association of multi-directional jumping asymmetries with measures of physical performance. Forty-two youth handball athletes (age: 16.0 ± 1.3 years; body height: 174.11 ± 7.3 cm; body mass: 70.49 ± 13.3 kg) performed a mid-season fitness test battery consisting of single leg countermovement, lateral and broad jump tests, two change of direction speed (CODS) tests, an 8 x 10 m repeated sprint test, and a 20 m sprint. The Kappa coefficient showed only ‘slight’ levels of agreement (K range = -0.05 to 0.15), indicating that asymmetries rarely favoured the same side during each of the jump tests. The single leg countermovement jump showed significantly (p = 0.006) larger asymmetries (11.2 ± 8.4) than the broad jump (6.4 ± 4.6) and significant correlations were present between jumping asymmetries and jump (r = -0.32 to -0.52), CODS (r = 0.31 to 0.32) and repeated sprint (r = 0.35 to 0.40) performance. The findings of the present study highlight the independent nature of jumping asymmetries and associations with measures of physical performance. Practitioners are encouraged to use multiple tests to detect existing side differences and consider appropriate training interventions for the reduction of inter-limb asymmetries.

Change of Direction Performance Is Influenced by Asymmetries in Jumping Ability and Hip and Trunk Strength in Elite Basketball Players

“…Negative influence of asymmetry in vertical drop jump height and COD performance (180 • turn test) (r = 0.66, p < 0.01 and 0.52, p < 0.05; depending on the side of the turn) was found by Bishop et al [21]. Also, using horizontal jumps to assess asymmetries, Madruga-Parera et al [38] found much lower correlations (r = 0.32 and 0.31, p <0.05) between asymmetry in horizontal jumping length (SLLJ) and COD performance (V-cut and 180 • turn test). Such a relationship was not found by Lockie et al [15], who did not observe significant correlations between asymmetry in vertical (SLCMJ height) and horizontal (SLHJ and SLLJ distance) jumping and COD performance (T-test and 180 • turn test).…”

Does a Loaded Warm-Up Influence Jump Asymmetry and Badminton-Specific Change of Direction Performance?

“…35 Previously, SLCMJ asymmetries have been associated with impaired CODS in youth tennis players 17 and academy soccer players, 18 although other investigations have observed no relationship in team-sport athletes. [19][20][21][22] It is not clear why asymmetry should directly influence performance in a positive or negative manner, aside from serving as a potential proxy for a neuromuscular deficiency. 16 Longstanding participation in a highly unilaterally biased sport such as badminton is to be expected to result in asymmetric adaptations.…”

“…Currently, the relationship between asymmetry and athletic performance is not clear. 16 Specifically, asymmetries in single leg countermovement jump (SLCMJ) height have been correlated with impaired CODS in youth tennis players 17 , and academy soccer players, 18 but not in youth handball players, 19,20 female soccer players, 21 or in a mixed cohort of professional soccer and cricket players. 22 However, the influence of asymmetry on CODS performance in badminton players has not been evaluated.…”

Influence of Dynamic Balance on Jumping-Based Asymmetries in Team Sport: A between-Sports Comparison in Basketball and Handball Athletes

“…In a critical review, Maloney [ 13 ] pointed out that sports professionals should consider that the weakest limb presents a greater “window of opportunity” with which to improve overall performance. However, when the asymmetry between legs is analyzed and compared using different tests, the results prove inconsistent, and the dominant leg may even change depending on the test used [ 14 ]—thus suggesting a clear test-dependent relationship regarding the presence of asymmetry. Despite the prior evidence on inter-limb asymmetry in a wide range of team sports [ 14 , 15 ], few studies have analyzed asymmetries in handball and established comparisons with a similar on-court sport such as basketball.…”