Wiprich MT, Eberle EF, Balbinot GF, Cecconi MP, Binotti F, Tadiello GS, Bonetti LV. Evaluation of muscular and functional inter-limb asymmetries during mid-season in young male soccer athletes.
J Bodyw Mov Ther 2024;
38:605-614. [PMID:
38763615 DOI:
10.1016/j.jbmt.2024.03.067]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
To identify inter-limb asymmetries through the knee's muscular and lower limb functional performance in young male soccer athletes.
METHODS
Twenty male soccer athletes aged 17 to 19 from an under-20 team performed isokinetic tests at 60°/s., 120°/s., 180°/s., and 240°/s. To assess the knee extensors and flexors muscles and functional tests (hop tests and Y-balance test).
RESULTS
There were no significant differences between the dominant limb (DL) and non-dominant limb (NDL) in the knee extensors and flexors peak torque and hamstrings (H)/quadriceps(Q) conventional ratio. Moreover, no angular velocities observed inter-limb asymmetries seen by values higher than 10% in the isokinetic parameters. However, the H/Q conventional ratio shows borderline values in low angular velocities (60°/s. and 120°/s.). No significant changes were observed in the functional test performance between the DL and NDL. Furthermore, we did not see inter-limb asymmetries in both hop and Y-balance tests. On the contrary, the anterior distance reached was lower than found in the literature, and the composite score of the Y-balance test demonstrated values below the normative (>94%).
CONCLUSION
The data demonstrated that soccer athletes have muscular and functional inter-limb symmetry. However, they tend to have knee muscle imbalance in low velocities and dynamic balance deficits that might increase the risk of musculoskeletal injury.
Collapse