Description
Introduction: The presence of inter-limb asymmetry in the human body has traditionally been perceived to be detrimental for athletic performance. However, the current literature on the association between lower-limb asymmetry and performance metrics in middle- and long-distance runners is scarce and inconsistent. This systematic review aims to synthesize existing evidence on the relationship between lower inter-limb functional, morphologic, kinetic and kinematic asymmetry and performance-related metrics in male and female healthy adult middle- and long-distance runners.Methods: The scientific databases Pubmed, Web of Science and SPORTDiscus were systematically searched following the “Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses” (PRISMA) guidelines for studies investigating the relationship between lower inter-limb asymmetry and performance-related metrics in healthy adult middle- and long-distance runners of any sex and training level. The quality of included studies was assessed using the Downs and Black Quality Index Tool.
Results: Out of 4817 articles screened in total, 8 studies were included reporting on functional, morphological, kinematic and kinetic asymmetry at lower inter-limb level associated with running performance-related metrics (i.e., running velocity, personal best times, caloric unit cost, metabolic power, mechanical efficiency and metabolic cost). The quality score of the included research varied between 5/10 and 9/10. Our results revealed mixed findings, showing both significant negative (n = 16) and positive (n = 1) associations as well as no significant associations (n = 30).
Conclusion: A high heterogeneity across study methods and outcomes was apparent, making it difficult to draw a straightforward conclusion. Our results indicate that the majority of functional, morphological, kinematic and kinetic inter-limb asymmetry metrics are negatively or not associated with running performance-related metrics. Thus, more extensive high-quality research using standardised asymmetry magnitude metrics is essential to determine whether, and to what extent, inter-limb asymmetry between the lower limbs could affect middle- and long-distance running performance.
Periode | 2024 |
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Evenementstitel | 29th VBSW symposium |
Evenementstype | Conference |
Mate van erkenning | National |