The Effects of Maturation on Measures of Asymmetry During Neuromuscular Control Tests in Elite Male Youth Soccer Players

Read, Paul J, Oliver, Jon L, Myer, Gregory D, De Ste Croix, Mark B ORCID: 0000-0001-9911-4355 and Lloyd, Rhodri S (2018) The Effects of Maturation on Measures of Asymmetry During Neuromuscular Control Tests in Elite Male Youth Soccer Players. Pediatric Exercise Science, 30 (1). pp. 168-175. doi:10.1123/pes.2017-0081

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Abstract

Purpose: Asymmetry is a risk factor for male youth soccer players. There is a paucity of data confirming the presence of asymmetry using practically viable screening tasks in players at different stages of maturation. Method: A cross sectional sample (N = 347) of elite male youth soccer players who were either (pre-, circa- or post-peak height velocity (PHV)) completed the following single leg assessments: Y-Balance anterior reach (Y-Bal); hop for distance (SLHD); 75% hop and stick (75%Hop) and countermovement jumps (SLCMJ). Results: SLCMJ landing force asymmetry was higher in both circa and post-PHV groups, (p < 0.001; d = 0.41 – 0.43). 75%Hop landing force asymmetries were also highest in circa PHV players but between group comparisons were not statistically significant and effect sizes were small. SLHD and Y-Bal asymmetries reduced with maturation; however, no group differences were significant, with small to trivial effect sizes (d = ≤ 0.25). Conclusion: Stage of maturation did not have a profound effect on asymmetry. Between-limb differences in functional performance seem to be established in early childhood; thus, targeted interventions to reduce this injury risk factor should commence in pre-PHV athletes and be maintained throughout childhood and adolescence to ensure asymmetry does not increase.

Item Type:	Article
Article Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Leg dominance; Functional performance; Injury risk
Related URLs:	Publisher
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation Leisure > GV557 Sports > GV861 Ball games: Baseball, football, golf, etc. R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC1200 Sports Medicine
Divisions:	Schools and Research Institutes > School of Education and Science
Research Priority Areas:	Health, Life Sciences, Sport and Wellbeing
Depositing User:	Susan Turner
Date Deposited:	01 Aug 2017 10:01
Last Modified:	31 Aug 2023 09:08
URI:	https://eprints.glos.ac.uk/id/eprint/4830

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