A study of lower-limb bilateral and unilateral strength asymmetry in Maltese sprinters using the modified sphygmomanometer test

Öz

In track and field athletics, sprint events require athletes to negotiate both straight as well as curved segments of the track. Athletes specializing in the longer sprints must thereby execute symmetrical as well as inherently asymmetrical movement patterns. Few studies have investigated lower-limb strength asymmetry in sprinters internationally, or indeed other factors related to the health and performance of sprinters in the specific case of Malta. This study aimed to explore the general state of affairs with regard to bilateral and unilateral strength asymmetries, specifically in Maltese sprinters, using the modified sphygmomanometer test as a convenient and low-cost method of assessment. We also tested a series of hypotheses investigating the effects on asymmetry of training age, running the curve and leg-dominance. The participants exhibited efficient hamstring to quadriceps strength ratios for sprinting, and generally stronger non-dominant hamstrings bilaterally. Running the curve and left- or right-leggedness did not have significant impacts on any form of lower-limb strength symmetry. There was some evidence to suggest that experienced sprinters may, to a limited degree, manage asymmetrical force production efficiently just where it matters the most. We also discuss the merits of sphygmomanometer testing in the context of purposive asymmetry-reducing neuromuscular control as a learned skill on the part of athletes, and make recommendations for future research.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Unilateral asymmetry
• bilateral asymmetry
• Maltese sprinters
• modified sphygmomanometer test

Kaynakça

1. Alt, T., Heinrich, K., Funken, J., & Potthast, W. (2015). Lower extremity kinematics of athletics curve sprinting. Journal of Sports Sciences, 33(6), 552-560.
2. Beato, M., Young, D., Stiff, A. and Coratella, G. (2021) Lower-limb muscle strength, anterior-posterior and inter-limb asymmetry in professional, elite academy and amateur soccer players. Journal of Human Kinetics, 77(21) 135-146.
3. Beukeboom, C., Birmingham, T. B., Forwell, L., & Ohrling, D. (2000). Asymmetrical strength changes and injuries in athletes training on a small radius curve indoor track. Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, 10(4), 245-250.
4. Bishop, C., Read, P., Chavda, S., & Turner, A. (2016). Asymmetries of the Lower Limb. Strength and Conditioning Journal, 38(6), 27–32.
5. Chang, Y. H., & Kram, R. (2007). Limitations to maximum running speed on flat curves. Journal of Experimental biology, 210(6), 971-982.
6. Coombs, R., & Garbutt, G. (2002). Developments in the use of the hamstring/quadriceps ratio for the assessment of muscle balance. Journal of sports science & medicine, 1(3), 56.
7. Coratella, G., Beato, M., & Schena, F. (2018). Correlation between quadriceps and hamstrings inter-limb strength asymmetry with change of direction and sprint in U21 elite soccer-players. Human Movement Science, 59, 81–87.
8. Dow Morrison, F. N., Ashworth, B., & Kaveney, T. T. (2020). The validity of the sphygmomanometer for shoulder strength assessment in amateur rugby union players. Physical Therapy in Sport.

9. Fort-Vanmeerhaeghe, A., Gual, G., Romero-Rodriguez, D., & Unnitha, V. (2016). Lower limb neuromuscular asymmetry in volleyball and basketball players. Journal of Human Kinetics, 50(1), 135-143.
10. Fousekis, K., Tsepis, E., & Vagenas, G. (2010). Lower limb strength in professional soccer players: profile, asymmetry, and training age. Journal of sports science & medicine, 9(3), 364.
11. Girard, O., Brocherie, F., Morin, J. B., & Millet, G. P. (2017). Lower limb mechanical asymmetry during repeated treadmill sprints. Human movement science, 52, 203-214.
12. Helewa, A., Goldsmith, C. H., & Smythe, H. A. (1981). The modified sphygmomanometer—An instrument to measure muscle strength: A validation study. Journal of Chronic Diseases, 34(7), 353–361.
13. Helme, M., Tee, J., Emmonds, S., & Low, C. (2021). Does lower-limb asymmetry increase injury risk in sport? A systematic review. Physical Therapy in Sport, 49, 204–213.
14. Impellizzeri, F. M., Rampinini, E., Maffiuletti, N. & Marcora, S. M. (2007). A vertical jump force test for assessing bilateral strength asymmetry in athletes. Med Sci Sports Ex, 39, 2044– 2050.
15. Ishimura, K., & Sakurai, S. (2016). Asymmetry in Determinants of Running Speed During Curved Sprinting. Journal of Applied Biomechanics, 32(4), 394–400. Mondin, D., Owen, J. A., Negro, M., & D’Antona, G. (2018). Validity and reliability of a non-invasive test to assess quadriceps and hamstrings strength in athletes. Frontiers in Physiology, 9, 1702.
16. Morin, J. B., Gimenez, P., Edouard, P., Arnal, P., Jiménez-Reyes, P., Samozino, P., Brughelli, M. & Mendiguchia, J. (2015). Sprint acceleration mechanics: the major role of hamstrings in horizontal force production. Frontiers in physiology, 6, 404.
17. Nunn, K. D. & Mayhew, J. L. (1988). Comparison of three methods of assessing strength imbalances at the knee. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther, 6, 134–137.
18. Pandy, M. G., Lai, A. K., Schache, A. G., & Lin, Y. C. (2021). How muscles maximize performance in accelerated sprinting. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 31(10), 1882-1896.
19. Pietraszewski, P., Gołaś, A., Matusiński, A., Mrzygłód, S., Mostowik, A., & Maszczyk, A. (2020). Muscle Activity Asymmetry of the Lower Limbs During Sprinting in Elite Soccer Players. Journal of Human Kinetics, 75(1), 239-245.
20. Rutkowska-Kucharska, A. (2020). Asymmetry of lower limb strength and jumping ability of young soccer players. Acta of Bioengineering and Biomechanics, 22(1).
21. Sannicandro, I., Piccinno, A., Rosa, R. A., & De Pascalis, S. (2011). Functional asymmetry in the lower limb professional soccer players. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 45(4), 370–370.
22. Sannicandro, I., Cofano, G., Rosa, A. R., Traficante, P., & Piccinno, A. (2017). Functional movement screen and lower limb strength asymmetry in professional soccer players. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 51(4), 381-382.
23. Souza, L. A. C. e, Martins, J. C., Teixeira-Salmela, L. F., Godoy, M. R., Aguiar, L. T., & Faria, C. D. C. de M. (2013). Avaliação da força muscular pelo teste do esfigmomanômetro modificado: uma revisão da literatura. Fisioterapia Em Movimento, 26(2), 437–452.
24. Tatlıcıoğlu, E., Atalağ, O., Kırmızıgil, B., Kurt, C., & Acar, M. F. (2019). Side-to-side asymmetry in lower limb strength and hamstring-quadriceps strength ratio among collegiate American football players. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 31(11), 884–888.
25. Zahálka, F., Malý, T., Malá, L., Gryc, T., & Hráský, P. (2013). Power assessment of lower limbs and strength asymmetry of soccer goalkeepers. Acta Gymnica, 43(2), 31-38.