Interlimb Asymmetries: Understanding How to Calculate Differences From Bilateral and Unilateral Tests : Strength & Conditioning Journal

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Interlimb Asymmetries: Understanding How to Calculate Differences From Bilateral and Unilateral Tests

Bishop, Chris MSc1; Read, Paul PhD, CSCS*D2; Lake, Jason PhD3; Chavda, Shyam MSc1; Turner, Anthony PhD, CSCS*D1

Author Information

1School of Science and Technology, London Sport Institute, Middlesex University, London, United Kingdom;

2Athlete Health and Performance Research Centre, Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Doha, Qatar; and

3Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom

Address correspondence to Chris Bishop, [email protected].

Conflicts of Interest and Source of Funding: The authors report no conflicts of interest and no source of funding.

Strength and Conditioning Journal 40(4):p 1-6, August 2018. | DOI: 10.1519/SSC.0000000000000371

Abstract

INTERLIMB ASYMMETRIES HAVE BEEN A POPULAR TOPIC OF INVESTIGATION IN THE STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING LITERATURE. RECENTLY, NUMEROUS EQUATIONS HAVE BEEN HIGHLIGHTED THAT CAN QUANTIFY THESE BETWEEN-LIMB DIFFERENCES. HOWEVER, NO DISTINCTION WAS PROVIDED ON WHETHER THEIR USE WAS APPLICABLE TO BOTH BILATERAL AND UNILATERAL TESTS. THIS ARTICLE PROVIDES A FRAMEWORK FOR SELECTING THE MOST APPROPRIATE ASYMMETRY EQUATION BASED ON THE SELECTED TEST METHOD, ENSURING ACCURATE CALCULATION AND INTERPRETATION. IN ADDITION, CONSIDERATIONS FOR DATA ANALYSIS HAVE ALSO BEEN INCLUDED AS A GUIDE FOR PRACTITIONERS ON THE RELEVANCE OF MONITORING INTERLIMB DIFFERENCES LONGITUDINALLY.

Copyright © 2018 National Strength and Conditioning Association

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