Asymmetries in Isometric Force-Time Characteristics Are Not Detrimental to Change of Direction Speed

Dos'Santos, T, Thomas, C, Jones, PA, and Comfort, P. Asymmetries in isometric force-time characteristics are not detrimental to change of direction speed. J Strength Cond Res 32(2): 520–527, 2018—The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of between-limb asymmetries in isometric midthigh pull (IMTP) force-time characteristics on change of direction speed (CODS). Twenty multisport collegiate athletes (mean ± SD: age: 21.0 ± 1.9 years; mass: 78.7 ± 8.9 kg; and height: 1.77 ± 0.04 m) performed 3 unilateral stance IMTP trials per limb and 3 modified 505 CODS trials each side to establish imbalances between left and right and dominant (D) and nondominant (ND) limbs. Limb dominance was defined as the limb that produced the highest isometric force-time value or faster CODS performance. Paired sample t-tests and Hedges g effect sizes revealed no significant differences in IMTP force-time characteristics and CODS performance between left and right limbs (p> 0.05, g ≤ 0.37). However, significant differences were observed between D and ND limbs for all IMTP force-time characteristics and CODS performance (p

Source: Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research - January 27, 2018 Category: Sports Medicine Tags: Original Research Source Type: research