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Int J Sports Med 2020; 41(11): 729-735
DOI: 10.1055/a-1171-2548
Training & Testing

Side Differences Regarding the Limb Symmetry Index in Healthy Professional Athletes

Christophe Lambert
1   Faculty of Health, Department of Trauma and Orthopedic Surgery, University Witten Herdecke, Witten, Germany
,
Thomas Pfeiffer
1   Faculty of Health, Department of Trauma and Orthopedic Surgery, University Witten Herdecke, Witten, Germany
,
Maxime Lambert
1   Faculty of Health, Department of Trauma and Orthopedic Surgery, University Witten Herdecke, Witten, Germany
,
Benedikt Brozat
1   Faculty of Health, Department of Trauma and Orthopedic Surgery, University Witten Herdecke, Witten, Germany
,
Daniel Lachmann
2   Vice-rectorate for Teaching and Studies, Central Evaluation of Studies and Teaching, University of Cologne, Koeln, Germany
,
Sven Shafizadeh
1   Faculty of Health, Department of Trauma and Orthopedic Surgery, University Witten Herdecke, Witten, Germany
3   Department of Trauma Surgery and Sports Traumatology, Sana Dreifaltigkeits-Krankenhaus Cologne, Cologne, Germany
,
Ralph Akoto
1   Faculty of Health, Department of Trauma and Orthopedic Surgery, University Witten Herdecke, Witten, Germany
4   Asklepios Clinic St. Georg, Department of Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery with Division of Knee and Shoulder Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Hamburg, Germany
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Abstract

Side differences in the limb symmetry index during hop tests have been rarely investigated in uninjured athletes. Unknown differences can result in false interpretation of hop tests and affect return to sport decision. Hypothesis was that un-injured athletes in Judo and Taekwondo have side differences in hop test and that asymmetries can be predicted based on the athletes fighting display. Differences, risk relationships were analyzed using the chi-squared test and the odds ratio. A two-tailed p value of<0.05 was considered statistically significant. 115 athletes from the national teams were included (mean age 18.4 years; range 13–27 years). 93, 97.4 and 98.3% did not have symmetric hop distance for three hop tests. Up to a quarter did not reach a limb symmetry index of>90. Moreover, 57.4% (n=66) reached longer jumping distance with the standing leg. Ignoring such pre-existent side differences in evaluation of hop tests and not knowing which limb was dominant prior the injury, can lead to premature or delayed return to sports in the rehabilitation process. Therefore, it might be helpful to refer to individual jump lengths for each limb in case of injury by using hop tests in pre-season screening in professional athletes in Judo and Taekwondo.

Key words

hop test - RTP - ACLR


Publication History

Received: 23 December 2019

Accepted: 17 April 2020

Article published online:
03 June 2020

© 2020. Thieme. All rights reserved.

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Stuttgart · New York

 

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