The Effect of Lower Extremity Bilateral Asymmetries on Performance in Division I Soccer Players
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Health and Human Performance
Date of Award
5-22-2024
Abstract
Leg power produced can vary based on leg dominance, previous injury, and current muscle imbalances (Hewit et al., 2012). Lower extremity bilateral asymmetries have been suspected to jeopardize performance, especially a greater than 10% asymmetry in force and power (Bell et al., 2014; Yanci & Camara, 2016). Depending on the volume of exposure to repeated unilateral movements in training, practice, and games, it is likely to impact the degree of asymmetry (Maloney, 2019). In this study, researchers examined lower extremity muscle mass asymmetries in collegiate soccer players as well as unilateral and bilateral vertical jump performance. Twenty-three Division 1 female soccer players (19.24 ± 1.1 years, 166.2 ± 6.7 cm, 65.4 ± 8.0 kg) were recruited. Participants underwent whole body Dual Exergy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) and performed a single bilateral vertical jump followed by a single unilateral vertical jump on each leg while being recorded by 8 video cameras using the DARI® Motion Capture. Variables examined included lean mass and bone mineral density (BMD) of each leg, jump height, and ground reaction forces (GRF). Participants were asked which leg they used to kick a ball; this was defined as their dominant leg. Data were analyzed using paired t-test. A significant difference was found in lean mass, with the dominant leg having greater than the non-dominant leg (mean = 8213.0 ± 1111.2, 7834.3 ± 1105.6, p < 0.05). BMD showed no significant differences between the dominant and non-dominant legs (mean = 1.32 ± 0.09, 1.32 ± 0.08, p > 0.05). Results also showed that the dominant leg showed greater jump height than the non-dominant leg in the unilateral jump (mean = 0.32 ± 0.06. 0.31 ± 0.05, p < 0.05) and maximal unilateral GRF was greater in the dominant leg than the non-dominant leg (mean = 1280.2 ± 208.6, 1259.2 ± 208.6, p > 0.05). Results of the study concluded that the dominant leg, also the kicking leg, had greater muscle mass and unilateral jump height, while BMD had no significant differences. The dominant leg showed a 5% greater lean muscle mass overall, which translated into a 5% greater jump height.
Advisor
Vipa Bernhardt
Subject Categories
Kinesiology | Life Sciences
Recommended Citation
Gerner, Shelby, "The Effect of Lower Extremity Bilateral Asymmetries on Performance in Division I Soccer Players" (2024). Electronic Theses & Dissertations. 1178.
https://digitalcommons.tamuc.edu/etd/1178
